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NTUC LearningHub Partners TikTok to Empower 1,500 Micro-Business Owners and Freelancers By 2024

The partnership comes on the back of discussions to support micro-businesses and freelancers in Singapore to grow their brands on platforms like TikTok

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 16 February 2022 – NTUC LearningHub (NTUC LHUB), Singapore’s leading Continuing Education and Training provider, and TikTok, the leading destination for short-form mobile video, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today to officially launch their partnership to help 1,500 micro-businesses and freelancers in Singapore to connect with audiences through engaging social media content creation and trends via a platform like TikTok to drive business over the next three years.

From left to right: Anthony Chew, Director of Infocomm Technology, NTUC LearningHub, Jeremy Ong, Chief Executive Officer, NTUC LearningHub, and David Jay Gomez, Head of Brand Partnerships for SEA, TikTok.

 

The outreach of the programmes, which will be driven by NTUC LHUB, will focus on the growing pool of Self-Employed Persons (SEPs), including freelancers and small business owners in Singapore. Against the backdrop of the positive economic outlook, SEPs would stand to benefit by creating engaging social media content that successfully creates awareness and demand for their services and offerings.

The MOU, which was signed by Anthony Chew, Director of Infocomm Technology (ICT) at NTUC LHUB and David Jay Gomez, Head of Brand Partnerships, SEA, at TikTok, signifies the mutual commitment of both TikTok and NTUC LHUB to deliver quality training and resources in social media marketing and content creation.

 

As more small businesses turn to digital platforms to reach new audiences, many are leveraging new age platforms such as TikTok which has exceeded 240 million users in Southeast Asia alone. From increasing brand awareness to extending their business reach, TikTok has played a key role in helping local micro-businesses such as Vintagewknd, a sustainable fashion store, and Dear Modern, run by a Singaporean architect, to connect directly with their customers and grow their presence online.

 

To boost outreach efforts, NTUC LHUB will leverage its strong network within the Labour Movement and its associations such as the Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit (U FSE), Singapore National Co-Operative Federation (SNCF) and Young NTUC.

 

In addition, as part of the initiative, NTUC LHUB will work closely with TikTok to develop a suite of courses that empower content creators to grow their brand presence on social media platforms. As a start, NTUC LHUB will begin running the TikTok-endorsed ‘Design Thinking for Social Media’ course in March 2022, which has already received strong interest from content creators. The two-day course leverages design thinking concepts for social media content creation. Furthermore, the collaboration will translate into training courses that are applicable to all workers in due course.

 

Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents can enjoy 50% off the course fees, and are eligible for the utilisation of SkillsFuture credit and Post-Secondary Education Account (PSEA). Interested individuals can register for the ‘Design Thinking for Social Media’ course at www.ntuclearninghub.com.

 

Commenting on the partnership, ICT Director at NTUC LHUB, Anthony Chew says, “We are thrilled to be partnering TikTok to empower Self-Employed Persons (SEPs) to navigate and keep pace with the rapidly changing social media landscape in order to create new business and employment opportunities. As TikTok grows in popularity in Singapore, many businesses, especially micro-businesses and freelancers have benefitted from the exposure that the platform brings because of the virality of some of their engaging and on-trend content. Working closely with TikTok, NTUC LearningHub will be on the pulse of new trends and developments straight from the source, hence ensuring that our training in social media and digital marketing remains highly relevant, timely and spot-on for our learners. In addition, NTUC LearningHub is also uniquely placed within the Labour Movement ecosystem to support the outreach efforts to self-employed persons.”

 

TikTok’s Head of Brand Partnerships for SEA, David Jay Gomez, says, “At TikTok, we are witnessing an increase in small businesses across Southeast Asia leveraging our platform to drive tangible impact and we are deeply committed to using our platform to educate and equip our community with the relevant skills and training as they navigate the ever-evolving business landscape. In Singapore, we have seen businesses on TikTok enjoy success as they fully embrace the creativity and authenticity of our platform to engage new audiences. Through our partnership with NTUC LearningHub, we look forward to empowering more micro-businesses and freelancers to drive their business and Singapore’s digital economy forward.”

 

Jean See, Director of NTUC Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit (U FSE) said, “U FSE and our associations are focused on enhancing work prospects for our members in freelancing and self-employment. The fast-changing landscape demands that our members continually scan and make sense of their clients’ evolving needs. Hence, the course focus on design thinking and social media content creation is relevant to freelancers and micro-businesses keen to become more adapt and savvier in customer needs-discovery and product and service development. With continual learning support as a cornerstone of NTUC’s membership proposition, we are excited that U FSE and NTUC LearningHub will be jointly rolling out a ‘Community of Practice’ series to bridge classroom training with expert insights to empower members to stand out from the competition.”

 

“As an ecommerce store, our relationship with our customers is entirely virtual and we are always looking for effective ways to reach out and capture a wider audience. With TikTok’s growing presence globally and in Singapore, we decided to give it a try and it has now evolved into a primary platform for our marketing efforts. With a vibrant and diverse community that celebrates creative expression, it has been encouraging to see the strong traction on our livestreams and creative style challenges among our target audience”, says Vintagewknd’s co-founder, Eileen Tan.

About NTUC LearningHub

NTUC LearningHub is the leading Continuing Education and Training provider in Singapore which aims to transform the lifelong employability of working people. Since our corporatisation in 2004, we have been working with employers and individual learners to provide learning solutions in areas such as Cloud, Infocomm Technology, Healthcare, Employability & Literacy, Business Excellence, Workplace Safety & Health, Security, Human Resources and Foreign Worker Training.

To date, NTUC LearningHub has helped over 25,000 organisations and achieved over 2.6 million training places across more than 500 courses with a pool of over 900 certified trainers. As a Total Learning Solutions provider to organisations, we also forge partnerships and offer a wide range of relevant end-to-end training solutions and work constantly to improve our training quality and delivery. In 2020, we had accelerated our foray into online learning with our Virtual Live Classes and, through working with best-in-class partners such as IBM, DuPont Sustainable Solutions and GO1, asynchronous online courses.

For more information, visit www.ntuclearninghub.com

About TikTok

TikTok is the leading destination for short-form mobile video. Our mission is to inspire creativity and bring joy. TikTok has global offices including Los Angeles, Mountain View, New York, London, Paris, Berlin, Dubai, Singapore, Jakarta, Seoul, and Tokyo. www.tiktok.com.

New to TikTok? Join our community by simply downloading the app for free via the Apple App Store, Google Play, or Amazon.

#NTUCLearningHub #TikTok

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

Authorities Destroy 153 Hectares of Opium Poppy Plantations in Luang Prabang

Authorities destroy opium fields in Luang Prabang.
Authorities destroy opium fields in Luang Prabang.

Authorities in Luang Prabang Province have destroyed over 153 hectares of opium poppy plantations.

Daehan Rehabilitation Hospital Putrajaya Supports Long-Covid Rehabilitation Patients

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach – 16 February 2022 – The Health Ministry of Malaysia recently announced that long Covid-19 patients will undergo medical rehabilitation for extended period of time. Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin mentioned Daehan Putrajaya Rehabilitation Hospital as one of the private hospitals capable of providing Long Covid rehab in Malaysia.

 

Daehan recently treated 16 patients recovering from severe Covid under the MOH decanting program. All of them required oxygen supplement upon admission. After 2-8 weeks of rehabilitation, all of them were discharged without the need of home oxygen therapy. 2 patients who were on tracheostomy (breathing tubes) no longer require them and 2 patients who were on tube feeding can now eat normally.

 

The remarkable clinical outcome has surprised even the doctors themselves. In the words of Dr Fazah Hanapiah, President of Daehan Rehabilitation Hospital in Putrajaya, “Many had expected to leave the hospital disabled, requiring oxygen therapy and assistance in all aspect of life activities after Covid-19 infection. Some had prepared to purchase wheelchairs and oxygen concentrators. However, with intensive post Covid rehabilitation, all our patients returned home without the need of home oxygen therapy. We want to provide the much-needed rehabilitation to all post Covid patients, so they too be given the opportunity for a new lease of life.”

 

One of Daehan’s patients, Yvonne was a transfer patient from Hospital Sungai Buloh who underwent 6 sessions of intensive in-patient rehabilitation with us. Initially falling prey to Covid-19 in August 2021, she was rendered bed-bound and even struggled to breathe sitting up. Her poor cardiorespiratory endurance was coupled by her inability to walk and her faster-than-normal heart rate – a known post Covid complication. Not only did she require oxygen supplements, but her condition necessitated emergency management.

 

After just one month in Daehan’s rehabilitative care, Yvonne is now able to carry out activities of daily living successfully and has confidently decided to return to work. During her time with us, her rehabilitation programme targeted pulmonary and cardiac rehabilitation to improve cardiorespiratory function and endurance levels; strengthening exercises for her daily motor functions and gait training, all to equip her with skills for activities of daily living.

 

I want to thank a lot of them, especially the man there (pointing to one of the therapists). He is the one who advised me not to be scared… to stand up and walk. […] He said, ‘You won’t fall down one’ […] and held my hand as I walked. […] So I [am very appreciative of all of them]” said Sheryl. Initially, she was very afraid of walking due to affected muscle tissues and nerves following her Covid infection. However, with the encouragement of the staff at Daehan, she practiced walking in her room slowly such that she was able to stand up and walk independently and confidently. “I think I can never forget you all because this was my first time in the ward and […] I am very happy to know all of you all“.

 

Currently, although she is under cardiology follow-ups, she has since been discharged and no longer requires oxygen supplements.

 

Another such patient, Kent (not his real name) was admitted under Daehan’s intensive daycare rehabilitation for a total of 6 sessions following his infection in mid-June 2021. 24 days of hospitalization after an ICU admission was enough to witness a deterioration in his condition, and a developing infection in his epidural space, which ultimately led to spinal cord compression. Upon admission to Daehan, he was paraplegic with poor lower-body balance due to impacted nerves and muscle tissues.

 

Difficulties in breathing and urinary drainage were just some of the problems he suffered from. However, after undergoing rehabilitation at Daehan Rehabilitation Hospital Putrajaya, he has now regained normal lower limb strength with better control and posture and now has continent bladder and bowel control. Although post-rehabilitation has witnessed a dramatic improvement in his ambulation abilities, he still relies on a walking frame for now. However, with continued efforts, he is likely to be able to ambulate independently.

 

His successful progress is attributable to Daehan’s iconic rehabilitation efforts (illustrated above) The marked improvement in both aforementioned patients’ conditions hold testament to Daehan’s rehabilitation efforts and speak of the trust the patients place in the hands of Daehan’s dedicated and well-trained staff.

 

As a part of the rehabilitation team, our therapists mentioned that planning interventions for post-Covid patients not only broadens up their mind in working as an interdisciplinary team but also empowers them to pass on their motivation to the patients so that they can regain their well-being of life.

 

Rachel Paulus, Daehan’s Head of Physiotherapy, explains: “Patients have told us how much we take certain things for granted, like breathing, because they felt so helpless when they have experienced the aftereffects of COVID-19. We as therapists are privileged to be able to give their life back to them and have learnt to never take things for granted. As intensive as our sessions are, we always keep in mind that rehabilitation is not a sprint where we aim to perform as much as we can in a single session, but a long distance run where we aim to achieve sustainable and long-term results together.”

 

ABOUT DAEHAN REHABILITATION HOSPITAL PUTRAJAYA

Opened in 2019, Daehan Rehabilitation Hospital Putrajaya is a stand-alone hospital located in Malaysia at the IOI City Resort and is an internationally accessible premier tertiary care hospital. Daehan offers comprehensive South Korean-style integrated rehabilitation services specializing in the management of complex rehabilitation.

#DaehanRehabilitationHospitalPutrajaya

Teledyne e2v and Leo Cancer Care Partner to Achieve an Innovative Minimal Platform Footprint

SURREY, UNITED KINGDOM – Media OutReach – 16 February 2022 – Leo Cancer Care is driving a paradigm shift in the radiation therapy market, developing solutions where the patient is in the upright orientation, removing the need for large and expensive gantries and instead utilising a fixed radiation beam and rotating the patient.

Leo Cancer Care is focused on delivering a family of products designed for the economics of the future, meeting customers’ clinical and financial needs. Ruby™ is a smaller, more streamlined Photon Therapy Solution which will reduce setup times and therefore save institutions money by increasing patient throughput. Ruby™ can come self-shielded meaning no need for expensive bunkers. Leo Cancer Care has a vision to make Ruby™ mobile, in the not-too-distant future, taking radiation therapy to places it has never been before.

 

In addition to the operational and financial benefits of this technology, the Leo Cancer Care solutions have been developed on the back of research from across the globe, demonstrating the clinical benefits of upright patient positioning through reduced organ motion. Combined with a real focus on patient experience, helping patients to feel more comfortable and in control of their radiation therapy treatment journey.

Teledyne e2v has been working with Leo Cancer Care to enable them to achieve their innovative minimal platform footprint.  This has been done by designing a compact RF sub-system, which will include a new solid-state modulator to drive one of its range of magnetrons and the integration of other RF accessories. 

 

Continuing to build on its position as the world leader in generating RF power for radiation therapy, Teledyne e2v will be providing its very latest technology to support this exciting development, based on over 70 years of experience. 

“With Ruby™ being smaller and more compact than conventional technology, have really driven to reduce the size of all of our components. Teledyne E2V is supporting us to do this and we are moving at pace to bring Ruby™ to the market. Together we have the innovative technology, trusted products and combined experience in the Radiation Oncology field to change how photon radiation therapy is delivered and how a patient experiences it”.  Stephen Towe, CEO Leo Cancer Care.

Leo Cancer Care:

https://www.leocancercare.com/

#Teledynee2v #LeoCancerCare

Upgrade any TV with these Philips Soundbars – Now Available in Thailand

Distinctive geometric design, clear sound, wireless subwoofers, and Bluetooth connectivity

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach – 16 February 2022 – Two of the latest Philips soundbar speaker systems, famous worldwide for their sound clarity and realism, are now available in Thailand. The Philips TAB5305 and TAB8805 offer great features like wireless subwoofers, astounding multichannel sound and Bluetooth.

 

Any entertainment system will be upgraded and complemented by these soundbars. They’re an easy-to-setup enhancement, and easy to use – controllable by existing TV remotes via HDMI ARC – and they take the listening experience to the next level. Wireless subwoofers get rid of cable clutter and reduce setup hassles. These soundbars don’t only offer amazing sound and picture quality, they’re also beautiful to look at, thanks to Philips’ distinctive, cool geometric design.

 

Philips TAB5305 – Take any TV to the next level

 

Raise any TV to the next level – with enough power to make favorite movies and music fill any room, the 2.1 channel Philips TAB5305 soundbar and wireless subwoofer deliver clearer sound and deeper bass. And with Bluetooth, audio-in, and optical inputs, users can enhance their music too. It fits anywhere: The TV table, the wall (with the integrated wall brackets), or any flat surface. The understated metal grille looks amazing and also protects the speaker.

 

Philips TAB8805 – Powerful cinematic sound and picture

 

Make more of movie night with this powerful 3.1 channel, 400W (300W RMS) soundbar with wireless subwoofer and a dedicated center channel for crystal-clear dialogue. The immersive 3D audio of Dolby Atmos puts listeners right in the middle of the scene. The TAB8805 soundbar’s DTS Play-Fi compatibility makes it easy to create a true surround-sound setup. Spotify Connect, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2 and Optical-in ensure access to a huge world of entertainment content.

 

Price and Availability

 

The Philips 3.1 CH Soundbar TAB8805 is available for an MSRP at 17,990 Baht and Philips 2.1 CH Soundbar TAB5305 at 5,990 Baht.

 

Both soundbars are available at Power Buy and The Mall.

About TP Vision

TP Vision Europe B.V. (‘TP Vision’) is registered in the Netherlands, with its head office in Amsterdam. TP Vision is a wholly-owned company of TPV Technology Limited (‘TPV’), which is one of the world’s leading monitor and TV manufacturers.

TP Vision is a consumer electronics key player in TV and audio entertainment. TP Vision concentrates on developing, manufacturing and marketing Philips-branded TV sets (Europe, Russia, Middle East, South America, India and selected countries in Asia-Pacific) and Philips-branded audio products (Globally) under trademark license by Koninklijke Philips N.V. We combine the strong Philips brand with our product development and design expertise, operational excellence, and industry footprint of TPV. We believe in creating products that offer superior audio and visual experiences for consumers.

#Philips

Laos Begins Covid-19 Vaccination of Children Aged 6-11

A child receives a Covid-19 vaccine
A child receives a Covid-19 vaccine (Photo: US Embassy Vientiane).

Laos has announced it will begin a Covid-19 vaccination campaign for children aged 6 to 11 next month as part of plans to fully reopen schools.

Laos Reduces VAT to Support Hard-hit Economy

Laos reduces value added tax (VAT)

Laos has lowered its value-added tax (VAT) rate as part of the government’s post-Covid-19 economic recovery efforts.

Sunlight Real Estate Investment Trust (“Sunlight REIT”) Interim Results for the Six Months Ended 31 December 2021

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 15 February 2022 – Henderson Sunlight Asset Management Limited (the “Manager“) announces the interim results of Sunlight REIT for the six months ended 31 December 2021 (the “Reporting Period“).

 

Reflecting a higher average occupancy rate and a lower amortized rental concession, Sunlight REIT recorded a 1.2% year-on-year increase in revenue to HK$404.3 million for the Reporting Period, while net property income (“NPI“) was also up 1.2% to HK$323.4 million.

 

The Board has resolved to declare an interim distribution per unit of HK 12.2 cents, representing a payout ratio of 94.2% and an annualized distribution yield of 5.6% based on the closing price of HK$4.34 on the last trading day of the Reporting Period.

 

The portfolio of Sunlight REIT was appraised at HK$18,396.9 million at 31 December 2021, representing a mild increase of 0.3% from 30 June 2021. Meanwhile, net assets of Sunlight REIT grew 0.8% to HK$14,230.5 million, which translates to a net asset value of HK$8.48 per unit.

 

Highlights of Interim Results

 

The overall occupancy rate of Sunlight REIT’s portfolio at 31 December 2021 was 94.5% as compared to 93.7% at 30 June 2021. Office occupancy rate rose to 93.3% (30 June 2021: 92.4%), while occupancy rate for the retail portfolio increased to 97.1% (30 June 2021: 96.5%). For the Reporting Period, the office and retail portfolios registered negative rental reversions of 4.5% and 4.9% respectively.

 

In respect of the performance of major properties, occupancy rate of Dah Sing Financial Centre (“DSFC“) has shown reasonable improvement to 91.6% at 31 December 2021, mainly driven by new letting commitments from domestic corporations. In addition, its NPI grew 4.8% year on year to HK$87.6 million. Metro City Phase I Property recorded a high occupancy rate of 99.3%, with a mild 1.5% year-on-year increase in NPI to HK$67.4 million. In contrast, Sheung Shui Centre Shopping Arcade saw a 4.1% year-on-year decline in NPI to HK$69.9 million on the back of a lower occupancy rate of 94.6% and a decrease in passing rent given a diminished presence of high-margin trades.

 

The Manager maintains its pledge to advance sustainability. During the Reporting Period, Sunlight REIT entered into a secured sustainability-linked loan of HK$500 million with a tenure of 4.5 years. Meanwhile, its Sheung Wan-based Strand 50 has been awarded Excellent gradeNote under BEAM Plus V2.0 (Selective Scheme). Together with the successful renewal of DSFC as a BEAM Plus platinum-rated building (Comprehensive Scheme), this achievement amply illustrates the passion of the Manager for managing a greener portfolio which forms an integral part of the sustainability endeavours of Sunlight REIT.

 

Note : In Materials and Waste, and Indoor Environmental Quality aspects.

Mr. Wu Shiu Kee, Keith, Chief Executive Officer of the Manager said, “Despite myriad uncertainties, it is not doom and gloom. Given a diversified and quality asset base, Sunlight REIT is relatively well placed to withstand the impact of swinging market conditions. Barring unforeseen circumstances, the Manager believes that the prospects for Sunlight REIT remain solid, while fully committed to caring about the health and safety of our tenants, customers and staff.”

 

Remarks: Attached financial highlights of FY2021/22 interim results of Sunlight REIT.

                 

Financial Highlights of FY2021/22 Interim Results:

(in HK$’ million, unless otherwise specified)

 

          Six months ended

         31 December 2021

        Six months ended

       31 December 2020

                       Change

                                (%)

Revenue

404.3

399.5

1.2

Net property income

323.4

319.5

1.2

Profit/(loss) after taxation Note

234.2

(194.1)

N/A

Distributable income

217.2

220.0

(1.3)

Distribution per unit (HK cents)

12.2

12.5

(2.4)

Payout ratio (%)

94.2

94.7

                N/A

 

 

At 31 December 2021

             At 30 June 2021

                                            

                       Change

                                (%)

Portfolio valuation

18,396.9

18,341.7

0.3

Net asset value

14,230.5

14,124.3

0.8

Net asset value per unit (HK$)

8.48

8.45

0.4

Gearing ratio (%)

23.0

23.0

                                     N/A

Note:  Included an increase in fair value of investment properties of HK$49.7 million (versus a fair value loss of HK$380.2 million for the six months ended 31 December 2020).

 

Disclaimer: The information contained in this press release does not constitute an offer or invitation to sell or the solicitation of an offer or invitation to purchase or subscribe for units in Sunlight REIT in Hong Kong or any other jurisdiction.

 

About Sunlight REIT

Listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited since 21 December 2006, Sunlight REIT (stock code: 435) is a real estate investment trust authorized by the Securities and Futures Commission and constituted by the amended and restated trust deed dated 10 May 2021 (the “Trust Deed“). It offers investors the opportunity to invest in a diversified portfolio of 11 office and five retail properties in Hong Kong with a total gross rentable area of over 1.2 million sq. ft.. The office properties are located in both core and decentralized business areas, while the retail properties are situated in regional transportation hubs, new towns and urban areas with high population density.

About the Manager

The Manager of Sunlight REIT is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Henderson Land Development Company Limited. Its main responsibility is to manage Sunlight REIT and all of its assets in accordance with the Trust Deed in the sole interest of its unitholders.

#SunlightREIT

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