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Minnesota Schools Awarded Funding to Implement Evidence-Based BARR System

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BARR Center (Building Assets, Reducing Risks) announced today that 18 additional Minnesota schools have been selected to implement its evidenced-based system. The 2023 Minnesota legislature approved $5 million for the expansion of the BARR system which focuses on improving school culture and student outcomes. The BARR system is used in 40 schools in Minnesota and over 300 schools in the nation.

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 12, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Funded through Minnesota’s 2023 K12 Education Finance bill (HF 2497) and working with the Minnesota Department of Education in the selection process, the following schools were awarded three-years of funding to roll out BARR’s system:

 

I am so grateful to the Minnesota legislature for allocating this funding.

Elementary Schools: Brookview Elementary School, Stillwater School District; Ellen Hopkins Elementary School, Moorhead School District; North Metro Flex Academy Charter School, North St. Paul; Northport Elementary School, Robbinsdale School District; Roosevelt Elementary School, Detroit Lakes School District; Southview Elementary School, Marshall School District; Wilshire Park Elementary School, St. Anthony New Brighton School District.

Middle Schools: Detroit Lakes Middle School, Detroit Lakes School District; Marshall Middle School, Marshall School District; North Junior High School, St. Cloud School District; Oak-Land Middle School, Stillwater School District; South Junior High School, St. Cloud School District.

High Schools: Apple Valley High School, Rosemount– Apple Valley-Eagan Public Schools; Crookston High School, Crookston School District; Eden Prairie High School, Eden Prairie School District; Jordan High School, Jordan School District; Mankato East High School, Mankato School District; Two Rivers High School, ISD 197 West St. Paul and Mendota Heights.

Highly competitive, more than 50 schools applied. Schools selected are geographically distributed and priority consideration was given to schools with a concentration of black, indigenous, and students of color, and those experiencing poverty.

Educator training is underway as schools begin implementing the BARR system during the 2023-24 school year. These schools will form a statewide network and also join the national network of BARR schools.

BARR’s mission is to create equitable schools where every student, regardless of race, ethnicity, or economic status, has access to high-quality education where adults know them, recognize their strengths, and help them succeed,” explains Angela Jerabek, founder and executive director of the BARR Center. “I am so grateful to the Minnesota legislature for allocating this funding so more educators and students can experience the BARR system, a true evidence-based school success system. I am very excited to have additional schools entering BARR’s system.”

Now more than ever, in this challenging, post-pandemic period, educators need support addressing school climate and student mental health issues. Using existing resources, the BARR system focuses on building meaningful relationships – capitalizing on the strengths of every student – and leveraging student data to truly transform a school’s culture. In every school implemented it has proven to be a successful way to meet the social and emotional needs of all students while simultaneously increasing student achievement and teacher satisfaction and effectiveness.

The BARR system stands alone as the most consistently proven school improvement model in the country. Through rigorous studies conducted by the American Institute for Research (AIR), the BARR system has demonstrated statistically significant results in 20 areas, including increasing math and English achievement scores, improving student credit attainment, reducing course failure, closing the achievement gap, and reducing chronic absenteeism all while improving the school environment for both students and staff.

About BARR Center
BARR Center (Building Assets, Reducing Risks) delivers the expertise and resources required for a school to implement the BARR system, an evidence-backed system designed to nurture a collaborative and strengths-based culture of support and success for every student through intentionally deepening relationships and improving the use of data. For more information, visit, https://barrcenter.org/.

The contents of this press release do not necessarily represent the policy of the federal Department of Education or the state Department of Education and you should not assume endorsement by the federal or state government.

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SOURCE BARR Center

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Cognizant Propels AI Workforce Training with Cognizant Skillspring™: New Talent Transformation Platform Designed to Accelerate Clients’ Workforce AI Readiness

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New AI-native platform equips organizations to achieve AI fluency, aligns workforce capabilities with the demands of an AI-powered economy and drives outcome-based learning tailored to business objectives

Skillspring leverages Cognizant’s long-standing workforce training expertise to help enterprises address skilling as a critical AI infrastructure investment

TEANECK, N.J., April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) today unveiled Cognizant Skillspring™, a multimodal, AI-native, conversational learning platform designed to redefine learning in the AI era and help businesses cultivate AI-ready talent at scale. The platform moves beyond static courses and compliance-driven training to enable organizations to respond to rapidly changing roles, technologies and skills demands, and help learning investments translate to business outcomes.

Cognizant’s New Work New World 2026 research found AI is reshaping work far faster than anticipated, with AI now capable of handling $4.5 trillion in U.S. work tasks and impacting up to 93% of jobs today, outpacing the speed at which conventional learning systems can respond. As enterprises redesign work across human and agentic teams, skilling is becoming a core part of the AI infrastructure every organization needs – building the fluency people require to adapt as work evolves, contribute in new ways and grow into emerging roles.

Cognizant Skillspring uses AI agent-driven tutoring and content creation to deliver high-quality, personalized learning across large workforces while helping organizations manage learning and development costs more efficiently. The platform maps skills directly to roles, projects and performance outcomes, and adapts learning paths as roles and skill requirements evolve. Conversational, multimodal experiences embed learning directly into clients’ daily workflows so employees build skills while work gets done.

Internally, Cognizant Skillspring is complemented by the AI Fluency Dashboard, a personalized, real‑time view that gives every associate visibility into their AI readiness while encouraging real‑world AI usage and innovation across the enterprise. The dashboard provides Cognizant associates with insight into their AI skills, learning progress, usage and innovation – using scoring and gamification to accelerate adoption and drive stronger application of AI in day‑to‑day work. 

“The AI era requires more dynamic learning systems designed to evolve as work, roles and technologies change. Cognizant Skillspring is purpose-built for the pace and complexity of this moment, enabling continuous talent transformation in the flow of work,” said Kathy Diaz, Chief People Officer, Cognizant. “As an AI builder, Cognizant focuses on turning AI investment into real-world outcomes for our clients. Cognizant Skillspring improves time-to-competency and alignment between skills investments and business priorities – helping ensure workforces remain ready as roles and technologies continue to dynamically evolve.”

Cognizant Skillspring is also available for universities, colleges, community and workforce development partners, underscoring Cognizant’s commitment to creating pathways for talent from all backgrounds to thrive in the AI age. This effort builds on the company’s ongoing investments in skilling and workforce readiness, including Synapse, Cognizant’s global upskilling program, and the company’s White House pledge, to invest in America’s youth and AI education.

“Like all education institutions, The Marcy Lab School must evolve in order to meet the pace of change in the economy and prepare our fellows for a rapidly shifting world of work,” said Reuben Ogbonna II, Executive Director, The Marcy Lab School. “In the age of AI, nearly every workflow is being reshaped and we see this as a significant opportunity to strengthen how we prepare young adults for meaningful careers. Through Cognizant’s support and the Skillspring platform, our fellows will build job skills faster through high-quality learning aligned to the roles and projects they’ll take on at leading companies.”

Already deployed internally at Cognizant, Skillspring builds upon the company’s award-winning learning and development expertise and investments that provide a framework to upskill hundreds of thousands of Cognizant employees each year.

“Our upskilling engine combines advanced technology and digital and critical human skills, with learning programs recognized for future-forward curriculum, innovation and measurable impact,” said Thirumala Arohi, Chief Learning Officer, Cognizant. “Cognizant Skillspring brings an AI-native learning experience to businesses, community and academic ecosystems, supporting enterprise-scale workforce transformation as well as partners preparing learners for in-demand roles and evolving skill requirements.”

About Cognizant:

Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) is an AI builder and technology services provider, building the bridge between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization’s unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, realize tangible returns and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at www.cognizant.com or @cognizant.

For more information, contact:

U.S.
Name: Bill Abelson
Email: william.abelson@cognizant.com 

Europe / APAC
Name: Sarah Douglas
Email: sarah.douglas@cognizant.com 

India
Name: Vipin Nair
Email: Vipin.Nair@cognizant.com

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CNN to bring its Global Perspectives events series to Bangkok

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Conversations to be led by CNN journalists including Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Richard Quest and Kristie Lu Stout

HONG KONG, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CNN will hold the inaugural Asia chapter of its Global Perspectives events franchise in Bangkok, Thailand, on 14 October 2026, reinforcing the network’s commitment to convene global leaders and fostering dialogue on the critical issues shaping international business, policy and economic development.

CNN will bring together dignitaries, visionaries, political and business leaders for Global Perspectives: In Bangkok, to explore big ideas, bold leadership and the dynamic economies at the forefront of global transformation. On-stage conversations will be led by CNN’s esteemed anchors and correspondents, including Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Richard Quest, Kristie Lu Stout, Will Ripley and Hanako Montgomery, with editorial content and news-making interviews from the event featured across CNN platforms.

Expanding the Global Perspectives series with this Bangkok edition underscores CNN’s long-standing engagement in Asia. As a historic economic and cultural crossroads, Bangkok sits at the intersection of global economic dynamism, regional influence and vibrant cultural energy. The event will take place as global leaders, investors and policymakers gather in the city for the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group Annual Meetings, creating an exclusive platform for CNN to examine a world in transition and the forces reshaping power and influence.

Ellana Lee, Group SVP, GM APAC, & Global Head of Productions at CNN, said: “Global Perspectives: In Bangkok will reflect CNN’s deep commitment to Asia and will aim to foster conversations that matter most on the global stage. At a time of rapid transformation, this event will bring together influential voices to examine the ideas, opportunities and challenges shaping the region and the world.” 

James Hunt, SVP, Head of Client Solutions & Business Lead, Global Perspectives, CNN International Commercial said: “Global Perspectives provides a unique platform for leaders and partners to engage in meaningful dialogue and connect with the forces driving global change. Hosting the event in Bangkok creates new opportunities for brand partners and sponsors to be associated with important conversations about collaboration, insight and impact at the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic regions.”

Expanding its events franchise by holding Global Perspectives: In Bangkok builds on CNN’s long-standing presence in Asia which includes a network of bureaus and correspondents across Hong Kong, Beijing, Bangkok, Taiwan, Seoul, Tokyo, New Delhi and Islamabad.

Global Perspectives is an invitation-only gathering for international decision-makers and influential leaders from across industries, including technology, finance, investment, trade, geopolitics, healthcare, media, entertainment and more. The event will be attended by heads of state, regional and global leaders, and participants can expect to form meaningful connections that will last well beyond the event itself. Global Perspectives will be hosted at The Ritz-Carlton, Bangkok. 

Further details on speakers and programming will be announced in due course. People interested in attending Global Perspectives: In Bangkok can register their interest at: https://cnnicevents.cnn.com/gpbangkok/prl

About CNN Worldwide

CNN Worldwide is the most honored brand in cable news, reaching more individuals through television, streaming and online than any other cable news organization in the United States. Globally, people across the world can watch CNN International, which is widely distributed in over 200 countries and territories. CNN Digital is the #1 online news destination, with more unique visitors than any other news source. HBO Max, Warner Bros. Discovery’s streaming platform, features CNN Max, a 24/7 streaming news offering available to subscribers alongside expanded access to News content and CNN Originals. CNN’s award-winning portfolio includes non-scripted programming from CNN Original Series and CNN Films for broadcast, streaming and distribution across multiple platforms. CNN programming can be found on CNN, CNN International and CNN en Español channels, via CNN Max and the CNN Originals hub on discovery+ and via pay TV subscription on CNN.com, CNN apps and cable operator platforms. Additionally, CNN Newsource is the world’s most extensively utilized news service partnering with over 1,000 local and international news organizations around the world. CNN is a division of Warner Bros. Discovery.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/cnn-to-bring-its-global-perspectives-events-series-to-bangkok-302748000.html

SOURCE CNN International

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Quality Executive Partners, Inc.® Announces Exclusive Partnership with Vi’eNnI® Training and Consulting LLP to Accelerate Workforce Development in India’s Huge Pharmaceutical Sector with Virtuosi®

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ATLANTA and BENGALURU, India, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Quality Executive Partners, Inc.® (QxP), a global leader in pharmaceutical quality, workforce development, regulatory compliance, and manufacturing consulting, today announced an exclusive strategic partnership with Vi’eNnI® Training and Consulting LLP to introduce and scale Virtuosi® across the Indian biopharmaceutical market.

Virtuosi helps biopharmaceutical manufacturers to solve one of their most critical operational challenges—the readiness of the workforce to perform in high-risk, high-complexity GMP environments—by building and sustaining operational capability across the employee lifecycle.

Under this agreement, Vienni will be QxP’s exclusive partner for Virtuosi in India, leading market engagement, client identification, and commercial activities.

Vi’eNnI® TRAINING & CONSULTING LLP: Enabling Scalable Training Excellence Across India

Vi’eNnI® is a recognized leader in pharmaceutical training and capability development in India, with a strong track record in GMP education, regulatory compliance, and industry engagement. Vi’eNnI® through its association with Eduoriens Skill Development LLP and professional bodies such as Parenteral Drug Association (PDA) India, Vienni operates at the center of India’s pharmaceutical training and compliance ecosystem.

With this established network, operational credibility, and relationships across India’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturers, Vienni is uniquely positioned to drive the adoption of Virtuosi at scale across the Indian market.

“This alliance is intended to deepen, enrich, and embed the field of training. The advantage of this collaboration is expected to make learning stick, with recall much higher when a participant leaves the learning zone,” said Vishal Sharma, Co-Founder Director, Vi’eNnI® TRAINING & CONSULTING LLP

“This marks the beginning of driving innovation and shaping outcomes that matter. Together, we forge a partnership that speaks the language of impact, influence, and enduring progress for teaching-learning & implementation,” said Ivy Louis, Founder Director, Vi’eNnI® TRAINING & CONSULTING LLP

“Vi’eNnI®’s mission is to empower doers to excel in their craft. This association with QxP for Virtuosi marks a pivotal step in advancing workforce capability and highlighting the strategic value of immersive training in India. We are proud to continue driving this mission forward.”

“We are honored to partner with Vi’eNnI® , a highly respected organization with deep roots in the Indian pharmaceutical industry,” said Crystal Mersh, Chief Executive Officer of Quality Executive Partners, Inc. “Together, we are enabling broader access to Virtuosi in a way that allows clients to build and sustain the knowledge, skills, and behaviors required to perform under real operating conditions. This embeds compliance and capability into daily execution in order to deliver high quality medicines to patients around the world.”

Virtuosi by QxP: Advancing Workforce Capability in India’s Globally Critical Pharmaceutical Hubs

India is one of the most critical pharmaceutical manufacturing markets globally and is poised for significant growth in the coming years, particularly across biologics, biosimilars, and advanced therapies. As manufacturers expand into more complex product categories and face increasing scrutiny from global regulatory agencies—including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) —the ability to rapidly build, standardize, and sustain a high-performing, inspection-ready workforce has become a strategic priority.

cGMP experts at QxP created Virtuosi to address this exact challenge. Virtuosi is an immersive workforce readiness program accredited by the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET), aligning with globally recognized standards for continuing education and distinguishing it as the only virtual reality–based training program to achieve such accreditation.

Combining virtual reality interactive experiences with digital course content, Virtuosi enables professionals to practice critical manufacturing and quality processes—such as aseptic operations, microbiology, and advanced therapies—in realistic, risk-free environments. The platform includes over 100 hours of education, 56 technical courses, and 20 immersive VR experiences, and is available in seven languages—English, French, German, Italian, Mandarin, Spanish, and Swedish—to support global workforce standardization. Virtuosi helps organizations reduce human error, accelerate time to competency, and improve compliance and operational performance across global pharmaceutical operations.

By shifting training from passive instruction to experiential learning, Virtuosi helps reduce time to competency and human error, improve inspection readiness, and drive measurable quality outcomes which translates directly to revenue protection and growth. This partnership strengthens not only the competitiveness of individual organizations, but also the long-term resilience, regulatory standing, and global leadership of India’s pharmaceutical sector.

About Quality Executive Partners, Inc.® (QxP)

Quality Executive Partners, Inc. (QxP) is a premium CGMP consulting firm focused on solving complex operational and regulatory challenges in pharmaceutical manufacturing. QxP services pharmaceutical manufactures and CDMOs globally across all major modalities – OTC, oral solid dosage, sterile, biologics, ATMPs, clinical-stage manufacturing, and combination products. We support clients throughout the product lifecycle, including clinical operations, commercial readiness, regulatory strategy, quality transformations, and remediation. Through our ‘Teach and Do®’ model, QxP embeds senior GMP experts / former regulators into day-to-day operations to execute alongside client teams and build internal capability. This model ensures solutions are effective in practice, sustainable, and directly reduce operational risk. .

About Vi’eNnI®

Vi’eNnI® Training and Consulting LLP is a pharmaceutical training and consulting organization based in Bengaluru, India, focused on advancing workforce capability, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence across the life sciences sector, for the past 16 years. The company delivers targeted training and consulting services across GMP, quality systems, aseptic processing, microbiology, and inspection readiness, competency and culture building initiatives, helping organizations strengthen performance, consolidate efficiency and achieve sustainable compliance. Known for its practical, implementation-focused approach, Vi’eNnI® enables pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies to translate training into measurable improvements on the shop floor, supporting continuous improvement and long-term capability development across India’s pharmaceutical industry with a variety of options and tools.

Media Contact (Global)
Robin Mersh
SVP, Virtuosi Sales
Quality Executive Partners, Inc.
Email: RobinMersh@QualityExecutivePartners.com
Phone: (+1) 678-496-7503

Media Contact (India)
Ivy Louis
Founder-Director
Vi’eNnI® Training and Consulting LLP
Email: Ivy_louis@vienni.com
Phone: +91 9986821045
WhatsApp: +91 9986821045

Vi’eNnI® & Virtuosi® are registered trademarks for VIENNI & Quality Executive Partners, Inc., respectively.

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