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New year hops onto horizon
African literature lecture and poetry reading today Journalist and poet Obi Nwakanma will lecture at 2:30 p.m. today at the Honors College Commons.
Students and faculty usher in the Year of the Rabbit with a festival to share traditional food and music
The lecture will be followed by a poetry reading at 7 p.m. at the Houston Institute of Culture at 708-C Telephone Road. “We are especially excited to have Obi Nwakanma as a guest lecturer,” Kairn Klieman, a history professor, said in a press release. “It is an honor to host him and a rare opportunity to share with our students a worldly perspective on African literature.” Both events are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Travis Coggin at (713) 743-4162. Julian Jimenez/The Daily Cougar
STUDENTS
Online personal branding week from PwC returns PricewaterhouseCoopers holds its 2nd Annual Five Day Virtual Career Week to help students secure a job after graduation, a news release said. The Feb 7-11 online event helps students create a brand for themselves when applying for a job. There will be a $5,000 award for Best Elevator Pitch video. “Personal branding is not just about communication, but also about developing the right skills that differentiate job candidates,” Holly Paul, national recruiting leader for PwC, said. “In a world where employers are looking for differentiated value, personal branding is a strategic tool to stand out.” For additional information, visit www.pwc.com/us/PersonalBrandWeek.
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THE DAILY COUGAR
Students Jackie Lin and Tammy Ngo wear a Qi Pao, a one-piece Chinese woman dress. | Brianna Leigh Morrison/The Daily Cougar
Members of the UH community gathered to celebrate the Chinese New Year on Thursday in the M.D. Anderson Rockwell Pavilion. “Xin nian kuai le (happy New
Year),” Xiaohong Sharon Wen, director of the UH’s Chinese Study Program, said to all present. This year marks the Year of the Rabbit. The Chinese New Year is regarded as the most important event among NEW YEAR continues on page 3
BUSINESS
Forum held on volunteer options Charity work may boost job applications, resumes THE DAILY COUGAR
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February 7, 2011
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Issue 87, Volume 76
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EVENTS Piano Works The Moores School of Music is having a showing of Piano Works. The event will feature sounds and music from famous violinist and pianists. It will take place from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for students, $10 for others. Forgotten Gateway: Coming to America Through Galveston Island The Houston Museum of Natural Sciences will have the exhibition open until Feb. 20.
FOR MORE EVENTS, CHECK OUT
thedailycougar.com/calendar
An expo on Thursday with 20 nonprofit organizations in attendance presented students with various community service opportunities. The third year for the fall and spring event, hosted by the CT Bauer College of Business, brings organizations like the Houston Food Bank, Unicef, and Lemonade Day. “It’s been really great. Every year Bauer students and UH students really step up,” Anya Gersib, a volunteer representative of the Houston Food Bank, said. “I’ve had tons of groups come volunteer, tons of hours have been contributed.” Aside from helping the community, students can also apply the volunteer work to their resume. Businesses care about their employees’ volunteering, according to a career center representative. “Employers want their employees to care about volunteering and helping out the community,” Taylor Mullings, an instructional assistant at Bauer’s Rockwell Career Center, said. Lemonade Day, an organization that focuses on teaching kids how to EXPO continues on page 3
What was originally planned as a candlelight vigil outside M.D. Anderson library turned into a discussion on Egypt between almost forty people at UC Underground on Tuesday. | Anam Gias/The Daily Cougar
EGYPT
Protests personal for students Candlelight vigil turns into discussion on democracy Anam Ghias
THE DAILY COUGAR When the president of Tunisia was forced to flee his country in December because of an uprising against him, many other Middle Eastern countries followed suit with demonstrations against their leaders. In Egypt, the demonstrations erupted on Jan. 25, with protesters demanding the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak and a new leadership through proper democratic means. “What is taking place is a popular uprising against an oppressive regime,” first year political science graduate student Luai Allarakia said. “I am concerned because I believe that the people of the region have the right to choose their own leaders without intimidation and violence.” Allarakia took part in a discussion attended
by almost 40 people inside the UC Underground on Tuesday. The discussion was originally planned as a candlelight vigil, but a drop in temperature forced attendees inside. According to the Al Jazeera website, over one million protestors have gathered on the streets of Egypt. UH psychology sophomore Eman Radwan knows firsthand how the turmoil has impacted people in Egypt. “Some of my cousins are protesting on the street,” Radwan said. “Others are standing in front of their houses with the rest of their neighbors to protect their families.” Radwan said family members have reported that criminals are going around stealing and vandalizing properties as protests take place. “The police over there are too busy shooting tear gas at innocent protestors to do anything about these criminals,” Radwan said. Two years ago in Cairo, President Obama EGYPT continues on page 3