27 C
Vientiane
Sunday, June 29, 2025
spot_img
Home Blog Page 143

Breaking Boundaries with the AFTEC Jockey Club Creative Futures Project

Leading Educational Experts Convene at Knowledge Exchange Festival 2025 Navigating Collective Creative Futures through Arts Education


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 May 2025 – To foster greater understanding and facilitate dialogue on creative teaching and learning among stakeholders in education and the arts, AFTEC, with funding from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, presents the Knowledge Exchange Festival on 23 – 24 May 2025 at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum. This two-day festival, themed Navigating Collective Creative Futures, is a flagship annual festival of the AFTEC Jockey Club Creative Futures Project. It has attracted over 500 representatives from educational and arts communities to explore the pivotal role of creativity and creative thinking in talent development and industry innovation.

The Festival features distinguished guest speakers from overseas and Hong Kong, including Professor Anne Bamford OBE, Director of the International Research Agency and globally celebrated arts education researcher; Ms May Tan, Director (Education & Development), National Arts Council, Singapore; and Mr Irgel Enkhsaikhan and Mr Louis Schulz from Assemble Studio, the renowned London-based architecture and design collective and winner of the 2015 Turner Prize. These experts shared insights from the UK and Singapore, exploring how creative thinking shapes career development in the arts and beyond, and fuels cross-sector collaboration and innovation.

Two key panel discussions delved into pertinent topics. The first discussion, Beyond Teaching: Artists’ Creative Index, assessed the current professional landscape and future career pathways for arts educators in Hong Kong. The second panel, Nurturing Creative Talent: Creative Industries+, will provide insights into how different creative industries and medical sector utilise creative thinking to nurture talent and drive industry growth. Additionally, two interactive sessions will be held. Participants engaged in a children’s book illustration workshop, Into the Uncut Grass: The Role of Illustrations in Children’s Books, facilitated by illustrators, educators, and publishers. Another session, Fascinating!, a playful hat-making workshop led by Assemble Studio, offered attendees hands-on experiences in cross-sector creative practices.

Remarkable Project Impact, Pioneering Educational Frontiers

Ms Lynn Yau, Chief Executive Officer of AFTEC and Project Director of the AFTEC Jockey Club Creative Futures Project, said, “The value of the arts is often diminished by the pursuit of standardised answers. AFTEC is dedicated to promoting asset-based learning to eliminate the fear of being wrong. When teachers overly emphasise rigid curriculum frameworks and suppress creativity, students become reluctant to voice their thoughts, trapping classrooms in a cycle that focuses on deficits rather than potential. The key to transformation lies in education shifting from ‘compensating for weaknesses’ to ‘developing strengths.’ We do not need to hide weaknesses — instead, we empower everyone to leverage their unique qualities.”

Building on the success of an earlier pilot initiative, the AFTEC Jockey Club Creative Futures Project is a multi-level creative learning programme designed to build a robust community of arts educators. Participants employ interdisciplinary practical teaching strategies based on the 5Cs—Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Contribution—to co-design curriculum content. Through interactive, arts-based cross-disciplinary learning methods, creative practitioners collaborate with teachers to bridge traditional and creative classroom teaching, enhancing students’ creativity and learning autonomy. On the second day of the Festival, the Project will announce the 12 schools selected as Creative Schools, which will implement arts-based interdisciplinary creative learning from 2025 to 2028.

Sports and Culture is one of the priority funding areas for the Club’s Charities Trust. Ms Winnie Yip, Head of Charities (Culture, Sports and Community Engagement), The Hong Kong Jockey Club, highlighted in her opening speech that, “AFTEC truly prioritises students’ needs. The innovative launch of the AFTEC Jockey Club Creative Futures Project brings fresh energy to Hong Kong’s traditional education model.”

For further information about the AFTEC Jockey Club Creative Futures Project, please visit https://creativefutures.aftec.hk/home-en/.

Fostering Cross-border Exchange, Accelerating Creative Arts Education

To enhance cross-border collaboration in arts education, two other special sessions were held during the same week. The Hong Kong-Mainland Creative Learning Cultural Exchange 2025 brought together 34 distinguished educational professionals and arts educators from various provinces and cities in the Mainland alongside Hong Kong school representatives from the AFTEC Jockey Club Creative Futures Project. Under the theme “Integrating Arts and Education,” participants engaged in meaningful discussions, sharing experiences and exploring the transformative power of arts education.

Another session, Capturing Asian Conceptions of Creative Thinking, chaired by Professor Anne Bamford OBE, aimed to investigate how creative thinking is defined, prioritised, and nurtured in various Asian cities, highlighting cultural similarities and differences. Hong Kong served as the starting point for this research initiative, which will subsequently expand to other Asian cities. The session was attended by experts from the AFTEC Jockey Club Creative Futures Project.By bringing together stakeholders from the business sectors, creative industries, cultural and educational institutions, arts and creative practitioners, as well as stakeholders from medicine, social innovation, and entrepreneurship, the project seeks to comprehensively examine diverse interpretations and practices of creative thinking across cultures. Research findings will be shared with UNESCO and the OECD.

Hashtag: #AFTEC

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About AFTEC

Advancing creative learning and arts education in Hong Kong

Creativity allows us to recognise potential within ourselves and the world around us. It promotes problem-solving, nurtures relationships, cultivates resilience, and can transform lives in countless ways. At AFTEC, we work with students, educators, and creative practitioners to plant the seeds of creativity in our community.

As a proudly homegrown Hong Kong organisation, we nurture the city’s greatest natural resource — its people. Through co-designed, collaborative, and inclusive bilingual education programmes, we create supportive environments where young minds are free to explore, express, and flourish. We spark imagination, build confidence, and foster a sense of growth and belonging together.

GoodCool Announces Staff Volunteering Programme and Service Campaign


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 May 2025 – GoodCool Pte Ltd, an aircon contractor in Singapore, is marking its second anniversary with the launch of a new community engagement initiative. As part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the company will provide volunteer-based air-conditioning services for selected households across Singapore.

GoodCool Introduces CSR Initiative to Support Households in Singapore
GoodCool Introduces CSR Initiative to Support Households in Singapore

Community-Focused Support through Volunteer Service
The initiative will provide structured opportunities for GoodCool technicians to volunteer their time and skills to support households identified for additional assistance. It aims to deliver practical servicing while encouraging employee participation in community-related activities.

The programme falls within the company’s wider CSR approach, which includes employee involvement in non-commercial service delivery. Through this initiative, the organisation intends to apply its technical capabilities in a community context.

GoodCool anticipates that the programme will offer benefits for both the organisation and the community. Internally, volunteer opportunities are expected to support employee morale and professional engagement. Externally, the CSR initiative aims to help improve home conditions, enhance access to essential services, and encourage stronger community ties.

Further details on the CSR initiative will be shared via GoodCool’s official website and communication platforms.
Hashtag: #Goodcool #AirconServicing #Volunteering #CSR


The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About GoodCool Pte Ltd

GoodCool Pte Ltd is an air-conditioning servicing company based in Singapore, with over 15 years of experience in the industry. The company provides a range of services, including general servicing, chemical cleaning, repairs, and installations for both residential and commercial air-conditioning systems. GoodCool services all major aircon brands and focuses on delivering reliable maintenance solutions at transparent prices.

Vietnam to Block Telegram in Early June

Vietnam to Block Telegram in Early June
A man uses the messaging app Telegram on an Ipad in Hanoi on May 23, 2025. (Photo by Nhac NGUYEN / AFP)

AFP – Internet service providers in Vietnam must block the Telegram messaging app in the country before early June after a request by police, the government said on 23 May.

Medtronic chairman and CEO Geoff Martha to speak at Bernstein’s Strategic Decisions Conference

GALWAY, Ireland, May 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT), a global leader in healthcare technology, today announced it will participate in Bernstein’s 41st Strategic Decisions Conference on Thursday, May 29, 2025.

Geoff Martha, Medtronic chairman and chief executive officer, will make a formal presentation beginning at 11:00 a.m. EDT (10:00 a.m. CDT). Immediately following the presentation, Martha will be joined by Thierry Piéton, Medtronic executive vice president and chief financial officer, to answer questions about the company.

A live webcast of the presentation and Q&A session will be available on May 29, 2025, by clicking on the Events link at http://investorrelations.medtronic.com. An archive of the presentation and Q&A session will be available on the same webpage later in the day.

About Medtronic
Bold thinking. Bolder actions. We are Medtronic. Medtronic plc, headquartered in Galway, Ireland, is the leading global healthcare technology company that boldly attacks the most challenging health problems facing humanity by searching out and finding solutions. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 95,000+ passionate people across more than 150 countries. Our technologies and therapies treat 70 health conditions and include cardiac devices, surgical robotics, insulin pumps, surgical tools, patient monitoring systems, and more. Powered by our diverse knowledge, insatiable curiosity, and desire to help all those who need it, we deliver innovative technologies that transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. Expect more from us as we empower insight-driven care, experiences that put people first, and better outcomes for our world. In everything we do, we are engineering the extraordinary. For more information on Medtronic, visit www.Medtronic.com and follow Medtronic on LinkedIn.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic’s periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

Contacts
Erika Winkels
Public Relations
+1-763-526-8478

Ryan Weispfenning
Investor Relations
+1-763-505-4626

 

 

MindHYVE.ai™ Brings Agentic Intelligence and AGI Innovation to Africa’s Premier Tech Summit

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., May 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MindHYVE™, a global pioneer in Agentic Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), will headline the Connected Africa Summit 2025, taking place May 26–29 at the Diamonds Leisure Beach & Golf Resort in Diani, Kenya.

Bill Faruki, Founder & CEO of MindHYVE.ai™, to Deliver Opening Remarks, Keynote Address, and AGI Masterclass at Connected Africa Summit 2025
Bill Faruki, Founder & CEO of MindHYVE.ai™, to Deliver Opening Remarks, Keynote Address, and AGI Masterclass at Connected Africa Summit 2025

Founder & CEO Bill Faruki will lead the summit’s discourse with three high-profile engagements:

  • Opening Remarks
    Launching the summit by outlining a bold vision for Africa-led intelligence architectures, sovereignty in AI development, and scalable digital autonomy.
  • Keynote Address
    “The Agentic Age: Swarm Intelligence and Africa’s Digital Future” — a forward-looking narrative on how agentic systems, swarm coordination, and AGI frameworks can reshape public infrastructure, services, and innovation pipelines.
  • 90-Minute Masterclass
    “Rearchitecting Intelligence: Agentic AI and the Next Frontier for Africa” — a hands-on, domain-specific session exploring healthcare, finance, and governance through the lens of large reasoning models and next-generation AI agents built on MindHYVE’s Ava-Fusion™ platform.

Comment from Bill Faruki, CEO of MindHYVE.ai™

“Africa isn’t following the AI revolution — it’s shaping it. At MindHYVE.ai™, we believe Agentic AI isn’t just about automation; it’s about architecting new systems of intelligence—driven by swarm dynamics and powered by large reasoning models—that are inclusive, sovereign, and purpose-built for the future of this continent.”

About the Connected Africa Summit 2025

As Africa’s flagship convening for digital transformation, the Connected Africa Summit gathers 2,000+ global leaders, from heads of state and ICT ministers to Fortune 500 executives and innovation accelerators. The 2025 edition spotlights sovereign AI, intelligence infrastructure, and the continent’s role in shaping global AGI development.

To learn about this event please visit https://connected.go.ke/

About MindHYVE.ai™

MindHYVE.ai™ is redefining the boundaries of intelligence by engineering autonomous systems and deploying domain-specific AGI agents across real-world sectors. Powered by the Ava-Fusion™ large reasoning model and architected for agent coordination, swarm intelligence, and adaptive autonomy, MindHYVE’s technology stack is revolutionizing law, medicine, finance, education, and governance.

With operations in North America, Asia, and now soon in Africa, MindHYVE.ai™ is on a mission to democratize access to transformative intelligence and architect the infrastructure for post-scarcity economies. Backed by HYVE Labs, the company continues to shape the future of agentic systems on a global scale.

Website: www.mindhyve.ai | Email:hello@mindhyve.ai | Contact: +1 (949) 200-8668

Media Contact
Marc Ortiz
Email: marc.ortiz@mindhyve.ai

Built with intelligence, Guided by humanity
Built with intelligence, Guided by humanity

 

 

Global Times: Why China’s economy so stable despite external challenges?

BEIJING, May 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — “In April, China’s economic data showed resilience despite intensifying external challenges, especially as the exports expanded rapidly. Why is the economy so stable amid external challenges?” This is a question that a reader of people.cn posted.

On May 19, China released economic figures for April, with “stronger than expectations” emerging as the dominant reaction among analysts. Some foreign media outlets commented that the economy has “showed surprising resilience, a sign that government support measures may have cushioned the impact of a trade war with the US that threatens to derail momentum in the world’s second-largest economy.”

Why is the Chinese economy so stable despite external challenges? The answer can be found from two examples.

Strong internal dynamics 

Also on May 19, Chinese tech giant Huawei unveiled two laptops powered by HarmonyOS, marking the debut of its self-developed operating system on personal computers. A day later, another Chinese tech firm Xiaomi announced that its first self-developed 3-nanometer mobile chip, Xring O1, has entered mass production.

No form of containment or suppression can disrupt China’s pace in achieving self-dependent innovation and growth. It is precisely such confidence and self-reliance that enabled the economy to deliver a result “exceeding expectations.”

In early April, the People’s Daily reporters visited Yiwu, the world’s largest wholesale market for small commodities in East China’s Zhejiang Province, where store owners were busy building their brands and enhancing product quality.

Shifting from the mode of original equipment manufacturer to building their own brands, Yiwu brands unite for overseas expansion with Yiwu Selection Store.

In January, the first Yiwu Selection Store was launched, and secured signed orders totaling 120 million yuan ($16.67 million) on the first day of its grand opening. Later in February, the first Yiwu Selection Store in Europe was opened in Venice, Italy. In just a few months, the project has helped more than 190 brands in Yiwu to increase revenue by over 100 million yuan and expand cooperation with 11 countries. Diversification shields them against unilateralist challenges.

Many export-oriented manufacturers in Yiwu also proactively engage in innovation and extend their industrial chains to enhance their competitiveness. A Yiwu merchant encapsulated this sentiment well, “With quality products and extensive sales channels, we’re unafraid of changes.”

It is precisely the internal momentum of numerous individual market entities that has contributed to the overall economic upward trend.

Overall capacity elevated

In April, China’s total import and export of goods in yuan-denominated terms expanded 5.6 percent year-on-year, according to data released by the General Administration of Customs on May 9.

The country’s goods exports rose 9.3 percent year-on-year last month. In terms of export categories, technology-intensive mechanical and electrical products demonstrated sustained market competitiveness. In the first four months, exports of these goods grew by 9.5 percent year-on-year.

From the perspective of business entities, private export-oriented companies have effectively navigated external challenges through strategies like market diversification. During the same period, private sector imports and exports expanded by 6.8 percent year-on-year.

Meanwhile, a country’s foreign trade does not exist in isolation. China’s rapid export growth in April reflects the elevation of its overall capacity thanks to the high-quality economic development.

For instance, as an ultra-large economy, China has maintained its manufacturing dominance for 15 consecutive years, and boasts one of the world’s largest consumer markets with great growth potential. These structural advantages underscore the country’s strong capacity to deal with various risks and challenges.

In addition, China unswervingly promotes economic structural adjustment and shifting between old and new growth drivers, develops new quality productive forces according to local conditions, moves faster to create a new pattern of development, and vigorously strengthens domestic circulation to keep itself well-positioned for pursuing development. All of these efforts have provided critical guarantees for dealing with drastic changes in external environment.

Stepped-up policy support 

China has stepped up macroeconomic adjustments. A meeting of the Political Bureau of Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee held on September 26, 2024 decisively deployed a package of incremental policies, resulting in an economic trajectory characterized by high growth at the beginning, a slowdown in the mid-phase, and a rebound near the end of last year.

Several key meetings including the Central Economic Work Conference held at the end of 2024, this year’s two sessions and the meeting of the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee held on April 25 have made arrangements on economic work. While maintaining policy continuity, these policies put efforts on stabilizing employment, business, market expectations, which have played an important role in sustaining economic recovery.

The authorities have rolled out policies such as interest rate and reserve requirement ratio cuts, accelerating the integration of domestic and foreign trade, and expanding comprehensive pilot programs to accelerate the services industry’s opening-up. Along with the implementation of the new policies, China has conditions, capability and confidence to deal with any risks and challenges.

An economy’s true strength is most evident during adversity, and this resilience further reinforces confidence and resolve in achieving growth targets.

International institutions have upgraded their forecasts for China’s economic growth recently. Many multinational executives now regard China as a synonym for “certainty.”

As always, China’s economy grows in storms and waves, and gets stronger through hard times. While future international environments will remain volatile and uncertain, history has proven and will continue to prove that China’s recovery is underpinned by solid fundamentals, policy support, consumption potential and innovation-driven dynamism.

We have the confidence and determination that China’s development will have a bright future.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1334729.shtml

 

Robots and Human-Centric AI Dazzle at Opening of BEYOND Expo 2025

Pioneering Asian tech unveiled as industry leaders call for global cooperation

MACAO, May 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The 5th BEYOND Expo opened it door to visitors today at The Venetian® Macao’s Cotai Expo as over 800 pioneering Asian companies and tech leaders gathered to showcase leading innovations in robotics, human-centric AI, mixed reality and climate solutions under the theme “Empowering Asia, Connecting the World”. VIPs and industry leaders from across Asia came together to share their perspectives about the importance of international cooperation, cross-cultural dialogue and globalization to create mutually beneficial economic and investment opportunities.

Robots attract attention at BEYOND Expo 2025 Source: BEYOND Expo
Robots attract attention at BEYOND Expo 2025 Source: BEYOND Expo

Asian companies displayed pioneering tech across a wide range of sectors from AI, HealthTech, Clean Energy and Robotics to Lifestyle Tech, SportsTech, FinTech and more, wowing business owners, investors and dignitaries who had come to Macao for the Expo. Realising BEYOND Expo’s vision of “Empowering Asia, Bridging the World” the BGlobal Summit opened with a keynote from H.E. Djauhari Oratmangun, Indonesian Ambassador to China, who highlighted the growing economic and investment opportunities in Indonesia and across Asia. Takeo Kawamura – 76th Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan – highlighted the importance of international cooperation, cross-cultural dialogue, and Japan’s evolving approach to globalization. Throughout the Expo’s exhibitor booths and event stages, conversations focused on the need to leverage human-centered tech solutions to tackle global challenges.

Xpeng Aeroht demonstrates AEROHT at BEYOND Expo 2025 Source: BEYOND Expo
Xpeng Aeroht demonstrates AEROHT at BEYOND Expo 2025 Source: BEYOND Expo

Panel sessions today included Green Building Conference; BGlobal Summit; Japan Tech Forum; Middle East-Asia Forum; Asia-Europe Tech Forum; International Industrial Design Forum; Founder Talk; Demo session; ORIGIN Southeast Asia Tech Forum; and SheTech Summit.

Encouraging Innovation – BEYOND Expo Awards

BEYOND Expo co-founders Jason Ho and Dr. Lu Gang presented BEYOND Best Choice awards to 25 companies. Since its inception in 2021, the BEYOND Awards have received more than 1,500 nominations, of which more than 200 innovative pioneers have been included in the list. This year’s award combines technological breakthroughs, business potential, social value and other dimensions.

In order to nurture startups, BEYOND Expo offers Innovation Awards to support entrepreneurs and discover outstanding individuals or technical products and services. The BEYOND Impact Awards honor companies that are driving meaningful change in the realms of environment, society, economy, and technology in line with the United Nation’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Other awards include Gen Z Innovators: The New Force, which focuses on Gen Z entrepreneurs in China looking out towards Asia, BEYOND Medical Technology Excellence Awards and BEYOND Healthy Living Products Innovation Awards which focuses on excellence in medical technology companies and health consumption products.

Visitors flock to BEYOND Expo 2025 Source: BEYOND Expo
Visitors flock to BEYOND Expo 2025 Source: BEYOND Expo

Visit BEYOND Expo 2025 at The Venetian® Macao’s Cotai Expo

BEYOND Expo 2025 is being held at The Venetian® Macao’s Cotai Expo. Since opening, Cotai Expo has been a leading conference, meetings and exhibition venue in Macao, and is one of the largest MICE venues in Asia, with approximately 71,000 square metres of exhibition space. It is also part of Sands® Resorts Macao, which attracts top event planners from around the world due to its 150,000 square metres of MICE space, world-class entertainment venues, award-winning accommodation, spectacular recreation and leisure options, unrivalled shopping experiences, and dynamic dining options. Sands Resorts Macao’s newest hotel, located within The Londoner® Macao, is Londoner Grand, which marks a bold new chapter in luxury for discerning travellers and event planners.

A full list of participating companies can be found here: BEYOND EXPO 2025

About BEYOND Expo

The BEYOND International Technology Innovation Expo (BEYOND Expo) is Asia’s leading annual technology event. Serving as a dynamic platform since 2021, BEYOND Expo not only showcases global technological innovations but also provides a unique opportunity to foster innovation upgrades across diverse industries and regions.

BEYOND Expo has attracted participation from Asia’s Fortune 500 companies, multinational corporations, unicorn companies, and emerging startups. Through a multifaceted approach involving expos, summits, and various activities, BEYOND Expo has successfully cultivated an innovative ecosystem, propelling collective development in the Asia-Pacific region and the global technology innovation industry. www.beyondexpo.com

 

 

 

/DISREGARD RELEASE: Celltrion/

We are advised by Celltrion that journalists and other readers should disregard the news release, Celltrion’s YUFLYMA® (adalimumab-aaty) receives FDA interchangeability designation for all its approved dosage forms and strengths, issued 21-May-2025 over PR Newswire.