From Horsepower to AI: How the Spirit of Bugatti Inspires a New Generation of Innovators in Ferrara

(qui sotto la versione in Italiano)

From Horsepower to AI: How the Spirit of Bugatti Inspires a New Generation of Innovators in Ferrara

There is a certain magic that lingers in the air of Ferrara. It’s a city of Renaissance walls and quiet canals, but beneath the cobblestones runs a current of audacious innovation—a history of believing in nascent genius. Here, at the Smiling International School, my colleague Mr. Arun and I often feel like we are tapping into that very current. In our "Robotics and Behaviour" club, a group of bright, ambitious students are not just learning about the future; they are building it, one line of code and one 3D-printed chassis at a time. They are prototyping their own self-driving vehicles.

What makes this project truly profound is not just the advanced technology they are grappling with, but the ghost of innovation that watches over them. For it was here, in this very city, in this same building almost exactly 125 years ago, that a young, visionary mechanic received the backing that would change the world of automobiles forever. His name was Ettore Bugatti.

Bugatti Gullinelli Prototype 2, 1901

A Legacy Forged in a Ferrara Stable

The turn of the 20th century was a time of immense technological ferment in Italy. The very concept of the internal combustion engine, while revolutionary, was not entirely new to the country. In fact, an Italian professor from the University of Padua, the Verona-native Eugenio Bernardi, had already patented his first petrol-fueled engine in 1882.¹ Petrol or gas fuelled engines still power 85% of cars. An invention, however, is one thing; a brilliantly engineered, commercially viable automobile is another. This is where the story pivots to Ferrara and the unique genius of Ettore Bugatti.

A Guide for Papua New Guinean Students Seeking Scholarships to Study Abroad

Navigating International Scholarships

Introduction

As the former Vice-Chancellor of the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (UNITECH), I remain passionate about helping students find opportunities to study abroad. I frequently receive requests for guidance, and this post aims to provide a clear, realistic starting point for your journey.

The dream of international study is achievable, but it requires dedication and thorough research from you, the applicant. This guide outlines the major scholarship pathways available. My goal is to help you focus your efforts, understand the landscape, and take ownership of your application process.

1. Traditional Partners: Australia and New Zealand

Australia and New Zealand have long-standing educational ties with Pacific Island nations and offer significant, well-established scholarship programs.

The Degree Dilemma: How AI Cheating & Stagnation Are Reshaping Higher Education and Careers

Bullet Point Summary:

• 🎓 Political Divide: College education levels are increasingly correlated with political affiliations, highlighting a societal schism (CNN, 2025).
• 🤖 AI & Cheating: Widespread use of AI for assignments (almost 90% of students) is devaluing traditional college work, with some students seeing tasks as "hackable" (Walsh, 2024; CNN, 2025).
• 🏛️ University Inertia: Academic institutions are struggling to adapt assessment methods, and AI detection tools are proving unreliable, leading to educator disillusionment (Walsh, 2024).
• 📉 Value Perception: The perceived value of college is declining, with high costs and questions about the relevance of traditional learning methods (Walsh, 2024; CNN, 2025).
• 💼 Job Market Transformation: AI is forcing a rethink of hiring practices, especially technical interviews, as tools emerge that can "cheat" traditional assessments (Walsh, 2024; Hard Fork, 2025).
• 🛠️ Trades on the Rise: Skilled trades offer a viable, debt-free alternative with high demand and earning potential, gaining renewed respect (CNN, 2025; Walsh, 2024).

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The Degree Dilemma: AI, Political Divides, and the Job Market Revolution

The once-unquestioned trajectory from high school to a four-year college degree, and then into a stable career, is now fraught with complexities and re-evaluations. Only for those of us working in education, is education a goal in itself, for the rest of the world it is a means to an end. They want it to do an imporant job: offer a rewarding career, a satisfying life-style and possibly some personal satisfaction. In that order.

Creating Your Own Current: A Lesson in Resistance and Resilience

The Inherited Stagnation – A University Adrift

For the 22-year-old navigating a world of expectations, a world that often nudges you towards the well-trodden path, I offer this: dare to author your own journey. My story of being Vice-Chancellor in Papua New Guinea for 6 years, where I thrived going against the current, illustrates this principle.

Dedicated to my dear friend, the late Larry Orsak (PhD UC Berkeley) here in Lae on the 7th of July 2014 in the rain during the national march against corruption.

The Honest Truth About High Expectations and Feedback in Teaching

Introduction

Observing colleagues, and reflecting on my own practice through the lens of my teaching philosophy, brings two fundamental tensions into sharp focus: setting high expectations and academic standards for learning, and providing accurate, timely feedback. These two aspects cut across all subjects and all ages. After all, an effective teacher is a subject specialist and professional (high expectations and standards), as well as knowledgeable about how to make students learn or the ability to find a fitting pedagogical approach. We hold these as ideals, yet the daily realities of the classroom often force compromises.

1. The High Expectations Tightrope

We know setting high expectations is crucial. Students often rise (or sink) to the level we set. Yet, we also know students frequently seek the path of least resistance – perhaps it’s inherent in the role? 

The High School to University Transition: Essential AI and Human-Centric Skills for Success

​How to ​navigate the transition from IGCSE Business to the IB program and university choices, specifically considering the significant impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the future job market​?

The core principles remain, but the focus shifts towards adaptability, human-centric skills, and digital literacy.

Here are 10 points of advice for a IGCSE business student in the age of AI:

GenAI - A Tale of Two Uses: The Office and The Home

Introduction

The landscape of Generative AI adoption is evolving rapidly. A recent follow-up study published in Harvard Business Review sheds light on how usage patterns have shifted over the past year, revealing a notable divergence between professional and personal applications. While the technology permeates both spheres, the way it's being leveraged differs significantly.

1. The Rise of the Personal AI Companion

Perhaps the most striking finding from the 2025 HBR analysis is the surge in AI use for deeply personal needs. Forget coding assistance topping the charts; the number one use case is now "Therapy/Companionship." This is followed closely by "Organizing my life" and "Finding purpose." People are turning to AI for emotional support, self-reflection, planning personal tasks, managing health goals, and even exploring existential questions. 

The article highlights AI's 24/7 availability, relative low cost, and non-judgmental nature as key drivers for these intimate uses, particularly where traditional resources like mental healthcare are scarce. This trend suggests AI is increasingly becoming a tool for self-actualization and managing the complexities of daily life outside the workplace.