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CloudMile’s Grand Opening of the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Malaysia

Technology and collaboration-focused talent hub offers a skills development program that will benefit 300,000 Malaysians by 2026


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 February 2024 – CloudMile announces the grand opening of the CloudMile Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Malaysia which will be serving customers across Southeast Asia (S.E.A). The CoE, a first-of-its-kind initiative in the cloud industry, helps businesses of all sizes advance their digital competitiveness through upskilling programs for AI and cloud-first practices.

The grand opening ceremony is the first in S.E.A. to feature all the latest market technology powered by Generative AI. Distinguished guests including Raymond Siva, Head of Digital Investment, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC); Phoebe Yeh, Representative of Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Malaysia; Patrick Wee, Country Manager, Malaysia, Google Cloud; and Megawaty Khie, Director, Channels and Strategic Partnerships, Southeast Asia, Google Cloud, honored the opening ceremony with their presence and delivered insightful speeches, underlining the importance of digital transformation and innovation for Malaysia’s economic growth.

Through the launch of CoE, CloudMile showcased the real-world applications of Data, ESG, and Generative AI in a truly remarkable way during its grand opening. Through these captivating demonstrations, CloudMile not only empowers businesses but also enlightens the public about the enormous possibilities of harnessing the cloud, thereby expediting the journey toward digital transformation.

Lester Leong, CloudMile Malaysia Country Manager stated: “With the establishment of the CoE, we are extending an invitation to a dynamic and vibrant community of thinkers, trailblazers, and visionaries. By joining forces, we are poised to unleash the boundless potential of technology, fostering a flourishing environment where collective achievements and advancements thrive.”

The CoE is expected to benefit 300,000 Malaysians by 2026 via upskilling programs supported by Google Cloud, CloudMile, and Trainocate Malaysia, where participants will have access to digital learning paths at no cost, acquiring crucial skills and earning industry-recognized badges that open doors to new career possibilities.

Patrick Wee, Country Manager, Malaysia, Google Cloud, said: “Customers look to our partner ecosystem for strategic counsel, expert implementation services, and deep product domain expertise to transform their business and industry – and to do so in markets often defined by unique policies, compliance requirements, and cultural nuances. Having embarked on a journey with partners like CloudMile to expand their delivery capability in areas like Google Workspace, modern infrastructure, generative AI, and data analytics, it’s exciting and encouraging to see them double down on their market-specific commitments to better serve local organizations and individuals. We congratulate CloudMile on the launch of their CoE, and look forward to deepening our partnership to drive further customer success and growth in Malaysia.”

CloudMile is privileged to have established partnerships with leading technology vendors in various fields to drive business expansion and digital innovation. Partners such as Google Cloud, MongoDB, Fivetran, and Confluent are instrumental in AI and data, while Horangi, Palo Alto Networks, and JumpCloud provide essential security solutions. The partnerships enable real-world success stories and enterprise use cases across industries.

Hashtag: #CloudMile

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

IAQG Publishes First IA Standard Through Global Publishing Partner SAE International


Brussels, Belgium – News Direct – 22 February 2024 – The International Aerospace Quality Group® (IAQG) announced today the publication of the first International Aerospace (IA) standard, IA9137™: Guidance for the Application of AQAP 2110 within a 9100 Quality Management System. SAE International®, the organization’s partner in developing international standards, has released IA9137 globally.

This standard provides guidance intended to help an organization understand the relationship between Allied Quality Assurance Publication (AQAP) 2110 “NATO Quality Assurance Requirements for Design, Development and Production” and AS/EN/JISQ9100 “Quality Management Systems – Requirements for Aviation, Space and Defense Organizations.”

Through the IAQG/SAE Standards Development and Publications Agreement, the aerospace industry can turn to SAE or one of its many global resellers to purchase the IA9137, including new and/or newly revised 91xx series standards. As part of this agreement, SAE is publishing IA9137 simultaneously in English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Chinese and Korean.

Eric Jefferies, the President of IAQG, explained that the purpose of this agreement was to simplify the development and publication process by utilizing a single, common workflow. “This approach enhances our speed to market while improving the management of global distribution. In addition to these benefits, we are witnessing the first standard to be published globally in multiple languages on the same day.”

“The publication of IA9137 is a testament to the long-standing relationship between IAQG and SAE – and the worldwide consensus we foster. Through this new process and the SAE StandardsWorks 2.0 platform, the truly global aerospace community is able to collaborate directly and efficiently on the standards which uphold quality across the industry,” said David Alexander, senior director of aerospace standards at SAE International.

For more information about IA9137: Guidance for the Application of AQAP 2110 within a 9100 Quality Management System or to purchase the standard, visit the IA landing page https://www.sae.org/iaqg.

Previously released IAQG standards will transition from sector designations of AS, EN, SJAC or JISQ to the new singular designation at the time of revision. IAQG currently maintains 26 active standards that establish common/shared tools and methods for quality improvement. To learn more, visit https://iaqg.org.

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About the International Aerospace Quality Group:
As an international non-profit association under Belgian law with an office registered in Brussels (Belgium), the IAQG sets the standard for quality within the worldwide supply chain of the aerospace industry. The organization is comprised of member companies within the aviation, space and defense industries that design, develop, manufacture and support original equipment at system or subsystem levels. The IAQG is committed to establishing commonality of quality systems and improvement standards. These standards are documented, published and applied internationally by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and circulated throughout the supply chain. To learn more, visit https://iaqg.org.

About SAE International
SAE International is a global association committed to advancing mobility knowledge and solutions for the benefit of humanity. By engaging nearly 200,000 engineers, technical experts and volunteers, we connect and educate mobility professionals to enable safe, clean, and accessible mobility solutions. We act on two priorities: encouraging a lifetime of learning for mobility engineering professionals and setting the standards for industry engineering. We strive for a better world through the work of our philanthropic SAE Foundation, including award-winning programs like A World In Motion® and the Collegiate Design Series™. More at www.sae.org.

Contact Details

Susan Matson
IAQG
+1 484-832-5176
communications@iaqg.org

Hashtag: #IAQG

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

N-Soft Empowers Digital Sovereignty Using Economic Intelligence in New Partnership


HONG KONG SAR – African Media Agency – 21 February 2024 – N-Soft’s disruptive governance technology is revolutionizing revenue mobilization and improving business environments. The company’s Gambling Management System (GMS) empowers governments to better oversee the gambling sector specifically. By seamlessly extracting, processing, and certifying vital data such as player registrations, game results, and prize distributions, GMS provides an exhaustive overview of all gambling activities. N-Soft stands out for its quick 13-week setup, quick time-to-value, thorough training sessions for on-site teams, and commitment to data security through local storage.

N-Soft Spearheads Digital Sovereignty and Economic Intelligence with New Burundi Partnership

Recently, N-Soft signed a contract with the government of Burundi, a nation of over 13 million people with a 4.0% growth rate, to deploy its groundbreaking GMS solution. This strategic initiative marks a significant collaboration between N-Soft, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Commerce in Burundi. The implementation will empower the Loterie Nationale du Burundi (LONA) as the principal user, which oversees eight existing gambling providers within the country, and the project will unfold in two phases. Initially, it will focus on lotteries, online platforms, sports betting, and horse racing, followed by an expansion into casino operations, encompassing slot machines.

Reflecting on this transformative moment, Léa NGABIRE, the General Director of LONA, stated, “The implementation of N-Soft’s technological governance solutions to oversee the gambling sector in Burundi is a key step in our revenue mobilization strategy and in the restoration of our digital sovereignty. We are confident that we can now achieve our objectives.” This endorsement from a top official highlights the critical role of N-Soft’s intervention in setting new standards for healthy governance practices within the country.

N-Soft, which is used in Sierra Leone and a host of other nations across the world, also provides valuable economic intelligence to governments, which fosters transparent business environments and informed policymaking. This, in turn, attracts foreign investment and contributes to sustainable growth.

Hashtag: #NSoft

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

About N-Soft

Established in 1986, N-Soft’s governance technology empowers national authorities to acquire economic intelligence, foster transparent business environments, and mobilize more domestic revenue from various economic sectors. Currently operating in the DRC, Sierra Leone, and Mozambique among others, N-Soft is the premier revenue mobilization provider worldwide.

For more information or inquiries, please visit or email

VinFast to break ground for its integrated electric vehicle facility in Tamil Nadu, India


TAMIL NADU, INDIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 February 2024 – VinFast Auto announced that it will break ground at its integrated electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing site in Thoothukudi City, Tamil Nadu on February 25, 2024. This move represents a significant step towards a strategic partnership between VinFast and the State Government aimed at advancing the development of green transportation in India and in the region.

VinFast to break ground for its integrated electric vehicle facility in Tamil Nadu, India


The partnership between VinFast and the Government of Tamil Nadu, which began from the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) announced on January 6, 2024. The collaboration aims toward an intended commitment of USD 500 million for the first phase of the integrated EV facility, spanning five years from the commencement date. This move is a significant milestone in VinFast’s global expansion strategy of venturing into one of the world’s fastest growing major economies and its burgeoning EV market.

The groundbreaking ceremony of the EV manufacturing plant just over a month after the announcement of the MoU with the State Government affirms VinFast’s strong determination and roll-out speed in its global expansion plan.

VinFast’s integrated EV manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu is projected to churn out about 3,000 to 3,500 local job opportunities, demonstrate the company’s commitment to the State’s socio-economic development.

The VinFast Tamil Nadu project aims to develop into a first-class electric vehicle production hub in the region, with an annual capacity of up to 150,000 units in its full capacity. This facility not only caters development objectives in the Indian market, but also serves export demands to South Asian, Middle Eastern and African countries.

Additionally, the project will catalyze green transportation development which is key agenda for the government of India and the States of curtailing carbon emissions in the transport sector, targeting 30% of newly registered private cars to be electric.

As Vietnam’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer with global aspirations, VinFast’s relentless dedication to innovation and research propels the Company towards its goal of being a global leader in the electric vehicle industry and its commitment to a sustainable future for all.

Hashtag: #VinFast

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

UXLINK Social Infrastructure Breaks New Records, Attracts 230,000 New OKX Wallet Registrations in 14 Days, 72% Deposit Rate


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 February 2024 – From February 2nd to February 16th, UXLINK, a Web3 social infrastructure with a unique “Real World Social” and “group” model, launched a two-week joint campaign with OKX Web3 wallet, and it was reported that in the two weeks since the campaign went live, more than 230,000 OKX Web3 wallet addresses have been created and linked to UXLINK. These wallets have a token asset deposition rate of over 70%, with an average asset value of over $70 USD equivalent in tokens, totaling $11 million. The user base is truly global, spread across more than 100 countries and regions, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Nigeria, Europe, and the Middle East. The campaign saw a 42% new registration/UV ratio, reflecting the fact that real world social relationships and group interactions of acquaintances bring trust and efficiency.

UXLINK

UXLINK Protocol enables any decentralized applications (DApps) to use a wide range of on-chain and off-chain social resources, such as user’s social account information, user’s social relationship graph, user’s social tags, social relationship recommendation and so on, which can accelerate the development of DApps, achieve cross-chain functionality and coordinate the social data of different scenarios. These social resources can accelerate the development of DApps, realize cross-chain functions and coordinate social data in different scenarios, so that DApps can better achieve their business goals and provide better user experience for their users.

UXLINK has officially opened the third phase of its “Odyssey” airdrop task, with multi-wallet registration, binding and check-in functions, and inviting friends to participate in the event can get additional token rewards. It is reported that the number of participants in the Odyssey has exceeded 40,000, and will officially open the $UXLINK governance token airdrop in March.

As of press time, UXLINK’s certified users have exceeded 3 million, entering more than 74,000 groups, covering around 6 million users, becoming a new generation of Web3 traffic and protocol-based infrastructure. According to UXLINK community, UXLINK will open up protocols and work with more developers and ecological partners in the future, and continue to provide Web3 infrastructure services for different social scenarios (e.g., WhatsApps, Facebook, mailbox contacts, cell phone contacts, Google contacts, etc.).

Hashtag: #blockchain #UXLINK




Odyssey:

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

Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited announces annual results for the financial year ended December 31, 2023


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 February 2024 –

2023 Annual Results – Financial Highlights

(Figures for the corresponding period in 2022 are shown in brackets)

  • Consolidated revenue: HK$ 822 million (HK$ 561 million)
  • Consolidated operating loss: HK$ 89 million (HK$ 215 million)
  • Consolidated net loss attributable to equity holders of the Company: HK$ 466 million (HK$ 598 million)
  • Basic loss per share: 22.89 HK cents (29.34 HK cents)
  • No final dividend (No final dividend)

Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited (“PCPD”, SEHK: 00432) has announced its annual results for the year ended December 31, 2023.

The consolidated revenue of PCPD and its subsidiaries (together, the “Group”) amounted to HK$ 822 million, representing an increase of 46% compared to the revenue of HK$ 561 million in 2022.

The Group’s consolidated operating loss amounted to HK$ 89 million, representing a decrease of 59% compared to the operating loss of HK$ 215 million in 2022.

The consolidated net loss attributable to equity holders of the Company for the year of 2023 was HK$ 466 million, compared to the net loss of HK$ 598 million in 2022.

Basic loss per share for 2023 was 22.89 Hong Kong cents compared to the loss per share of 29.34 Hong Kong cents for the previous year.

The Board of Directors has not recommended the payment of a final dividend for the year ended December 31, 2023.

In 2023, we achieved a solid set of results which reflect a period of persistent recovery for the Group. Following several years of global travel restrictions, the international travel and tourism sector has experienced a gradual return to pre-pandemic travel patterns in the past year. This development continued to stand PCPD in good stead.

Park Hyatt Niseko, Hanazono, our hotel operations in Hokkaido, delivered an excellent performance in 2023, as Japan saw a sharp rise in inbound tourists during the year, which was Park Hyatt Niseko’s first full year of operation since the country lifted COVID-related travel restrictions on foreign tourists. In 2023, recreational facilities at Niseko Hanazono Resort also recorded a significant increase in the number of visitors and users compared to that of last year.

In Jakarta, Indonesia, the occupancy of our premium commercial building, Pacific Century Place, Jakarta (“PCP Jakarta”), remained stable throughout the year. At the end of December 31, 2023, the office space occupancy was 83%, compared to 81% the previous year.

In Thailand, foreign tourist arrivals continued to increase, which helped drive up revenue for the Group’s golf clubhouse and 18-hole golf course in Phang Nga.

Piling work for our property development project at 3–6 Glenealy, Central has been progressing well.

We are cautiously optimistic about the property sectors in Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand and Indonesia in the long run. We will formulate our cost and revenue strategies in preparation for unforeseen situations and also to enhance our business performance.

Mr. Benjamin Lam, PCPD’s Deputy Chairman and Group Managing Director, said: “Globally, 2024 will present different challenges, although there will also be opportunities in the Asia-Pacific region. We will monitor closely changes in the market while remaining agile in the way we deploy our resources, with a view to optimising our performance and delivering returns.”

Hashtag: #PCPD

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

About PCPD

Pacific Century Premium Developments Limited (“PCPD” or the “Group”, SEHK: 00432) is principally engaged in the development and management of premium-grade property and infrastructure projects as well as premium-grade property investments. PCCW Limited (“PCCW”, SEHK: 00008) is the single largest shareholder of the Group.

Lao Schools’ Disciplinary Methods Spark Online Firestorm

Lao Schools' Disciplinary Methods Spark Online Firestorm
FILE: this image is used only for representational purpose (photo: Reddit)

Social media has recently ignited a fiery debate surrounding the disciplinary practices in schools, particularly those overseen by the state and located in rural areas across Laos. These practices, frequently viewed as outdated and inappropriate, have come under intense public scrutiny, exposing a clear division of opinions. While some condemn these disciplinary measures, others place the blame on students for not adhering to established rules.

‘Rethink the Couch’: A New Perspective on Therapy in Asia

Allison Heiliczer and her book 'Rethink the Coouch.'

Balancing the demands of parenting, a full-time job as a therapist, and a recent move to Singapore meant that Allison Heiliczer found solace in the early morning hours.

“Sitting in front of the computer, sipping on a large cup of green tea, the darkness outside mirrored the depths I delved into while exploring the intricacies of Asia’s mental health landscape,” she described, recalling the countless mornings, some as early as 3 am, spent writing “Rethink the Couch.”

In a region where mental health struggles often remain unspoken, Heiliczer’s book offers a new culturally appropriate perspective on therapy through narratives and the untold stories of courage, hope, and the desperate search for oneself.

Allison Heiliczer. (Photo supplied)

Heiliczer is an American therapist who made the move to Asia over 15 years ago. After more than a decade in Hong Kong, she now calls Singapore home. Her path as a therapist in this region is unique. Mental health has historically been a sensitive topic here, especially a decade and a half ago. Local communities often harbor feelings of apprehension, mistrust, and caution towards mental health treatment. This hesitancy is rooted not just in a lack of cultural understanding but also in pervasive societal stigma.

She worked extensively throughout Southeast Asia and beyond, taking on patients from Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia, in addition to her in-person sessions in Singapore and Hong Kong. Particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, patients from across the region reached out to her, requesting online therapy sessions.

Reflecting on her experiences, Heiliczer said, “Some people’s stories just go untold for many, many years, for various reasons. For political reasons, for economic reasons, for all these sorts of reasons.” This realization served as an inspiration for her exploration of the Asian therapeutic environment, where stories of resilience and healing often remain hidden from view.

“Most of my online patients didn’t want to turn their cameras on for fear of societal repercussions,” she recalled.

At the heart of “Rethink the Couch” lies a turning point for Heiliczer, as she remembered proposing the idea of reading a book about a former boy soldier from Sierra Leone to a group of men she was working with in Hong Kong. The choice was deliberate, driven by the desire to shed light on untold stories and offer glimpses of hope amidst major life challenges.

“We were just going to meet every week. So it became clear that of the two things, the one thing that they really wanted was to start to feel like they were going to learn a skill that would be helpful for them eventually in their future,” Heiliczer reflected on her first steps into this journey.

“The goal is not to just copy and paste from what Americans, you know, and others in Europe are doing,” Heiliczer explained. She meant to work with locals and adapt to their own needs rather than using traditional western methods of therapy, which, according to her, would simply be a failure in an Asian context.

Writing “Rethink the Couch” took Allison Heiliczer into tough places, facing the darker sides of human experiences with deep care and resolve. Her writing journey reveals the emotional depth and tough choices involved, especially in chapters dealing with sensitive issues like human trafficking and exploitation.

Heiliczer’s involvement with pro bono work for organizations like the Mekong Club, dedicated to ending modern slavery, added another layer of complexity to her writing process. The connection to real-life stories of exploitation and suffering weighed heavily on her conscience, forcing her to confront the darkest facets of Southeast Asia.

“I love Asia, and I love so many things about this region, and yet that was very difficult because it put me back into really the shadow side of sex trafficking and exploitation,” she said.

Describing the process, Heiliczer shared, “The second chapter is about this guy who has an affair with this trafficked woman who’s inside a cage. That was very difficult to write because it’s like you have to kind of put yourself psychically back in that space and live the narrative in your mind.”

As Heiliczer delved deeper into the world of therapy in the Asian context, she also confronted the stark reality of underrepresentation.

“Sixty percent of the world’s population had never been represented in the therapy room,” she observed. Inspired by this revelation, she set out to write about the diversity of human experiences, challenging conventional narratives, and amplifying voices that have long been silenced.

“Therapy is not always the answer for people. Sometimes it is part of the support, but sometimes it’s not.”

Her approach emphasizes accessibility and inclusivity, recognizing the diverse needs of individuals and communities across Southeast Asia.

“I don’t think the answer to mental health challenges is to just train more therapists,” she carried on, specifically referring to rural contexts such as remote areas in Laos.

In her quest to bridge gaps in mental health care, Heiliczer explored innovative solutions and community-driven approaches. “People in certain villages in Laos don’t have access to Wi-Fi and they can’t afford to pay for therapy,” she acknowledged. Yet, amidst these challenges, she remained steadfast in her commitment to holistic healthcare, blurring the lines between mental and physical well-being.

As Heiliczer eloquently articulated, “Mental health is really also physical health. It’s a false dichotomy.” Through her work, she invites readers to reconsider conventional notions of therapy, inviting them on a journey of introspection, connection, and transformation.