Student Programmers & Coders In Demand at Google Summer of Code

For students, summers are much-awaited vacation and relaxation time to tour beautiful places or to relax at the nearest beach. Google, however, has this to say to students who are into computer programming and coding.

If you’re a university student with CS chops looking to earn real-world experience this summer, consider writing code for a cool open source project with the Google Summer of Code program.

Image taken from Googleblog

Know the complete details at the official google blog. But here, I think, is the best reason to try to be accepted;

Students who are accepted into the program will put the skills they have learned in university to good use by working on an actual software project over the summer. Students are paired with mentors to help address technical questions and concerns throughout the course of the project. With the knowledge and hands-on experience students gain during the summer they strengthen their future employment opportunities in fields related to their academic pursuits. Best of all, more source code is created and released for the use and benefit of all.

How do you know if you're qualified? Check this page.

I hope that a Filipino student programmer can be accepted.

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Going to Moscow? Beware of Visa Scams

Scammers do not rest in trying to get hard earned cash of people looking for a better way of life abroad. This time, their target are Filipinos wanting to work in Russia with visa scams.

The Philippine Embassy in Moscow has warned Filipinos wanting to work in Russia about a visa scam. Scammers are on the look-out for Filipinos wanting a speedy release of their visa to Russia, offering their services for a substantial fee.

Interested Filipinos should refer to the following basic visa information provided by the Philippine consulate:

• The appropriate visa for living and working legally in Russia is a “WORKING” visa.
• Holders of “COMMERCIAL,” “BUSINESS,” “TOURIST,” or “STUDENT” visas are not allowed to work in Russia.
• A “WORKING” visa must be obtained from a Russian Embassy or Consulate prior to arrival in Russia. It must be arranged by the Russian employer who invites the foreign worker.
• A “WORKING” visa allows employment with the inviting company/individual only and not with any other entity.
• “COMMERCIAL,” “BUSINESS,” “TOURIST,” and “STUDENT” visas cannot be legally converted to “WORKING” visas while holder is in the territory of the Russian Federation.

And for those currently applying for a visa to Russia, it is best to contact the Philippine Embassy in Moscow directly at moscow.pe@dfa.gov.ph.

Let us all help in spreading the news to fight out these scammers.

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Scam Alert: Portugal Job Offers Scam, Warning from DFA

The Philippine Embassy in Lisbon recently issued a warning regarding the online scams offering employment in Portugal.

The Embassy has recently noted an upsurge in the number of Filipinos who have been victimized or have received emails from alleged companies or law firms in Portugal who offer jobs and/or promise to process entry/visa permits for employment through payment of exorbitant fees by money transfer. 

In some cases, unscrupulous individuals have misrepresented real and even reputable companies in Portugal by using information on their websites but replacing their contact information. These individuals require payment of fees for “Entry-Clearance Certificates,” “International /Overseas Employment Certificates-(I/OEC)” and “Affidavits of Guarantee Fund,” all of which are not required by Portuguese authorities. The IOEC that these individuals are asking payment for, is not the OEC legitimately issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).

 Read the advisory from DFA website: Phl Embassy Warns Public Regarding Online Scams Offering Employment in Portugal

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Are You an Aspiring Journalist? PCIJ is looking for Applicants for Basic Investigative Seminar

Are You an aspiring journalist? I wish to share you what I just read from rappler.com that Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) will be offering a three-day training seminar-workshop on Basic Investigative Reporting.

Who Can Apply?

Mid-career and senior journalist with at least three years' experience - freelance reporters, contributors, stringers, researchers, anchors, producers, editors, and news managers of print, TV, radio, and online media may apply. Citizen media and bloggers covering public policy issues are also eligible.

Read the complete details either here or here.

Investigative journalism are catalyst of change in society. I admire those people who have dedicated their lives in bringing out issues and anomalies that will change our country for the better.

Good luck to those who will apply. And I hope that you will use this seminar as your springboard into making the Philippines better one report at a time.

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POEA Overseas Exit Clearance for OFW | Apply Online

Vacationing Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) can now process Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) online.  Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) serves as the Overseas Filipino Worker's travel exit clearance at the airport and immigration counters. The OEC is also an exemption for Overseas Filipino Workers from payment of travel tax and airport terminal fees.

To apply for your OEC online, visit http://www.citizenservices.com.ph. 

 

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