30 C
Vientiane
Monday, November 3, 2025
spot_img
Home Blog Page 280

“BUCKET MAN” Wins the Rising IP Award at DesignerCon Hong Kong 2025


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 October 2025 – The anime IP “BUCKET MAN”, created by filmmaker Stephen Fung, has been awarded the Rising IP Award at DesignerCon 2025, held at AsiaWorld-Expo, in recognition of its outstanding potential in creativity, technology, and cultural development.

“BUCKET MAN”, created by filmmaker Stephen Fung
“BUCKET MAN”, created by filmmaker Stephen Fung

DesignerCon (DCon) first launched in California in 2005 as a gathering for toy artists, vinyl figure creators, and industry professionals. Over the past two decades, it has grown into a global platform bridging design, art, fashion, and culture. Marking its 20th anniversary, DCon made its long-awaited debut in Asia this year, with Hong Kong chosen as its first stop.

At the award presentation, Fung expressed his gratitude:”I am truly grateful to the organizers of DesignerCon and to everyone for their attention and support for ‘BUCKET MAN.’ This award is a great recognition of our creative team’s efforts.

Earlier this year, Fung collaborated with Michael Lau—widely regarded as the “Godfather of Designer Toys”—to release a limited-edition BUCKET MAN collectible figure. The figure broke new ground as one of the world’s first collectibles to incorporate Physical Backed Token (PBT) technology, allowing ownership to be tracked on the blockchain. The launch sold out immediately, demonstrating both strong collector demand and the rising cultural significance of BUCKET MAN.

Looking ahead, BUCKET MAN will continue expanding through cross-industry collaborations spanning designer toys, fashion, and music, while placing a strong emphasis on developing animation and webtoons. Fung highlighted that the character is not just an anime figure, but a creative platform: “BUCKET MAN is more than a character—it is a bridge connecting diverse forms of art, culture, and imagination.”

Hashtag: #DesignerCon2025

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

About “BUCKET MAN”

Created by Stephen Fung, BUCKET MAN features a teenager who wears a plastic bucket on his head. Blending elements of Hong Kong’s local culture and action motifs, the character has rapidly gained attention in both the anime and design communities.

About Stephen Fung

Stephen Fung is a renowned Hong Kong actor, director, and creative partner of Azuki. Dedicated to bridging traditional culture with modern technology, Fung is committed to advancing digital art and design innovation while building original IPs with global influence.

Realizing Sustainable Development, PT SMI Monitors Clean Energy Project and CSR Program in East Java

JAKARTA, Indonesia, Oct. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero) (“PT SMI” or “the Company”) conducted site visit to East Java Province last week to observe the environmentally friendly projects and programs supported by the Company. On Thursday, October 2, PT SMI visited Ijen Geothermal Power Plant in Bondowoso Regency, East Java. President Director of PT SMI, Reynaldi Hermansjah, observed the operation of Ijen Geothermal Power Plant which delivers benefits to the community in the electricity sector. During this site visit, Reynaldi was also accompanied by the Head of the Corporate Secretary Division of PT SMI, Ramona Harimurti, Team Leader of the Sustainable Financing Division, Teddy Wardiana, as well as the Director & Chief Financial Officer of PT Medco Energi Internasional Tbk, Anthony R. Mathias, and the Director and Chief Financial Officer of PT Medco Power Indonesia, Myrta Sri Utami.

President Director of PT SMI, Reynaldi Hermansjah, discussed the Ijen Geothermal Power Plant project, which contributes to clean energy supply, with the Director and CFO of PT Medco Energi Internasional, Anthony Mathias, and the Director and CFO of PT Medco Power Indonesia, Myrta Sri Utami.
President Director of PT SMI, Reynaldi Hermansjah, discussed the Ijen Geothermal Power Plant project, which contributes to clean energy supply, with the Director and CFO of PT Medco Energi Internasional, Anthony Mathias, and the Director and CFO of PT Medco Power Indonesia, Myrta Sri Utami.

PT SMI finances the development of Ijen Geothermal Power Plant amounting to USD 144.9 million, or approximately IDR 2.35 trillion, equivalent to 65% of the total project value. In addition, PT SMI also supports strengthening cross-sector collaboration, including partnerships with international institutions such as the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) through a blended finance scheme via SDG Indonesia One (SIO) platform. Besides AFD, other international donor institutions supporting this project are the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) and USAID SINAR, which both provide technical assistance.

PT SMI appreciates the mutual collaboration among all parties. “The Ijen Geothermal Power Plant project is a real example of synergy between development financing and a commitment to environmental preservation. We at PT SMI are always open to collaborate with various parties, including – in this project – with Medco, and also international partners like AFD (Agence Française de Développement). We hope this strategic step will support the achievement of the government’s Asta Cita, especially in the New and Renewable Energy sector,” said Reynaldi.

Ijen Geothermal Power Plant was recently inaugurated by President Prabowo Subianto on June 26, 2025. This geothermal power plant is one of the strategic projects in the development of New and Renewable Energy in Indonesia. With an initial capacity of 35 Megawatts (MW), Ijen Geothermal Power Plant can support the Java-Bali Electricity System, benefiting over 80,000 households. The operation of Ijen Geothermal Power Plant supports the government’s target to increase renewable energy mix from 9% to 23% by 2025, in accordance with the National Medium-Term Development Plan. Additionally, it aligns with Indonesia’s goal of achieving Net Zero Emissions by 2060 or sooner, and with global commitments to address climate change. The operation of the jen Geothermal Power Plant has potentially contributing to avoid greenhouse gas emissions of 228,636 to 838,332 tCO₂e/year.

PT SMI’s commitment for environmental sustainability is also demonstrated through its Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) program. On Friday, October 3, PT SMI also visited “Omah Tukik” turtle conservation facility at Cemara Beach, Banyuwangi Regency. On that occasion, PT SMI and the local community also released 40 turtle hatchlings into the open sea. Through this program, PT SMI assists in the construction of sea turtle hatcheries, the revitalization of patrol boats, and the provision of maritime safety equipment. The results are evident in the hatching rate, which exceeds 90 percent, with 1,200 hatchlings released annually. This program also creates livelihood including tour guides, operators, and conservation site managers. A total of 500 local residents are also involved in various activities, from facility construction and marine safety training to education and sea turtle release, and community empowerment for vendors at the conservation site.

“Turtles are one of the important elements in maintaining the ecosystem and biodiversity. This is where PT SMI comes in to help with environmental conservation on the coast of Banyuwangi, through our TJSL program. Besides that, we also hope to increase local community welfare through this program,” said Reynaldi.

Ijen Geothermal Power Plant project and Omah Tukik TJSL program reflect the Company’s grand vision for building a sustainable Indonesia, where infrastructure progress, environmental preservation, and community welfare go hand in hand. PT SMI emphasizes that future development must be inclusive, environmentally friendly, and long-term oriented.

About PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero) (“PT SMI”)

PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (Persero) (“PT SMI”), established on February 26, 2009, is a State-Owned Enterprise under the coordination of the Ministry of Finance, in the form of a Non-Bank Financial Institution (LKBB). PT SMI plays a role and has a mandate as an agent of sustainable development. PT SMI has 3 business pillars, namely Commercial Financing, Public Financing, and Advisory Service and Project Development.

PT SMI has various functions and unique products/features to support the acceleration of infrastructure development, which not only serves as infrastructure financing but also as an enabler through the implementation of the Government and Business Entity Cooperation (KPBU) scheme involving various financial institutions, both private and multilateral. PT SMI actively supports the implementation of Public Private Partnership (PPP) and encourages the acceleration of infrastructure development in the regions through regional loan products.

Laos Opens New Fuel Import Route via Vietnam to Boost Northern Energy Supply

Laos Opens New Fuel Import Route via Vietnam to Boost Northern Energy Supply (The photo is used for representational purposed)

On 4 October, the Lao Petroleum Authority (LPA) officially opened a new fuel import route through the Nghi Son Special Economic Zone Port in Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. 

Vice President of Laos Meets Singapore Ambassador for Farewell Visit

Vice President of Laos Meets Singapore Ambassador for Farewell Visit. (Photo: Pasaxon News)

Laos’ Vice President Pany Yathotou met with Singapore’s Ambassador to Laos, Sudesh Maniar, at the Presidential Palace on 6 October.

The visit marked the end of his diplomatic mission in Laos.

Pany congratulated Sudesh on completing his time in Laos and thanked him for helping to strengthen the long-standing friendship and cooperation between the two countries. She said the government and people of Laos appreciated his efforts over the years.

During his time in Laos, Sudesh worked actively to support many areas of cooperation, including politics, trade, investment, education, tourism, and culture. He also helped Laos as it chaired the ASEAN Summits in 2024. Singapore provided translation equipment, microphones, headphones, and other tools worth about USD 550,000 to support the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits held in Laos last year.

Singapore also gave support during the September 2024 floods caused by Cyclone Yagi. The government of Singapore donated 180 blankets, 600 boxes of ready-to-eat food, and 480 packs of bottled water, worth a total of USD 7,877, to help people in the affected provinces.

Sudesh thanked Pany for the strong support he received during his time in Laos. He said he was grateful for the cooperation that helped him complete his mission successfully.

Pany wished him good health, happiness, and success in his future work, and a safe trip back to Singapore.

Get ready for the “BIGGEST SURPRISE” of 2025 from Gravity

SOMETHING BIG IS COMING!

BANGKOK, Oct. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Calling all gamers and Gravity fans — this is the moment you’ve been waiting for! Gravity is set to reveal the biggest surprise of the year, and you’re invited to witness it live. Join us for the official livestream announcement:


[GRAVITY PRESENTS – ULTIMATE SURPRISE]Date: October 9th, 2025
Time: 14:00 (GMT+7)
Platform: https://www.youtube.com/@GravityGameTech 

About Gravity

Gravity was founded in April 2000 as a South Korean game company listed on NASDAQ. Its main IP, “Ragnarok”, has achieved more than 203 million cumulative global registered accounts (as of August 31, 2024) and has ranked as the No. 2 most popular Korean game worldwide for five consecutive years since 2019.

Ragnarok Online has also maintained the No. 1 position among Korean online games in overseas markets such as Brazil, Indonesia, the UK, Italy, the US, and France (2023), and in Taiwan region, Indonesia, Thailand, and Germany (2024).

Gravity operates a global network that includes its Korean subsidiary Gravity Neocyon, as well as overseas branches in Taiwan region, Indonesia, the United States, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, and Malaysia. The company continues to expand into multiple platforms and extend its IP into other media, including merchandise, animation, golf simulator screens, webtoons, and brand collaborations.

Follow Gravity Game Tech for more updates on GRAVITY PRESENTS – ULTIMATE SURRISE.

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

Singapore’s Digital Economy at 18.6% of GDP, up from 14.9% in 2019; Growth fuelled by accelerating digitalisation and AI adoption across sectors and firms

  • Pulse survey conducted by IMDA unveiled 3 in 4 workers are using AI tools regularly, with 85% of the AI-using workers polled finding that AI helps them to work faster and better.
  • SMEs’ AI adoption rate more than tripled in just one year: 14.5% of SMEs and 62.5% of non-SMEs adopted AI in 2024.

SINGAPORE, Oct. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Digitalisation is essential to the growth of Singapore’s overall economy. In 2024, Singapore’s digital economy grew by S$12 billion[1], expanding to a total of S$128.1 billion. This accounts for 18.6% of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP), up from 18.0% in 2023 and 14.9% in 2019.

According to IMDA’s Singapore Digital Economy (SGDE) Report 2025, more than two-thirds of Singapore’s digital economy came from non-Information & Communications (I&C) sectors. This shows that Singapore’s digital growth is not just driven by tech companies, but by digitalisation across all industries. Among these non-I&C sectors, Finance & Insurance remained the largest contributor, followed by Wholesale Trade, and Manufacturing, underscoring the critical need for all enterprises — regardless of industry — to embrace digitalisation to drive growth. 

Digitalisation Benefits All Firms, with 95% of SMEs onboard

According to the report, enterprises are making digitalisation central to how they operate. In 2024, the digital adoption rate[2] rose. 95.1% of SMEs have adopted at least one digital area out of the six[3] measured.

SMEs are leading the charge in deepening digitalisation, and this is evident in several ways:

a.  Their digital adoption intensity[4] saw the largest jump in years, with SMEs using an average of 2.3 digital areas of the six measured, up from 2.0 in 2023.

b.  The adoption of sector-specific digital solutions[5], as recommended in IMDA’s Industry Digital Plans (IDPs)[6], also increased considerably. Almost all (97%) SMEs adopted at least one sector-specific solution, up from just 85% the year before.

Tech Workforce Expands, Offering Strong Prospects Beyond I&C sectors

Singapore’s tech workforce continued to expand from 208,300 in 2023 to 214,000 in 2024, with roles related to AI & Data and Cybersecurity among the fastest growing. This growth was primarily driven by non-I&C sectors, reflecting the deepening of digitalisation across the economy.

Tech jobs also continue to offer good wages and strong career prospects. In 2024, the median monthly wage for resident tech workers was S$7,950, much higher than the overall resident median monthly wage of S$4,860.

The demand for specific tech skills has also shifted. Between 2019 and 2024, programming languages such as Python and SQL were among the more highly sought-after tech skills, and there was an increase in demand for skills associated with cloud platforms and scalable digital infrastructure they support. Conversely, tech skills associated with web development became relatively less prominent.

Zeroing in on AI, the number of tech job postings requiring AI skills has steadily increased between 2019 and 2024, in tandem with the rise in AI adoption in Singapore. This growth was driven by rise in demand across all sectors, including I&C, Finance & Insurance, Manufacturing, and Professional Services.

AI Fast Becoming Essential Tool for Enterprises and Workers

Enterprises deepening AI adoption

AI adoption among SMEs tripled in one year. 14.5% of SMEs adopted AI in 2024, up from 4.2% in 2023. Among non-SMEs, the AI adoption rate also jumped from 44% to 62.5%.

Those who adopt AI also gain tangibly. SMEs tapping AI-enabled solutions under the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) achieved an average cost savings of 52% in 2024. SMEs that adopted AI-powered cybersecurity solutions under PSG achieved even higher average cost savings of 71%, highlighting the strong returns from investing in AI-enhanced security measures.

Firms are implementing AI in various tasks and across business functions. According to an IMDA-commissioned pulse survey of enterprises[7]:

a.  Firms are applying AI tools to multiple business functions. SMEs are using AI in an average of 3 business functions. In contrast, non-SMEs are using AI in an average of 5 business functions. The most common functions using AI were the same for both SMEs and non-SMEs: IT, Customer Service, and Finance & Accounting.    

b.  While the majority of the AI-adopting firms (84%) reported using off-the-shelf generative AI tools, more than half (52%) have adopted AI-enabled digital solutions tailored for domain-specific tasks such as human resources and accounting software. Another 44% of AI-using firms have implemented customised or proprietary AI tools, showing a growing sophistication in how businesses are embedding AI into their operations.

c.  More than two-thirds of the surveyed AI-adopting firms intend to prioritise training and upskilling their workforce in the next 1 to 2 years, while 63% expect to redesign jobs to better integrate AI into daily operations.

More workers using AI tools

AI is now being used more in the workplace. IMDA’s recent pulse survey[8] of working individuals found that:

a.  Nearly 3 in 4 workers (73.8%) reported using AI tools at work, with many using AI several times a week or even daily. Among these surveyed AI users, 58% used AI for brainstorming and ideation, alongside writing and editing (54%) and administrative tasks (42%).

b.  AI is delivering benefits for workers across multiple dimensions. A large majority (85%) of AI users reported improvements in productivity, time savings and work quality (i.e. doing work better). Beyond such efficiency gains, nearly half of AI users (48%) indicated using AI to enhance their creativity (i.e. doing better work), while one-third (33%) saw benefits in using AI for capability development (i.e. for learning).

c.  Employers are also actively providing support for their employees to use AI at work. About 7 in 10 surveyed AI users said their employers had provided support, most often through training opportunities (62%), access to paid AI tools (42%), and clear guidelines and policies on AI use (30%).

Architecting Singapore’s Digital Future

Mr. Kiren Kumar, Deputy Chief Executive, IMDA, said: “We are encouraged by the strong growth momentum of our Digital Economy, now accounting for 18.6% of Singapore’s GDP. We will broaden and deepen our support for sectors, enterprises and talent to harness digitalisation and AI for innovation and productivity. At the same time, we are laying the foundation for frontier technologies including Embodied AI, Agentic AI, Quantum Computing and Communications, ensuring Singapore stays competitive and inclusive in the digital future.”

In partnership with government agencies, industry players, and the workforce, IMDA will strengthen Singapore’s position as a leading digital economy — deepening enterprise capabilities, supporting workforce transformation, and fostering innovation in emerging technologies.

About the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)

The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) leads Singapore’s digital transformation by developing a vibrant digital economy and an inclusive digital society. As Architects of Singapore’s Digital Future, we foster growth in Infocomm Technology and Media sectors in concert with progressive regulations, harnessing frontier technologies, and developing local talent and digital infrastructure ecosystems to establish Singapore as a digital metropolis.

For more news and information, visit http://www.imda.gov.sg or follow IMDA on LinkedIn (IMDAsg) and Instagram (@imdasg).

***

[1] The DE VA for 2023 has been revised to S$116.1 billion (18.0% of GDP) due to the annual revision to National Accounts statistics by Singapore Department of Statistics (DOS).

[2] Digital adoption rate refers to the percentage of firms that adopted at least one of the six digital areas measured.

[3] The six digital areas measured were Cybersecurity, Cloud, e-Payments, e-Commerce, Data Analytics, and AI

[4] Digital adoption intensity refers to the average number of digital areas adopted per firm, out of the six areas measured.

[5] Digital solutions can either address general business functions or be sector-specific. General business functions could be applied across sectors, such as resource management and revenue generation functions. Examples of sector-specific solution categories include Integrated POS (with mobile features) in the Retail sector, and Digital Ordering systems in the Food Services sector.

[6] Industry Digital Plans (IDPs) provide SMEs with a step-by-step digitalisation guide, which includes a tailored set of sector-specific digital solution categories for adoption by SMEs at different stages of their growth.

[7] Analysis in this segment is based on an IMDA-commissioned pulse survey of about 500 AI-using firms, conducted in May and June 2025.

[8] Analysis in this segment is based on a recent online pulse survey conducted by IMDA among about 320 working individuals in May and June 2025.

 

Factsheet: Company Profiles

NewGens: Cutting Hiring Time in Half with IMDA’s GenAI Sandbox

  1. NewGens is a local consultancy firm with over two decades of experience serving the financial services sector in areas such as business continuity, anti-money laundering (AML), and risk management. 
  2. Their hiring process was previously too time-consuming — screening large volumes of resumes often delayed timely engagement with candidates and led to missed opportunities with quality ones.
  3. Through IMDA’s GenAI Sandbox, NewGens adopted a GenAI-powered talent acquisition tool to automatically screen resumes and identify top candidates based on relevant skills and experience. The tool applied consistent and data-driven criteria to mitigate bias during candidate screening, as well as improved candidate engagement through personalised responses and faster turnaround times.
  4. Since the implementation, they have improved their hiring efficiency by 50%, speeding up recruitment which allowed hiring managers to focus on higher-value work.
  5. Having seen the positive impact, NewGens is now exploring more ways to harness AI/GenAI to drive business growth.

 

Nanyang Inc: Transforming Event Logistics with IMDA’s GenAI X Digital Leaders Initiative

  1. Founded in 1965 as a local logistics service provider for events, Nanyang Inc is reinventing itself as a tech-driven leader in Singapore’s event logistics sector.
  2. Frustrated by fragmented systems, manual inventory tracking and management, and slow customer responses, Nanyang Inc turned to Gen AI—first testing a customer-service chatbot that cut handling time for website inquiries by 82%, through the support of IMDA’s GenAI Sandbox Programme.
  3. Impressed by these results, Nanyang Inc leveraged IMDA’s GenAI x Digital Leaders initiative, gaining access to Tech Giants’ expertise and resources to further deepen Gen AI usage. Through the initiative, Nanyang Inc worked with Google and Tridoriana tech consultancy firm, to develop AutomateAI — a unified platform powered by Google’s Vertex AI and BigQuery. AutomateAI uses AI agents to automatically handle tasks that previously required manual coordination across multiple departments.
  4. By leveraging this technology, Nanyang Inc slashed order-processing time by 67%, saved 850 man-hours a month and boosted customer retention by 65%, delivering a 257% ROI in its first year.
  5. Building on the success of AutomateAI, Nanyang Inc plans to expand its AI suite to include generative models for 3D impressions and drawn-to-scale mock-ups, enabling them to streamline workflows further.  

 

Thomson Medical: Building Capabilities Through IMDA’s Digital Leaders Programme

  1. Thomson Medical is one of the major private providers of healthcare services for women and children in Singapore.
  2. Thomson Medical was able to accelerate its digital transformation journey, with support from IMDA’s Digital Leaders Programme, to achieve its aim of seamless patient care experience and operational efficiency.
  3. The organisation deepened internal digital capabilities by hiring skilled talent and collaborating with technology partners to implement digital initiatives, while leadership also attended IMDA’s Masterclasses to gain knowledge and know-how in leading digital transformation across the organisation.
  4. To relieve administrative stress on operations, they developed an automated discharge solution that leveraged GenAI to consolidate information from medical records and treatment notes, draft discharge and care summaries, and create personalised care plans for patients.
  5. The solution is expected to save 20 minutes for time taken per patient discharge, and uplift revenue by 5% as a result of improved post-discharge engagement.
  6. This is a great example of a healthcare provider adopting just the right digital tools to make a big difference to operations and patient experience.

 

Foodpanda: Pivoting from Pharmacist to Software Engineer with the PowerUp Tech Traineeship Programme

  1. Mr Lim Ying Fu, a pharmacist with four years in healthcare, faced the challenge of pivoting to software engineering with no formal programming qualifications or coding background.
  2. Determined to embrace the tech industry’s learning curve, Ying Fu applied to foodpanda’s PowerUp Tech Traineeship programme in 2023.
  3. The intensive six-month programme combined three months of classroom training with three months of hands-on experience in foodpanda’s Payment Integration team, where he deployed new system features, diagnosed technical issues, and implemented testing protocols.
  4. Ying Fu’s end-to-end ownership of tasks earned him recognition and a permanent position as Backend Engineer I with foodpanda.
  5. He has since been promoted to Backend Engineer II, demonstrating successful career progression from healthcare to tech through the traineeship programme.

   

Fudan University and Singapore Management University Forge Strategic Partnership for Greater Societal Impact

SHANGHAI and SINGAPORE, Oct. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Fudan University and Singapore Management University (SMU) have elevated their partnership of 17 years to a strategic level to focus on pressing societal challenges in the digital age.

Through a Memorandum of Agreement signed at the 2025 Fudan University–Singapore Management University Forum on Artificial Intelligence, Digital Governance and Sustainable Societies by Fudan University President Jin Li and SMU President Lily Kong, both universities have committed to deeper cooperation across research and education in the fields of artificial intelligence (AI) governance, computational social science, urban sustainability and successful ageing.

Signed by SMU President Lily Kong and Fudan President Jin Li on 29 September 2025, the Memorandum marks a new chapter of closer ties and deeper cooperation between two leading city universities.
Signed by SMU President Lily Kong and Fudan President Jin Li on 29 September 2025, the Memorandum marks a new chapter of closer ties and deeper cooperation between two leading city universities.

Solid foundation to realise new ambitions

Since the launch of their undergraduate exchange programme in 2008, SMU and Fudan have worked together on numerous joint research projects across the disciplines of Law, Economics and Information Systems, academic programmes including a double master’s degree in law, as well as three high-level joint forums since 2014.

This rich history of collaboration has laid a solid foundation to realise new ambitions under the strategic partnership, particularly an interdisciplinary Joint Programme in Digital Technology and Society, which will integrate education, research and community engagement to advance knowledge and develop solutions at the intersection of management, social sciences and technology.

The two universities say that their strategic partnership goes beyond academic excellence, aiming to develop new knowledge for real-world impact and to transform lives.

At the signing ceremony, President Jin Li stated that this strategic partnership is an important initiative by Fudan University in response to the national strategies of “Digital China” and “Sustainable Development,” as well as a demonstration of both universities’ responsibility to contribute to global governance. Leveraging complementary strengths, Fudan and SMU will jointly establish an interdisciplinary programme focused on “Digital Technology and Society,” with particular emphasis on the intersections of artificial intelligence, digital governance, and urban sustainability.

President Lily Kong noted that the elevation to a strategic partnership reflects the shared vision of both universities to develop and deliver meaningful impact to the communities they serve, and to bridge Singapore and China through transformative education and cutting-edge research. Based in cities that are exemplars of progressive urban planning and development, SMU and Fudan have every opportunity to contribute insights that make Singapore and Shanghai more sustainable, enduring and inclusive. “SMU and Fudan will work together to address the pressing societal challenges of today and tomorrow, building more sustainable and inclusive urban societies, nurturing future-ready talent, and developing innovative strategies to address ageing societies — all of which are central themes of today’s forum.”

Multiple perspectives and enhanced international collaboration in higher education for the digital era

Ahead of the signing ceremony, the forum featured in-depth discussions on the themes of artificial intelligence, digital governance and a sustainable society. SMU President Lily Kong and Fudan University Vice President Chen Zhimin delivered opening remarks, reflecting on the two universities’ history of collaboration and outlining future directions for partnership.

Leading scholars from Shanghai, Singapore and beyond delivered keynote addresses. University of Göttingen Institute of Computer Science Chair Professor and Fudan Research Centre for Social Intelligence Chief Scientist, IIEEE Fellow, Professor Fu Xiaoming, examined social mobility in ancient empires and the digital age through the lens of AI for Social Sciences and Humanities (AI4SSH). Associate Dean of SMU’s School of Computing and Information Systems, Associate Professor Zhu Feida, discussed how collaborative intelligence and tokenised economies could drive a sustainable digital future. Peking University School of Transnational Law Associate Professor of Law and SMU Centre for Digital Law Research Fellow, Associate Professor Gilad Abiri, analysed the normative frameworks for AI legitimacy. Fudan Institute on Ageing Professor and Secretary-General of the Shanghai Population Association, Professor Li Qiang, explored the opportunities and challenges of digital and intelligent solutions for elderly care in light of China’s demographic trends.

In the subsequent roundtable discussions, international academics and industry leaders engaged in dialogue on two key topics: “AI Governance: Co-evolution, Tensions and Synergies in the Public Good” and “AI Leadership and Business Value Creation.” Involving SMU School of Computing and Information Systems Professor Siau Keng Leng, the panels examined how AI can deliver efficiency gains for public benefit while raising challenges of ethics and fairness, and explored enterprise transformation, talent development and value creation in the digital era. Speakers underscored the need for dynamic balance to ensure that technology ultimately serves the good of society, offering practical insights to inform future academia–industry collaboration between the two universities.

About SMU

A premier university in Asia, SMU is internationally recognised for its world-class research and distinguished teaching. Established in 2000, SMU’s mission is to generate leading-edge research with global impact and to produce broad-based, creative, and entrepreneurial leaders for the knowledge-based economy. SMU’s education is known for its highly interactive, collaborative, and project-based approach to learning.

Home to over 13,000 students across undergraduate, postgraduate professional and postgraduate research programmes, SMU comprises eight schools: School of Accountancy, Lee Kong Chian School of Business, School of Economics, School of Computing and Information Systems, Yong Pung How School of Law, School of Social Sciences, College of Integrative Studies, and College of Graduate Research Studies. SMU offers a wide range of bachelors’, masters’, and PhD degree programmes in the disciplinary areas associated with its schools, as well as in multidisciplinary combinations of these areas.

SMU emphasises rigorous, high-impact, multi- and interdisciplinary research that addresses Asian issues of global relevance. SMU faculty members collaborate with leading international researchers and universities around the world, as well as with partners in the business community and public sector. SMU’s city campus is a modern facility located in the heart of downtown Singapore, fostering strategic linkages with business, government, and the wider community. www.smu.edu.sg

8Wonder Makes the Impossible Possible, Bringing G-DRAGON 2025 WORLD TOUR [Übermensch] to Vietnam


HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 October 2025 This November, for the very first time, Vietnamese audiences will be immersed in an unprecedented music event: the global superstar G-DRAGON’s world tour, landing right on the Eastern bank of Hanoi. Few realize that securing the nod from G-DRAGON required 8Wonder, the mega-festival brand of Vingroup, to overcome the incredibly stringent standards set by this S-tier artist, thereby making the “impossible possible” and marking a watershed moment for Vietnam’s entertainment industry.

Photo (1)

Vietnam Secures a True “World Tour”

Following “earthquakes” across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, the WORLD TOUR [Übermensch] by the King of K-Pop, G-DRAGON, is officially set to touch down at 8Wonder Ocean City – Vinhomes Ocean Park 3.

For millions of fans, it’s thrilling news, for industry professionals, it represents a genuine upheaval. Realizing a world-class tour of this caliber demands an organizer to navigate a chain of rigorous processes, often taking years. This includes negotiating schedules, meeting international-standard requirements for sound systems, adopting the original tour’s modular stage design, and ensuring absolute security. Every single detail requires partnership with the world’s leading experts.

While developed countries often have ready-made concert infrastructure, organizers in Vietnam must undertake new investment or “tailor-make” facilities to meet these global benchmarks. Despite hosting several top-tier global stars over the years, no Vietnamese organizer had previously met the necessary conditions to stage a true, internationally standardized world tour.

Dr. Bui Quoc Viet, former member of the Independent Consulting Council of the Vietnam Tourism Association, commented: “For a real world tour by a global star to choose Vietnam, the organizer needs more than strong financial capacity. Crucially, they must demonstrate proven management expertise, brand credibility, risk management capability, and the ability to meet international service standards for hundreds of thousands of spectators. This is a challenge not merely of finance, but of vision and corporate reputation.”

This reality held true, until 8Wonder, Vingroup’s mega-festival brand, stepped in.

“If Not 8Wonder, No One Could Have Done It”

Leveraging formidable potential and the professional support of the Vingroup ecosystem, 8Wonder successfully surpassed every exacting condition to put Vietnam on the map for the G-DRAGON 2025 WORLD TOUR [Übermensch], opening a new chapter for the national entertainment industry.

Despite entering the industry just three years ago, 8Wonder has rapidly amassed a powerful portfolio, successfully bringing artists like Charlie Puth, Maroon 5, Imagine Dragons, J Balvin, DJ Snake, and The Kid Laroi to Vietnam. Crucially, 8Wonder has consistently taken the lead in elevating the scale and standards of organization, personnel management, stage design, and the integration of travel, dining, and entertainment experiences.

Season after season, 8Wonder has relentlessly raised the bar, achieving the stature of a global organizer and becoming a “signature festival” in Asia, ultimately securing a coveted spot for Vietnam on the 2025 World Tour [Übermensch] itinerary.

Performance Art Researcher Dinh Tien Dat explains 8Wonder’s rapid maturity: “8Wonder possesses a dual advantage from its parent Group: financial clout, international-standard operational experience, and a large-scale tourism-entertainment-service ecosystem capable of integrating diverse experiences. This has allowed 8Wonder to transform every concert into a pinnacle event, where the audience can enjoy music, tourism, cuisine, and shopping synchronously in one space. That is something no other organizer in Vietnam has been able to achieve.”

“Vingroup’s reputation in the region and globally is a reliable assurance that meets the essential criteria top-tier global stars demand. If not 8Wonder, no one could have done it,” Dr. Bui Quoc Viet concurred.

The New Frontier for Vietnam’s Entertainment Industry

More than just a world-class international concert, G-DRAGON and his team’s selection of Vietnam as a tour destination validates the credibility and allure of a Vietnamese brand, simultaneously opening the door to the influx of future international world tours.

The most visible impact is the ripple effect it will create for tourism and services. Experts predict that a concert of this magnitude can attract hundreds of thousands of attendees, including a significant percentage of international visitors, creating unlimited promotional value for an image of a young, dynamic, integrated, and attractive Vietnam in the eyes of the world.

Beyond the immediate boost to tourism and services, this event reflects a clear paradigm shift in the Vietnamese entertainment industry: moving from passive reception to proactive standard-setting, confidently leading professional, large-scale organizational models. Crucially, 8Wonder creates opportunities for Vietnamese producers and artists to collaborate directly with international teams, helping to elevate Vietnamese music and establish a new standing, positioning Vietnam as a convergence point for contemporary world art and culture.

The greatest expectation among experts is that this first world tour will become a “Big Bang” to propel the national entertainment industry to a new echelon.

“When a world-class world tour chooses Vietnam, we not only elevate the entertainment sector but also contribute to nation-brand positioning, showcasing Vietnam’s readiness to embrace global cultural and economic flows,” emphasized specialist Dinh Tien Dat.

Dr. Bui Quoc Viet also believes that the success of bringing the G-DRAGON 2025 WORLD TOUR [Übermensch] to Vietnam has paved the way, establishing a foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnam’s cultural industry. He hopes that by maintaining the quality and frequency of world tour organization, following the door opened by the “pioneer” Vingroup, Vietnam can absolutely become a “concert destination” on par with Singapore or Bangkok.

On November 8th, when the lights of the G-DRAGON 2025 WORLD TOUR [Übermensch] illuminate Ocean City, it will be more than a musical moment. It will be a landmark declaration that Vietnam is ready to become the new entertainment hub of Asia, ushering in an era of international-level concerts and world tours bearing the distinct mark of Vietnamese intellect.
Hashtag: #8Wonder

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