Here are the 14 categories for the 2020 awards lots of choice for every university to find an area in which it excels. Universities may enter as many categories as they wish.

Entries will be judged by a representative panel from across the UK higher education sector, winners will be announced at a prestigious ceremony in London, April 2020, and shortlisted entries will be profiled across the Guardian.

1. Staff experienceAwarded to an outstanding initiative that has a significant and measurable impact on working conditions for staff, from equality and diversity to pay and pensions.

2. Business collaborationAwarded to an outstanding university partnership with a business or an industry regional, national or international where knowledge is applied and resources are shared for the benefit of the wider economy.

3. Digital innovationAwarded to a university that is implementing innovative digital technology solutions to improve pedagogy, the student experience and online course delivery.

4. Employability and entrepreneurshipAwarded to a successful initiative that equips students with the skills they need for the job market, provides networking opportunities, gives them access to potential employers, and fosters the spirit of creativity that would enable them to launch their own enterprises.

5. InternationalisationAwarded to an outstanding project, venture or collaboration that shows the university operating with global vision and ambition.

6. Marketing and comms campaignsAwarded to an imaginative university marketing or press campaign that imparts a clear message to engage its target audience and raise the profile of the university, or show it in a new light.

7. Research impactAwarded to a research project that demonstrates either academic impact through advancing knowledge, or which results in measurable benefits to the wider society and/or the economy.

8. Course design, retention and student outcomesAwarded to a forward-thinking institutional or departmental approach that seeks to reimagine university education for a diverse student body and provide targeted support to students at risk of underperforming.

9. Social and community impactsupported by WonkheAwarded to a programme that has engaged with communities, at a local, national or global level, and implemented changes that have had a lasting impact.

10. Student experienceAwarded to an innovative project or initiative that has positively enhanced the academic and/or personal experience of the student body.

11. Buildings that inspireAwarded to a capital project that has positively enhanced the student and/or staff experience, and fostered a better living and working environment.

12. SustainabilityAwarded to a project or initiative that cuts down carbon emissions, reduces waste or lessens a universitys environmental footprint.

13. Teaching excellencesupported by JiscAwarded to an outstanding teaching initiative that inspires student learning and attainment through innovative pedagogy and places teaching at the forefront of the universitys mission.

14. Widening access and outreachAwarded to an initiative that has demonstrably helped to increase the number of disadvantaged and underrepresented students entering the university, through working with schools and communities to raise aspirations.

University of the YearAwarded to a university that combines academic excellence with an outstanding widening participation programme, drawing in a diverse intake and providing the tailored support students need to thrive.

Join Guardian Universities for more comment, analysis and job opportunities, direct to your inbox. Follow us on Twitter @GdnUniversities.

Originally posted here:
University Awards 2020: the categories - The Guardian

PAOLA - Students involved in Sunflower Elementarys new Kids Connect Club are already making an impact on their community that stretches far beyond the walls of their Paola school.

With the help of fellow teachers Malinda Chappell, Blair Burke and Jamie McDaniel, Sunflower interrelated teacher Paula Gage created the club and kicked it off this school year.

Gage made headlines this spring when she was named Paola USD 368s Elementary Teacher of the Year. Each teacher of the year gets funding for a school project, and Gage said she wanted her teacher project to involve civic engagement.

I want the children to love and have pride in their community and for our community to invest in our future leaders, she said.

The Kids Connect Club, which meets every Tuesday, has turned Gages vision into reality.

The club features 19 students in grades 3-5, and they most recently tackled a community service project designed to get socks into the hands of those who need them in the community.

Gage said the project was possible thanks to a partnership with Bombas socks, which donates a pair of socks for every pair it sells.

The sock companys website explains that its name comes from the Latin word for bumblebee, which is the organizations logo.

Bees live in a hive and work together to make their world a better place. Theyre small, but their combined actions have a big impact on the world, the company states on its website, http://www.bombas.com. We like that. Thats why our mantra is bee better. We put this reminder inside each Bombas clothing item as a reminder that little improvements can add up to make a big difference, and that your purchase went towards directly helping someone in need.

Gage said the Kids Connect Club were given 1,800 pairs of Bombas socks to give out, and the students quickly went to work writing emails to local organizations to see if they are in need of socks.

They then got busy personalizing each pair with a Sunflower Elementary Kids Connect Club sticker. Each sock also comes with a message that reads: This is a pair of specially designed Bombas donation socks. They are knit with love, made from high quality yarns, and engineered for comfort, durability and warmth.

The first 200 pairs recently were given to the Serving Our Students (S.O.S.) organization that helps local families in the Paola USD 368 school district. S.O.S. representative Jimmy Hay was more than happy to stop by the school and pick up the boxes.

Several additional pairs have been given to other local organizations, including the Coats for Folks project in Louisburg, Tri-ko, My Father's House, Life Skills program, North Point Skilled Nursing and the Paola Police Department for the Shop with a Cop program.

Some pairs were also given to the school nurses at each Paola school because they are always in need of socks.

Gage said she has been impressed with the way the club members have embraced the idea of community service, and she mentioned that as an added bonus, they are accumulating service hours that could make them eligible for the Presidents Volunteer Service Award.

See the rest here:
Connecting with the community - Miami County Republic

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) Officials have suspended a middle school teacher in Pennsylvania while authorities investigate if the teacher told his class that he wished he could shoot a person to have quiet in his class.

Harrisburg School District chief operating officer Chris Celmer posted a letter to parents and staff on Thursday saying the district is extremely concerned by what appears to be highly inappropriate and inexcusable judgment on the part of the seventh grade teacher at Camp Curtin Academy on Wednesday.

In a recording posted online, a person identified as the teacher is heard saying he used to tell his students he wished he could shoot one person and that person would be the first who wouldnt stop talking. The person then said hes not allowed to do that.

The teachers name was not released.

Web Only

Back to Top

Read the original here:
Teacher suspended after shooting comment posted online - Education Week

Global Online Education Market Growth, Size, Share & Trend Analysis By Type (Academic, Corporate, ) Applications (Students, Aldults, ) Region, Competitive Insights, And Segment Forecasts, 2019 2023

The Global Online Education Market report mainly studies the market size, recent trends and development status of the Online Education market, as well as investment opportunities, government policy, market dynamics (drivers, restraints, opportunities), supply chain and competitive landscape. Technological innovation and advancement will further optimize the performance of the product, making it more widely used in downstream applications. Moreover, Porters Five Forces Analysis (potential entrants, suppliers, substitutes, buyers, industry competitors) provides crucial information for knowing the Online Education market.

Get Free PDF Sample Report: https://www.globalmarketers.biz/report/aerospace-&-defense/global-online-education-industry-market-research-report/22085#request_sample

Major Players Of Global Online Education Market

Companies:

Liqvid ELearning ServicesNIIT100 PercentileLearnNextIProfTopper LearningDexlerTutorVistaEducompEveronn DigitalKshitijEmbibeExtraMarksHughes Communications IndiaHCL InfosystemsEduKartEdurite

This report covers the Types as well as Application data for Online Education Market along with the country level information for the period of 2013-2023

Global Online Education Market Segmented By Types and By its Applications:

Type:

AcademicCorporate

Application:

StudentsAldults

Any question or unique requirement? ask to our industry professional @ : https://www.globalmarketers.biz/report/aerospace-&-defense/global-online-education-industry-market-research-report/22085#inquiry-before-buying

Global Online Education Market Scope and Features

Global Online Education Market Introduction and Overview Includes Online Education market Definition, Market Scope and Market Size Estimation and region-wise Online Education Value and Growth Rate history from 2013-2023, Online Education market dynamics:Drivers, Limitations, challenges that are faced, emerging countries of Online Education, Industry News and Policies by Regions.

Industry Chain Analysis To describe upstream raw material suppliers and cost structure of Online Education, major players of Online Education with company profile, Online Education manufacturing base and market share, manufacturing cost structure analysis, Market Channel Analysis and major downstream buyers of Online Education.

Global Online Education Market Analysis by Product Type and Application It gives Online Education market share, value, status, production, Online Education Value and Growth Rate analysis by type from 2013 to 2018. Although downstream market overview, Online Education consumption,Market Share, growth rate, by an application (2013-2018).

Regional Analysis This segment of report covers the analysis of Online Education production, consumption,import, export, Online Education market value, revenue, market share and growth rate, market status and SWOT analysis, Online Education price and gross margin analysis by regions.

Competitive Landscape, Trends And Opportunities: It includes the provides competitive situation and market concentration status of major players of Online Education with basic information i.e company profile, Product Introduction, Market share, Value, Price, Gross Margin 2013-2019

Online Education Market Analysis and Forecast by Region Includes Market Value and Consumption Forecast (2013-2023) of Online Education market Of the following region and sub-regions including the North America, Europe(Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Poland), China, Japan,Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam) Middle East and Africa(Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Egypt, South Africa, Nigeria), India, South America(Brazil, Mexico, Colombia)

Browse full report: @ https://www.globalmarketers.biz/report/aerospace-&-defense/global-online-education-industry-market-research-report/22085#table_of_contents

Table Of Content

1 Online Education Introduction and Market Overview

2 Industry Chain Analysis

3 Global Online Education Value (US$ Mn) and Market Share, Production , Value (US$ Mn) , Growth Rate and Average Price (US$/Ton) analysis by Type (2013-2019)

4 Online Education Consumption, Market Share and Growth Rate (%) by Application (2013-2019) by Application

5 Global Online Education Production, Value (US$ Mn) by Region (2013-2019)

6 Global Online Education Production (K Units), Consumption (K Units), Export (%), Import (%) by Regions (2013-2019) 7 Global Online Education Market Status by Regions

8 Competitive Landscape Analysis

9 Global Online Education Market Analysis and Forecast by Type and Application

10 Online Education Market Analysis and Forecast by Region

11 New Project Feasibility Analysis

12 Research Finding and Conclusion

13 Appendix

13.1 Methodology, Research Data Source

Read more:
Global Online Education Market 2019 Growth and Share Analysis By Top players, Application, and Types and Regional Forecast 2023 - 99Newsindustry

CALHOUN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) When is the last time you used your library card?

With the rise of digital media and e-books, some people have turned away from what was once the only place to find a wide variety of information.

Traditionally, libraries are known to be a good place to open a book and read.

While thats still true today, libraries are beginning to focus more on the people reading the books.

In todays world, public libraries are getting a second look as a valuable resource.

They are thriving. I know a lot of people think theyre not but there are those people that think the library is only about books, hardback books but its not like that anymore. Weve had to conform and we had to roll with the times, said branch manager Janice Vaughn.

On average, Jesse Yancy Memorial Library in Calhoun County has 40 visitors a day.

Vaughn said libraries are evolving into institutions that focus more on the quality of information, not only for longtime users, but also for their youngest patrons.

Several of our elementary classes come at the beginning of each school year. Kindergartens do a walkthrough just to make them familiar that the library is here for them. Fourth graders actually get their first library card and get to check out a book so thats neat we get to do that for them, said Vaughn.

Although libraries may be looked at as a powerhouse for all things books, they are now offering young adults real-world programs in college and career readiness and technology.

A lot of people come here to fill out job applications, everything is just about online now so they have to come, especially people who dont have computers at home or who dont know about a computer. They come here and help them access the applications and stuff. If they take online classes online, they can come here and we are able to proctor their test that they take, said Vaughn.

Vaughn said she and her staff are always here for their communitys needs.

We offer a lot of things besides just books, said Vaughn.

For more information on what services your local library has available, make the trip and check them out.

View original post here:
Public libraries are bringing in resources to fit community needs - WCBI

Tremain Jackson, Special to the Reporter-News Published 5:00 p.m. CT Nov. 17, 2019

In case you dont know, you can keep up with your Abilene Public Library on social media.

The library maintains a presenceon several of the most popular sites and can be accessed by visiting abilenetx.gov/apl. Look for the social media icons located at the bottom of the screen.

We first dived into social media in 2006 and weve gotten better with age. You can connect with your library on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Tumblr, PodBeanand Instagram. If you have an active account on any of the sites were on, I invite you to connect with us and check out all we have to offer.

Facebook is by far the most popular site with over 1 billion users. We joined Facebook in 2009, and you can find us at facebook.com/AbilenePublicLibrary. Over 5,300 people actively follow our page. Use Facebook to connect with us and ask questions, view photos of our events, see videos, get inspired by daily facts and triviaand much more.

For those who like quick blasts of information, Twitter may be for you. Like with Facebook, we began tweeting in 2009. You can find us at twitter.com/AbileneLibrary and here youll get information about upcoming programs, see select photos of what were doing, learn about services and more. Best yet, you get all of that in 240-characters or less.

YouTube is another amazing social media site allowing people to upload videos for the world to see. Your Abilene Public Library has an extremely popular page where we provide a host of videos that have been viewed over 1.4 million times. Staff provides a ton of content to watch including some great craft shows as well as videos from many of the workshops and programs hosted at the library. If you want to check us out on YouTube, find us at youtube.com/APLibrary.

Pinterest is popular for pinning ideas to a bulletin board for others to search through and use. In no time, it has become a popular place for people to browse. Your library has multiple boards providing access to reading lists, craft ideas, book reviews, bestsellers, summer reading club ideasand more. More than 1,700 people are following us there, so join them and us at pinterest.com/APLibrary.

For those who enjoy listening to podcasts, we also host a weekly show from the library to talk about our programming, new releases to be on the lookout for at your library, issues relating to technology that impact us alland news stories about libraries, both local and national. These free, audio broadcasts are updated every Tuesday and you can give us a listen on the PodBean site at aplibrary.podbean.com, or find us by visiting your podcasting apps on your mobile devices and looking for the Abilene Public Librarys Squirrels and Shiny Things show. Dont you love that title?

Instagram, a site that lets you snap photos, add fun filtersand upload them for others to look at, is another option. We can be found online at instagram.com/AbilenePublicLibrary or through the popular application for mobile devices. With more than3,700followers, its a fun way to see a different side of your library.

The final place you can find us online is at Tumblr, which works very similar to Instagram. You can follow us there by downloading the Tumblr application on your mobile devices and searching for "Abilene Public Library."

Dont pass up the chance to check out what we have to offer you online through social mediaand feel free to follow us so youre alerted toupdates.

Read or Share this story: https://www.reporternews.com/story/life/columnists/2019/11/17/join-abilene-public-librarys-online-social-soiree/4184393002/

Original post:
Join the Abilene Public Library's online social soiree - Abilene Reporter-News

On Nov. 18, the Palo Alto City Council plans to add two years and $204,000 to its agreement with Townsend Public Affairs, which lobbies for the city in Sacramento. File photo by Veronica Weber.

In the latest Around Town column, find how what issues Palo Alto City Council members want the city's legislative advocate to focus on and a local nonprofit recently recognized by the Library of Congress.

CAPITAL PLANS ... Palo Alto's elected leaders have plenty of gripes when it comes to Sacramento, from desires to see more state funding for railroad improvements to concerns about housing bills that may diminish local control over land-use decisions. The job of communicating these concerns to state legislators falls to Niccolo De Luca, a legislative advocate with the lobbying firm Townsend Public Affairs. On Nov. 18, the City Council is scheduled to add two years and $204,000 to the city's agreement with Townsend, bringing the contract total to $799,000. Last Tuesday, De Luca came to Palo Alto to provide an update to the council's Policy and Services Committee and hear from local lawmakers about their Sacramento priorities. For Councilman Greg Tanaka, the overarching priority remains securing funding for grade separation, the redesign of railroad crossings so that rail tracks don't intersect with local roads. Last year, De Luca worked with Assemblyman Marc Berman on including some funding for design work in the state budget. The proposal didn't advance, though De Luca assured the committee that they made some headway on securing funding for grade separation. "Obviously we didn't get to the finish line," De Luca said. "If this was marathon, it would be mile 24." Tanaka suggested that by keeping the list of legislative demands small, the city may have better luck in getting the grade-separation funding. Tanaka noted that the downtown Palo Alto Caltrain station is the second busiest in the entire system. Councilwoman Lydia Kou lobbied for a more ambitious list of demands, including supporting legislation to audit major transportation agencies such as the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, Caltrain and BART. The city has been working with Townsend since 2014. City Manager Ed Shikada made a case in a new report for retaining the relationship. While recognizing the "significant expenditures," Shikada argued that the discontinuation of the firm's services would make it "significantly more difficult to establish effective relationships when needed to respond to concerns with pending legislation, and similarly more difficult to advance the City's funding and policy initiatives."

THE POWER OF LITERACY ... Redwood City-based nonprofit Bring Me a Book is one of 15 organizations honored by the Library of Congress Literacy Awards Program for demonstrating the best practices in promoting literacy. The local organization was founded by Palo Alto resident Judy Koch, who recently received the award at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. with Michaelin Reamy, president of its affiliate organization in Franklin County, Florida. A former English teacher, Koch launched Bring Me a Book to provide books to underserved children. Its program includes BookBuddies, where volunteers read books aloud to preschool and kindergarten students; Book Cubbies, where parents and children team up to decorate a book cubby at school; and book giveaways.

---

Follow the Palo Alto Weekly/Palo Alto Online on Twitter @PaloAltoWeekly and Facebook for breaking news, local events, photos, videos and more.

Read the rest here:
Around Town: Capital plans; the power of literacy - Palo Alto Online

By MJ Oldoldmadel@grinnell.edu

The Grinnell Library recently bought an institutional license to the Washington Post website, meaning that any device connected to the Grinnell College Wi-FI can access the Washington Post dating back to 2005 (not including the crosswords and other special features), no login required.

The large papers like the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Washington Post have been reluctant to have a purchase model that included academic institutions. Its hard times for newspapers and theyve been trying to get by, said Kevin Engel, head of Kistle Science Library.

[The Washington Post] didnt put out an educational license until August of this year and initially they came in with a very high price, much too high. Initially the price would have been $7,000 a year; now we get it for $2,000 a year and were locked in for three years, Engel said.

The Washington Post was free for people at academic institutions until November 2017. The library chose to purchase online access based on student demand. Previously students could only read paper copies in Burling. The paper newspapers in Burling that get the most use are the Des Moines Register and the Wall Street Journal, which are both delivered daily.

The Center for Research Libraries (CRL), of which the Grinnell library is a member, negotiated the initial offer with the Washington Post.

It was just a matter of contacting CRL saying were interested, they got a quote from the Washington Post for us, we talked to the Washington Post directly, did a little negotiation on price and then it was just paperwork, licensing and so on. And then they take our IP addresses and set up the access, Engel said. We were probably one of the first colleges in the nation under the new pricing structure because they were figuring out their forms with us.

The library decides what services to buy based on student demand and the cost-per-use. For example, the New York Times online costs $7,950 a year, but the number of people who use it bring the cost-per-use down to three and a half cents.

The great world of newspapers and things is a Wild West because everyones trying to make money in a changing time, so there are lots of different offers and access methods and were hoping to provide the campus with the broadest access and the best access we can, Engel said.

Foreign Affairs, to which Grinnell also has a site license, was another frequently requested publication. The complete version of publications is now the digital version. Theres a lot of content in Foreign Affairs that never makes it into the print magazine. And so, to get that stuff for classes, we went with the site license, Engel said.

The library also buys access to streaming video and music. Some film and video databases Grinnellians have access to include Films On Demand, Filmmakers Library Online, Naxos Video and Kanopy. Naxos Music has classical and international music.

Streaming video is a very hot area right now, and faculty are incorporating film in their classes more and more, Engel said. Everyone would like to have an academic model for Netflixthats the holy grailbut Netflix does not sell that because they make too much money from individuals.

See more here:
College community gains access to The Washington Post Online - Scarlet and Black

Gita addresses itself to the basic question of human ignorance about ones true nature and the consequent suffering.

Chapter One and the first ten shlokas of the second chapter of Gita describe sorrow, which arises due to internal conflict of the mind. Though ascribed to Arjuna, such grief is in fact a constant companion of human heart. Everyone experiences a sense of dissatisfaction and the resultant grief, almost on daily basis.

Gita teaches mankind as to how to resolve the inherent conflict of human mind and thus overcome this wholly avoidable sorrow. In this manner, one can lead a meaningful and purposeful life.

In the backdrop of a battleground and through the dilemma of a great warrior, Gita has analysed the essential aspects of human nature. Battlefield at Kurukshetra is the symbol of human mind which is the scene of constant conflict a conflict between dharma and adharma, a conflict between reason and emotion, a conflict between personal interest and public good and so on. It is a battleground of the moral struggle for establishment of dharma, the path of righteousness. Dharma is what promotes materialistic growth and spiritual attainment.

In addition to the instinct which every animate being has been provided with, the human being is blessed with buddhi, the faculty of intellect. A man is not only aware of the world around him, but also of himself. Through buddhi, one is able to perceive oneself as happy or not happy. He can also imagine as to what could bring happiness to him. As per this understanding, one makes choices which he thinks to be appropriate for him. He chooses what he thinks would get rid of his feeling of dissatisfaction.

Excercise of choice entails conflict. Conflict often leads to dilemma because of the inability of mind to choose between equally difficult options. Dilemma results in confusion and sorrow.

One often tries to overcome the persistent sensation of dissatisfaction by running after worldly things. But no material acquisitions or worldly achievements can satisfy one for long. A sense of dissatisfaction arises soon after as ones mind wants more and more. Thus, the sense of dissatisfaction lingers on. And the sense of distress does not diminish whatever one gets in life.

Arjuna realised this fact of life in the battlefield, when faced with the prospect of killing his own near and dear ones in the war. He then lamented that the prosperous and unrivalled kingdom on earth or even the sovereignty of heavenly gods cannot drive away the grief that was drying up his senses (Shloka 2.8). He understood that he would not find lasting satisfaction by gaining wealth or power. He would not get peace of mind, either in victory or in defeat.

Torn apart by sorrow and confused about what to do and what not to do, Arjuna sought refuge in Krishna, the Supreme Lord, and beseeched Him for His advice and guidance. Arjuna requested Krishna to tell him, for certain, as to what was good for him (Shloka 2.7).

Krishna started His teachings (Shloka 2.11) with the assurance that there was no valid reason for grief. In the subsequent discourse, He explained the distinction between Self, the Atman, and the mind-body complex. He told that whereas the body and the mind were subject to decay and destruction, the Self was indestructible. He further explained that physical pleasure and pain arise from the contact of senses with their objects and do not last for ever. One should learn to endure them (Shloka 2.14). In other words, one should remain established in the Self and should not be overwhelmed by the feelings of the mind.

Krishna declared that sorrow arises due to ignorance about ones true nature. When one discovers oneself to be imperishable Atman, the anxieties of life and the consequent distress vanishes. Then, one attains to the goal of perfection.

In addition to the knowledge of the Self, Krishna explained as to how action was to be undertaken in the world (karma yoga) and how one can establish a relationship of trust and love to God (bhakti yoga). He also explained as to how the senses, the mind and the intelligence can be controlled.

What Krishna told Arjuna was most relevant to all of mankind in the past, is equally relevant in the present ; and would for ever remain relevant in future.

Once the teachings of Gita are internalised, everyone would say as Arjuna said in shloka 18.73 that his delusion is destroyed and he has gained wisdom. His doubts have been dispelled and he would do what is required of him to be done.

After such a wisdom dawns, the feelings of doubt, fear, anxiety, depression and sorrow are burned in the fire of wisdom. One becomes internally strong and capable of facing all pleasures and pains of life with equanimity. He becomes happy from within, a naturally joyful person. His happiness is spontaneous. His dilemma vanishes and he is at ease with himself.

The author is a former bureaucrat and writes on spirituality, philosophy, psychology, religion and other contemporary subjects

Visit link:

DILEMMA OF THE MANKIND - Daily Pioneer

Sydney (CNN) Until someone invents a device to teleport humans from one side of the Earth to the other, this is the next best thing.

An experimental research flight operated by Australian airline Qantas touched down in Sydney on Friday, after flying nonstop from London -- a journey that pushes the frontier of modern aircraft capabilities -- smashing two aviation records and witnessing a rare double sunrise along the way.

Flight QF7879 became the world's longest passenger flight by a commercial airline both for distance, at 17,800 kilometers (about 11,060 miles), and for duration in the air, at 19 hours and 19 minutes.

The achievement could help usher in a new generation of so-called ultra long haul flights that will directly connect far-flung Sydney with destinations across Europe and the United States.

The 50 or so people onboard departed London's Heathrow on Thursday in the pitch dark of pre-dawn, having sucked down their last lungfuls of rain-drenched November air.

Two sunrises later, they emerged blinking into a bright, warm Friday afternoon on the east coast of Australia. At least three whole hours sooner than if they'd had to change aircraft en route.

Qantas flight QF7879 comes in for landing at the end of its record-breaking flight.

James D Morgan/Qantas

It's not a service fare paying passengers can buy tickets for yet. Qantas hopes to make it part of its regular schedule by 2022 or 2023, but before that happens it's got to convince Australian aviation regulators that pilots, cabin crew and passengers can cope with up to 22 hours in the air without a break.

The airline calls its plan, which also includes regular New York-Sydney flights, "Project Sunrise." The airline's chief exec, Alan Joyce, describes it as the "last frontier" of commercial flying.

Flight QF7879 from London is one of three research trips being undertaken by the airline to gather data to present to Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority. During these flights, pilots wear brainwave monitors and have their urine tested in the weeks before and after the flight to track levels of melatonin, a hormone that controls sleep cycles.

Qantas Captain Helen Trenerry and First Officer Ryan Gill demonstrate the monitors they'll wear during the flight.

Qantas

Other passengers, mainly Qantas employees and frequent fliers, wear biometric monitors during the flights to record sleep patterns, physical activity and even inflight entertainment consumption.

Also on board the factory-fresh 787-9 Dreamliner were a handful of journalists, CNN included. Qantas has shrewdly used the test flights as headline-generating publicity ops.

The plane's landing in Sydney was timed to coincide with the eve of Qantas's 99th anniversary and hundreds of employees turned out to greet it at a specially organized celebration.

CEO Joyce says a decision on whether it'll go ahead with the "Sunrise" flights will be made at the end of the year. That'll depend on the regulators and getting the right aircraft to make it economically viable -- currently Boeing's 777X-9 and Airbus's A350-1000 are both in the frame.

It'll also depend on whether customers are willing to endure the full nonstop journey.

If they are, flight QF7879 should give them a taster of what to expect.

CNN's Richard Quest was there to experience it all, and reveals what happened on board:

Pre-flight -- 5 a.m. London. 6 p.m. Sydney

The flight took off from a rain-soaked London Heathrow Airport.

James D Morgan/Qantas

A 6 a.m. departure means showing up at the airport shortly after 4 a.m. -- a grim time of day at a UK airport in November. The early slot will allow this unscheduled flight to take off before Heathrow hits peak time and also ensure those on board get to experience two sunrises (and one sunset) in the course of their flight.

Despite dreary weather conditions on the ground, those boarding are clearly excited. There's a touch of ceremony as the crew, led by Captain Helen Trennery, parade through the departure lounge, shaking hands with CEO Joyce, before heading on board.

Though all today's passengers are seated in comfy business class seats at the front, they're instructed to stow bags in the overhead bins at the back. That's to help balance the airplane and cut down on the nose-heavy drag that will consume more fuel.

That said, the Dreamliner's gas tanks aren't full to the brim. As it's carrying way fewer passengers than its capacity, and should benefit from favorable tailwinds, it can carry less fuel and still get there with at least 90 minutes' worth to spare.

Hour zero -- 6 a.m. London. 5 p.m. Sydney

Flight QF7879 experiences the first of two sunrises.

Barry Neild/CNN

A smooth takeoff on Heathrow's 27 Left runway sees the plane achieve wheels-up at precisely 6:09 a.m. It sets a course over Northern Europe, heading almost due east.

"I had goosebumps on my arms when we were taking off," says one of the cabin crew -- equally as excited as their passengers at the prospect of being on a landmark flight.

The cabin crew distributes commemorative gray cotton pajamas emblazoned with the words "Qantas Research Flight" and the airline's kangaroo logo.

As the flight cruises past Berlin, the first sunrise makes a glorious appearance just over the front of the right hand wing at about 6.45 a.m. London time.

Quest's diary: We leave Heathrow, and before long our first Sunrise peaks over the horizon heralding the start of our first day in the air.

Today's flight is so long we will experience a double sunrise -- it's a very rare event to see two sunrises of different days on the same flight. Qantas chose the name "Project Sunrise" in honor of clandestine World War II flights that were made from Perth to Sri Lanka en route to London. They were fraught with danger, and lasted so long they saw two sunrises.

Hour one -- 7 a.m. London. 6 p.m. Sydney

Passengers receive an excercise briefing from Professor Corinne Caillaud.

Barry Neild/CNN

It's exercise time. Passengers, some of the press contingent and Qantas staff are led in a series of activities by Professor Corinne Caillaud from the Charles Perkins Centre, a medical institute of the University of Sydney which is carrying out research on the flight.

The empty plane means there's plenty of room first for walking circuits, then stretches and squats, to help invigorate bodies preparing for another 18 hours in the air.

CEO Joyce manages to restrain himself from instigating a rendition of the Macarena dance -- which featured in the New York-Sydney test flight in October.

It'll be hard to repeat these exercise routines during a full commercial flight, but Caillaud says they'd be valuable for passengers even on shorter journeys.

Quest's diary: I chatted with pilot in command, Captain Trennery. She performed the take off and will do the landing in Sydney. Planning for this flight took months. I am hoping it will be longer than the New York to Sydney flight time of 16 hours, 16 minutes and claim the record as longest flight time. The captain confirmed it's looking good to break the record, but says she won't slow down the plane to stretch it out if it's close!

Hour two -- 8 a.m. London. 7 p.m. Sydney

A carb-heavy supper is served instead of breakfast.

James D Morgan/Qantas

It's breakfast time in London, but with the plane on Sydney time, the first meal is a carb-loaded, non-spicy supper aimed at lulling diners into a soporific state via their stomachs.

Although the sun is blazing high outside, windows are now shaded and the cabin lights dimmed to mimic the onset of Sydney's evening. There are a few yawns (although that's not a surprise given the early morning start).

Beneath the plane, Poland and Belarus slip by.

Quest's diary: First meal served. Even though properly it is breakfast time in London, in Sydney it's early evening, so we are being served supper. The selection was carb-heavy, including chicken broth with noodles and a steak sandwich. It's designed to make us sleepy, helping reset our body clock. Er... I am not sleepy yet, so I start watching the docu-movie "Untouchable" about disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein. I abandon after 16 minutes.

Hour three -- 9 a.m. London, 8 p.m. Sydney

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce was on board the flight.

James D Morgan/Qantas

As the cabin begins to settle down for the "evening," and Russia appears below, CEO Joyce takes a few minutes to chat to some of the journalists on board about Qantas's program to offset its carbon emissions.

It's a pertinent discussion when you're flying a near-empty jet -- only 50 of a possible 256 seats were occupied -- to the other side of the planet at a time when escalating concerns over the climate crisis are prompting many people to avoid air travel.

Some ultra long haul flights can create more emissions than routes that break up the journey since they have to carry a heavier payload of fuel, although Qantas says the efficient jets it wants to use on the route will be an improvement.

A few days before the departure of the Sydney flight, Qantas announced it was pledging to become a zero carbon emissions airline by 2050 by introducing as-yet unavailable aircraft, aviation tech and sustainable fuel.

Emissions from today's flight have been offset under Qantas's own scheme. Such offset programs are criticized for failing to directly address the problem of pollution, but Joyce insists they're better than nothing until more viable alternatives are available.

Quest's diary: I gossiped with Qantas CEO Alan Joyce. He isn't giving anything away about which plane, Airbus's A350 or Boeing's 777X-9, he will buy for "Project Sunrise." The decision is expected sometime next year. Joyce repeats the mantra that Sunrise will only happen if there's a solid business case. I can't see them NOT doing it, its just a question of how.

Hour four -- 10 a.m. London, 9 p.m. Sydney

Tracey Sletten demonstrates a brainwave tracker in use on the flight.

Barry Neild/CNN

As the plane begins to settle down for the night, Tracey Sletten from Melbourne's Monash University explains how she's using wearable sensors to monitor crew brainwaves and physical activity.

The passengers on board who are being monitored are subjected to regimented light patterns to help provide a stable environment for analyzing how their bodies respond to the flight.

Quest's diary: Lights out! The flight has gone into its dark phase for the next nine hours. Those being monitored start to rest. I should. But I am still not sleepy. Instead I have another go at "Untouchable." This time I last another 30 minutes. Prefer to daydream out of the window instead.

Hour five -- 11 a.m. London, 10 p.m. Sydney

There goes the sun.

Barry Neild/CNN

Most passengers are asleep or trying to sleep at this point, which is a shame as they miss sunset as the plane reaches Astana in Kazakhstan. A glowing orange orb plummets fast towards the horizon off the right-hand wing tip shortly after 11.45 a.m. London time.

Through the night, the route will fly eastwards, crossing over into China where it begins turning southwards. The Dreamliner will spend nearly five hours in Chinese airspace, before heading out to sea over Hong Kong.

The route, designed to optimize fuel, is an unusual one for Qantas. Captain Trennery said earlier that crossing into unfamiliar air spaces was one of the biggest challenges of the flight.

Qantas has flown London to Sydney direct, back in 1989. Back then, it used a Boeing 747 that had most of its internal furniture removed to cut down on weight and fuel tanks filled to the brim to carry just 23 people.

The course it took then was more southerly, because it didn't have the airspace permissions it needed to fly the more economical route.

Quest's diary: I fell asleep. I had to get up at 2 a.m. London time to make this flight.

Finally exhaustion won.

Hour six -- noon London, 11 p.m. Sydney

Quest poses with members of the cabin crew.

Richard Quest/CNN

All is quiet. The cabin crew keep watch, serving occasional cups of tisane -- a herbal tea aimed at promoting sleep -- to those unable to grab some shuteye.

The cabin team do get to take a break. There're six bunks at the rear of the plane to allow them, and the aircraft's four pilots, to take turns to rest and try to sleep.

Quest's diary: Asleep. The Qantas business seat is excellent. Lots of room at the shoulder and foot well -- the Achilles heel of most business seats (oh c'mon, that was pretty good, especially after seven hours of flying.)

Hour seven -- 1 p.m. London, midnight Sydney

QF7879 makes its way across western China, still in darkness.

We're now heading into Friday, Sydney time, bringing to a close a day that lasted just 13 hours for those on board.

Quest's diary: Woke up and decided a cup of tea and a cookie would be nice. Unlike the rest of the passengers who are turning their body clock, I need to work immediately in Sydney so will do the bulk of my sleep later on, if I can. Tea and cookies arrive. Can't face "Untouchable," so I'll doze.

Hour eight -- 2 p.m. London, 1 a.m. Sydney

Economy class is deserted.

Richard Quest/CNN

Most of the passengers are making use of their fully reclining beds in business class, although one takes up residence in economy, lying flat across three seats.

For much of the night she's the sole occupant of a space that can accommodate more than 150 people.

Quest's diary: We are nearly halfway there. Everyone around me is asleep. Time to work. I am writing about jet lag. The jet lag science and work being done on this flight is fascinating. I can't avoid jet lag, but I can mitigate it.

Hour nine -- 3 p.m. London, 2 a.m. Sydney

Most of the plane is still asleep, or trying to sleep. The lucky ones have cheated their body clocks and snatched a few hours. The unlucky ones are still on UK time, which is fine for now, but when the Australian morning hits, it's going to hurt.

Quest's diary: This is the halfway point, over China. This unique flight required special overflight permission from various governments including China, Kazakhstan and Russia. One of the countries only gave permission 36 hours before departure, giving some anxious moments at Qantas HQ!

Hour 10 -- 4 p.m. London, 3 a.m. Sydney

A member of the flight crew completes a reaction test as part of the research.

Barry Neild/CNN

Nothing much happens at this point, although the true extent of the endurance required for flying 19-plus hours is becoming evident.

The plane is now out over the South China Sea, heading towards the Philippines and there's still the equivalent of a London to New York flight ahead.

Here is the original post:

London to Sydney flight breaks world record - CNN