SINGAPORE, May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Synpulse, a leading consultancy for the financial services industry, today announces the appointment of Jieke Pan as its Chief Technology Officer (CTO). Jieke Pan is a passionate technology leader with over 20 years of experience in digital transformation, product innovation, and engineering excellence.

Jieke is an accomplished CTO, recognised for fostering hyper-collaborative, excellence-driven engineering cultures within the financial sector. Over the past decade, he has held the position of CTO for Hexaware’s digital and software division for EMEA / APAC, as well as serving as CTO Advisor and Enterprise Architect for prominent clients in financial services, banking, and insurance.

The appointment of Jieke Pan as CTO follows the successful launch of Synpulse8, the consulting’s technology house, in 2022. Notable achievements include the deployment of the Synpulse8 Wealth Cockpit at a bank in Thailand, the introduction of the OpenWealth API Standard at LGT and the launch of the reinsurance underwriting workbench for MS Reinsurance. Synpulse8 is dedicated to creating seamless digital experiences tailored for the financial services industry.

“I am excited to join Synpulse8 and lead it into the future. Together, we will bring PULSE8 to new heights, leveraging AI capabilities to meet the evolving needs of the financial services industry,” expressed Jieke Pan.

Jieke will lead Synpulse8’s global engineering team in delivering customised solutions, pioneering products, and managed platform services in close collaboration with clients and partners. In his role at Synpulse, he will be in charge of the firm’s global technology offerings. His focus will be on evolving PULSE8 into a robust solution platform that drives innovation and accelerates progress across the financial services landscape worldwide. PULSE8 is an orchestration platform that seamlessly integrates with legacy systems, efficiently extracting and unifying data to create a tailored environment. PULSE8 will be further empowered with AI capabilities, addressing the pressing need for advanced technological solutions within the financial industry.

“Jieke Pan’s appointment as CTO marks a significant milestone for Synpulse8. His extensive experience in digital transformation and engineering excellence will be instrumental in driving our solutions forward,” said Salomon Wettstein, Managing Partner at Synpulse and Co-CEO of Synpulse8. “With Jieke at the helm, we are poised to enhance our technology offerings and foster a culture of collaboration that will elevate our services in the financial sector,” added Raphael Bianchi, Senior Partner at Synpulse and Co-CEO of Synpulse8.

-END-

About Synpulse  

Synpulse is a global professional services company and a valued partner of leading players in the financial services and related industries. We optimise the proximity to our clients and deep domain expertise to create sustainable value using technology as a business driver. Leveraging our strong network of over 100 ecosystem partners, we accompany our clients throughout their transformation journey – from strategy and development to implementation and management. With our tech powerhouse, Synpulse8, we collaborate with our clients to co-create digital experiences with innovative technologies and proprietary methods. Synpulse is powered by the passion and commitment of its more than 1000 employees from 21 offices who come from over 30 countries.

More information: www.synpulse.com. 

SINGAPORE, May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A simple, but revolutionary test has been developed to help unravel the mystery of infertility among men who display normal semen parameters.

Infertility affects an estimated one in every six couples worldwide with male factor prevalent in about half of those cases.

For many of those men who have seemingly otherwise healthy sperm the anguish of their condition is deepened by the perplexity of an underlying reproductive dysfunction called CatSper-related male infertility.

In these cases, there are defects in the chemosensory CatSper channels of sperm that allows them to move in a whip-like fashion essential to penetrate the coating of a female egg. If penetration fails, fertilisation is not possible.

There are many case histories in fertility treatment of couples where conventional IVF and intrauterine insemination (IUI) has failed, but where single sperm injection of an egg – known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or ICSI – has resulted in a pregnancy.

The 2025 Congress of the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction (ASPIRE) in Singapore today heard of a breakthrough diagnostic test for CatSper-related male infertility that has delivered remarkable validation results.

Dr Samuel Young, a pathfinding researcher in the Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology at the University Hospital Münster in Germany, said a desire to better understand the role of CatSper in male fertility led to the development of the test as a novel diagnostic tool.

“Sperm generate a powerful swimming behaviour known as hyperactivation. CatSper, a specific calcium channel found exclusively in the tail of sperm, controls this swimming behaviour.

“If CatSper is defective, sperm cannot hyperactivate and the egg remains unfertilised. The man is therefore infertile.

“The CatSper test is a simple procedure with a standard semen analysis. It quickly and reliably determines whether a CatSper defect is present, enabling evidence-based therapy choices for couples with unexplained infertility.

“We used it to screen 2,386 patients as a proof-of-concept study. It showed exceptional sensitivity and specificity of the test with precise assessment of CatSper function.

“It has transformed the CatSper test from a scientific possibility into a diagnostic device for everyday clinical practice.

“For the first time it allows diagnosis of CatSper defect in male infertility potentially preventing couples from embarking on unsuccessful medically assisted reproduction attempts such as IUI and IVF.

“This has the potential to save patient expense and possible adverse effects of hormonal stimulation in IVF for the female partners.

“The time factor of going through cycles of IVF is also an important consideration for couples striving to conceive, especially when almost every day counts among women in their thirties and forties when fertility is in decline.

“The CatSper test can guide clinicians toward more personalised, evidence-based treatment approaches, including ICSI.”

The ASPIRE Congress in Singapore has attracted around 2,000 scientists, clinicians, nurses and counsellors in fertility health to address latest global advances in assisted reproduction.

For more information, go to www.aspire2025.com

Interview: Dr Samuel Young is available for interview.

GUANGZHOU, China, May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In an era where niche hobbies are rapidly entering the mainstream, industries once viewed as traditional are undergoing swift and significant transformation. Fishing, long associated with leisurely outings by older generations, has evolved into a vibrant, technology-driven sector. This shift is prompting more manufacturers to expand beyond specialized professional fishing circles and appeal to a broader consumer base. For many, the China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) has become the gateway to reaching new markets and global buyers.

At the Sports, Travel, and Recreation Products section of the 137th Canton Fair, held on May 1-5, 2025, buyers discovered far more than just conventional gear. The offerings ranged from basic fishing rods across price tiers to advanced electronic floats and specialized equipment designed for emerging categories like deep-sea and ice fishing. The message was clear: modern angling is about precision, innovation, and delivering a refined outdoor experience.

Taizhou Source One International Co., Ltd. exemplifies this evolution. The company showcased a series of ice fishing products, including electric ice augers capable of drilling clean holes in seconds, even in harsh sub-zero environments. This innovation boosts both efficiency and safety, making ice fishing more accessible to enthusiasts of all levels. “Our ice fishing line is already popular in the U.S., Canada, and Russia,” said Stella Wang, Sales Manager at Source One. “Now, we’re looking to enter the Northern European market, and the Canton Fair is a platform for such opportunities.”

Fujian Doofar Outdoor Sporting Goods Co., Ltd., a manufacturer of yachts and water sports equipment, is also riding the wave of the fishing boom. Its focus this year is on fishing kayaks, featuring two models at the Fair: a durable hard-shell kayak and an inflatable pedal-powered version. Both offer simplified steering and seating systems, ensuring an effortless user experience. “Fishing should be about enjoyment, not complexity,” said Sales Manager Daniel Shen. “While our primary markets are the U.S. and Australia, the Canton Fair allows us to connect with broader customer bases and high-profile buyers, helping us tap into new regions.”

Guangdong Boatman Electronics Co., Ltd, made its Canton Fair debut this session. The company traditionally focused on the European market and usually participated in specialized fishing trade shows. Looking to expand into Belt and Road Initiative countries, Boatman uses the Fair to reach distributors in emerging regions. Its featured products, a series of bait boats, demonstrated the Fair’s effectiveness in spotlighting niche innovations. On just the first day, the product attracted dozens of buyers and generated sample requests from customers in Germany, Australia, and Mauritius.

As niche products gain traction globally, the Canton Fair has proven itself to be a powerful platform for manufacturers looking to scale beyond traditional boundaries. By connecting brands with a wide spectrum of international buyers, the Fair helps emerging segments, like advanced fishing gear, find new buyers, enter new markets, and navigate the evolving landscape of global consumer demand.

• AVPN’s landscape report, AI for All: Building an AI-Ready Workforce in Asia-Pacific, reveals the opportunities for AI across the region with an inclusive AI Just Transition
• Trends uncovered include how young workers are future-proofing their careers with AI, a wide AI skilling awareness gap, and an MSME mismatch in the region.
• Building on this momentum, the Fund is expanding with an additional USD 10 million from Google.org to further AI skilling initiatives and introduce a dedicated track for MSMEs in the Southeast Asia region

SINGAPORE, May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — AVPN, the largest network of social investors in Asia, today announced the recipients for funding from the AI Opportunity Fund: Asia Pacific, a USD 15-million initiative supported by Google.org and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The organisations are receiving support to address the unique challenges faced by workers in the AI work era, providing access and opportunities from the evolving job market. The 49 organisations will receive financial support and expert guidance through the initiative, serving as a unique “ecosystem multiplier lever” of the three-year program as part of the “Train the Trainer” component of AVPN’s initiative, while leveraging their deep-rooted expertise in workforce development to train various groups of workers across Asia Pacific.

The newly-released landscape report by AVPN, AI for All: Building an AI-Ready Workforce in Asia-Pacific, underscores the need for this initiative and the opportunities that come with improving AI skills across the region:

• AI Skilling Awareness Gap: Out of the 3,000 respondents surveyed, only 15% have engaged in AI skilling programmes, while more than half (57%) remain unaware that these resources even exist.
• The AI Advantage: Young workers are embracing AI as a means to future-proof their careers in an AI driven future, with 1 in 5 younger workers engaged in AI skilling programmes. Meanwhile, mature workers (aged 50-65) were 1.6 times more likely to indicate concerns about AI trustworthiness and language barriers, indicating the importance of local language outreach and general awareness-building about AI.
• The MSME Mismatch: 96% of Asia-Pacific’s companies are Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), yet many struggle with AI skill development due to systemic barriers such as limited training accessibility, lack of access to digital infrastructure, and constrained financial resources—limiting their ability to adopt AI effectively and remain competitive in an AI-driven economy.

As the world shifts towards an AI-driven future, with the potential to create 97 million new jobs, certain roles are likely to evolve in response to automation. The initiative’s aim is to ensure workers in Asia Pacific are prepared to benefit from these opportunities.

To address this gap in Asia-Pacific’s AI work transition, selected organisations will be trained by AVPN’s strategic partners, including organisations such as Seoul National University, KORIKA, AI Singapore, AI Education (Vietnam), and Wadhwani AI. Following which, selected organisations will then directly reach and train various groups of workers, including migrant workers, informal workers, women and gender minorities, and persons with disabilities. The full list of the organisations is available here. Amongst the organisations receiving funding are:

• JAIS (India), which works with rural women solopreneurs (often MSMEs) to enable business growth by equipping them with the right digital skills.
• BAOBAB Inc. (Japan), which works with refugees and individuals with disabilities, including their caregivers, who all face unique barriers in accessing workforce development opportunities in AI.
• TagTeam (Singapore), which reaches Singapore’s migrant domestic workers and construction workers, equipping them with AI skills in preparation for new employment opportunities when they return to their home countries.

Naina Subberwal Batra, CEO of AVPN, said: “There is a pressing need to bridge critical skills gaps in communities with unmet needs across Asia Pacific. Our funded organisations are at the heart of this important component of the AI Work Transition, and they bring expertise and a profound commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by these communities. Through their innovative approaches and dedication to reach and include those who may be otherwise left behind, the AI Opportunity Fund initiative will pave the way for inclusive growth, ensuring that all segments of society can participate in and benefit from technological advancements, fostering a more equitable future for all.

Sanjay Gupta, President, Asia-Pacific, Google, said: “AI has the potential to transform economies and unlock new opportunities, but its benefits must be accessible to everyone. That’s why Google is proud to support the AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific initiative, which is equipping workers across the region  with the skills and tools they need to thrive in an AI-powered future. This initiative ensures that more people can participate in—and benefit from—the growing AI economy. We remain committed to helping build a workforce that is ready to harness AI’s full potential for a more equitable future.”

Antonio Zaballos, Director, Digital Sector Office, ADB, said: “Bridging the digital divide requires more than skills training—it demands strong digital infrastructure, affordable connectivity, and inclusive access to AI-driven opportunities. As AI reshapes industries, communities with unmet needs across Asia and the Pacific must have the tools to participate in and benefit from this transformation. ADB is committed to amplifying initiatives like the AI Opportunity Fund initiative to ensure that AI-powered growth is both inclusive and sustainable.”

In response to the strong interest in skill development for AI, Google.org is providing an additional USD 10 million to AVPN to further AI skilling initiatives this year. This expansion, in collaboration with ASEAN Foundation, will introduce a dedicated track focused on supporting MSMEs in Southeast Asia—a crucial segment for regional economic growth—alongside continued efforts to empower workers across Asia-Pacific. Together with the initial USD 15 million funding from Google.org, AVPN’s initiative aims to support training for 720,000 workers across Asia Pacific and 100,000 MSMEs across the Southeast Asia region.

About AVPN

AVPN is the largest network of social investors in Asia, comprising over 600 funders and resource providers across 33 markets. Our mission is to increase the flow and effectiveness of financial, human, and intellectual capital in Asia by enabling members to channel resources towards impact. As an ecosystem builder, AVPN enables its members to connect, learn, act, and lead across key pillars and improve the effectiveness of deployed capital, bringing local field needs, regional expertise, and policy insights to the forefront. For more information about AVPN and our work, please visit our website and read our latest Annual Review 2023/24.

About Google.org

Google.org, Google’s philanthropy, brings the best of Google to help solve some of humanity’s biggest challenges combining funding, product donations and technical expertise to support underserved communities and provide opportunity for everyone. We engage nonprofits, social enterprises and civic entities who make a significant impact on the communities they serve, and whose work has the potential to produce scalable, meaningful change.

SYDNEY, May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Victoria has rolled out significant new rules designed to keep the energy grid stable as solar adoption continues to rise. Having taken effect on 1^st October, 2024, the state’s Emergency Backstop Mechanism mandates all new and upgraded solar installations be network connected and communicate with a designated server, enabling grid operators to limit or temporarily halt solar energy exports when there is overproduction.

While these requirements bring complexity to homeowners and installers, FranklinWH energy management and storage system stands apart, simplifying retrofit installations under these rules.

The Exceptionally Easy Solution for the Emergency Backstop Mechanism

The new regulations require solar systems to have continuous network connectivity and pass rigorous Common Smart Inverter Profile (CSIP-Aus) certification tests, ensuring compatibility with remote grid management commands. Systems failing these tests risk costly delays or even disqualification from grid connection.

The FranklinWH System is a unique AC-coupled energy management system agnostic to and independent of all solar inverter models. With a configuration separate from the preexisting PV inverter, the FranklinWH System avoids the need for any modifications of original setups and the need for any emergency backstop mechanism.

Efficient Installation in Minutes

FranklinWH prioritizes ease of use and rapid deployment, drastically reducing installation and commissioning times. It features plug-and-play simplicity and avoids the need for connectivity request to the new mechanism. Commissioning the system typically takes installers around 15 minutes, eliminating lengthy delays. By contrast, traditional solar + battery systems under the new regulation may be subject to lengthy registration and compliance testing processes, sometimes taking several days or even a week to finalize.

Challenges of DC-Coupled Systems under New Rules

DC-coupled battery systems paired with hybrid inverters face substantial new hurdles in retrofitting scenarios. The regulations impose rigorous certification requirements, increasing complexity and potentially lengthening installation timelines significantly.

Additionally, during mandated curtailments or emergency shutdowns, when the grid operators remotely instruct built-in hybrid inverters to limit solar power feeding, the DC-coupled systems risk losing sufficient solar generation capacity, leaving batteries partially charged and homeowners more dependent on expensive grid power.

The FranklinWH System effectively avoids these pitfalls, ensuring homeowners maintain uninterrupted energy storage and utilization. It offers unparalleled reliability and operational simplicity as it does not require any on site emergency backstop testing. To learn more about FranklinWH’s innovative home energy management solutions, visit www.franklinwh.com/au/

CONTACT: media@franklinwh.com

MALÉ, Maldives, May 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Maldives Government and MBS Global Investments are to create an US$8.8bn Maldives International Financial Centre (MIFC) – a wholly sustainable, Financial Freezone in Malé, Maldives, designed for and created to attract global financial institutions, fintech pioneers, and global digital Nomads.

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE MALDIVES AND MBS GLOBAL INVESTMENTS PLEDGE $8.8 BILLION TO CREATE THE MALDIVES INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE

Allowing the Maldives to diversify beyond tourism, it will attract the future of finance and position Malé as the premier global business and financial hub in the Indian Ocean through an integrated, mixed-use urban district.

MIFC will offer no corporate tax, tax-free inheritance, ownership as per the constitution of the Maldives, and privacy. Combined with no residency requirements, it’s set to attract digital nomads, entrepreneurs, and wealth creators seeking freedom without borders.

Residents will benefit from multi-currency banking and access to offshore private banking. Future-ready regulations will support digital assets, and green finance – making MIFC not just a financial hub, but a destination for those investing in the legacy of future generations.

Due to be completed by 2030, it will be easily accessible from any part of the world and the aim is to notably increase the country’s GDP within four years with projected revenue to be well over US $1bn by the fifth year.

The centrepiece of MIFC is a state-of-the-art conference centre with capacity for 3,500 people. The multi-purpose convention venue will host leading global conferences, cultural events and innovation-driven hackathons establishing Male as leading assembly hub, driving all year round engagement in the Maldives and further supporting the wider, already established hospitality industry

The plan includes three iconic residential and office towers designed for international HQs and regional offices, high-end, sea front branded residences, world-renowned hotel brands, vibrant and one-of-a-kind retail experience, Oceanographic Museum, Mosque, and leading education facilities including an International School.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu said, “With the MIFC, we are shaping the Maldives of tomorrow, a beacon of innovation and national pride that will thrive in harmony with nature. The financial centre will be a symbol of economic resilience and will set a new global benchmark that will massively benefit the people of the Maldives for generations to come.”

Minister of Finance for the Maldives said, “This is a momentous project. It offers a great opportunity to diversify our economy beyond tourism in line with our ambitions and will attract the best businesses and visionary entrepreneurs in the world.” 

Nadeem Hussain, CEO of MBS Global Investments said, “The financial centre will set a new global benchmark, advancing financial innovation by at least two decades. It is the next evolution of what has been happening in other financial centres around the globe.”

MIFC will have a fully climate-resilient infrastructure, and the architecture and public spaces will be powered exclusively by renewable energy. The upper level of the development will be entirely car-free, with all transport and logistics infrastructure located underground to preserve a pedestrian-friendly, open-air environment.

It will offer a holistic lifestyle rooted in wellness and longevity – designed to be one of the most desirable places to live and work. It will feature world-class sports facilities, cutting-edge longevity and wellness centres, and shaded running and cycling tracks woven through expansive green spaces. Complementing its state-of-the-art office spaces, MIFC will also be home to premium retail, celebrated F&B destinations, and dynamic cultural venues – creating a truly integrated live-work-play environment.

This dynamic mixed-use development has been designed by master planner Architect Gianni Ranaulo, every structure from the overarching master plan to the individual buildings are inspired by the local fauna and marine eco-system. Ranaulo incorporates environmentally conscious practices in all projects. The total size of the development is 780,000 sqm where more than 6,500 people can reside, and an expected daily footfall of 35,000.

www.mifc.gov.mv

THE GOVERNMENT OF THE MALDIVES AND MBS GLOBAL INVESTMENTS PLEDGE $8.8 BILLION TO CREATE THE MALDIVES INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE