For the first time in Thailand, the BALAC Program at the Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University, now features a course titled “Dracula and Modern Culture,” where students can connect interdisciplinary arts in their analysis of Gothic literature to better understand modern culture. The program draws over 300 applicants each year, with only 120 accepted.  

BANGKOK, Oct. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In today’s digital age, where knowledge is simply accessible at one’s fingertips, Chulalongkorn University, as a leading educational institution in Thailand, has expanded the boundaries of learning beyond the transmission of theoretical knowledge. The university emphasizes creating spaces that encourage students to explore, question, and connect interdisciplinary knowledge to real-life contexts. This is achieved through innovative and thought-provoking courses that inspire learning, such as “Dracula and Modern Culture”—a course offered under the Bachelor of Arts in Language and Culture (BALAC) international program.  

A course centered on horror stories and vampire legends serves as a gateway for students to deeply explore the world of cultural studies from diverse perspectives. It encompasses a wide range of disciplines, including history, sociology, gender theory, ethnography, and contemporary cultural phenomena. This course not only introduces students to Bram Stoker’s classic novel Dracula but also allows them to decode the symbols of fear, desire, and otherness embedded in culture from the past to the present.  

“The BALAC program aims to equip students with contemporary knowledge, skills, and experiences in the humanities and social sciences that meet the needs of the 21st century. It emphasizes critical thinking, inquisitiveness, and awareness of social inequalities, along with a deep understanding of the humanities,” said BALAC Director Asst. Prof. Dr. Porranee Singpliam. 

In addition to Dracula and Modern Culture, the BALAC program offers other intriguing courses such as Everyday Life Culture, Gender and Queering the Media, Postcolonial Cultures, and Cultures and Narratives. “Each course in the program is designed to stimulate critical thinking and open new perspectives for students, fostering their intellectual development.” 

BALAC: Thailand’s Pioneering Cultural Studies Program  

The BALAC program was launched in 2008 and has remained steadfast as Thailand’s first Cultural Studies program. Now in its 17th year, it continues to grow in popularity, with an increasing number of applicants each year.  

“Our program admits students twice a year—90 through Early Admission, 30 through the Admission round, and 12 through two Non-Thai Admission rounds—totaling 132 students annually. Yet, we receive over 300 applications each year, suggesting that Thai youths desire or a new and alternative approach to education.” 

According to Asst. Prof. Dr. Porranee what makes the BALAC program stand out is its flexible and open curriculum design, which allows students to choose their studies based on their interests within three concentrations: Global Cultures, Media Cultures, and Foreign Language. To complete a chosen concentration, students must take a total of 24 credits, equivalent to 8 courses, within that specific area. 

“Graduates from the BALAC program can build on their knowledge and pursue a wide range of careers, including international relations, education, mass communication, and marketing, all of which require strong intercultural communication skills and a deep understanding of social contexts, which the program poignantly emphasizes,” explained Asst. Prof. Dr. Porranee regarding the graduates’ career paths. 

Additionally, the BALAC program collaborates with world-renowned universities, such as Waseda University in Japan and the University of Queensland in Australia, through Double Degree Programs. In the future, the program plans to further expand its international partnerships to enhance academic and professional opportunities for students. The program also offers an internship course, which allows students to gain practical experience and count it toward their credits. 

A Gothic Expert Who Decodes the Darkness  

The course Dracula and Modern Culture was first offered in 2019 by Dr. Katarzyna Ancuta, an expert in Gothic and horror literature, at the birthplace of the legend that inspired Bram Stoker’s classic Dracula.  

“When I joined the program in 2018, I saw that the new curriculum included a course on Dracula, but it didn’t yet have an instructor. I was thrilled, as my specialization in Gothic literature and Dracula fit perfectly with the course.” 

Dr. Ancuta describes herself as a “Gothicist,” with expertise in Cultural Studies. Her academic journey began with literature, later expanding into film studies. She wrote her master’s thesis on ghosts and her Ph.D. dissertation on Gothic and horror. Among her published works is Where Angels Fear to Hover: Between the Gothic Disease and the Metaphysics of Horror (2005). Her research spans interdisciplinary contexts of Gothic and contemporary horror arts—from popular fiction, film, video, multimedia, and performance art to theater, music, dance, comics, graphic novels, fashion, and alternative lifestyles. In recent years, Dr. Ancuta has turned her focus to ghosts, vampires, and the supernatural in Asia, particularly exploring Asian Gothic and Asian Horror 

Exploring Dracula to Understand Humans and Society 

“Dracula” is a literary work from the Gothic revival period of the 19th century (published in 1897). For over a century, it has remained popular and open to diverse interpretations. In the Dracula and Modern Culture course, students read the novel and analyze various themes, connecting them to contemporary social phenomena and social theories. 

“This course serves as a practical extension of the Introduction to Cultural Studies course, which is mandatory for first-year BALAC students. While the course familiarizes them with key theories and concepts in the field, it can be quite challenging and theory-heavy. When they later take Dracula, students revisit those same ideas through the story of vampires—making it more engaging, accessible, and enjoyable,” Dr. Ancuta explained. 

She added that the content of “Dracula and Modern Culture” is carefully designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of how the vampire figure has evolved throughout human culture, from its origins to the modern day. 

“The course begins by exploring vampires as creatures of folklore. In the past, people truly believed that vampires existed. In Romania, for example, there are vampire cemeteries and historical documents that record such beliefs. Understanding that vampires are not merely products of fantasy but rather deeply rooted in human culture and belief systems helps students gain a deeper understanding of social and psychological contexts,” Dr. Ancuta explained. 

Decoding Vampires through Social Science Theories: Gender, Class, and Ethnicity 

Dr. Ancuta stated that the course’s distinctive feature lies in analyzing Dracula through the lens of various social science theories, particularly issues of gender, class, and race. 

“Vampires are more than monsters in fiction; monsters are cultural constructs,” Dr. Ancuta said, explaining that the course uses “monsters” as tools for understanding society and culture. “We create monsters to represent what we fear, not just as individuals but as a society.” 

Dr. Ancuta cited the study of “female vampires” and the monstrous feminine, analyzing them through frameworks of feminism, gender theory, sexual politics, gender norms, and imagery that links women with evil. 

“Why are there not many female characters in Dracula? Why are monster characters often women?” Dr. Ancuta posed these thought-provoking questions. “In patriarchal society, monsters are often women. Ghosts in Asia are often female ghosts, because these characters are used to teach women to be submissive. And if a woman is defiant or rebellious, she will be portrayed as disgusting, frightening, and alien. But if we decode them, monsters can help us learn about diversity—gender, ethnicity, class, immigrants, etc. This approach helps students connect the content to their life experiences, because sometimes we need monsters so we have an outlet.” 

Studying the Dracula course can also be a way to connect to social and racial issues. Dr. Ancuta has students watch and analyze the film Nosferatu (2024), which contains undertones of antisemitism. Additionally, students study the concepts linking Dracula’s physical appearance to Cesare Lombroso’s criminal anthropology theory, which attempted to explain that criminals could be identified by external characteristics, a problematic concept filled with social prejudice. 

Cross-Border Vampires in Pop Culture 

The image of vampires today has changed dramatically from the era when this fiction was written over 100 years ago. 

“Young people today don’t really know Dracula as much as the vampires in the movie Twilight, where the image may not be scary but has become a character everyone roots for. This is a shift from the original frightening vampire to something desirable,” Dr. Ancuta said. 

“Currently, vampires appear in dramas, series, and many romantic stories, showing that today we accept and sympathize with monsters more. This reflects changes in social values, understanding of diversity, and greater acceptance of ‘otherness.'”                

Dr. Ancuta added that the course is universal and relevant to Asian contexts as well. Students will analyze the transnational image of vampires by examining how vampires in non-Western media, such as Korean films and Japanese anime, are characterized and reflect local cultures. 

“For example, Asian mythical creatures like the kumiho from Korea may initially have nothing in common with vampires at all, but in later works, their characteristics may be adapted to resemble vampires, such as drinking blood,” Dr. Ancuta explained the process called “vampirization.” 

In the Thai context, there may not be vampires in the universal sense, but “Thai ghosts” do have certain characteristics that may come from the vampirization process. 

“Thai ghosts eat intestines and scurf, not suck blood like vampires, but they have similar characteristics. That’s why people often describe them as ‘like vampires,’ but they’re not. This comparison helps students see the universality of the monster concept, while at the same time understanding that each culture has different ways of expressing fears and beliefs.” 

Studying Dracula in the Age of AI 

 Even though AI currently plays a role in teaching and assessment, for this course, Dr. Ancuta emphasizes having students reduce their reliance on AI and return to practicing their own internal skills. 

 ”Assigning work to students in the AI era requires thinking of tasks that don’t allow students to bring in AI to help, so they can learn to think for themselves. Therefore, the course must cut out traditional essays and emphasize analysis instead. Assessment is also more flexible, focusing mainly on work that demonstrates creativity. Additionally, because vampires ‘don’t have fixed knowledge like other subjects,’ their absence is an advantage that forces learners to rely on analytical thinking and connecting knowledge from various disciplines themselves.” 

Dr. Ancuta proudly stated that “Dracula and Modern Culture” is one of the courses that attracts interested students to the BALAC program. The popularity of this course reflects that curriculum design that dares to be different and unique can meet the needs of learners and society. Using vampires as a tool for studying culture not only makes content interesting and accessible but also helps students see how humanities and social sciences are relevant and meaningful in the contemporary world. 

When Dracula steps out of the shadows into Chulalongkorn University’s classroom, he doesn’t come to suck blood but to illuminate for students the complexity of human society—our fears, desires, and hopes. In the end, the vampires we study are not monsters from fiction but reflections from the mirror of culture. 

 Anyone interested in applying for the BALAC Program or learn more about the Dracula and Modern Culture course can find more information from the BALAC official website at  https://www.arts.chula.ac.th/balac/ or visit https://asiangothic.houseoftoyols.com to learn more about the intriguing world of vampires and modern culture. 

Read the full article and view pictures at: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/266452/

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About Chulalongkorn University

Chulalongkorn University has made the world’s top 50 university list for employment outcomes, which reflects both the high employment rate and work ability of Chula graduates. The university is also listed as the best in Thailand for the 15th Consecutive Year (since 2009), according to the newly released QS World University Rankings 2024, putting Chula at 211th in the world, up from 244th last year.

Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChulalongkornUniversity

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/chulauniversity

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/school/15101896/

BALI, Indonesia, Oct. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A new kind of wonder awaits in Gianyar Regency. Varuna, Indonesia’s first underwater theatrical dining experience, is redefining how visitors experience entertainment, culture, and conservation. Set within Marine Safari Bali by Taman Safari Indonesia, this breathtaking show blends Australian creative direction, Balinese artistry, and immersive storytelling to transport audiences into an enchanted underwater world of mermaids, music, and mythology.

Awarded “The Best Outstanding Tourism Innovation” by CNN Media, Varuna has quickly become a must-see for travellers seeking extraordinary experiences. Hosted inside Asia’s largest aquarium, the production surrounds guests in 360-degree oceanic splendor. “Varuna is about inspiring love for the ocean and its creatures,” says Alexander Zulkarnain, ACT CMO of Taman Safari Indonesia Group. “Every scene and every dish reflects harmony between nature and humanity.”

The story follows a young ocean guardian on a mission to restore balance to the seas, brought to life through world-class choreography, live performances, and state-of-the-art projections that turn the stage into a vibrant reef. Guided by Australian Creative Director Peter Wilson, the show combines Balinese traditions like wayang kulit with modern narrative and cinematic music by Elwin Hendrijanto. Australian and Indonesian artists collaborated to create a performance that feels both globally relevant and deeply rooted in Balinese culture.

Audiences meet ethereal mermaids, underwater performers, and over 30 dancers and musicians, while shimmering costumes and rippling light effects evoke coral blooms and sunlight under the sea. Each chapter immerses viewers in a world where technology, tradition, and theatrical mastery converge.

Varuna’s magic extends to dining. Guests choose from three experiences: Premium (AUD 115) with a three-course meal, wine, and VIP lounge access; Deluxe (AUD 95) for gourmet meals and beverages; and Regular (AUD 65) for show-only tickets. Each dish mirrors the show’s oceanic journey, from coral reefs to deep trenches, making dining part of the performance.

More than entertainment, Varuna champions conservation and culture, reflecting Taman Safari Indonesia’s mission to educate and inspire. It also previews Marine Safari Bali, opening in 2024 with six immersive zones and over 10,000 aquatic species.

Just a short drive from Ubud and Sanur, Varuna runs twice daily at 12:30 pm and 6:30 pm. Perfect for families, couples, or solo travellers, every guest leaves with a renewed sense of wonder—and a deeper connection to Bali’s oceans.

Head Of Media Taman Safari Indonesia Group
Finky Santika – Head.media@tamansafari.com
0822 9931 3081

Third strategic location reinforces Delonix’s steady, value-driven Southeast Asia blueprint

JAKARTA, Indonesia, Oct. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Delonix Group, a leading hospitality and lifestyle experience company in the Asia-Pacific region, recently announced the opening of Model J Hotel Jakarta Central Park. More than a property debut, Central Park represents a strategic anchor in Delonix’s sequenced journey across Indonesia — an expansion rooted in reliability, long-term value creation, and investor confidence.

Indonesia: A Market of Reliable Growth

As Southeast Asia’s largest economy and one of the world’s fastest-growing hospitality markets, Indonesia combines international gateway flows, a rapidly expanding middle class, and a diversified corporate base. Jakarta, as the nation’s commercial and political capital, sits at the intersection of these forces.

Delonix’s decision to expand in Indonesia reflects not speed, but thoughtful selection. Since establishing PT Delonix Group Indonesia in 2023, the Group has advanced a measured, data-driven strategy, identifying anchor locations that balance mobility, corporate ecosystems, and urban lifestyle demand. This disciplined expansion across Soekarno-Hatta Airport, BSD Business District, and Central Park Jakarta builds a resilient footprint in Greater Jakarta — focused not on sheer scale, but on creating certainty, resilience, and reliable value for travelers and investors alike.

Model J Central Park: Reliable Journeys in Jakarta’s Dynamic Hub

The newly opened Model J Hotel Jakarta Central Park offers 107 rooms tailored for modern business and leisure travelers. Just 30 minutes from Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and 10 minutes from Sudirman Central Business District (SCBD), the property provides a reliable base for every journey, with seamless access to offices, government centers, shopping, and entertainment.

Key highlights include:

• Smart In-Stay System – delivering consistent services that simplify each guest journey while enhancing operational efficiency.
• Efficient Hospitality Model – lean design and streamlined operations accelerate ROI, with a targeted payback period of estimated four years.
• Traveler-Centric Essentials – premium bedding, high-speed Wi-Fi, 50-inch smart TVs with Netflix, and sustainable amenities — focusing on what matters most for a dependable stay.

Strategic Significance for Investors

Model J Hotel is designed for efficiency, scalability, and dependable returns. By focusing resources on essentials valued by guests and optimizing back-end operations, the brand consistently delivers higher satisfaction, stronger repeat rates, and healthier margins.

The Model J Hotel Jakarta Central Park launch demonstrates Delonix’s low-risk, high-certainty replication model:

• Short project cycles – from property handover to soft opening in just six months.
• Balanced three-point portfolio – spanning gateway, business, and lifestyle demand centers across Jakarta.
• Betterwood loyalty integration – tapping into 35 million members across Asia to drive cross-border demand and retention.

In a market as dynamic yet fragmented as Indonesia, this disciplined approach provides investors with rare predictability — combining stable returns with scalable opportunities across the country’s most promising destinations.

About Delonix Group

Delonix Group is a leading international hospitality and experiential consumption group in the Asia-Pacific region. Ranked 14th globally, the Group partnered with Marriott International to launch the world’s first dual-branded luxury property: MajesTang Hotel • A Tribute Portfolio Hotel, while independently creating MaisonLee, a Tang-inspired premium business travel brand. As one of the first Chinese hotel groups to expand overseas, Delonix has established a presence in high-potential markets such as Japan and Indonesia, now spanning more than 200 cities worldwide. Its portfolio encompasses Swiss-Belhotel, Artotel, Model J, hotel MONday, and other brands, positioning the Group at the forefront of building a new-generation global platform for high-end hospitality and culturally immersive travel.

Contact:
pr@delonixmail.com 

SINGAPORE, Oct. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda and Busan City have formed a strategic partnership to promote tourism and support tourism-related initiatives. With the recent signing of a two-year memorandum of understanding (MOU), Busan and Agoda will collaborate to build on Busan’s rising appeal as an international destination.

The collaboration marks the first partnership between Agoda and a local government in Korea. Through this partnership, Busan City and Agoda will cooperate to develop activation strategies and marketing campaigns by leveraging Agoda’s media solutions. With the aim of stimulating tourism, initiatives will include online content competition designed to highlight Busan’s attractions.

Busan is a globally recognized city known for its vibrant attractions, including world-famous beaches like Haeundae and Gwangalli, a dazzling skyline, and unique cultural sites such as Jagalchi Market, Gukje Market, Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, Taejongdae, and Gamcheon Culture Village. The city offers year-round marine leisure and festival experiences—yachting, surfing, and major events like the Busan International Film Festival and Fireworks Festival. Busan is also emerging as a culinary hotspot, with numerous Michelin Guide selections and local favorites like pork soup, fish cakes, milmyeon, and ssiat hotteok, making it a must-visit destination for food lovers and travelers alike.

Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President, Supply at Agoda shared, “Thanks to Agoda’s global reach and unrivalled marketing insights, we aim to showcase Busan’s exceptional tourism assets to travelers across the globe. By partnering with Busan City, we aim to accelerate Busan’s move from a domestic favorite to a trending international destination.”
 
The partnership not only highlights the shared vision to position Busan as a global destination but also demonstrates commitment to fostering innovation and mutual growth. By combining Busan’s unique local offerings with Agoda’s technological expertise and international network, the collaboration aims to make the city even more attractive to overseas travelers.

Busan Mayor Mr. Park Heong-joon added, “Partnering with Agoda will help international tourists easily discover and experience Busan’s rich cultural and hidden gems. We will pursue cooperation not only through Agoda’s media solutions but also by leveraging Agoda’s global reach and marketing power.”
  
Agoda offers over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, all of which can be combined in the same booking. It continues to provide travelers the flexibility to plan and book their trips seamlessly.

Kinetic OLED Installation Showcases Company’s Vision for the Future of Immersive Display Technology

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — LG Electronics (LG) reaffirmed its leadership in OLED innovation with a breathtaking installation at APEC 2025 in Gyeongju, South Korea. LG showcased a kinetic media chandelier composed of 28 transparent 77-inch LG SIGNATURE OLED T TVs, mesmerizing global leaders and delegates from around the Asia-Pacific region.

First unveiled at CES 2025, the OLED chandelier returns to APEC 2025 with the pinnacle of visual storytelling made possible with transparent LG OLED TVs. The installation features the world’s first transparent and true wireless OLED TVs created into a technological splendor that is designed to be appreciated from every angle. Each panel gracefully moves – opening and closing like the petals of a kinetic sculpture – revealing LG OLED’s hallmark features of perfect black, vivid colors, and slim design. In sync with hanging lights, the screens transition fluidly between transparent and opaque modes, transforming the atmosphere with immersive visual sequences: interstellar showers, drifting clouds, underwater landscapes, and stained-glass finales.

Powered by LG’s True Wireless technology, the chandelier eliminates visible cables and delivers flawless 4K transmission without latency, blurring the line between display and artistic visualization.

The LG SIGNATURE OLED T demonstrates the versatility of OLED technology in immersive environments and reflects LG’s broader vision for OLED – transforming displays into premium, form-factor-free solutions that seamlessly integrate into everyday spaces. Also redefining home entertainment, the product has been recognized with major international design honors – including Red Dot, iF, and IDEA Awards – and was recently named Best of IFA and Best in Home Entertainment at IFA 2025, affirming its global acclaim.

APEC 2025 brings together leaders and innovators from 21 Asia-Pacific economies to foster inclusive growth and innovation. LG’s presence at this influential summit highlights its commitment to shaping the future of display technology and driving meaningful progress across industries.

About LG Electronics Media Entertainment Solution Company

The LG Media Entertainment Solution Company (MS) is a recognized innovator in televisions, audio, displays and smart TV platforms. The MS Company enhances the media entertainment experience with its OLED TVs, renowned for perfect black and perfect color, and premium LCD QNED TVs, all powered by the personalized webOS smart TV platform. The MS Company also offers Information Technology solutions (gaming monitors, business monitors, laptops, projectors, cloud devices and medical displays) as well as Signage solutions (Micro LED signage, digital signage, hospitality displays and signage software solutions) that are designed to maximize customers’ work efficiency and deliver strong value. For more news on LG, visit www.LGnewsroom.com.

GUANGZHOU, China, Oct. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Global consumers are placing a higher value on sustainability, personalization, and aesthetics in their daily lives. This has led to a growing demand for eco-friendly and thoughtfully designed household products. At Phase 2 of the 138th Canton Fair, exhibitors in the Household Items section are showcasing how Chinese manufacturers are adapting to these evolving preferences, bringing forward innovative solutions that blend environmental responsibility with modern design.

According to a senior sales representative from a long-time exhibitor, the Canton Fair remains an indispensable platform for global outreach, enabling companies to expand customer networks across more than 30 countries and regions. Each session, the fair continues to foster new business connections and strengthen existing partnerships, underscoring its role as a catalyst for international trade.

At this session, several exhibitors are introducing new eco-friendly household solutions. One exhibitor presented a biodegradable tableware collection made from agricultural byproducts such as sugarcane pulp, which naturally decomposes by more than 90% within a month. The series has earned multiple patents and international certifications for food safety. Another exhibitor focused on modular home storage systems crafted from recycled polypropylene (PP), designed with detachable components that enable a recycling rate of up to 95%. Recognized by global design institutions, the system exemplifies how sustainability and functionality can coexist seamlessly in modern living spaces.

Innovation also extends to home decor, where exhibitors are integrating artful design with practical value. Decorative frame and mirror producers are leveraging patented technologies, such as high-hardness color-shifting films and fluorescent anti-counterfeit coatings, to enhance both durability and visual appeal. A senior marketing executive explained that sustained investment in research and development ensures these products continue to meet the shifting preferences of global consumers. This year’s offerings include velvet-framed photo frames, DIY foldable storage units, and multifunctional mirrors that combine reflective and organizational features, reflecting a clear commitment to user-oriented design.

As the Canton Fair continues to connect global buyers with forward-thinking suppliers, the emphasis on sustainability, smart design, and user-centric innovation reflects a broader shift in China’s manufacturing landscape. Exhibitors are helping shape the future of everyday living by offering products that are functional, beautiful, and environmentally responsible.

To register the 138th Canton Fair, please click https://buyer.cantonfair.org.cn/register/buyer/email?source_type=16. 

Platformed’s AI Auditor ensures consistent and high-quality results for HLB Mann Judd across all IT aspects of financial audits, and enables the firm to offer additional IT audit services across multiple frameworks

Partnership signals new opportunities for efficiency across global auditing industry

LONDON, Oct. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Platformed, the AI auditor provider, today announced HLB Mann Judd, a leading Australian accountancy and audit network, has selected Platformed’s AI auditor to standardize its IT General Controls (ITGC) testing for statutory financial audits.

HLB Mann Judd firms have started using Platformed to support ASA 315* assessments as part of statutory audits for its clients, and is considering offering additional IT audit services to its clients across multiple frameworks in the future.

“Audits are not just about compliance – they deliver real insight and confidence for our clients. By working with Platformed, we can standardize ITGC testing across our network and give our auditors the tools to deliver consistent, high-quality results. This partnership strengthens our statutory audit work under ASA 315 and creates a foundation to expand into broader IT assurance services in the future, offering clients more value from a single trusted provider. Our team recognized the value of Platformed straight away during the trial phase and were eager to adopt it. Since then, they’ve built a strong working relationship with the Platformed team.” Jude Lau, Senior Partner, HLB Mann Judd

The HLB Mann Judd Australasian Association consists of 11 independent member firms and two representative firms, located in major cities and regional business centres in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. The firms’ specialists provide advice and services to a large and diversified client base that includes growing businesses, governments, not for profits and individuals.

“HLB Mann Judd’s decision to adopt Platformed underscores the growing importance of technology assurance in statutory audits. We’re proud to support HLB Mann Judd in delivering consistent, efficient, and high-quality audits – and in helping their clients unlock even greater value from assurance.” Henry Irish, CEO and Founder, Platformed

Platformed’s AI Auditor offering has been developed to enable audit firms to meet the increasing IT audit requirements of ISA 315, and its global and regional equivalents, and other frameworks with efficiency and precision. Platformed’s AI system discovers risks and assesses control compliance by mapping the client’s data and context, performing a preliminary assessment automatically. Auditors can review these insights, make necessary adjustments, and request additional data from clients when required, using collaborative workflow features. Reports generated by Platformed are easily integrated into auditors’ existing templates, while detailed evidence packs ensure comprehensive record-keeping for case management systems.

For more information, please visit: platformed.com

*Note: ASA 315 is the Australian equivalent of ISA 315

About Platformed

Platformed is an AI agent purpose-built for risk-based IT audits, including ISA 315 and its global equivalents. It automates data collection, client complexity classification, and control and risk assessments – identifying critical risks that impact financial reporting with greater speed and consistency.

By guiding auditors through a consistent audit process and generating detailed reports and evidence packs, Platformed revolutionizes the entire audit process. Trusted by firms like HLB Mann Judd and Menzies LLP, Platformed increases audit quality and consistency and enables firms to deliver more value to clients and unlock new revenue – all while boosting profitability through smarter, more scalable audits.

Media contacts:
Declan Grant 
press@platformed.com