Duration 5 Days 30 CPD hours This course is intended for This intermediate and beyond level course is geared for experienced technical professionals in various roles, such as developers, data analysts, data engineers, software engineers, and machine learning engineers who want to leverage Scala and Spark to tackle complex data challenges and develop scalable, high-performance applications across diverse domains. Practical programming experience is required to participate in the hands-on labs. Overview Working in a hands-on learning environment led by our expert instructor you'll: Develop a basic understanding of Scala and Apache Spark fundamentals, enabling you to confidently create scalable and high-performance applications. Learn how to process large datasets efficiently, helping you handle complex data challenges and make data-driven decisions. Gain hands-on experience with real-time data streaming, allowing you to manage and analyze data as it flows into your applications. Acquire practical knowledge of machine learning algorithms using Spark MLlib, empowering you to create intelligent applications and uncover hidden insights. Master graph processing with GraphX, enabling you to analyze and visualize complex relationships in your data. Discover generative AI technologies using GPT with Spark and Scala, opening up new possibilities for automating content generation and enhancing data analysis. Embark on a journey to master the world of big data with our immersive course on Scala and Spark! Mastering Scala with Apache Spark for the Modern Data Enterprise is a five day hands on course designed to provide you with the essential skills and tools to tackle complex data projects using Scala programming language and Apache Spark, a high-performance data processing engine. Mastering these technologies will enable you to perform a wide range of tasks, from data wrangling and analytics to machine learning and artificial intelligence, across various industries and applications.Guided by our expert instructor, you?ll explore the fundamentals of Scala programming and Apache Spark while gaining valuable hands-on experience with Spark programming, RDDs, DataFrames, Spark SQL, and data sources. You?ll also explore Spark Streaming, performance optimization techniques, and the integration of popular external libraries, tools, and cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP. Machine learning enthusiasts will delve into Spark MLlib, covering basics of machine learning algorithms, data preparation, feature extraction, and various techniques such as regression, classification, clustering, and recommendation systems. Introduction to Scala Brief history and motivation Differences between Scala and Java Basic Scala syntax and constructs Scala's functional programming features Introduction to Apache Spark Overview and history Spark components and architecture Spark ecosystem Comparing Spark with other big data frameworks Basics of Spark Programming SparkContext and SparkSession Resilient Distributed Datasets (RDDs) Transformations and Actions Working with DataFrames Spark SQL and Data Sources Spark SQL library and its advantages Structured and semi-structured data sources Reading and writing data in various formats (CSV, JSON, Parquet, Avro, etc.) Data manipulation using SQL queries Basic RDD Operations Creating and manipulating RDDs Common transformations and actions on RDDs Working with key-value data Basic DataFrame and Dataset Operations Creating and manipulating DataFrames and Datasets Column operations and functions Filtering, sorting, and aggregating data Introduction to Spark Streaming Overview of Spark Streaming Discretized Stream (DStream) operations Windowed operations and stateful processing Performance Optimization Basics Best practices for efficient Spark code Broadcast variables and accumulators Monitoring Spark applications Integrating External Libraries and Tools, Spark Streaming Using popular external libraries, such as Hadoop and HBase Integrating with cloud platforms: AWS, Azure, GCP Connecting to data storage systems: HDFS, S3, Cassandra, etc. Introduction to Machine Learning Basics Overview of machine learning Supervised and unsupervised learning Common algorithms and use cases Introduction to Spark MLlib Overview of Spark MLlib MLlib's algorithms and utilities Data preparation and feature extraction Linear Regression and Classification Linear regression algorithm Logistic regression for classification Model evaluation and performance metrics Clustering Algorithms Overview of clustering algorithms K-means clustering Model evaluation and performance metrics Collaborative Filtering and Recommendation Systems Overview of recommendation systems Collaborative filtering techniques Implementing recommendations with Spark MLlib Introduction to Graph Processing Overview of graph processing Use cases and applications of graph processing Graph representations and operations Introduction to Spark GraphX Overview of GraphX Creating and transforming graphs Graph algorithms in GraphX Big Data Innovation! Using GPT and Generative AI Technologies with Spark and Scala Overview of generative AI technologies Integrating GPT with Spark and Scala Practical applications and use cases Bonus Topics / Time Permitting Introduction to Spark NLP Overview of Spark NLP Preprocessing text data Text classification and sentiment analysis Putting It All Together Work on a capstone project that integrates multiple aspects of the course, including data processing, machine learning, graph processing, and generative AI technologies.
Graphic Design Using Canva Course Overview: This course introduces learners to the world of graphic design using Canva, a powerful yet accessible design tool. It covers the essentials of graphic design, starting from the basics of working with colour and progressing through intermediate and advanced design techniques. Learners will explore photo-editing tools, graphic layout principles, and how to create professional-quality designs for a variety of purposes. By the end of the course, learners will have developed the skills to create engaging and visually appealing graphics, preparing them for roles in the creative industry. Course Description: The course covers a range of topics that build a solid foundation in graphic design using Canva. Starting with working with Adobe colours online, learners will move on to mastering basic design principles within Canva, before advancing to more complex techniques such as photo editing and designing at a professional level. The course provides learners with the knowledge to create impactful designs for social media, marketing, and branding. Learners will gain valuable skills that are widely used in the design industry, allowing them to apply these techniques in real-world contexts. The course structure is designed to build upon each module, ensuring learners progress at a comfortable pace while enhancing their graphic design abilities. Graphic Design Using Canva Curriculum: Module 01: Working with Adobe Colours Online Module 02: Basic Graphics Design using Canva Module 03: Photo-Editing Basics Module 04: Intermediate to Pro Lessons on Canva Graphic Designs Module 05: Bonus (See full curriculum) Who is this course for? Individuals seeking to enter the graphic design field. Professionals aiming to enhance their creative design skills. Beginners with an interest in digital design and visual communication. Entrepreneurs looking to improve their brand visuals. Career Path Graphic Designer Digital Marketing Specialist Social Media Content Creator Branding Consultant Freelance Designer
Duration 3 Days 18 CPD hours This course is intended for The primary audience for this course is as follows: Channel partners and reseller engineers installing, configuring, and maintaining scalable and resilient deployments of Cisco Meeting Server Channel partners and reseller engineers providing presales support for scalable and resilient Cisco Meeting Server deployments Customer engineers supporting scalable and resilient Cisco Meeting Server deployments Overview Upon completion of this course, the learner should be able to meet the following objectives: Cisco Meeting Server API commands Scalable and resilient deployments Customization Recording In this 3-day course Cisco Meeting Server Advanced (COLLAB350), you will learn advanced techniques in installing, troubleshooting, and maintaining a single server and single server split deployment of Cisco Meeting Servers. The recently purchased Acano collaboration hardware and software includes video and audio-bridging technology that allows customers to connect video systems from multiple vendors across both cloud and hybrid environments. Cisco has incorporated Acano collaboration technologies into the new Meeting Server tool. Module 1: Reviewing Cisco Meeting Server Intermediate Component parts of a Cisco Meeting Solution Configuration steps for a Cisco Meeting Solution Module 2: APIs Purpose of APIs Benefits of APIs Types of APIs Function of the GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE commands Module 3: Configuring Software with an API How a user can interact with software using an API Download and install Chrome Postman Other API software Download the Cisco Meeting Server API guide Module 4: Configuring Spaces with the Cisco Meeting Server API Cisco Meeting Server API structure Use Chrome Postman for information on calls and spaces with the GET command Use Chrome Postman to post a new call space with the POST command Use Chrome Postman to place changes in a space, including adding a member, with the PUT command Use Chrome Postman to delete a space with the DELETE command Module 5: Customization Configuration Create and modify a user profile and assign users Create and modify a dual-tone multifrequency (DTMF) profile and apply to a user profile Modify the interactive voice response (IVR), color scheme, and background Module 6: Planning a Resilient and Scalable Cisco Meeting Server Deployment Resilient server solutions Scalable server solutions Geographically dispersed configurations and GeoDNS Domain Name System (DNS) records required for a resilient and scalable solution Certificate requirements for a resilient and scalable solution Module 7: Configuring a Database Cluster Relationship between cluster master and cluster slaves in a database cluster Certificate requirements for a secure database cluster Configure the certificates for a database cluster Configure a database cluster Module 8: Configuring a Call Bridge Cluster Relationship between the Call Bridge and the Database How cross-cluster spaces behave Configure certificates for Call Bridge clustering Storage of configuration when entering with the API and the individual web interfaces for Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) and Call Bridge clustering Configure a Call Bridge Cluster Connect XMPP server to multiple Call Bridges Module 9: Configuring Load Balancers and Trunks Relationship between the XMPP server, Trunk and Load Balancer Configure certificates for multiple trunks and load balancers Configure multiple Trunks to multiple Load Balancers Module 10: Configuring Multiple Web Bridges Relationship between multiple Web Bridges and Call Bridges Internal and external DNS records support for both internal and external Web Bridges Configure certificates for multiple Web Bridges Configure multiple Web bridges Connect multiple Call Bridges to multiple Web Bridges Module 11: Configuring Multiple TURN Servers Relationship between multiple TURN servers and multiple Call Bridges Configure certificates for multiple TURN servers Configure multiple TURN servers Connect multiple Call Bridges to multiple TURN servers Module 12: Configuring Multiple Recorders Features of the recording capability Software, hardware, and licensing requirements for recording DNS records Configure the Recorder Relationship between multiple Recorders and multiple Call Bridges Configure a Call Bridge to use a Recorder Configure certificates for multiple Recorders servers Configure multiple Recorder servers Connect multiple Call Bridges to multiple Recorder servers Module 13: Integrating with a Resilient and Scalable Cisco Meeting Server Deployment Integration with Cisco TelePresence Video Communication Server (VCS) or Cisco Unified Communications Manager and multiple Call Bridges Integration with Cisco Expressway technology and multiple Call Bridges Integration with Microsoft Skype for Business and multiple Call Bridges Integration with Cisco TelePresence Management Suite and multiple Call Bridges Module 14: Deploying an H.323 Gateway Cisco preferred architecture for H.323 and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) interoperability Functionality of the Cisco Meeting Server H.323 gateway Configuration the Cisco Meeting Server H.323 gateway Module 15: Multitenancy Options Purpose of the multitenancy capabilities Options for multitenancy capabilities on the Cisco Meeting Server Module 16: Customization Options Options available to customize Cisco Meeting Apps License keys required for customization Web Server requirements for customization Options available to customize recorded messaging Customization options available for invitation text
Be it a career change, an exciting new hobby, perfecting existing skills or simply enhancing professional employment prospects– we help you unlock creativity through our industry aligned all-encompassing Graphic Design Course. " Having done my level 1 and level 2 in graphic design, I felt that I still had gaps in my knowledge and I wasn't comfortable with what I knew. I signed up with Blue Sky Graphics and I am really glad I did. I am definitely better now than when I started and this is all thanks to my tutor and Blue Sky Graphics 🙂 " A Comprehensive Advanced Course The graphic design course is a structured academic and industry aligned advanced course suitable for complete beginners, intermediates or those wanting to improve their existing skill set. The graphic design course is comprehensive and through our teaching methodology is designed to train participants to become professional Graphic Designers. There is an emphasis on corporate illustration, composition, painting and logos as well as advertisement designs while focusing on vectors, lines, features, shapes, and spaces. All this will be integrated into how graphic elements are printed after they are processed in graphic design software for the purpose of visually illustrating emotions and messages. During the course you will be exposed to: advertisements, magazines, newspapers, corporate graphic designs particular to company cultures and brand identity, stationery, letterheads, business cards, logos, books, packaging and much more. The graphic design course teaches you to understand and learn how to operate a labyrinthine yet amazing world of Adobe software. With this software we explore the uses of words, shapes, textures, forms, sizes and colours to communicate by combining ideas and images to make a new concept. Graphic design through common misconception is not just about layout and typography, but much more about ideas behind visual meaning. Graphic design can make a company more successful in the world if it makes communication smart, attractive and able to captivate its audience. Graphic design can effectively be used by businesses to make (or break) their brand identity, increase sales, promote web traffic or promote services and products through advertising on their websites to convey complex data to its readers in a clear way. Elements of graphic design include: Colour, Size, Texture, Line, Shape, Space and, Form. It is important that each element is understood correctly, and this is one of the key principles we teach on our graphic design course. In other terms, graphic design communicates certain ideas or messages through visuals. These visuals can be as simple as a business logo, or as complex as pages of web design. This course goes beyond just the practical side of graphic design and includes the theory and substance behind modern graphic design. Your teacher will guide you on: What salary you can expect at the start of your career? How to get new clients for your business for freelance designers ? How to find work for the new graphic designer starting out in the big world? How to quickly integrate into the graphic design field? How to combine working from home versus working at a studio ? Begin one-to-one online learning with your very own private tutor Interested? Our course is 7 months long, consisting of 1 hour 30 minutes of online one-to-one sessions. When you enrol at Blue Sky Graphics expect at least 90 minutes of class sessions and 2 – 4 hours of homework per week. If we accommodate the course delivery into a shorter time frame, (for e.g. over 4 months instead of 7 months the Flexi 3 doubles from £265.00 to £450.00 over 4 months) the instalment is billed at the delivery rate. The cost of traditional schooling is typically more expensive than online courses, but in the end it all comes down to how good the tutors are. With our online courses you can gain skills that are a necessity for graphic design remotely. That’s right! Learn the skills needed to use Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and portfolio! The online courses cost £1799.00 (VAT inclusive) with no extra hidden costs and there are affordable instalment options too. Pay via debit or credit card or use a payment plan. A deposit of £294.00 is required to secure your position.
A Harry Potter Quiz based on the books (not the movies). This quiz is suitable for children aged 10+ A Zoom link will be sent to those who register and Louise, the host, will provide a link to the quizzing website, Kahoot! on the day of the quiz.
Introduction to Coding With HTML, CSS, & Javascript Course Overview "Introduction to Coding With HTML, CSS, & JavaScript" is a comprehensive course designed to equip learners with the foundational knowledge of web development. The course covers the essential programming languages – HTML, CSS, and JavaScript – focusing on creating interactive and responsive websites. Learners will gain proficiency in designing websites from scratch, using HTML for structure, CSS for styling, and JavaScript for adding dynamic features. By the end of the course, learners will have a well-rounded understanding of how to create websites that are functional, visually appealing, and user-friendly, preparing them for real-world web development tasks. Course Description This course takes learners through a structured journey in web development, starting with the basics and gradually advancing to more complex topics. The modules cover HTML from beginner to expert levels, CSS fundamentals to advanced styling techniques, and an in-depth exploration of JavaScript. The course includes practical projects that reinforce key concepts, such as building a website using HTML and CSS and incorporating JavaScript to enhance interactivity. Learners will also explore essential programming topics like functions, conditional statements, data visualisation, and client-side validation. By completing this course, learners will develop a solid foundation in web development, enabling them to create fully functional websites. Introduction to Coding With HTML, CSS, & Javascript Curriculum Module 01: Getting Started Module 02: Setting up Development Environment Module 03: HTML Fundamentals Module 04: HTML Intermediate Module 05: HTML Advanced Module 06: HTML Expert Module 07: HTML Website Project Module 08: CSS Fundamentals Module 09: CSS Intermediate Module 10: CSS Advanced Module 11: CSS Expert Module 12: CSS Website Project Module 13: JavaScript Getting Started Module 14: JavaScript Fundamentals Module 15: Strings Module 16: Operators Module 17: Conditional Statements Module 18: Control Flow Statements Module 19: Functions Module 20: Data Visualisation (Google Charts) Module 21: Error Handling Module 22: Client-side Validations Module 23: Publish Your Website for Live (See full curriculum) Who is this course for? Individuals seeking to build a career in web development. Professionals aiming to expand their technical skills in web programming. Beginners with an interest in learning web development. Anyone looking to design and develop their own websites. Career Path Front-end Developer Web Developer UI/UX Designer Web Development Specialist Digital Marketing Specialist Freelance Web Developer Web Designer
Learn to Code HTML, CSS, Javascript: Guide for Beginners Course Overview This course offers a comprehensive introduction to HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, designed for those looking to build a strong foundation in web development. Covering the essential web technologies, it equips learners with the skills to create fully functional websites and interactive web pages. From understanding basic structure and styling to mastering advanced JavaScript concepts, this course ensures that learners develop a solid understanding of how modern websites are built and maintained. By the end of the course, learners will be confident in their ability to build, style, and add functionality to websites, preparing them for a variety of web development roles. Course Description "Learn to Code HTML, CSS, and JavaScript: Guide for Beginners" takes learners through every stage of web development, starting with the core technologies: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It covers the fundamentals and gradually advances to more sophisticated techniques, helping learners build their skills step by step. The course explores HTML structure, CSS styling, and JavaScript logic, covering essential areas such as strings, operators, and control flow. In addition to these core concepts, learners will delve into client-side validations, error handling, and data visualisation. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to create professional websites and publish them for live use, with a full understanding of front-end development. Learn to Code HTML, CSS, Javascript: Guide for Beginners Curriculum Module 01: Getting Started Module 02: Setting up Development Environment Module 03: HTML Fundamentals Module 04: HTML Intermediate Module 05: HTML Advanced Module 06: HTML Expert Module 07: HTML Website Project Module 08: CSS Fundamentals Module 09: CSS Intermediate Module 10: CSS Advanced Module 11: CSS Expert Module 12: CSS Website Project Module 13: JavaScript Getting Started Module 14: JavaScript Fundamentals Module 15: Strings Module 16: Operators Module 17: Conditional Statements Module 18: Control Flow Statements Module 19: Functions Module 20: Data Visualisation (Google Charts) Module 21: Error Handling Module 22: Client-side Validations Module 23: Publish Your Website for Live (See full curriculum) Who is this course for? Individuals seeking to learn web development. Professionals aiming to enhance their web development skills. Beginners with an interest in building websites. Anyone looking to enter the tech industry or web development field. Career Path Front-End Developer Web Developer Web Designer UI/UX Developer JavaScript Developer Full-Stack Developer Website Project Manager Digital Marketer
Duration 3 Days 18 CPD hours This course is intended for Service providers who are designing or using VMware SD-WAN solutions or managing SD-WAN networks for customers Service providers looking to deliver a managed hybrid WAN with MPLS service Service providers transforming their MPLS networks for direct access to cloud services and increased network agility Overview By the end of the course, you should be able to meet the following objectives: Describe how VMware SASE⢠solves security challenges for distributed enterprises Identify where VMware SD-WAN fits in the VMware SASE framework Describe the process for validating the installation of VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator and Gateway in a service provider environment Describe the features for monitoring and maintaining a VMware SD-WAN installation Evaluate the security features and certificate operations for managing a VMware SD-WAN installation Describe VMware SD-WAN Edge licensing and license types Describe the features of VMware Edge Network Intelligence⢠Recognize VMware SD-WAN network monitoring tools for generating reports, events, and alerts Recognize the remote diagnostic actions available on VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator Troubleshoot VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator and Gateway common issues This three-day, hands-on training course provides you with the advanced knowledge, skills, and tools to achieve competency in operating and troubleshooting the VMware SD-WAN? environment for service providers.In this course, you focus on deploying and managing VMware SD-WAN for a service provider, including troubleshooting common issues. Course Introduction Introductions and course logistics Course objectives VMware SD-WAN Installation for Service Providers Describe security challenges for distributed enterprises Describe the VMware SASE solution for securing distributed enterprises Describe VMware deployment models for service providers Explain how VMware SD-WAN can help to transform MPLS networks to service-ready networks Identify resource requirements for installing VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator and Gateways Describe the procedure for installing VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator Describe the process for provisioning VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator Identify the external service dependencies for VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator Recognize disaster recovery options for SD-WAN Orchestrator Describe the disaster recovery workflow for VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator Identify the requirements for installing VMware SD-WAN Gateway instances Describe the procedure for installing VMware SD-WAN Gateway instances Describe the procedure for installing VMware SD-WAN Gateway instances on ESXi hosts identify Data Plane Development Kit support for gateway performance Describe the VMware SD-WAN Gateway deployment modes for service providers Configure a VMware SD-WAN Gateway for a service provider Assign a VMware SD-WAN Gateway for a service provider VMware SD-WAN Monitoring and Maintenance Describe VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator system health-monitoring features Describe VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator process-monitoring features Describe VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator storage-monitoring features Describe VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator database-monitoring features Describe the VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator upgrade process Describe the VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator backup and data archival processes Describe the VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator process to expand database disks Describe the VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator system metrics for monitoring Describe how systems metrics are collected for monitoring VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator Describe VMware SD-WAN Gateway additions and removals Describe the VMware SD-WAN Gateway upgrade process Describe the VMware SD-WAN Gateway validation process VMware SD-WAN Security and Edge Licensing Describe the VMware SD-WAN PKI security infrastructure Recognize VMware SD-WAN PKI authentication modes Describe VMware SD-WAN certificate operations Describe the VMware SD-WAN PKI certificate authentication configuration Describe the VMware SD-WAN PKI configuration process Compare operator and partner logins Describe the VMware SD-WAN self-signed certificate authority process Describe VMware SD-WAN certificate authority renewal and revocation Describe the VMware SD-WAN intermediate certificate authority Describe the VMware SD-WAN certificate chain of trust Describe the VMware SD-WAN Edge licensing and license types Assign and view the VMware SD-WAN Edge licenses and reports VMware SD-WAN Reporting and Diagnostics Describe the VMware SD-WAN network monitoring tools Describe the VMware SD-WAN network visibility options and controls Identify the VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator reporting features Describe and analyze VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator events View enterprise reports by operator, partner, and administrator View historical network insights and real-time reports on path visibility Describe common VMware SD-WAN alerts Describe the VMware SD-WAN heart mechanism for alerts Configure VMware SD-WAN alerts Analyze common VMware SD-WAN alerts Use standard networking tools for monitoring VMware SD-WAN Describe remote diagnostic actions available on VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator Use the remote diagnostics tools on VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator Generate remote diagnostics bundles and packet captures VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator and Gateway Troubleshooting Recognize the basic sanity checks to troubleshoot VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator Create diagnostic bundles to enable support to troubleshoot VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator Recognize the basic checks to troubleshoot VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator Troubleshoot common VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator performance issues Describe the tools available to troubleshoot VMware SD-WAN Gateway Analyze sample outputs for debugging a VMware SD-WAN Gateway issue Use Data Plane Development Kit to improve VMware SD-WAN Gateway performance VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator and Gateway Commands Recognize when and how to use VMware SD-WAN Orchestrator database-monitoring commands Recognize when and how to use the VMware SD-WAN Gateway process-monitoring commands
Duration 3 Days 18 CPD hours This course is intended for This in an intermediate and beyond-level course is geared for experienced Python developers looking to delve into the exciting field of Natural Language Processing. It is ideally suited for roles such as data analysts, data scientists, machine learning engineers, or anyone working with text data and seeking to extract valuable insights from it. If you're in a role where you're tasked with analyzing customer sentiment, building chatbots, or dealing with large volumes of text data, this course will provide you with practical, hands on skills that you can apply right away. Overview This course combines engaging instructor-led presentations and useful demonstrations with valuable hands-on labs and engaging group activities. Throughout the course you'll: Master the fundamentals of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and understand how it can help in making sense of text data for valuable insights. Develop the ability to transform raw text into a structured format that machines can understand and analyze. Discover how to collect data from the web and navigate through semi-structured data, opening up a wealth of data sources for your projects. Learn how to implement sentiment analysis and topic modeling to extract meaning from text data and identify trends. Gain proficiency in applying machine learning and deep learning techniques to text data for tasks such as classification and prediction. Learn to analyze text sentiment, train emotion detectors, and interpret the results, providing a way to gauge public opinion or understand customer feedback. The Hands-on Natural Language Processing (NLP) Boot Camp is an immersive, three-day course that serves as your guide to building machines that can read and interpret human language. NLP is a unique interdisciplinary field, blending computational linguistics with artificial intelligence to help machines understand, interpret, and generate human language. In an increasingly data-driven world, NLP skills provide a competitive edge, enabling the development of sophisticated projects such as voice assistants, text analyzers, chatbots, and so much more. Our comprehensive curriculum covers a broad spectrum of NLP topics. Beginning with an introduction to NLP and feature extraction, the course moves to the hands-on development of text classifiers, exploration of web scraping and APIs, before delving into topic modeling, vector representations, text manipulation, and sentiment analysis. Half of your time is dedicated to hands-on labs, where you'll experience the practical application of your knowledge, from creating pipelines and text classifiers to web scraping and analyzing sentiment. These labs serve as a microcosm of real-world scenarios, equipping you with the skills to efficiently process and analyze text data. Time permitting, you?ll also explore modern tools like Python libraries, the OpenAI GPT-3 API, and TensorFlow, using them in a series of engaging exercises. By the end of the course, you'll have a well-rounded understanding of NLP, and will leave equipped with the practical skills and insights that you can immediately put to use, helping your organization gain valuable insights from text data, streamline business processes, and improve user interactions with automated text-based systems. You?ll be able to process and analyze text data effectively, implement advanced text representations, apply machine learning algorithms for text data, and build simple chatbots. Launch into the Universe of Natural Language Processing The journey begins: Unravel the layers of NLP Navigating through the history of NLP Merging paths: Text Analytics and NLP Decoding language: Word Sense Disambiguation and Sentence Boundary Detection First steps towards an NLP Project Unleashing the Power of Feature Extraction Dive into the vast ocean of Data Types Purification process: Cleaning Text Data Excavating knowledge: Extracting features from Texts Drawing connections: Finding Text Similarity through Feature Extraction Engineer Your Text Classifier The new era of Machine Learning and Supervised Learning Architecting a Text Classifier Constructing efficient workflows: Building Pipelines for NLP Projects Ensuring continuity: Saving and Loading Models Master the Art of Web Scraping and API Usage Stepping into the digital world: Introduction to Web Scraping and APIs The great heist: Collecting Data by Scraping Web Pages Navigating through the maze of Semi-Structured Data Unearth Hidden Themes with Topic Modeling Embark on the path of Topic Discovery Decoding algorithms: Understanding Topic-Modeling Algorithms Dialing the right numbers: Key Input Parameters for LSA Topic Modeling Tackling complexity with Hierarchical Dirichlet Process (HDP) Delving Deep into Vector Representations The Geometry of Language: Introduction to Vectors in NLP Text Manipulation: Generation and Summarization Playing the creator: Generating Text with Markov Chains Distilling knowledge: Understanding Text Summarization and Key Input Parameters for TextRank Peering into the future: Recent Developments in Text Generation and Summarization Solving real-world problems: Addressing Challenges in Extractive Summarization Riding the Wave of Sentiment Analysis Unveiling emotions: Introduction to Sentiment Analysis Tools Demystifying the Textblob library Preparing the canvas: Understanding Data for Sentiment Analysis Training your own emotion detectors: Building Sentiment Models Optional: Capstone Project Apply the skills learned throughout the course. Define the problem and gather the data. Conduct exploratory data analysis for text data. Carry out preprocessing and feature extraction. Select and train a model. ? Evaluate the model and interpret the results. Bonus Chapter: Generative AI and NLP Introduction to Generative AI and its role in NLP. Overview of Generative Pretrained Transformer (GPT) models. Using GPT models for text generation and completion. Applying GPT models for improving autocomplete features. Use cases of GPT in question answering systems and chatbots. Bonus Chapter: Advanced Applications of NLP with GPT Fine-tuning GPT models for specific NLP tasks. Using GPT for sentiment analysis and text classification. Role of GPT in Named Entity Recognition (NER). Application of GPT in developing advanced chatbots. Ethics and limitations of GPT and generative AI technologies.
The prevalence of ill health is real. Become an expert practitioner in treating individuals using a truly holistic approach. A MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR The great need for practitioners is emphasised today, not only by the prevalence of well-established diseases, but also by the appearance of quite new conditions which are not necessarily regarded as being nutritional illnesses. In fact many students come to Nutritional Therapy after experiencing and their own health problems and seek to help others with similar difficulties. We know that nutrition lies at the very heart of these problems and it is our absolute intention to share that knowledge with you. Every person's nutritional needs differ and our courses teach students to recognise this at the outset - there is no haphazard approach. We are absolutely certain that you will find this a fascinating course as you train to become a practitioner of the highest degree. DR. LAWRENCE PLASKETT Course Duration 3 years Study Hours 3,000 hours Course Content 14 folders Course Fee £1,995 Course Overview The Plaskett Professional Diploma in Nutritional Therapy is the most scientific and advanced practitioner level course that we offer. Nutritional Therapy is a form of therapy that uses food, supplementary nutrients and cleansing procedures to alleviate or prevent chronic health problems and this course will train you to practise as a Nutritional Therapist of the highest degree. You will: Receive a training which is truly holistic in nature Be presented with the unique teachings of Dr. Lawrence Plaskett whose long experience working in the borderlands between nutrition and medicine enables him to offer a synthesis between many fields that are not often brought together: nutrition, pathology, biochemistry, toxicology, pharmacology, cell biology, naturopathy and homoeopathy Develop the professional skills and specific diagnostic insight to be able to apply nutrition to health effectively, a training for successful practice that should be applicable anywhere in the world Be trained to offer help with a wide range of conditions, the majority of which are not necessarily regarded in conventional medicine as being nutritional illnesses. These encompass an extremely wide range of chronic conditions, including most diseases and a vast array of symptoms - physical, emotional, mental - which can frequently be experienced outside the range of conventional medical diagnostic 'labels'. Develop the necessary expertise in nutrition which is often lacking in other fields of complementary or alternative medicine. Any programme of nutritional supplements and diet needs to be matched exactly to individual needs by a well-trained practitioner BREAKDOWN OF THE COURSE SECTIONS The Nutritional Therapy Diploma includes the following 14 folders: FOLDER 1 THE HOLISTIC MODEL OF HEALTH CARE This Folder starts with a suggested programme of study and some simple hints on how to make best use of your study time. It then teaches an understanding of basic principles that underpin your entire grasp of nutrition as a biological process. The naturopathic emphasis is upon freeing the body tissues of toxins and the damaged cell components that drag them down to the chronic level. The Folder looks closely at the nature of toxins and their sources. It looks at their behaviour and effects when they enter the body, the character and mechanisms of the damage they do and, above all, the mechanisms by which they can be removed and the damage repaired. These are no flights of fancy, as orthodoxy would often have us believe. Rather they are strongly supported by medical science, as the course material will demonstrate. In order to develop a grasp of these processes they have to be visualized as they really happen, on the cellular level. A Side Book is included covering the structure and life of the cell. Areas Covered Study skills Looking after the body The Life Force Stopping the rot and starting to recover Movements of toxins within and around the body Our relationship to medical orthodoxy The nature of natural and unnatural chemical toxins The concept of toxin-free food Organic growing and water purification Free radicals and anti-oxidants Routes of toxin entry and elimination Damage caused by toxins lying in the tissues Detoxification The relationship between toxic burden and toxic damage The energy reserve role of fat The lipoproteins of the blood FOLDER 2 MINERALS AT WORK IN NUTRITION - PART 1 The minerals come forward as the strongest contenders for pride of place among the nutrient classes because they are so critically vulnerable to deficiency and imbalance in today’s western world. “Get the minerals right before anything else” is a penetrating summary of their necessary priority. You will learn how the bulk minerals (those we need in greatest amount) depend upon each other and how the micro minerals cannot fulfil their function correctly without a correct balance of the bulk ones. This Folder takes “first things first” by laying the soundest possible foundation for the study and management of the bulk metals – sodium, potassium, calcium, with magnesium to follow in Folder 5. We believe that few course providers deal as thoroughly with this absolute cornerstone of nutrition as we do. The effects of these mineral balances permeate the entire subject of nutrition. You will look at many aspects of the subject that affect health. Areas Covered Composition of the human body Overview of macro minerals Sources of nutritional minerals Biological concentration of minerals Micro minerals as catalysts Toxic minerals Digestion, absorption and storage Mineral/mineral antagonisms Sodium and potassium balance Symptoms of sodium and potassium excess or deficiency The sodium pump Sodium and potassium in foods Potassium administration in therapy Calcium in the human skeleton and teeth Calcium in body fluids Hormonal control of calcium Osteoporosis and disputes over calcium requirements Calcium in foods Calcium “mishandling” Calcium in supplement Side Book: The Chemistry of Nutrition Whilst it is possible to teach nutrition to some degree without studying the chemical nature of the nutrients, it is much better that you have at least a superficial understanding. Folder Two therefore includes a side book on Chemistry for those who are new to the subject. However, no one expects you to become highly informed on chemical structures. Access to the facts and to an explanation is what is important. This side-book will free you, as a future practitioner, from the need to manipulate the nutrients without understanding them as many others try to do. Elements, compounds and molecules Valency Ions, acids and salts Combining proportions and moles Carbon compounds and functional groups Oxidation and reduction Calculating the vitamin or mineral content of supplements FOLDER 3 THE BULK NUTRIENTS – PROTEIN, CARBOHYDRATE, LIPIDS AND ENERGY These nutrients provide both the fuel and the building materials for the body. Orthodox nutrition teaches these topics very thoroughly. As to the structures of the compounds, we teach the same things they do. However, all three main classes of bulk nutrients have their distinctive “wrinkles” when examined from an alternative viewpoint. With the proteins this has to do with avoiding excesses and, to some degree eschewing animal sources for naturopathic and other reasons. With the carbohydrates it involves recognizing at a sensitive level the long-term harm that can be done by free sugars and the crucial importance of blood sugar maintenance and control. Orthodox treatments may claim to do these things but there is a vast difference of emphasis and effect. Among the lipids the “wrinkles” have to do with intricate management of the balance among the essential fatty acids and the importance of the phospholipids in the diet. You will also learn about the propensity of fats to form toxins and the need to moderate fat intake. All of these so-called alternative “wrinkles” have weighty scientific support, which you will have explained for you. The chemical nature of these bulk nutrients is fully presented for those who wish it, with a “faster track” through for those who do not. Areas covered Different kinds of proteins The amino acids in proteins The structure of proteins Proteins in foods The essential amino acids and protein quality Nitrogen balance and protein metabolism Proteins in therapeutic policy The simple sugars and sugar derivatives Di, tri and polysaccharides Transformations of carbohydrate Sugars and starch in diets Blood sugar control Metabolic energy The make-up of fats Different kinds of fatty acids Essentiality of omega 6 and omega 3 Lipids and coronary thrombosis Cholesterol, Inc. blood cholesterol levels Fats in western diets Toxins from fats by chemical damage Lecithin and other phospholipids Quantifying energy – units of measurement Energy content of foods and fuels Human expenditures of energy Basal metabolic rate FOLDER 4 FOODS AND FOOD CLASSES Properties, Composition and Naturopathic Effects The merits and disadvantages of wheat, milk and meat are carefully analysed and exposed from the standpoint of both scientific and also naturopathic considerations. There will be much here to ponder, whilst the scientific evidence leaves little to doubt. You will look rather exhaustively at the merits, nature and composition of vegetables and fruits, not only as groups but also as sub-groups and down to the individual plants. You will find yourself in a position, when it comes to prescribing, to be directive when necessary about which individual fruits and vegetables it will be best to use. The groups of pulses, nuts, seeds, fish, shellfish and other seafood’s, as well as beverages, will be closely examined for their composition and suitability for prescription in treatment diets. Acidity and alkalinity in foods is carefully examined. This Folder is “all about food” but it is also food for thought from beginning to end. Areas covered The wheat grain and its milled fractions Types of bread Nutritional problems of wheat and wheat allergy Sprouted wheat and wheat grass Barley, oats and rye The composition of milks Milk as infant feed The variety of dairy products Nutritional and health problems associated with milk Milk allergy and intolerance Hidden milk in foods Vegetable mineral content and vitality Eliminatory effect of vegetables Composition of 49 different vegetables Potential hazards of plant foods Composition and nature of pulses, nuts and seeds The composition of different meats Naturopathic negatives associated with meat The composition of different fish types Fish as an omega 3 source Shell fish and crustacea Nutritional problems of tea and coffee The composition of fruits Strongly eliminative properties in fruits Acid and alkali-forming foods Using the food composition tables FOLDER 5 MINERALS AT WORK IN NUTRITION - PART 2 Each and every member of the micro minerals group will prove a fascinating area of study and will face you at times almost with disbelief that such minute amounts of substance can exert such extraordinarily powerful effects upon the way the body works and therefore upon health. Each micro mineral displays its own particular pattern of effects arising from either deficiency or excess. This is almost like a personal signature of the mineral. These will be learnt now but employed later in diagnosis to help determine the likely patterns of micro mineral imbalances in your patients. The role of all-important magnesium is examined together with the principles of using magnesium in therapy. This element plays a key macro mineral role and exerts decisive control over naturopathic elimination. Areas covered Iron, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, chromium, molybdenum, iodine, silicon, fluorine, vanadium For each of the microminerals where appropriate: Body content; physiology functions; effects of deficiency or excess; toxicity; factors promoting retention or loss; occurrence in foods; different chemical forms; associated diseases; the use of the appropriate supplements Roles of magnesium in the body Magnesium in foods Effects, diseases and symptoms of magnesium deficiency Naturopathic expectations from magnesium therapy FOLDER 6 THE VITAMINS AT WORK IN NUTRITION The vitamins are mostly micro catalysts just as the micro minerals are. Sixteen of them are the subjects of this Folder. We first explain their known effects in the body and then go on to set out the ways that they may be used, either for direct therapeutic effect, or in support of other components of nutritional therapy. As in the cases of all the other nutrients, there will be both scientific and naturopathic evidence presented. Good reference material will be provided. Areas covered For each of the vitamins and vitamin-like substances where appropriate: Body content; precursors; physiology functions; effects of deficiency or excess; toxicity; factors promoting retention or loss; occurrence in foods; different chemical forms; associated diseases; the use of the appropriate supplements. Vitamin A; beta-carotene; Vitamins B: thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, B12, folic acid, choline, inositol; Vitamin C, Vitamins D1 and D2; tocopherols (Vitamin E); Vitamin K. FOLDER 7 BOWEL FLORA AND THE MAINTENANCE OF HEALTH It is possible to manage and manipulate the bowel flora – the bacteria that inhabit the intestines – so as to produce optimal benefits to health. Antibiotics and certain dietary errors appear to work in the opposite direction and encourage a flora that will generate more toxins. This Folder deals with both scientific and naturopathic facts and technique and explains how to harness the potential that resides here for bringing better health or maintaining health. It is a crucially important area of nutritional management. Every case you will treat will need the possible prescription of bowel flora products to be reviewed. The other part of this Folder is about the maintenance of health. We provide a general round-up of this pre-clinical part of the course with an overview of nutritional requirements and wise practice in the design of those diets that may be intended to be “healthy” but not necessarily therapeutic. It includes examination of the special needs of vulnerable groups. You can expect, of course, to meet patients of all ages and conditions and, often enough, you will be asked merely to provide guidance upon what type of diet will best maintain their health. It also reviews the production of toxin-free food and the hazards posed by the industrialization of food. Finally, there is an approach to the use of supplements for health maintenance and a discussion of strategies for on-going cleansing and toxin avoidance so as to assist in maintaining good health. Areas covered The naturopathic view of the benefits of bowel flora Effect of diet on the bowel flora The putrefactive bacteria Balancing lactose fermenters with other types Toxic amines Benefits of the acid producing species Negatives associated with antibiotics Breast feeding and the bowel bacteria Bowel flora products Overview of the British diet Nutrient requirements for the population Higher requirements for the health conscious Special needs of children and the elderly Special needs of vegetarians and vegans The requirements of pregnancy and lactation Organic growing Industrial food processing and food additives Maintenance supplements Maintenance cleansing FOLDER 8 DIAGNOSIS This Folder is divided into two parts. The first gives a detailed understanding of the basis of diagnosis, while the second gives direct instruction in performing diagnoses. These two parts, taken together, comprise a major step in your induction as a naturopathic nutritionist. The induction into technique and approach is an essential step, but even more than that, the moulding of your thought process is so very important. You have to move into the particular “observer” position, mentally, from which the diagnosis is best carried out. The first part of the Folder both provides the “nuts and bolts” of nutritional diagnosis but it also provides the mental positioning to enable you to carry it out with confidence and expertise. The diagnosis requires understanding of the “constitution”, defined both naturopathically and genetically. An optional side book covers both the miasms and the Chinese 5 elements in respect of their bearing upon diagnosis within nutritional therapy. Fundamental to the practical aspect is the technique for taking case histories and then interpreting them along combined naturopathic and scientific lines. This logically leads onto the next stage – treatment – in a rational sequence. This Folder contains five “demonstration” case histories. FOLDER 9 TREATMENT This is in many ways the crux of the whole course. However, being released into nutritional treatments – with their full power – without having made the most thorough preparation, would be most unwise. Absolutely every topic that has been covered before is required in one way or another at this point. It is here that the interpretation of the case history becomes translated into a prescription of diet and supplements that is honed in a sensitive way to the patient as an individual. We outline a number of “levels” of the diagnosis that feed into the treatment decisions. There is a “whole person” level, a “weak organ” level, a “metabolic imbalances” level, a “nutritional deficiencies” level and, finally, the lowest in the hierarchy, a “named diseases” level. We also introduce here the profound concepts of intensity, direction and level as they apply to the very basis of Nutritional Therapy prescriptions. All these contributions must converge to provide the best overall treatment. The focus at this point is on defining the dietary guidelines and the careful orchestration of the essential minerals and vitamins that are to be used. However, this is also the point at which various named treatments are considered, including bowel cleansing procedures, bowel flora treatment and some of the contributions towards Candida treatment. These options are set out here and then developed more in the later Folders of Part Two. Special approaches such as the liver cleanse are also considered here along with amino acid therapy, antioxidant therapy and the anti-inflammatory prescription. We also provide guidelines on how detailed analysis of the composition of diets, and the design of special diets based on such analysis, can contribute to treatment. This Folder provides the “core” of all this, with various modulations and variations being available from the subsequent Folders for “fine tuning”. FOLDER 10 STUDY OF CASE HISTORIES There is nothing quite like practice where case histories are concerned. To be able to study them with great facility and insight and then discern the routes by which they lead towards exact treatment – that is to be your aim here. The Folder provides the challenge of “interpreting” a number of case histories, with help and with feedback. This is an approach that can lead you towards confidence and competence in this task, which is at the centre of practitioners’ daily work. Approaches and solutions are presented. This Folder gives 11 abridged case histories and 20 fully detailed case histories for analysis by the student, 31 case histories in all. These are selected to provide a variety of different types of treatment situation including some that are special or unusual. FOLDER 11 ADDED OR SPECIAL NUTRIENTS AND HERBS In covering the prescribing of supplement programmes in Folder 9, you will have been focused primarily upon those that rank in orthodox nutrition as “essential nutrients”, particularly minerals and vitamins. However, Nutritional Therapy is enormously enriched by a wide range of other biochemicals that cannot be classified as “essential”. Life does not stop without them, yet they can be extremely helpful, especially to individuals with compromised health. These are more often metabolic intermediates than recognised nutrients, but they can be extraordinarily valuable for organ-directed therapy. Many of these involve up-to-the minute discoveries. We teach about phytonutrients in foods (eg carotenoids, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins, isothiocyanates, organic sulphides and curcuminoids) and about the possibilities, when necessary, to provide them in supplement form. Herbs are covered too in their special role of support-therapy to Nutritional Therapy, usually in an organ-directed or system-directed role. Echinacea, silymarin, aloe, ginkgo, bromelain and St John’s Wort are just examples of these herbs. We also teach the use of herbal combinations for specific purposes. This wide choice of “extra” items is the subject of specific instruction in this Folder. FOLDER 12 TREATING NAMED MEDICAL CONDITIONS - PART 1 Folder 9 makes it plain that, because this is a holistic discipline, the named medical condition is generally low on the hierarchy of treatment criteria. Although that is generally the case, the extent to which it holds good may depend upon how advanced is the particular disease condition. At all events, the practitioner does need a degree of disease-related training, which is provided in this Folder and the next. Some 180 different medical conditions or classes of conditions, mostly chronic, are addressed. Special space is provided to cover fully selected topics that are of key importance in an alternative medicine practice, such as obesity, alcoholism, allergies and the menopause. We also provide you with specific treatment guidance with the proviso that whole-person treatments and organ-system related treatments either take priority or are provided alongside. Where appropriate some insights are given into the prior allopathic treatments and environmental and social conditions that may cause or exacerbate the listed conditions. This provides for the patient’s circumstances and lifestyle to be adjusted in rather specifically apt directions. The main categories in this Folder are: circulatory, rheumatic and digestive diseases, along with obesity, alcoholism and immunity states including autoimmunity and allergies. All the disease conditions addressed are closely studied from the standpoint of orthodox pathology as well as their Nutritional Therapy treatment. Hence Folders 12 and 13 in their own right amount to a course in the medical science of pathology and this represents a substantial expansion over earlier versions of the course. These Folders will constitute invaluable reference material for use when you have set up in practice. FOLDER 13 TREATING NAMED MEDICAL CONDITIONS - PART 2 This Folder continues the work started in Folder 12. Here included are diseases of the nervous system and brain, skin, reproductive system, urinary system, endocrine system, liver/gallbladder, respiratory system, eye, ear, mouth, nose and bone. Also included are psychological and systemic diseases (including ME), infectious diseases and some directly nutritional diseases. The detailed attention to pathology is maintained throughout. During the course of Folders 10-14 inclusive, students undertake no less than 12 cases on their own, covering full data-collection, analysis and interpretation, with prescription of diet and supplements. Together with the 36 case histories studied in earlier Folders this gives 48 case histories studied FOLDER 14 MONITORING TREATMENT, THE THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP AND PRACTICE MANAGEMENT Having got the treatment going, there is a need for specific instruction in the on-going task of monitoring the patient’s condition and reacting accordingly with adjustments to the therapy. Patient and practitioner alike have to be aware that the first prescription is likely to be just the start of a process. Reading the signs of change looms large in this instruction and familiarization. Responding to them is the second part. Here there is a need to understand the terms “intensity” and “direction” in therapy. “Intensity” refers to the degree of healing and naturopathic pressure being applied and “direction” refers to the aims of the particular choice of treatment being applied. You will learn to distinguish between situations that call only for a change of “level” and those that call upon you to rethink and change “direction” when the patient’s progress levels off as this may then initiate a new burst of healing changes. Another way to break out from the “plateau” situation is to assess the exact nutrient composition of the whole diet – an action that is too detailed and time-consuming to do with every patient and usually not needed. A part of the Folder is about drugs, when and when not to encourage their use, and how to manage the drug-dependent patient. You need to acquire at least a passing familiarity with the main classes of prescription drugs, which are explained in this Folder. This Folder also provides information on Laboratory testing procedures that may be recommended to patients. Finally we offer subjects of crucial importance to working practitioners, namely a study of “The Therapeutic Relationship” and “Practice Management – Running The Practice as a Business”. TESTIMONIALS Here's what students have to say about the course Grace Kingswell, Nutritional Therapist UK "I was recommended Plaskett by my own functional medicine practitioner. I knew that if she was recommending it, it would be worthwhile. I wanted a full body overview and not a “match the supplement to the symptom” approach, and that is certainly what the Plaskett Dip;oma in Nutritional Medicine course delivered. I wanted to be qualified to run my own business as a practitioner afterwards, and it is the most complete and highest level course that the Plaskett College offer. My knowledge of naturopathy and nutritional medicine was pretty solid before I started due to personal experience, but I’ve really built on this now and feel confident that I know how to help others. I’ve also learnt a lot more of the biochemistry behind the science too. The study experience was really good, but it’s a lot of self-motivation, and if you don’t have that then it might be touch to finish it, as it’s completely self-driven". Ben C Alberts, Director South African Institute of Behavioural Nutrition South Africa The Plaskett Nutritional Therapy Diploma was one of the most rewarding programmes of my life. Apart from the media hype around healthy living it is only after the completion of a proper programme that one truly start to understand the intricacy of the human body and what healthy living really is. Within the Plaskett programme the combination of nutrition, pure science and a naturopathic view provided me with a completely new perspective on health management. Against a fairly orthodox background it took me some time within the programme to understand the true principles, and once realized fundamentally changed the way I view personal health management. Throughout the programme the support from my tutor was phenomenal with concise and very valued feedback, and certainly at exceptional detail. The course content was of a high standard and must not be underestimated in both volume and complexity. For me personally, the programme delivered immense value and I will recommend it to any of my peers and clients. Diane Brough, Nutritional Therapist Canada When I first started thinking about taking a course in nutrition, I was living in Botswana, in Africa. I was looking for a college that would offer me the support and guidance that is so important for long distance learning. I’m probably one of the college’s longest registered students because my family moved to five different countries during my studies! I am very thankful for the college’s patience and continued support. Plaskett College impressed me with their personal approach to the course and the fact that all modules were composed by Dr. Lawrence Plaskett, a medical research biochemist and the college’s Founder and Principal. I studied the Diploma in Nutritional Medicine because my plan was to have my own practice. I practised at a herbal clinic as a Nutritional Therapist and Iridologist after I completed my diploma, but then decided to study massage therapy, so put my practice aside while at school. I recently established Revitalife Therapeutics and offer massage therapy, manual lymphatic drainage, nutritional therapy and iridology. Vittoria Viglietti, Nutritional Therapist & Founder of Nutriwild Namibia I chose Plaskett College because I really wanted to make a difference where natural medicine was concerned. After losing my father to Cancer, and experiencing malpractice with all the orthodox medicine we followed, this pushed me even more to pursue an in-depth education in nutritional medicine. I chose Plaskett College’s, Nutritional Medicine Course, because I found this to be very informative for anyone interested in perusing a future in the field of Natural medicine and Nutritional Therapy. My studies have been such a memorable journey for me. I started studying just over 2 months, after losing my father. A very difficult time in my life. The course I chose to do with Plaskett would take me 4 years to complete. I am in my 5th year (nearly my 6th year), doing this particular course and I have only experienced encouragement, understanding of my situation and support from the college to continue to complete the course in my time. I could not show more gratitude towards them for this. I did not expect that after losing my father my life would hit lots unforeseen hurdles, causing my study time to suffer greatly. Yet, through all this, Plaskett College only showed me more support and encouragement to persist with my studies.