In 1973 Christmas Island was one of many offshore locations of CESA Examinations. In fact, in that year there almost 1,000 CESA examinations overseas and about 2,000 in Australia for Basic and Advanced Level Diplomas in Accountancy and Management.
                “Christmas Island lies in the eastern portion of the Indian Ocean, 890 miles from Singapore and 1,408 miles from Fremantle, Western Australia.         The island was discovered and named by the captain of an East India Company ship in 1643. The first recorded landing was by Dampier’s crew in 1688. The island was uninhabited until late in the nineteenth century. In 1888 it was annexed by H.M.S. Imperieuse and placed under supervision of the Straits Settlement Government.

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What are some of the ways to detect AI? What are the positive benefits of AI? What are some of the dangers of AI? It is sometimes claimed that in commerce, including business and law, artificial intelligence (AI) is more efficient than humans, for example, in compiling expository literature reviews or composing affidavits. Is there substantial evidence for this? When is it justifiable to utilise AI without breach of academic integrity? What are some of the ways to detect AI? What are the positive benefits of AI? What are some of the dangers of AI?

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​As face-to-face teaching and peer reviews of teaching become the norm again after the Covid lockdowns which varied considerably among our various jurisdictions, it was thought appropriate to return to some aspects of classroom management in which learning should occur. Many students, and some teachers, have only experienced ‘remote’ teaching and learning!
There has been much discussion about classroom management in recent media claims about the lowering of student achievement. While for most of us this may not be a serious issue, some colleagues have suggested that it might be timely to recall some of the elements of this topic. To do so, I have chosen some parts from a chapter of that title in a textbook which goes back to the era of old-fashioned, but very effective, teachers’ colleges. 

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The COVID-19 lockdowns of recent years compelled a shift to remote learning for students, ushering in an era of what can be termed as guided discovery, reminiscent of educational approaches popularized in the sixties. This method, although often ridiculed at its inception, bears resemblance to Jerome Bruner's concept of guided discovery, aimed at fostering both self-mastery and mastery of the material, particularly in reading [3].
Guided discovery, akin to "intellectual orienteering," entails the teacher designing a series of experiences to guide students toward desired learning outcomes. Contrary to a caricatured notion of throwing students into a physics laboratory and expecting them to derive the theory of relativity, guided discovery involves active participation and mentorship [14]. As Bruner himself noted, "Much of what we call ‘instruction’ is but the provision of an atmosphere in which learning can take place" [3].
While this approach may cover less material in any given timeframe, it emphasizes depth of understanding and student engagement [cf. 11]. As John Dewey famously stated, "Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself" [4]. In the post-lockdown era, as schools readjust to in-person learning, there's an opportunity to re-examine the efficacy of guided discovery within the high school setting. This note explores the principles of guided discovery and their potential application in organizing effective seminars, tutorials, and capstone subjects [cf. 7,13]. By revisiting these fundamentals, educators may foster deeper learning experiences and better prepare students for academic challenges ahead.

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AbstractThis report delves into the topic of improving efficiency in a possibly hybrid work environment. It explores how to do this for a team which utilizes Microsoft Teams for both remote and in-office tasks. Despite some of the perceived advantages of working remotely, there is evidence which suggests that productivity may decrease. The study uncovers significant issues, such as communication difficulties, complexities in maintaining work-life balance, and financial considerations. These problems are highlighted as crucial to address for the overall integrity and productivity of the workplace. Additionally, the report presents an analysis of these identified issues by drawing upon knowledge from various disciplines. In particular, the report is composed of various components which aid in assessing the financial state of an organization. These include a projected profit and loss table, an analysis that evaluates profitability based on different numbers of office days per week, and a projected balance sheet. The outcome suggests that the most balanced approach would be to have a three-day work-week at the office. Additionally, it proposes solutions such as investing in technology, incorporating flexible working hours, and maintaining clear communication channels. Further research recommendations focus on exploring long-term effects and considering environmental factors. Moreover, future plans involve studying how remote work technologies are evolving and ensuring business sustainability. In essence, this report serves as a comprehensive guide for organizations aiming to optimize their hybrid work model in terms of productivity and financial effectiveness.

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AbstractDespite strong progress over the past 30 years, Cambodia continues to face socio-economic challenges in the areas of gender inequality and human trafficking. This study explores an approach within an Australian faith-based social enterprise operating in Cambodia to create a ‘redemptive’ pedagogy in the form of a curriculum and learning community that develops and supports women socially, relationally and spiritually as they leave the sex industry and reintegrate into Cambodian society. Consistent with the faith roots of the social enterprise, the study drew on the concept of ‘koinonia’ and how this is understood and applied in Cambodian faith communities by interviewing eight Cambodian faith and/or vocational education leaders and facilitating focus groups with a further four Cambodian educators and six students. The evidence was analysed using a grounded theory methodology to create a model of two interrelated communities. The first community is characterised by being open and inclusive and encourages fellowship in a safe and dignified environment and through loving, honest and trusting relationships. This community feeds a related secondary community characterised by a spiritual, practical and relational dimension. This article further outlines a proposed curriculum that integrates the Beatitudes and leverages these concepts through peer-to-peer learning and concludes by outlining areas for further research.
Keywords: Cambodia, Koinonia, Beatitudes; learning community, peer-to-peer learning, social enterprise. 

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In the last few decades, globalization has led English to emerge as the main international language of trade and commerce. My recent online search has also shown that:

• According to the South China Morning Post, May 28, 2023, international accounting guild ACCA has reported that its mainland China membership has grown by 20% over the past 5 years;
• As per published on www.iasplus.com, the September 2023 communique issued from delegates of China, Japan and South Korea have met and agreed to reinforce their commitments towards IFRS Accounting Standards; 
• Recruiting giant Robert Half’s China website (www.roberthalf.cn) has indicated that AICPA, ACCA, CMA and CFA are 4 of the 5 most desirable accountants’ certifications in China - this represents 80% of the preferred professional certification using EMI.  

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Submitted by Tony Shannon
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Most professional people take sufficient pride in their work to want to keep developing in their professions. Many professions require ongoing development in order for members to retain their registration. Government approved regulators of higher education in many reputable jurisdictions round the world require continuing professional development of all staff. They also insist on scholarly activity which informs the teaching of academic staff. These requirements can often be honoured in their breach, especially with sessional staff who work in more than one higher education institute.