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The day you receive your diploma from your university is a proud one, marking the culmination of your degree. But, it doesn't signal the end of your relationship with the school or the benefits still available to you. Alumni are an integral part of a university community and are true advocates for student success.

As a graduate, you become a part of the student alumni association for your university. An alumni association brings former students together to maintain a connection with their university and fellow graduates.

Being a part of an association can open many doors for you and allow you to reap a lot of different benefits. Not only does it give the opportunity to stay engaged, but it also allows you to help new and potential students.

There are ways to stay engaged with the university through communications, social media, virtual and in-person networkingand professional development opportunities," said Kristi Durette, associate vice president of Institutional Advancement at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). "Alumni also serve as great volunteers with the SNHU community, from speaking in classes to mentoring students to helping build service projects that benefit their community.

One of the best parts of being part of an alumni association is the network that comes with it. An alumni network connects you, as a graduate, with a number of professional contacts and other graduates from your university.

Through networking and professional development opportunities, alumni often participate in and benefit from career insights and advice from other alumni and career professionals with the university, said Durette.

Whether it be building your brand, creating business connections or getting involved in other organizations, an alumni network is an excellent source for building those long-term relationships to get a foot in the door or advance your career.

I have had the best conversations with alumni that have helped me talk through career moves, life changes and so much more," said Fashion Merchandising alumna Elizabeth Keaton 15. "My connection with alumni has helped me get closer with professional connections with companies I have dreamt of working for as well as helped me plan for future moves financially.

You may feel a sense of whats next as you finish your degree, but the alumni network gives you a place to create valuable interminable connections with your university and like-minded contacts long after you have finished school.

I have been given such great opportunities through extracurricular workand job opportunities from alumni that without their support, attaining my higher education would have been very difficult, said Keaton.

A support network can be challenging to come by, but an alumni network can give you a sense of belonging. The people you meet, the relationships you build and knowledge you learn from an alumni network is an incredibly useful tool for expanding your horizons.

Knowing that there are so many others who have shared in similar experiences is important. It enables me to have an instant connection with others in my field who have gone through the same schooling as me, said alumnus Bryan Bouchard 01 04MBA and an assistant professor of accounting at SNHU.

An essential part of being an alumnus is finding ways to give back to the university. Many believe that it's giving donations to the school or responding to emails, but there is much more behind that. Those small acts of showing support for the community you have become a part of can be the beginning of a success story for new students.

Making sure the alumni office has the email, phone and ways you prefer to be contacted is the first start," Durette said. "Signing up to receive communications, opportunities to volunteer, participating in the annual fund campaign for student scholarships are just a few ways to stay connected."

As an alumnus you know first-hand the education and valuable life lessons that can come out of the university and using that knowledge to shape current and future students is important to pass on for your success, the students and the university.

Being a resource to others is key for their success. There are many ways one can be a resource. It could simply involve being a champion for the university and students by spreading the word to others, Bouchard said. Also, by assisting a student find a job or internship and conducting mock interviews. In addition, an alumnus could conduct a presentation, speaking to students about his or her experience.Every student deserves the opportunity to connect, and I believe it is our duty as alumni to support and mentor studentsto help them be the best they can be at any stage in their learning journey, says Keaton.

Graduating and receiving your diploma with that great sense of pride does not mean your time with the university has to be over. Getting involved in your alumni association can provide connections, career services, an alumni network, a wealth of knowledge and the opportunity to help the students who come after you.

Being an alumnus and receiving all the perks that come along with it is a two-way street. Alumni participation is critical to building and maintaining a strong community within the university.

Being a good alum and mentor to others starts with being sure you are focused on the needs of others in matching your time and expectations for involvement," Durette said. "Being willing to share the lessons learned on your journey, strategies for meeting challenges, finding opportunities for growth and connection are a few good ways. It all starts with asking, How can I help?

Alexa Gustavsen '21 is a writer at Southern New Hampshire University. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

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What Does Alumni Mean: The Value of an Alumni Network - Southern New Hampshire University

The suspension of Twitter in Nigeria may be the beginning of what the government had planned to do over the years the regulation of social media.

But is Twitter Inc. alone affected by this directive? No.

On Friday, the federal government directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence licensing all Over-the-Top (OTT) and social media operators in Nigeria.

The statement, made by Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, came as the government suspended the operations of Twitter, the microblogging and social networking service.

The Minister said the Federal Government has also directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria, the minister said.

Twitters suspension comes days after a post by President Muhammadu Buhari on the 1967 civil war was deleted by the microblogging platform.

In a series of posts on Twitter on Tuesday, the president had condemned the attacks on government facilities in the country, and referencing the civil war, threatened to treat those bent on destroying Nigeria through insurrection in a language they understand.

Defending Buharis post, the information minister had condemned the deletion of the presidents post and accused Twitter of double standards.

WHAT ARE OTT SERVICES?

Over-the-Top (OTT) services are essential media services offered directly to viewers via the internet. Most often, such contents can be streamed on computers, smartphones, and other devices.

They bypass cable, broadcast, and satellite television platforms the type of media services that NBC traditionally act as controller or regulator.

In Nigeria, Twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook, FB Messenger, Skype, iROKOtv, and Netflix are currently running on OTT.

HOW WILL THE DIRECTIVE AFFECT SOCIAL MEDIA OPERATIONS?

One of the avenues through which Nigerian citizens air their views on the actions and policies of government have been through social media platforms. These platforms have given voice and hope to countless citizens on various issues, including politics, opportunities, and economic powers worldwide.

With the regulation, the government will put the users right on the line by setting modalities for OTT service operations in the country. The modalities may hamper citizens ability to freely and safely express themselves on those platforms.

For instance, India set out internet modalities for the operations of social media giants, which include Facebook, Twitter and others, to take responsibility for every user post on their channels. These rules are also obtainable in China, where social media platforms have to censor content before appearing online.

Social media companies are also at the mercy of the federal government and could be ordered by the authorities to remove any flagged content.

Adeboye Adegoke, a digital right activist at Paradigm Initiative, said the implications are enormous and beyond the big companies like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp.

The government is targetting the bigger players, but the policy has far implications for the smaller ones, most especially indigenous players providing OTT services like VBloggers, Influencers, etc., providing learning, tutorials, and other consultancy services, he said.

These are the people we need to be more concerned about.

If you have ever been bothered that most leading tech companies are foreign, you will then be faced with bigger issues. Regulating OTT services would kill potentials of young tech genius in the country because the government is not allowing a conducive environment.

For Netflix, iROKOtv, and other streaming platforms, the authorities can also determine the content they stream for the Nigerian audience. Any anti-government content may not scale through.

Just like the governments current battle with Twitter, users activities on other social media channels may now come at a cost.

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Not only Twitter -- how FG's directive will affect Facebook, Netflix, WhatsApp - TheCable

Online branding has become one of the most crucial aspects of marketing. It effectively maximizes all online channels, from email to social media, to gain recognition, expertise, and trust that translate to sales and brand loyalty.

But these days, thats not the only benefit of increasing a companys presence online. Reputation, fame, influence, and reach can now all be turned into equity. This is made possible by the first decentralized social media platform, BitClout.

BitClout is an open-source social networking site that turns online presence into equity through creator coins. Each BitClout user is entitled to a creator coin and can invest in other coins of famous creators, celebrities, and influencers. Through these coins, people can start investing directly in the branding and reputation of their favorite celebrities, artists, and even athletes. BitClout has made this easier since it comes preloaded with accounts of the most famous people on Twitter by extracting its open API.

For social media marketing experts Jordan, Luke and Jackson Lintz of HighKey Enterprises LLC, the emergence of BitClout is a dream come true.

Weve had multiple ideas and dreams about a stock exchange for trading clout and investing into personal brands, but the way BitClout was created was beyond our wildest dreams, says Luke Lintz.

The Lintz brothers recognized the massive potential of BitClout as the first platform to turn social media presence into equity, so they immediately jumped at the chance to join the site. Because of their expertise in the social media marketing space, HighKeys creator coin, HighKey Coin, immediately rose through the ranks. A month after joining BitClout, HighKey Coin ranked among the top 100 creator coins, including some of the biggest names in the social media space, such as Jake Udell and Diamond Hands. Presently, HighKey Coin has even made its way to the elite Top 20 category.

HighKey Coin continues to deliver value to its investors in various ways. For one thing, the founders, Jordan, Luke, and Jackson, are the number one investors in their own coin. In addition, they continuously invest in HighKey Coin and have no plans to liquidate any time soon.

We started HighKey Coin because we were already using it as a currency to back our brand, says Jordan Lintz. We decided theres no reason to look for outside investors if we have the ability to back ourselves with our own currency.

Since HighKey Coin ties into the rest of HighKey Enterprises LLC, it also enjoys its reputation as the leading celebrity social media management company. In addition, HighKey, through its subsidiaries HighKey Agency and HighKey Clout, has successfully launched and maintained several brands online.

Aside from this, the Lintz brothers are also committed to providing more value to their investors by offering other perks exclusive to the top ten holders of their coin.

HighKey does this because it understands that the concept of BitClout is the future, and theres no reason not to get started as soon as possible.

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BitClout Turns Online Presence to Equity with HighKey Coin - Business Deccan

Citing non-compliance of New Intermediary Guideline Rules by Twitter, the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on Saturday sent a final communication to Twitter asking them to comply immediately with the requirements of the new guidelines failing which resultant consequences as enjoined in the law shall follow.

A letter issued by the Ministry to the social media platform stated that the New Intermediary Guideline Rules have become effective from May 26. After expiry of three-month period given to social media intermediaries for compliance, Twitter is yet to appoint India based Chief Compliance Officer, Nodal Contact Person, and Grievance Officer.

"The provisions for significant social media intermediaries under the Rules have already come into force on May 26 2021 and it has been more than a week but Twitter has refused to comply with the provisions of these Rules. Needless to state, such noncompliance will lead to unintended consequences including Twitter losing exemption from liability as intermediary available under section 79 of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000. This has clearly been provided under rule 7 of the aforesaid Rules," stated the letter.

It further said, "This is with reference to this Ministry's letters dated May 26 2021 and May 28 2021 regarding compliance with the subject Rules and your corresponding responses dated May 28 2021 and June 2 2021. MeitY is dismayed to note that your responses to the Ministry's letters neither address the clarifications sought by this Ministry nor indicate full compliance with the Rules."

It also stated that it is clear from the responses of Twitter that till date has not informed about the details of the Chief Compliance Officer as required under the Rules, added that the Resident Grievance Officer and Nodal Contact Person nominated by the social media platform is not an employee of Twitter Inc. in India as prescribed in the Rules.

It also said that the office address of Twitter as mentioned by it is that of a law firm in India, which is also not as per the Rules.

The Ministry in its letter to Twitter stated that the refusal to comply demonstrates the social media platform's lack of commitment and efforts towards providing a safe experience for the people of India on its platform.

The world's largest democracy has been among the first countries in the world, outside the parent country of Twitter Inc., to enthusiastically adopt the Twitter platform, said the Ministry, adding that despite being operational in India for more than a decade, it is beyond belief that Twitter Inc. has doggedly refused to create mechanisms that will enable the people of India to resolve their issues on the platform in a timely and transparent manner and through fair processes, by India based, clearly identified resources.

Leave alone proactively creating such a mechanism, Twitter Inc. is in the inglorious bracket of refusing to do so even when mandated by law, it added.

The ministry further stated that the people of India, who use the Twitter platform, deserve and demand a fair mechanism to address their grievances and resolve their disputes. Users who are abused on the platform or are harassed or are subject to defamation or sexual abuse or become victims or a whole range of other abusive content must get a redressal mechanism that the same people of India have created through a due process of law, it said.

"Though with effect from May 26 2021, in view of Twitter Inc's non-compliance with the Rules as noted above, consequences follow. However, as gesture of goodwill, Twitter Inc. is hereby given one last notice to immediately comply with the Rules, failing which the exemption from liability available under section 79 of the IT Act, 2000 shall stand withdrawn and Twitter shall be liable for consequences as per the IT Act and other penal laws of India," the ministry's letter to Twitter concluded.

This comes amid withdrawal of verified blue badge by Twitter from the verified accounts of Vice President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and several Sangh functionaries.

Twitter had removed the blue badge from the personal Twitter handle of Vice President of India M. Venkaiah Naidu, @MVenkaiahNaidu. Although, the official handle of the Vice President of India @VPSecretariat continues to have the blue badge. Later today, issuing clarification that since the account was inactive since July 2020, as per Twitter verification policy, the social media platform may remove the blue verified badge and verified status if the account becomes inactive or is incomplete, the badge was restored.

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Twitter Gets One Last Notice from Government to Comply With New IT Rules - Gadgets 360

Worried over their widespread abuse, law enforcers have moved to crack down on some online games and social media applications, including "TikTok".

Rapid Action Battalion Director General Abdullah Al Mamun yesterday said, "There has been a rise in criminal activity with the use of several digital apps, including TikTok... A high committee is reviewing how to shut down such apps."

A racket was recently found using TikTok as a means to traffic young women from Bangladesh to India.

Law enforcers came to know about the use of the application while investigating an incident of sexual abuse a girl had to endure by said traffickers in India's Bengaluru. A video footage of the incident went viral on social media through TikTok.

Three girls had managed to escape from the human trafficking racket and return to Bangladesh. They have informed police that many other Bangladeshi girls are currently suffering in India.

Law enforcers have already identified Rifatul Islam Ridoy, known as "Ridoy Babu" on TikTok, who allegedly trafficked over 50 girls to India using the social networking application.

The Rab DG said, "A list of those involved in crimes using social media is being prepared."

"In this tech-savvy society, we need to use technology in a positive, responsible way," he said while addressing a debate competition as the chief guest.

Debate for Democracy organised the debate titled "Misuse of Social Media to Increase Juvenile Crime" at the National Film Development Corporation.

"Law enforcement agencies have the capacity to crack down on such crimes," he said.

Addressing the programme, Mohammad Shahidullah, deputy commissioner of Tejgaon Division Police, said no one will be allowed to commit crimes through social media.

"Those who misuse the mobile apps will not be spared. We will recommend closing down the apps [in Bangladesh]," he said.

On December 30 last year, a writ was filed with the High Court to shut down the applications named Bigo Live, TikTok, Likee for the safety and security of the young generation.

The writ petition asked why these apps should not be declared illegal and not be instructed to close operation.

The secretaries to the home ministry, and posts, telecommunications and information technology ministry, chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), and the inspector general of police were made defendants.

Rezaul Masud, special superintendent (Cyber Intelligence and Risk Management) of the CID, told The Daily Star yesterday that they have a continuous monitoring process to check which applications are harmful for our society and are violating the law.

PHQ then sends a list of suspected social media applications to the home ministry. The list is then sent to the BTRC, requesting further action and the shutting down of the mentioned apps.

As TikTok has recently come to the fore as an app that is widely abused, police are now working to take action against such apps, he said, adding they have also sent a list to ban some games, including PUBG and FREEFIRE.

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Harmful apps, games to be banned - The Daily Star