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Global Teacher Prize Winner Ranjitsinh Disale Urges “Heroic” Hong Kong Teachers and Students to Apply for the 2021 Global Teacher Prize and The Inaugural Chegg.Org Global Student Prize Before Deadline Closes

Inspiring teachers and students now have until 16 May to submit their application

 

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 14 May 2021 – Global Teacher Prize 2020 winner Ranjitsinh Disale today urged Hong Kong teachers and students to apply for the Global Teacher Prize 2021 and the inaugural Global Student Prize, as the deadline to apply for the awards was extended from Friday 30 April to Sunday 16 May.

The Indian village teacher who won the US$1 million Global Teacher Prize 2020, in partnership with UNESCO, praised Hong Kong’s teachers and students for their courage and perseverance despite the challenges and restrictions imposed over the last year by the Covid-19 pandemic. He said:

“The work of Hong Kong teachers, moving Heaven and Earth to keep their students learning amidst the greatest threat global education has ever faced, has been truly heroic. Students too have shown great strength of character throughout the pandemic. The two prizes recognise the inspirational work of both sides of education in Hong Kong, because it is teachers and students who will play vital roles in Hong Kong’s recovery. I now urge all these heroes to apply before the deadline closes.”

The Varkey Foundation has launched the Chegg.org Global Student Prize this year, a $50,000 sister award to the Global Teacher Prize, to create a powerful new platform to highlight the efforts of extraordinary students throughout the world that are making a real impact on learning, the lives of their peers and on society beyond. The prize is open to all students who are at least 16 years old and enrolled in an academic institution or training and skills program. Part time students as well as students enrolled in online courses are also eligible for the prize.

Sunny Varkey, founder of the Varkey Foundation, said:

“The pandemic has placed both teachers and students under tremendous pressure as education systems around the world continue to adapt to a new and unfamiliar terrain. We have therefore listened and are extending the deadline for the Global Teacher Prize and Global Student Prize to ensure all teachers and students have the time they need to get their applications in. It is now more important than ever before to hear their stories and listen to their voices.”


Chegg.org is a supporter of the Global Teacher Prize and has partnered with the Varkey Foundation to create the new Global Student Prize. Lila Thomas, Head of Chegg.org, said:

“Students continue to show tremendous strength, focus and determination to keep learning and keep fighting for their future. They deserve huge praise and recognition for never giving up.

“With so much resting on their shoulders, we wanted to give them a little extra time to apply for The Global Student Prize, which has been launched to shine a light on their stories and listen to their voices. It is these brilliant young minds who will help build a better future for us all.”

Nominations opened for this year’s awards on Tuesday 2 February, and together, the Global Teacher Prize and the Global Student Prize will tell inspirational stories from both sides of education. The prizes will shine a spotlight on the great work teachers do in preparing young people for the future and the amazing promise the brightest students are showing in their learning and far beyond.

Teachers applying for the Global Teacher Prize will be assessed on teaching practices, how they innovate to address local challenges, achieve demonstrable learning outcomes, impact the community beyond the classroom, help children become global citizens, improve the teaching profession and gain recognition from external bodies.

Students applying for the Global Student Prize will be assessed on their academic achievement, impact on their peers, how they make a difference in their community and beyond, how they overcome the odds to achieve, how they demonstrate creativity and innovation, and how they operate as global citizens.

Applicants for the Global Teacher Prize and the Global Student Prize can both apply at www.globalteacherprize.org with the revised closing date for applications of Sunday 16 May 2021.

Both prizes will be narrowed down to Top 50 shortlists and Top 10 finalists, to be announced later in the year, helping to raise the bar of respect for the teaching profession and provide worldwide recognition for high achieving students. The winners of both prizes will be chosen from the top 10 finalists by the Global Teacher Prize Academy made up of prominent individuals. The winners will be announced live at a ceremony later in the year.

If teachers or students are being nominated, the person nominating them will write a brief description online explaining why. The teacher or student being nominated will then be sent an email letting them know they’ve been nominated and inviting them to apply for the prize. Applicants can apply in English, Mandarin, Arabic, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian. To join the conversation online follow @TeacherPrize and @cheggdotorg

Notes to editors:

1. The Varkey Foundation believes every child deserves a vibrant, stimulating learning environment that awakens and supports their full potential. The foundation believes nothing is more important to achieving this than the passion and quality of teachers. They support global teaching capacity and seed excellence and innovation in the next generation of educators. They also founded the Global Teacher Prize to shine a spotlight on the incredible work teachers do all over the world. For further details: www.varkeyfoundation.org

2. Chegg.org is the impact, advocacy, and research arm of Chegg: addressing the issues facing the modern student. For more information, visit www.chegg.org

3. Chegg: A Smarter Way to Student®. We strive to improve educational outcomes by putting the student first. We support students on their journey from high school to college and into their careers with tools designed to help them learn their course materials, succeed in their classes, and save money on required materials. Our services are available online, anytime and anywhere. Chegg is a publicly held company based in Santa Clara, California, and trades on the NYSE under the symbol CHGG. For more information, visit www.chegg.com

#globalteacherprize #globalstudentprize

We are all Stardust: The first monograph dedicated to Parisian Jeweler Extraordinaire Frédéric Zaavy

Tells the story of the brilliant life of Frédéric Zaavy, his unique craftsmanship, and enduring legacy of his aesthetics and works

 

  • 20 years of preparation, visiting 11 countries to record and unveil the artistry and fluctuating fortunes of the master jeweler
  • Spanning over 240 pages, renowned still life photographers John Bigelow Taylor and Dianne Dubler’s compiled a visual narrative on Zaavy’s works, weaving together hundreds of images of his creative inspirations, atelier and domestic settings
  • Monograph debuts the last 11 works made by Zaavy, which were never revealed during his life-time

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 14 May 2021 – After nearly 20 years of preparation, the first monograph dedicated to Parisian artist-jeweler Frédéric Zaavy (1964-2011) has been launched, titled Stardust: The Work and Life of Jeweler Extraordinaire Frédéric Zaavy (Stardust). The monograph presents a portrait of an artist who strived to paint the beauty of the universe in precious stones. Zaavy considered himself heir to the legacy of Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, gem dealer to Louis XIV, and was chosen as the exclusive jeweler for the 21st century revival of Fabergé. Inspired by nature, quantum physics, philosophy, art, music, and literature, his poetic sensibility saw him create daringly intricate pieces with hundreds or thousands of tiny gems that came together like pointillist objets d’art. The monograph is dedicated to commemorating a talented jewellery artist, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of Zaavy’s passing.

From left to right: Disordered Ribbon Bracelet (2011); artist-jeweler Frédéric Zaavy

Courtesy of Frédéric Zaavy

Zaavy’s masterful approach was to paint with jewellery. He used gemstones akin to colors on a palette to present visions of nature and light in his creations. He drew inspiration from ginkgo leaves, lava-flows, icicles, and gnarled twigs, to create densely encrusted pieces that highlight the subtleties of color-gradation, and the depth of nature’s palette. For example, the Iris Bracelet (2011) perfectly replicates the draping petals of a white and yellow iris, through its composition of a central vivid yellow diamond enveloped in purple, yellow and white diamonds, sphenes, demantoids, tsavorites, palladium, gold and silver.

Many of his works were also inspired by the Impressionist movement, and these such pieces have been regarded as ‘sculptural forms of impressionist paintings’. Signature works include Nymphéas Bracelet (2005), an evocation of Claude Monet’s renowned “Water Lilies” murals. This astonishingly fluid and dream-like bracelet is studded with thousands of white, blue, yellow, violet, pink and black diamonds, as well as other gemstones to round out this platinum, yellow gold and sterling marvel of design, creating a floral abstract. In 2011, Frédéric Zaavy completed 11 works for 5 series: Iris, Legend, The Ribbons, Space and Lava, drawing a perfect ending to his life. These renowned works showcase Zaavy’s virtuoso technique and boundless imagination.

The high-end custom jewellery atelier Frédéric Zaavy was founded under the same name as the jewellery artist. The workshop is devoted to inheriting Zaavy’s design aesthetics and providing customers with exceptional and precious jewellery. Floréal Ercilla, the lead jeweler of Zaavy’s Parisian atelier, together with other jewelers, wax model makers and setters, create hand-made and unique jewellery for customers according to the design manuscripts left by Zaavy. To create these pieces in the workshop, it requires more than hundreds or thousands of hours of production time, thus highlighting the ultra-complicated design of Zaavy’s works.

Leading New York-based still life photographers John Bigelow Taylor and Dianne Dubler – whose work has featured in over 300 books focusing on works of art, architecture, jewellery, and antiquities – have created the visual narrative for the monograph. Featuring text by acclaimed French writer Gilles Hertzog, Stardust unveils the exquisite artistry and fascinating career of a master jeweler whose life was cut too short. Evocatively framed by his imminent mortality, the book gathers accounts of Zaavy from his closest allies, both personal and professional, looking directly into the darkest moments of his adventurous and precarious career. Taylor and Dubler’s photographs for the book shine a light on Zaavy’s work, weaving in images of his creative inspiration, atelier, and domestic settings among images that immortalise the jeweler’s creations.

The publication of monograph has received unconditional support from Lisa Chen, the co-founder of Daring Enterprise (the founding company of the brand Frédéric Zaavy) and Zaavy’s life partner. Chen said: “Frédéric and I embraced common dreams. We both endeavored to create moving artistic jewelry, which can be passed on from generation to generation. Frédéric worked non-stop for 18 years, burning his life to create 204 works for an excellent line-up of French royal crafts and arts. He created jewellery that worth billions in total. We look forward to recording, sharing, and inheriting Zaavy’s life and his aesthetics through Stardust. This monograph brings together the hearts and support of everyone, and we have been working tirelessly for 20 years to make it happen. We hope that every reader appreciates the heart-warming stories.”


John Bigelow Taylor and Dianne Dubler, photographers and friends of Zaavy, have said: “Stardust is the origin of all matter in the universe, including the diamonds Frédéric “painted” with and loved so much. He was fascinated that, in addition to their beauty, diamonds resonated deep time. However, he was undaunted by time and space, which he deemed to be inconsequential. He thought of time in eons and knew his moment here would never be enough. Months before he died, he said to us, “I am already dead,” but then carried on as if he would live forever! He often acknowledged that he had been here before and would someday return.

Notes to Editors

Stardust: The Work and Life of Jeweler Extraordinaire Frédéric Zaavy
Text by Gilles Hertzog

Photography and production by John Bigelow Taylor and Dianne Dubler (Kubaba Bespoke Books)

Language: English and Simplified Chinese

Publisher: Officina Libraria, Milan

Pages:240
Published in January 2021

Available on Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble

Price: NTD2,500(USD85)

About Frédéric Zaavy

Frédéric Zaavy (b. 1964, Paris, d. 2011) was the third generation of a family of diamond merchants. After a classical French education in which he studied at several art schools including the École des Arts Appliqués and the École des Beaux Arts, he decided not to enter the family business and instead, at the age of 20, began travelling the world. Time spent in East Africa, South East Asia, New York, Tel Aviv, Antwerp and Bangkok saw Zaavy learn and develop his trade in precious stones and diamonds. His expertise and rich knowledge of rare gemstones was reflected in his jewellery designs. His use of tourmalines, garnets, spinels, and aquamarines in the early stages of his career, which were not favoured in the market at that time, show his visionary perspective.

In 1994, he began creating one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces, working together with his partner Lisa Chen with whom he founded the Daring Enterprise Co. In 2000, he established his first atelier, and in the following years defined new standards of craftsmanship in the world of jewellery making. Following a 2007 exhibition of his work at Phillips de Pury & Company in New York, in 2008 he became the exclusive jeweler for luxury firm Fabergé allowing him to open a larger atelier near Place Vendôme, Paris. In 2010, with the knowledge that his life would be taken from cancer, he began actively working with John Bigelow Taylor and Dianne Dubler to create Stardust.

www.fredericzaavy.com

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @officialfredericzaavy for the latest updates.

About John Bigelow Taylor and Dianne Dubler


John Bigelow Taylor and Dianne Dubler are New York-based still life photographers, specialising in jewellery, architecture, works of art and antiquities. Working with the world’s foremost collectors, museums and publishers, they have created photography for over 300 books, such as Madeleine Albright: Read My Pins: Stories From a Diplomat’s Jewel Box (2009); Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry (2003); Inspired Jewelry: From the Collection of The Museum of Arts and Design, Faking It by Kenneth J. Lane, Judith Leiber: The Artful Handbag, The Splendor of Ethnic Jewelry and A Token of Elegance: Cigarette Holders in Vogue. Currently, as Kubaba Bespoke Books, they are producing limited edition books on estates and collections for private clients around the world.

About Gilles Hertzog


Gilles Hertzog is a French writer, publisher, and human rights activist who has worked alongside philosopher Bernard-Henri Lévy for forty years. He is the author of Le Dernier Vénetien, Le Séjour des Dieux, Les Brigades de La Mer, and editor of the French literary review La Régle du Jeu.

About Lisa Chen and Daring


Daring, previously regarded as Fei Pi Fran in 1992, has created jewellery in Paris since 1994. In 2000, Frédéric Zaavy, the third generation of a Parisian jewellery family and the Creative Director of Frédéric Zaavy, together with the brand’s Chief Executive Officer Lisa Chen, founded Daring, the founding company of the brand Frédéric Zaavy, as well as the high-end custom jewellery studio with the same name. The Parisian atelierwas set-up in 2000, while it was rebranded as Frédéric Zaavy in 2003.

#FredericZaavy

DirectAsia Reveals 5 Factors That Could Influence Your Car Insurance Quotes in Singapore

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 14 May 2021Despite global economic disruptions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, car insurance premiums remain steep in Singapore. In a bid to help car owners make informed decisions about their vehicle insurance coverage and ensure accessibility of car insurance, DirectAsia, Singapore’s leading online insurer, points out that individuals must first be educated on the determinants of one’s policy. The organisation thus puts its support behind car owners by revealing several factors that insurers weigh when pricing out a quote.



1. Vehicle Make and Model

Continental cars, luxury cars and SUVs are typically tied to higher insurance rates. These can be attributed to the importing fees and expensive parts. On the contrary, vehicle owners can anticipate lower insurance rates when owning a car from Japanese or Korean brands.

2. Age of Car

New vehicles are obligated to higher insurance rates as the potential costs of repairing or replacing the car parts are being considered. The rates dip as the car ages and stay at a minimum when the vehicle reaches ten years or more.

3. Experience & Age of Insured

Given that younger drivers have a higher propensity to take risks while driving and pose a greater likelihood of being involved in car accidents, insurers tend to charge higher rates for this age group. This also applies to novice drivers with less than two years of experience behind the wheels. Following that are senior drivers above the age of 65, who may have higher risk of accidents on the roads.

4. Vehicle Modifications

Car modification is one of the lesser-known factors that could raise your insurance premium. Despite that, DirectAsia emphasises the importance of declaring any modifications to the insurer or prospective insurer, as non-disclosure may result in future claims being repudiated.

5. Claim History

Lastly, claim history is also added to the equation. If a single claim above $10,000 or two or more claims were made in the past three years, insurers might add on loading fees, which results in a higher base premium.

Conversely, individuals with good driving records and no past claims within one year or more are entitled to no claim discount(NCD). This can go up to 60% at DirectAsia.

Revolutionising Car Insurance in Singapore and Beyond

Besides understanding the rating factors, DirectAsia highlights that finding the right insurer to meet an individual’s unique lifestyles, preferences and needs is equally critical.

Reflecting DirectAsia’s relentless commitment to delivering unrivalled value are its tailored and transparent policies, complemented with exclusive promotions and optional benefits like NCD Protector Plus, Compensation for Loss of Use and more. Both experienced and inexperienced drivers can expect highly customisable motor insurance policies from the award-winning insurer.

Interested individuals can reach out to DirectAsia for a no-commitment quote here.

About DirectAsia Singapore

DirectAsia, a subsidiary of the Hiscox Group, was launched in Singapore in 2010 with a goal of changing the face of insurance in Asia. The industry leader places its customers at the forefront and seeks to make insurance less complex by offering quick, convenient and transparent online insurance policies that are jargon-free. For more information, please visit: https://www.directasia.com/.

#DirectAsia

Han Ji-hyun Of SBD Entertainment, Wholly-Owned by Spackman Entertainment Group’s Associated Company, Spackman Media Group, Featured in Marie Claire’s Beauty Makeup Pictorial

  • Fashion magazine Marie Claire unveiled beauty makeup pictorial featuring Han Ji-hyun of SBD Entertainment, who starred in popular K-drama PENTHOUSE
  • Han Ji-hyun of SBD Entertainment won the Best Rookie Female Actor in the 2021 Brand Customer Loyalty Awards in Korea in April 2021

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 14 May 2021 – Spackman Entertainment Group Limited (“Spackman Entertainment Group” or the “Company” and together with its subsidiaries, the “Group“), one of Korea’s leading entertainment production groups, wishes to announce that Han Ji-hyun of SBD Entertainment Inc. (“SBD Entertainment“), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Group’s associated company, Spackman Media Group Limited, was featured in fashion magazine Marie Claire’s beauty makeup pictorial.

Last month, Han Ji-hyun of SBD Entertainment was awarded the Best Rookie Female Actor in the 2021 Brand Customer Loyalty Awards in Korea which is held annually by the Korean Customers Council. The purpose of the event is to recognize brands that have the most influence on popular culture and society based on consumer research. U.S. consulting firm Brand Keys collaborated with the Korean Customers Council to identify and determine the winners.

Previously, Han Ji-hyun of SBD Entertainment was featured alongside Lee Young-dae as twins from their roles in popular K-drama PENTHOUSE in the pictorial for Gucci in W Korea magazine.

Other than Han Ji-hyun, SBD Entertainment also represents Son Suk-ku who shall be starring in OTT media service Watcha’s original content, UNFRAMED PROJECT.

About Spackman Entertainment Group Limited

Spackman Entertainment Group Limited (“SEGL” or the “Company“), and together with its subsidiaries, (the “Group“), founded in 2011 by Charles Spackman, is one of Korea’s leading entertainment production groups. SEGL is primarily engaged in the independent development, production, presentation, and financing of theatrical motion pictures in Korea. According to Variety, Korea was the world’s fourth largest box office market in 2019, behind only North America, China and Japan.

The Group also invests into and produces Korean television dramas. In addition to our content business, we also own equity stakes in entertainment-related companies and film funds that can financially and strategically complement our existing core operations. SEGL is listed on the Catalist of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited under the ticker 40E.

Production Labels

SEGL’s wholly-owned Zip Cinema Co., Ltd. (“Zip Cinema“) is one of the most recognised film production labels in Korea and has originated and produced some of Korea’s most commercially successful theatrical films, consecutively producing 10 profitable movies since 2009 representing an industry leading track record. Recent theatrical releases of Zip Cinema’s motion pictures include some of Korea’s highest grossing and award-winning films such as CRAZY ROMANCE (2019), DEFAULT (2018), MASTER (2016), THE PRIESTS (2015), COLD EYES (2013), and ALL ABOUT MY WIFE (2012). For more information on Zip Cinema, do visit http://zipcine.com

SEGL also owns Novus Mediacorp Co., Ltd. (“Novus Mediacorp“), an investor, presenter, and/or post-theatrical distributor for a total of 79 films (58 Korean and 21 foreign) including ROSE OF BETRAYAL, THE OUTLAWS and SECRETLY, GREATLY, which was one of the biggest box office hits of 2013 starring Kim Soo-hyun of MY LOVE FROM THE STARS, as well as FRIEND 2: THE GREAT LEGACY. In 2012, Novus Mediacorp was also the post-theatrical rights distributor of ALL ABOUT MY WIFE, a top-grossing romantic comedy produced by Zip Cinema. In 2018, THE OUTLAWS, co-presented by Novus Mediacorp broke the all-time highest Video On Demand (“VOD“) sales records in Korea. For more information on Novus Mediacorp, do visit http://novusmediacorp.com.

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Simplex Films Limited (“Simplex Films“) which is an early stage film production firm. The maiden film of Simplex Films, JESTERS: THE GAME CHANGERS (2019), was released in Korea on 21 August 2019. Simplex Films has several line-up of films including HURRICANE BROTHERS (working title).

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Take Pictures Pte. Ltd. (“Take Pictures“) which produced STONE SKIPPING (2020) and THE BOX (2021), and shall release GUARDIAN (working title) in 2021 tentatively.

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Greenlight Content Limited (“Greenlight Content“) which is mainly involved in the business of investing into dramas and movies, as well as providing consulting services for the production of Korean content. Through the acquisition of Greenlight Content, the Group’s first co-produced drama, MY SECRET TERRIUS, starring top Korean star, So Ji Sub, achieved #1 in drama viewership ratings for its time slot and recorded double digits for its highest viewership ratings. Greenlight Content was one of the main investors of MY SECRET TERRIUS.

The Company owns a 20% equity interest in The Makers Studio Co. Ltd., which plans to produce and release four upcoming films, the first of which will be THE ISLAND OF THE GHOST’S WAIL, a comedy horror film.

Our films are theatrically distributed and released in Korea and overseas markets, as well as for subsequent post-theatrical worldwide release in other forms of media, including online streaming, cable TV, broadcast TV, IPTV, video-on-demand, and home video/DVD, etc. We release all of our motion pictures into wide-theatrical exhibition initially in Korea, and then in overseas and ancillary markets.

Talent Representation

The Company holds an effective shareholding interest of 43.88% in Spackman Media Group Limited (“SMGL“). SMGL, a company incorporated in Hong Kong, together with its subsidiaries, is collectively one of the largest entertainment talent agencies in Korea in terms of the number of artists under management, including some of the top names in the Korean entertainment industry. SMGL operates its talent management business through renowned agencies such as MSteam Entertainment Co., Ltd. (Son Ye-jin, Lee Min-jung, Ko Sung-hee), UAA&CO Inc. (Song Hye-kyo, Yoo Ah-in, Park Hyung-sik), Fiftyone K Inc. (So Ji Sub, Ok Taec-yeon), SBD Entertainment Inc. (Son Suk-ku), and Kook Entertainment Co., Ltd. Through these full-service talent agencies in Korea, SMGL represents and guides the professional careers of a leading roster of award-winning actors/actresses in the practice areas of motion pictures, television, commercial endorsements, and branded entertainment. SMGL leverages its unparalleled portfolio of artists as a platform to develop, produce, finance and own the highest quality of entertainment content projects, including theatrical motion pictures, variety shows and TV dramas. This platform also creates and derives opportunities for SMGL to make strategic investments in development stage businesses that can collaborate with SMGL artists. SMGL is an associated company of the Company.

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Constellation Agency Pte. Ltd. (“Constellation Agency“). Constellation Agency, which owns The P Factory Co., Ltd. (“The P Factory“) and Platform Media Group Co., Ltd. (“PMG“), is primarily involved in the business of overseas agency for Korean artists venturing into the overseas market. The P Factory is an innovative marketing solutions provider specializing in event and branded content production. PMG is a talent management agency which represents and manages the careers of major artists in film, television, commercial endorsements and branded entertainment.

Strategic Businesses

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Frame Pictures Co., Ltd. (“Frame Pictures“). Frame Pictures is a leader in the movie/drama equipment leasing business in Korea. Established in 2014, Frame Pictures has worked with over 25 top

directors and provided the camera and lighting equipment some of Korea’s most notable drama and movie projects including ITAEWON CLASS (2020), HOW TO BUY A FRIEND (2020), KIM JI-YOUNG, BORN 1982 (2019), FOUR MEN (2019) and ASADAL CHRONICLES (2019).

We also operate a café-lounge called Upper West, in the Gangnam district of Seoul and own a professional photography studio, noon pictures Co., Ltd.

For more details, do visit http://www.spackmanentertainmentgroup.com/

#SpackmanEntertainmentGroup


TECNO reveals how the highly anticipated TECNO CAMON 17 Pro measure against its competitors

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 14 May 2021 – Consumers nowadays are more than spoilt for choice, in fact, many people are affected by ‘information paralysis’, that is, having too much information to effectively decide, often resulting in either a wrong decision or a poorly evaluated one. In this article, TECNO helps you to make good decisions amongst the three latest Android phones. They are TECNO CAMON 17 Pro, Samsung A51 and Redmi Note 9 Pro.

All three brands vary in terms of design, features, and functionality. TECNO, an increasingly globally popular brand, is a new generation of smartphone brand today with tasteful artistic design and contempary cutting-edge camera technology. Samsung and Redmi have been fan favourites, and their smartphone models are often popular amongst those most price-conscious consumers.

Camera function – front and rear cameras




The consumers nowadays are very savvy in understanding the technology and features that goes into each smartphone model. One of these considerations is the camera capabilities and the supporting software. TECNO CAMON 17 Pro clear winner with a 48 MP front camera, while both the Samsung A51 and Redmi Note 9 Pro cameras are at 32 MP and 16MP respectively, hence allowing the user of TECNO CAMON 17 Pro to capture selfies with quality that is comparable to even rear cameras on some smartphones. Considering the rear camera, TECNO CAMON 17 Pro and Redmi Note 9 Pro are equipped with 64MP rear ultra quad camera, while the Samsung A51 maxes out at 48MP.

What is more fascinating is that the TECNO CAMON 17 Pro comes with trademarked TAIVOS technology, which stands for TECNO AI Vision Optimization Solution. It provides users with extremely good visuals, even in low-light environments. TAIVOS can blur out the clutter in the background and optimize image clarity, thereby enhancing night photography effects. Therefore, making it difficult for other mobile phones to bring users a brighter experience in dark environments. The TECNO CAMON 17 Pro is great for anyone who loves to take selfies as keepsakes. The CAMON 17 Pro’s front cameras are just as outstanding as its rear – TECNO is a pioneer in this industry with a 48MP front camera. The functions of TECNO CAMON 17 Pro are smoother than similar products with both multi-camera and AI camera modes, providing breath-taking visuals.

Battery life and storage space




Powerful cameras need equally lasting battery and storage space. The TECNO CAMON 17 Pro has enough space for just about anything with 256GB ROM + 8GB RAM whereas the Samsung A51 and the Redmi Note 9 Pro has only 128GB ROM + 6GB RAM respectively, which is half of what the TECNO CAMON 17 Pro can store.

In addition, the TECNO CAMON 17 Pro has an enormous 5000mAh battery so you do not need to worry about your phone not being able to function when you need it most. The Samsung A51 has a smaller battery whereas the Redmi Note 9 Pro has a slightly bigger battery of 5020mAh, but that difference is negated by CAMON 17 Pro’s flash charging technology as the phone’s battery can be charged faster. And the 33W fast charger of CAMON 17 Pro enable a quick charge of up to 70% in just 30 minutes, which is an upgrade compared to the 15W charger of the Samsung A51 and 30W charger of Redmi Note 9 Pro.

Mobile phone technicalities




When it comes to visual real estate, size does matter. Amongst the three smartphone models, the Samsung A51 offers the smallest screen real estate, a 6.5 inches full HD screen while the Redmi Note 9 Pro and TECNO CAMON 17 Pro have bigger screens at 6.67 and 6.8 inches, respectively. Here, the TECNO CAMON 17 Pro does have an edge over the rest and what’s more, the 90Hz smooth refreshing rate of TECNO CAMON 17 Pro enable the users never worry about any animation rolling issues on the phone, the 90 Hz super-high refreshing rate offers a smooth, snappy and refreshing experience. The CAMON 17 Pro’s full HD mobile phone provides the user with more ease in controlling as well as a more comprehensive view of the mobile games and videos on the phone. Additionally, the TECNO CAMON 17 Pro has an operating system of Android 11 whereas the Samsung A51 and Redmi Note 9 Pro are only at Android 10.

So which phone would you prefer after reading the comparisons? After our comparisons, the TECNO CAMON 17 Pro stands out for the young, adventurous generation that is looking for a phone that can not only perform the basic functions well, but also have additional tools that add so much value to a phone. Redmi Note 9 Pro performed slightly worse in the front camera, fast charger and the screen, which could be a second choice with limited budget, while Samsung A51 stands out with its brand impact, and with no other obvious strength.

Crowne Plaza and BIM Group Provide LAK 250 Million To Covid Taskforce

Crowne Plaza Vientiane and its investor enterprise, BIM Group, have contributed medical equipment and critical supplies valued at LAK 250 million to the National Operations Center which is operating during the unprecedented challenge of the prevention of COVID-19 outbreaks in our community.

The contributed supplies and equipment comprise 5,000 surgical gloves, 3,000 medical disposable sheets, 3,000 medical disposable pillowcase covers, 300 pillows, 12,500 boxes of face masks, 400 litter of 90% alcohol, 250 bottles of hand sanitizers, and 6,000 bottles of drinking water – all of which are to ensure the safety of medical officers and the fulfillment of healthcare facilities.

“This pandemic has made a big impact in our lives but one thing that it taught us is to be strong and to support one another. We thank our investor, BIM Group in Vietnam, who joined hands with us right away to provide much-needed support. Last but not least, Crowne Plaza Vientiane would like to thank the officers involved and the healthcare sector who are working hard to keep all of us safe. It is a great honor for our team at Crowne Plaza Vientiane to contribute these supplies to help ensure that they are protected while they are handling their job and to support the National Operations Center in the response efforts,” said a representative of Crowne Plaza Vientiane.

Marco Polo Marine 1HFY2021 EBITDA More Than Triples to S$3.9 Million

  • First Half EBITDA surges 255% YoY to S$3.9m on the back of higher revenue and margin expansion
  • Positive signs have emerged recently, indicating the sector downturn may be bottoming-out

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 14 May 2021 – Marco Polo Marine Ltd. (SGX:5LY) (“Marco Polo Marine” or the “Company“, and together with its subsidiaries, “the Group“), a reputable regional integrated marine logistics company, today announced its financial results for the half year ended 31 March 2021 (“1HFY2021“).

Marco Polo Marine reported a net attributable profit of S$5.9 million for 1HFY2021, compared to a 1HFY2020 net loss of S$0.7 million. Group revenue for the period gained 13.8% to S$21.1 million, from S$18.6 million in 1HFY2020, as sales from its Ship Building & Repair division surged 34.5% year-on-year.

1HFY2021 Financial Highlights

S$ million

1HFY2021

1HFY2020

Y-o-Y % change

Revenue

21.1

18.6

13.8%

Gross Profit

5.0

3.4

46.9%

Gross Profit Margin

23.8%

18.4%

EBITDA*

3.9

1.1

254.5%

EBITDA Margin

18.5%

5.9%

Net Profit / (Loss)

5.9

(0.7)

NA

*Excludes foreign exchange losses (mainly unrealised in nature) and one-off gain arising from the acquisition of debt

Gross profit surged 47% to S$5.0 million in 1HFY2021 from S$3.4 million in 1HFY2020, with gross profit margin increasing to 24% in 1HFY2021 from 18% in 1HFY2020. This was mainly due to the absence of one-off reactivation costs incurred for its fleet of offshore vessels during the current period.

Excluding foreign exchange losses and the one-off gain from the acquisition of debt, the Group’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased to S$3.9 million in 1HFY2021, from S$1.1 million in 1HFY2020.

Other operating income increased significantly to S$7.3 million in 1HFY2021 from S$2.4 million in 1HFY2020, following a S$6.2 million gain from the acquisition of debt (as announced by the Company on 13 October 2020).

The share of losses from jointly controlled companies decreased to approximately S$20,000 in 1HFY2021 from S$1.0 million in 1HFY2020. The share of losses was attributable to a lower utilisation of the vessel held by Pelayaran Era Sdn Bhd. The Group has ceased to recognise the share of results from its joint venture, PT Pelayaran Nasional Bina Buana Raya Tbk (“PT BBR”) in the current period, since the losses to be recognised have exceeded the Company’s cost of investment in PT BBR.

Segmental Breakdown

S$ million

1HFY2021

1HFY2020

Y-o-Y % change

Ship Chartering Operations

9.4

9.9

-5.1%

Ship Building & Repair Operations

11.7

8.7

34.5%

Total Revenue

21.1

18.6

13.8%

Revenue from the Group’s Ship Chartering Operations fell by 5% to S$9.4 million in 1HFY2021 from S$9.9 million in 1HFY2020, mainly due to lower charter rates for the Group’s fleet of tugboats and barges. Average utilisation rates for both its fleet of tugboats and barges as well as OSVs have remained comparable to that of the same period last year.

The Group’s Ship Building & Repair Operations recorded a 34% rise in revenue to S$11.7 million in 1HFY2021 from S$8.7 million in 1HFY2020, mainly due to increased ship repair jobs during the period. Its Ship Building division has also commenced new projects in relation to the construction of two Smart Fish Farms, as announced by the Company on 17 August 2020, which led to the higher revenue.

Moving Forward

The outlook for the offshore marine industry remains challenging, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to crimp oil demand as well as oil and gas activities, resulting in a slowdown in the Group’s ship chartering and shipyard operations. However, positive signs have emerged recently, indicating that the sector downturn may be bottoming-out gradually. The Group has also taken steps to capitalise on emerging opportunities in certain segments.

For the Group’s ship chartering business, it will continue to step up marketing efforts to improve its performance and explore additional revenue sources by venturing beyond Southeast Asia, in particular, into the offshore windfarm renewable energy segment. The utilisation of its fleet of tugboats and barges is also expected to improve as construction activities in Singapore progressively resume. For the Group’s shipyard division, it will continue to focus on securing ship repair and maintenance orders from regional ship owners.

Mr Sean Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Marco Polo Marine, commented: “Despite the industry’s challenging backdrop, we were able to register a creditable performance for 1HFY2021, returning to profit from a net loss in the previous period. Our efforts to diversify into the renewables sector has started to bear fruit, and the Group will continue to focus on transitioning into green energy.

About Marco Polo Marine

Listed on the Mainboard of the SGX-ST since 2007, Marco Polo Marine Ltd is a reputable regional integrated marine logistics company which principally engages in shipping and shipyard operations.

The Group’s shipping business relates to the chartering of Offshore Supply Vessels (“OSVs”) for deployment in the regional waters, including the Gulf of Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Taiwan, as well as the chartering of tug boats and barges to customers, especially those which are engaged in the mining, commodities, construction, infrastructure and land reclamation industries.

Under its chartering operations, the Group has diversified its activities beyond the oil and gas industry to include the support of the construction of offshore windfarm projects. The burgeoning offshore wind energy industry in Asia is at a nascent stage where structures are in the process of being installed, which presents tremendous opportunities for the Group whose fleet is able to support the development of these projects.

The Group’s shipyard business relates to ship building as well as the provision of ship maintenance, repair, outfitting and conversion services, which are carried out through its shipyard located in Batam, Indonesia. Occupying a total land area of approximately 34 hectares with a seafront of approximately 650 meters, the modern shipyard also houses three dry docks, which have boosted the Group’s technical capabilities and service offerings to undertake projects involving mid-sized and sophisticated vessels.

For more information, please refer to our corporate website: www.marcopolomarine.com.sg

First integrated green building cloud data platform launched in Hong Kong

iBEAM to assess 450,000 building and sustainable development project data every year

 

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 13 May 2021 – BEAM Society Limited (“BSL”) announces today the launch of iBEAM – the first-ever locally developed integrated green building cloud data platform in Hong Kong. iBEAM is capable of analysing 450,000 entries of project data related to built environment and sustainable development every year, which would turn into a data warehouse for the prediction of green building development trends and making visionary suggestions for implementing sustainable development in the industry. iBEAM also enables paperless assessment workflow through uploading all building data to a single cloud platform, which enhances transparency, security and integrity of the assessment process while reducing carbon emission, contributing to a greener built environment in Hong Kong.

Data warehouse advocates green building development, provides concrete solutions and creates benefits for the public

The rising awareness on environmental protection and sustainable development has drawn increasing public attention to the overall quality of the built environment. In 2010, “BEAM Plus”, a leading, impartial assessment tool designed for the sustainability performance of buildings in Hong Kong was first launched by BSL. BEAM Plus assesses the sustainability of buildings during planning, design, construction, testing, commissioning, management, operation, and maintenance stages. Assessment results are recognised and certified by the Hong Kong Green Building Council. To date, BEAM Plus has certified green building developments encompassing over 18.6 million square metres of space, equivalent to over 2.5 square metres per capita. BEAM Plus is one of the most widely used voluntary green building labelling schemes of its kind in the world on a per capita basis.

Ms Ivy LEE Siu Wing, Chairperson of BSL, shares, “iBEAM will be the first-ever 24/7 project assessment submission platform in Hong Kong. It enables BSL to streamline BEAM Plus assessment process, enhances BEAM Pro experience and its efficiency, and upholds the core values of BSL – integrity, consistency and transparency.

iBEAM is a new generation platform that collects, manages, standardises, submits, reports, discloses and processes data related to built environment and sustainable development. Its major features include:

Intelligent integration platform: With customisable user interface and settings, this platform enables project teams to share information and manage workflow. Where necessary, participating parties can download the data collected for other purposes such as submission of Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) reports, and as benchmark data necessary for the application of green finance investments. In the long run, iBEAM will contribute to building a smarter, greener and more resilient city as envisioned in the HK2030+ and the Hong Kong Smart City Blueprint 2.0.

Paperless cloud platform: After uploading the data to the cloud portal, project teams can update or retrieve them by logging in the portal round the clock anywhere. The platform also enables paperless e-form submission of data for archiving and real time processing at both multiple and centralised ends.

Reliable and consistent security platform: After receiving data uploaded by project teams, the platform will automatically execute the approval process and match with assessors, raising the transparency, security and integrity of assessments. iBEAM also centralises and securely executes workflow, from data collection, approval, to online management of BEAM Plus assessment fee.

Mr LIU Chun San, JP, Under Secretary for Development, mentions, “BEAM Society, has been a close partner of the Government to promote green building environment ever since her establishment in the 1990s. The development and adoption of iBEAM is most welcome by the Development Bureau. iBEAM aligns with and supports our two major visions: to develop smart, green and resilient new towns; and Construction 2.0 in adopting innovation including digitalization technology for the construction industry.”

Mr Frankie So, Chairperson of iBEAM Project Steering Committee, mentions, “We anticipate an annual uptake of 10,000 users and 200 building assessment applications after the launch of iBEAM, with growth in subsequent years. The system can process 450,000 entries of data from built environment and sustainable development projects every year, and analyse big data such as Green Building Attributes, Management, Site Aspects, Materials and Waste, Energy Use, Water Use, Indoor Environmental Quality, Innovations and Additions, Community Aspects and Outdoor Environmental Quality. It will empower a greener built environment in Hong Kong and create benefits for the public.”

Consultations and experience workshops obtain recognition from the industry

BSL commenced the development of iBEAM in April 2020. 5 engagement talks were held throughout the development stage, garnering more than 1,100 industry participations and constructive feedback. Before the launch of iBEAM, BSL has organised the iBEAM Xperience Studio, an experiential workshop that engaged over 100 construction professionals and 14 consultancy firms in the industry.

Ms Ivy LEE adds, “iBEAM is a part of a bigger green building journey. Looking ahead, BSL will continue to work closely with the governments of the Greater Bay Area and Hong Kong, as well as our strategic partners, professional and educational institutes. Working hand in hand, we will create a sustainable and liveable environment for mankind.”

Please click HERE to download the event photos

Photo 1

(From Left to Right)Mr. So Hung Fai, Frankie, Chairperson of iBEAM Project Steering Committee ,Ms. Guo Jianhua, Director of Department of Educational Scientific & Technological Affairs from the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Hong Kong SAR, Mr. Liu Chun San, JP, Under Secretary for Development, Ms. Lee Siu Wing, Ivy, Chairperson of BEAM Society Limited and Sr Prof Wong Bay, Past Chairman of HKGBC officiated at the “Beyond Green with iBEAM” Launch Ceremony.

Photo 2

Ms. Lee Siu Wing, Ivy, Chairperson of BEAM Society Limited said iBEAM is a part of a bigger green building journey. Looking ahead, BSL will continue to work closely with different parties to create a sustainable and liveable environment for mankind.

Photo 3

Mr. Liu Chun San, JP, Under Secretary for Development pointed out BEAM Society Limited has been a close partner of the Government to promote green building environment ever. The development and adoption of iBEAM is most welcome by the Development Bureau.

Photo 4

Mr. So Hung Fai, Frankie, Chairperson of iBEAM Project Steering Committee believed big data will empower a greener built environment in Hong Kong and create benefits for the public.


Photo 5

BEAM Society Limited today(13 May)announced the launch of a pioneering locally developed integrated green building cloud data platform in Hong Kong and the iBEAM launch ceremony was held virtually on the same day.

Photo 6

Group Photo of the Launch Ceremony

About BEAM Society Limited (BSL)

BEAM Society Limited (BSL) is a non-profit organization. Since the development of Building Environmental Assessment Method (BEAM) in 1996, and BEAM Plus in 2010, BSL has committed to administering and developing the BEAM Assessment Tools, offering impartial assessment on building sustainability and training BEAM practitioners – BEAM Professionals (BEAM Pro) and BEAM Affiliates. BSL has become a public body under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance since 2016.

BSL has committed to improving the overall quality of the built environment in Hong Kong. BEAM assessment tools available include: BEAM Plus New Buildings, BEAM Plus Existing Buildings, BEAM Plus Interior and BEAM Plus Neighbourhood. They assess the impact of overall planning, design, construction and maintenance on the environment.

To get more information about BSL, please visit www.beamsociety.org.hk

#BEAMSocietyLimited #BSL