27 C
Vientiane
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
spot_img
Home Blog Page 337

InvestHK concludes fruitful Middle East visit to deepen international exchanges and co-operation


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 April 2025 – ​ Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) Mr Charles Ng yesterday (April 10) concluded his visit to the Middle East, covering Riyadh, Jeddah and Dubai, highlighting Hong Kong’s role as a strategic gateway for Middle Eastern enterprises to expand in the Asia-Pacific region including Mainland China.

Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong Mr Charles Ng yesterday (April 10) concluded his visit to the Middle East, covering Riyadh, Jeddah and Dubai, highlighting Hong Kong's role as a strategic gateway for Middle Eastern enterprises to expand in the Asia-Pacific region including Mainland China.
Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong Mr Charles Ng yesterday (April 10) concluded his visit to the Middle East, covering Riyadh, Jeddah and Dubai, highlighting Hong Kong’s role as a strategic gateway for Middle Eastern enterprises to expand in the Asia-Pacific region including Mainland China.

During the visit, Mr Ng met with business leaders, family office representatives and industry stakeholders across Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, including representatives from Investopia. He also attended a series of high-level business roundtables entitled Hong Kong Growth Dialogues: Building Asia’s Future Super-Corridor, co-organised with Asia House. He also met with local media and elaborated on Hong Kong’s business advantages.

Mr Ng said, “Hong Kong, as a global financial centre, an innovation and technology base, and a ‘super connector’ between Mainland China and international markets, offers abundant business opportunities from recent key developments, including the Northern Metropolis, the Airport City Skytopia and West Kowloon Cultural District, etc. We welcome businesses from the Middle East to capitalise on the opportunities our city offers.”

Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong Mr Charles Ng yesterday (April 10) concluded his visit to the Middle East, covering Riyadh, Jeddah and Dubai, highlighting Hong Kong's role as a strategic gateway for Middle Eastern enterprises to expand in the Asia-Pacific region including Mainland China.
Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong Mr Charles Ng yesterday (April 10) concluded his visit to the Middle East, covering Riyadh, Jeddah and Dubai, highlighting Hong Kong’s role as a strategic gateway for Middle Eastern enterprises to expand in the Asia-Pacific region including Mainland China.

He added, “Hong Kong’s strategic position in Asia, coupled with the Middle East’s long-term strategies, such as Saudi Vision 2030 and UAE Centennial 2071, fosters collaboration and shared economic growth. By leveraging Hong Kong’s business advantages, we can strengthen co-operation in various areas, including finance, technology, trade, sustainability and tourism amid a fast-changing global economic landscape.”

Hong Kong and the Middle East are deepening financial and economic ties, creating powerful synergies for cross-border investment and shared growth. Recent developments, including cross-listed ETFs (exchange-traded funds) and the recognition of key Middle Eastern stock exchanges as Recognised Stock Exchanges, underscore the growing integration of capital markets between two regions. During the visit, Mr Ng also promoted Hong Kong’s Islamic finance capabilities, citing its successful issuance of three government sukuk and a level playing field for Shariah-compliant products through tax neutrality measures.

Participants at the events expressed keen interest in Hong Kong’s business environment and connectivity. Vice President of the Logistics Division at Yusuf bin Ahmed Kanoo Group Mrs Saffia Abdulla Kanoo said, “I gained valuable insights into Hong Kong and its key sectors through the roundtable discussions. I was particularly impressed by the city’s robust financial infrastructure, strong rule of law, and its role as a hub for innovation and capital flows. The session was highly informative and engaging, inspiring me to further explore the opportunities available in Hong Kong.”

Hashtag: #InvestHK

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

ARK Wealth Secures Two Prestigious Best Wealth Manager Awards

HONG KONG, April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Noah Holdings Limited’s (“Noah” or “the Company”) (NYSE: NOAH, HKEX: 6686) newly launched global wealth management platform for global Chinese investors, ARK Wealth Management, has been recognized with two prestigious industry accolades: “Best Wealth Manager” at the 2025 Hong Kong Euromoney Private Banking Awards and “Best Independent Wealth Manager – China” at the 14th Asian Private Banker Awards for Distinction 2024. These award wins reflect ARK Wealth Management’s emergence as a global wealth management powerhouse, combining enduring client relationships with a strategic, sustainable investment philosophy.

Best Wealth Manager, 2025 Hong Kong Euromoney Private Banking Awards

Euromoney recognized ARK Wealth Management for its strong track record, market-leading innovation, and expanding global footprint across Hong Kong, the US, Singapore, and Japan. The award highlighted the firm’s comprehensive wealth management solutions for high- and ultra-high-net-worth clients, encompassing alternative assets, private equity, trust services, and overseas asset allocation. In addition, ARK Wealth Management was praised for its impressive overseas business growth, with USD-denominated fundraising exceeding $1 billion by September 2024.

The firm’s proprietary iARK digital platform was commended for its role in providing cutting-edge global wealth management capabilities, multi-currency transactions, and alternative asset trading with advanced privacy protection features.

Best Independent Wealth Manager – China at the 14th 2024 Asian Private Banker Awards

Asian Private Banker awarded ARK Wealth Management this distinction for its innovative ‘anti-fragile’ wealth management philosophy built on the principle of “Building safety nets, stabilizing fundamentals, aiming for growth.” The award recognized the firm’s deep understanding of Chinese high-net-worth individuals seeking global investment opportunities.

Asian Private Banker also lauded the firm’s tailored services for those at the beginning of their international wealth journey, setting ARK Wealth Management apart in the competitive wealth management landscape.

“These prestigious awards validate our client-centered approach during what is a crucial decision-making period for wealth management,” said Zander Yin, CEO of Noah Holdings. “These awards are emblematic of our commitment to understanding the evolving needs of our clients in this new economic cycle, and our ‘anti-fragile’ wealth management philosophy that prioritizes security while pursuing sustainable growth in an increasingly complex international market.”

The wins come as Noah’s ARK continues to expand its footprint cemented by a new overseas headquarters in Singapore that enables the organization to better serve the needs of Chinese high-net-worth clients across the globe.

About ARK Wealth Management

ARK Wealth Management is a leading provider of global wealth management services under Noah Holdings Limited (NYSE: NOAH, HKEX: 6686). Wealth Management provides one-stop financial services for high-net-worth global Chinese families and institutions. With a client-centric philosophy that emphasizes independence and professionalism, ARK Wealth Management consistently innovates its product offerings and services to address the evolving needs of its clients, delivering sophisticated wealth management strategies with a goal of becoming the preferred wealth management platform for global Chinese investors.

ARK Wealth Management has over USD 8.7 billion in assets under advisement (AUA) as of the end of December 2024. With service centers in multiple countries and regions, ARK Wealth Management’s team of 140+ global investment advisors focuses on providing tailored, localized financial services to clients.

Lalamove Highlights how its “Logistics Triangle” Model Fosters Global Economic Development at 2025 World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit

HONG KONG, April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Paul Loo, Chief Operating Officer of Lalamove, the leading on-demand delivery platform, attended and shared his insights at the World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit held in Hong Kong today. This year’s summit, themed “Integration of AI and Digital Technologies Shaping the Future – Jointly Building a Community with a Shared Future in Cyberspace.” convened delegates from international organizations, leading enterprises at home and abroad, and industry experts and scholars. As digital transformation reshapes industries worldwide, the forum served as a catalyst to discuss the latest trends in internet and technology, sparking new discussions and perspectives for a smarter and increasingly integrated future.

Paul Loo, Chief Operating Officer of Lalamove,  attended and shared his insights at the World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit
Paul Loo, Chief Operating Officer of Lalamove, attended and shared his insights at the World Internet Conference Asia-Pacific Summit

Innovative Technology Breaking Industry and Geographical Barriers, Promoting Global Logistics Digitization

As the sole representative for the Hong Kong logistics industry, Paul Loo elaborated on Lalamove’s journey of becoming a global logistics player at the forum themed, “Digital-Real Integration for a Smarter Life”, he emphasized how the company utilizes technology to create win-win results for its stakeholders. “Digital-Real Integration” means leveraging the digital economy to deliver real impact through the physical economy, and Lalamove’s global success over the past decade has been a prime example. With 11 years of experience bridging digital innovation with physical logistics services, Lalamove has transformed traditional supply chains across more than 400 cities across Asia, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).

Paul Loo explained: “Leveraging Hong Kong’s unique position as a two-way ‘springboard’, Lalamove started its journey from Hong Kong and has since evolved into a globally leading end-to-end, on-demand logistics platform. Not only are we committed to playing a key role in supporting China’s strategies to ‘go global’ and ‘attract foreign investment’, we are also actively harnessing innovation to build a ‘logistics triangle’ which serves as a robust ecosystem connecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), driver partners, and delivery platforms. As of 2024, we have approximately 16.7 million monthly active merchants and 1.7 million monthly active drivers and we look forward to further contributing to local economic growth through efficient and innovative logistics solutions.”

People-Oriented Logistics Ecosystems are the Way Forward

Throughout Lalamove’s global journey, the company has always hinged on strong, stable, and secure technological capabilities. It adheres to a people-oriented approach that contributes value to the communities it serves. Understanding the importance of differentiating various in-market demands, Lalamove is combining innovation and logistics to assist SMEs as they expand operations while enabling driver partners to earn income through a highly flexible model and safe working environments. Ultimately, this approach has measurably co-created an inclusive, safe, and sustainable new way of life.

Currently, over 80% of Lalamove’s international users are SMEs. By leveraging technologies such as freight digitization and artificial intelligence (AI), Lalamove enables SMEs globally to reduce logistics costs while improving efficiency. This model effectively addresses the “last mile delivery” challenge with a highly localized approach, unleashing the economic potential of highly efficient logistics to create a trickle-down effect that assists local governments in creating outsized impact on economic development.

Paul Loo explains, “Unlike large enterprises, SMEs often need more agile, flexible logistics solutions to scale up their business performance and build resilience. As the need for on-demand delivery services grows. Lalamove leverages technology to smoothen existing logistics hurdles. In Malaysia, we partnered with a furniture company to enable uninterrupted home renovation services during Eid al-Fitr without being affected by the holiday. In Indonesia, Lalamove helped a cold-pressed juice company transition from offline to online, reducing their distribution costs while allowing them to focus on business critical, ultimately driving over 20% revenue growth.

Driver partners are the backbone of Lalamove’s logistics network. At Lalamove, they are empowered with high autonomy and flexibility. This not only provides a more adaptable income stream but also fosters a safe working environment. Since 2022,  Lalamove has maintained a 99.9% injury-free operation rate every year. It also works closely with local governments to regularly share safety knowledge with driver partners, promoting a culture of safety for themselves and end users.

Looking ahead, Lalamove will continue to harness technology to innovate logistics digitization, combining global expertise with local insights to serve businesses and users globally, fostering regional industrial and technological advancement.

About Lalamove

Founded in Hong Kong in 2013, Lalamove is an on-demand delivery platform born with a mission to empower communities by making delivery fast, simple and affordable. At the click of a button, individuals, small businesses and corporations can access a wide fleet of delivery vehicles operated by professional driver partners.

Powered by technology, we seamlessly connect people, vehicles, freight and roads, moving things that matter and bringing benefits to local communities in 13 markets across Asia, Latin America and EMEA.

Christensen Advisory Partners with InferenceCloud.ai to Empower the Communications Industry with AI-driven Tools

HONG KONG, April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Christensen Advisory, a leading integrated communications and advisory firm, today announced that it has acquired the exclusive Asia-Pacific (APAC) distribution rights for InferenceCloud.ai, a groundbreaking AI-powered tool that transforms how communications professionals analyze data, identify audience preferences, and deliver impactful narratives.

This strategic move reinforces Christensen’s vision of empowering the communications industry with technology that delivers measurable outcomes and drives operating efficiency. The firm has already embedded InferenceCloud.ai across its operations, and as the exclusive APAC distributor, Christensen is accelerating this transformative experience to agencies and corporates across the region. As more corporates seek intelligent, adaptive strategies to stay ahead of fast-evolving media and market dynamics, AI-driven insights are no longer a luxury—they’re a necessity.

“AI is undoubtedly redefining the future of corporate communications,” said Roger Hu, CEO of Christensen Advisory. “With InferenceCloud.ai, we’ve been able to win new clients by presenting data-backed strategies that are truly aligned with their goals. The platform fully streamlines our research process, allowing us to uncover untapped narratives that are proven to resonate with targeted audiences, in a fraction of the time. What really sets it apart is the ability to benchmark corporate messaging strategies against peers, providing valuable perspectives in hindsight. We are thrilled to team up with InferenceCloud and be at the forefront of providing the tools that will help the industry grow and succeed together.”

Mark Seall, Co-Founder and CEO of InferenceCloud.ai, added, “Christensen’s success in leveraging InferenceCloud to deliver measurable outcomes is a powerful validation of our mission to empower communications with purpose-built AI. Our partnership with them represents a shared vision for empowering the communications industry with the technology needed to thrive, and we couldn’t be more excited to embark on this journey with them.”

About Christensen Advisory

Christensen Advisory is a leading integrated communications agency, delivering innovative solutions to navigate complex global markets. With 40+ years of global experience and over two decades in Asia, the Company has established a reputation for its expertise in investor relations, public relations, and capital markets advisory. By combining its deep industry expertise and resources with cutting-edge AI and data analytics, Christensen empowers its clients to elevate their visibility, strengthen narratives, and drive meaningful impact in the global capital markets.

About InferenceCloud.ai

InferenceCloud is the first AI platform purpose-built to re-imagine the entire Marketing Communications lifecycle. Leveraging proprietary conversational graph technology and AI agents, InferenceCloud moves beyond generic tools to deliver deep audience insights, systematic strategic planning, and high-quality content generation with unparalleled certainty. Designed by Marcom and AI experts, the platform enables agencies and corporate teams to significantly boost productivity, improve engagement, and achieve measurable bottom-line benefits, fundamentally changing the economics of the industry.

Contact
Roger Hu
roger.hu@christensencomms.com

Hyundai Motor Group Presents Action Plans for Waste-to-Hydrogen Ecosystem in Indonesia

  • Hyundai Motor Group to collaborate with Pertamina and West Java Province to build a waste-to-hydrogen ecosystem, advancing sustainable hydrogen solutions
  • By 2027, the Group plans to launch an on-site hydrogen refueling station utilizing Pertamina’s CNG infrastructure
  • Building on its successful W2H model in Korea, the Group plans to expand the ecosystem in Indonesia as its first overseas initiative
  • The April 2025 summit in Jakarta featured Indonesia’s national hydrogen roadmap, with major contributions from Hyundai and government ministries

SEOUL, South Korea and JAKARTA, Indonesia, April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) today outlined action plans to establish a waste-to-hydrogen (W2H) ecosystem in West Java Province, Indonesia, during the Global Hydrogen Ecosystem Summit held in Jakarta.

(from left) Fransiscus Soerjopranoto, COO at PT Hyundai Motors Indonesia; Nur Lalia Widyastuti, Coordinator at BAPPENAS; Jaeha Park, Vice President and Head of Global Hydrogen Business Sub-Division at Hyundai Motor Group; Eniya Listiani Dewi, Director General of New and Renewable Energy at ESDM; Ary Kurniawan, Project Director at PT Pertamina; H. Sumasna, Regional Secretary of West Java Province; Ai Saadiyah Dwidaningsih, Head of West Java Environmental Management Agency
(from left) Fransiscus Soerjopranoto, COO at PT Hyundai Motors Indonesia; Nur Lalia Widyastuti, Coordinator at BAPPENAS; Jaeha Park, Vice President and Head of Global Hydrogen Business Sub-Division at Hyundai Motor Group; Eniya Listiani Dewi, Director General of New and Renewable Energy at ESDM; Ary Kurniawan, Project Director at PT Pertamina; H. Sumasna, Regional Secretary of West Java Province; Ai Saadiyah Dwidaningsih, Head of West Java Environmental Management Agency

At the summit, the Group unveiled comprehensive plans for the initiative in partnership with Indonesia’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Ministry of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS), and PT Pertamina (Persero), an Indonesian state-owned energy company.

Hosted by the Indonesia Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association (IFHE), the event was attended by key stakeholders, including the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), representatives from the Ministry of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS), and executives from Pertamina and Hyundai Motor Group. During the event, ESDM presented Indonesia’s national hydrogen roadmap, while BAPPENAS outlined hydrogen policies for Nusantara, the country’s new capital city.

As part of the initiative, the Group will establish an on-site hydrogen refueling station using Pertamina’s existing compressed natural gas (CNG) infrastructure, targeting operational launch by 2027. The station will be supplied with low-carbon hydrogen produced from biogas sourced at the Sarimukti landfill near Bandung, the capital of West Java Province.

Following the completion of a technical feasibility study on Sarimukti landfill development, the Group plans to commence construction this year. To bring Korea’s advanced hydrogen policies and technologies into the project, the Group is supporting the effort through a consortium of leading Korean organizations and companies.

The roadmap underscores significant advancements in the Group’s commitment to sustainable hydrogen solutions, as highlighted by its senior management at events in Indonesia and abroad. It also aligns with the objectives of Indonesia’s central government ministries and is reflected in the country’s National Hydrogen and Ammonia Roadmap.

Indonesia Marks First Overseas Milestone in W2H Initiative

The Sarimukti landfill in Indonesia handles about 80 percent of the 1,500 tons of waste generated daily in Bandung. In recent years, neighboring communities have faced repeated natural disasters – including large-scale fires, floods, and landslides – driven by the ongoing effects of global warming and increasingly extreme weather conditions.

Reaffirming its corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitment, the Group has partnered with Good Neighbors to improve local access to drinking water and healthcare. Collaborating with Sejin G&E, the Group plans to secure the Sarimukti landfill, preventing disasters and ensuring safety, while extracting biogas for low-carbon hydrogen production via Hyundai Rotem’s steam methane reformer.

The robust partnership between the Group and Pertamina has paved the way for the development of a comprehensive hydrogen ecosystem covering land provision for refueling stations, hydrogen production and transport, and vehicle utilization.

With strong support from key Indonesian government bodies, this collaboration not only addresses urgent waste management challenges but also lays the groundwork for low carbon hydrogen production.

About Hyundai Motor Group

More information about Hyundai Motor Group can be found at: http://www.hyundaimotorgroup.com or Newsroom: Media Hub by Hyundai, Kia Global Media Center (kianewscenter.com), Genesis Newsroom

 

Guozi Robotics Marks Nine Years of Partnership with Staples, Driving Continued Logistics Efficiency

HANGZHOU, China, April 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In April 2025, Guozi Robotics and U.S.-based Staples celebrate the ninth year of their strategic partnership. Over the course of this collaboration, the two companies have signed two strategic cooperation agreements. Guozi has supplied Staples with over 1,000 robots—including a wide range of Picking AGVs—deployed in key warehouse locations such as Charlotte, Pennsylvania, Denver, and New York.

 

Staples Project Case

Many of these robots, still operating reliably after nearly a decade, continue to play a vital role in Staples’ distribution centers. They have helped reduce picking labor by 60% and cut picking staff workload by 50%, significantly improving both picking efficiency and accuracy, and delivering measurable operational gains.

Currently, Guozi Robotics has developed a comprehensive series of Picking AGV products, including double-deep reach, adaptive, and dual-mast models. Its self-developed integrated software, GRACE Xpress, delivers powerful functionalities—such as full-process simulation, which significantly shortens on-site deployment cycles, and AI-powered adaptive location calibration, leveraging deep learning algorithms to rapidly improve storage positioning accuracy during AGV operation. Additionally, Guozi’s robotic systems enable seamless customized integration with users’ upper-level business systems.

Guozi has also established a deep partnership with Staples to co-develop intelligent picking stations, where robotic arms replace manual picking. AI algorithms continuously optimize picking efficiency and accuracy.

*In the next phase, the collaboration will focus on:

  • Integrating humanoid robots and dexterous hands to upgrade station picking methods, advancing toward fully unmanned operations across all stations.
  • Automating packaging and sorting processes, targeting contactless verification and autonomous packing to achieve a completely unmanned warehouse ecosystem.

The Staples Pennsylvania Warehouse Equipment Manager stated: “The robots have been reliable partners in my work—they are efficient, stable, easy to use, and simple to maintain. They have boosted our productivity, and Guozi’s service is excellent. I look forward to continuing to work with these robots in the future.”

Today, Guozi’s global business is rapidly expanding, offering robotic products to customers worldwide and supporting more Chinese enterprises in their international ventures.

Bauma 2025: XCMG Excavator Debuts 13 E-Series Models Customized for the European Market

XUZHOU, China and MUNICH, April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — XCMG Excavator, a specialized excavator business unit from XCMG Machinery (SHE:000425), made its grand entrance at bauma 2025 under the theme Solid Innovation for Green Tomorrow, unveiling 13 E-series excavators meticulously designed for European markets. The global construction machinery event, held from April 7th–13th, 2025, saw XCMG Excavator attract significant attention with its cutting-edge solutions and record-breaking orders.

XCMG Excavator at bauma 2025
XCMG Excavator at bauma 2025

E-Pioneer: Precision Engineering for Europe

To address regional demands, XCMG Excavator’s technical and marketing teams collaborated closely with European partners to develop excavators tailored to local operational needs. Among the highlights were three flagship models: the XE10E and XE45E mini excavators, optimized for urban projects, and the XE530E heavy-duty mining excavator, engineered for rugged terrains. These models, featuring enhanced performance and efficiency, garnered immediate interest and multiple letters of intent from attendees.

Record-Breaking Orders Signal Market Confidence

Kicking off with a wave of high-profile contracts signings, the XCMG Excavator exhibition saw a landmark agreement for 300 units, including its regionally celebrated XE19E and XE27E models, shatter the single-order record at the event.

Leveraging years of customer insights and compliance with stringent EU regulations, XCMG Excavator unveiled a full spectrum of mini, medium, and large excavators. The mini lineup drew particular praise, with Mr. Hans from FORKLIFT OÜ, a Estonian contractor exclaiming, “Gute, supergute Maschine!” (“An exceptional machine!”) during a live demonstration.

Green Innovation: Leading the Sustainable Transition

Aligned with the European Green Deal, XCMG Excavator emphasized its commitment to eco-friendly technology, showcasing zero-emission, low-noise, and energy-efficient machinery. A milestone delivery of 20 XE215EV electric excavators underscored the company’s leadership in renewable energy solutions. Visitors test-drove the popular XE19EV, applauding its high efficiency, intelligent controls, and operator-centric design.

XCMG Excavator’s green portfolio now spans 1.5 to 70-ton models, including all-electric, hybrid, and electric traction options. The XE215EV, with its six core advantages — power, durability, safety, intelligence, ergonomics, and energy savings — has become a top choice in Germany and the Netherlands for 20-ton-class projects.

With a product strategy focused on application-specific performance and durability, XCMG Excavator is strengthening its presence in Europe’s high-end excavator segment. As the industry moves toward more advanced, sustainable technologies, the company plans to deepen partnerships with global stakeholders to drive mutual growth.

Professor Mohammad Dastbaz Appointed as CEO of MLA College

LONDON, April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The MLA College Board is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Mohammad Dastbaz as its new Chief Executive Officer and Principal.

Professor Mohammad Dastbaz
Professor Mohammad Dastbaz

 

Professor Dastbaz joins MLA College from the University of Suffolk, where he held the position of Deputy Vice-Chancellor. With a distinguished career in higher education leadership, he brings a wealth of experience and a strong track record of advancing academic innovation, digital learning, and internationalisation.

His academic expertise lies in computing, and he holds a PhD in the Design, Development and Evaluation of Multimedia Systems. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute for IT (The British Computer Society) and has consistently demonstrated a passion for the integration of technology, sustainability and education throughout his career. Prior to his role at the University of Suffolk, he served as Dean of the School of Computing, Information Technology and Engineering at the University of East London, and later as Dean and Pro Vice-Chancellor at Leeds Beckett University.

Commenting on his appointment, Professor Dastbaz said:

“I am delighted to be joining MLA College, a unique and prestigious higher education institution, a key partner of United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and CIFAL City of London, at such an exciting time in its journey. MLA has a strong reputation for innovation in education, particularly in the maritime and environmental sustainability sectors. I look forward to working with staff, students, and partners to further strengthen that reputation and guide MLA College into its next chapter.”

In addition to his academic leadership, Professor Dastbaz is a widely published author. His publications reflect his commitment to sustainable innovation and include titles such as Green Information Technology: A Sustainable Approach, Industry 4.0 and Engineering for a Sustainable Future, Technology for Smart Futures, Challenges of Urbanisation, and Social Sustainability.

Professor John Chudley, Rector of MLA College and Chair of the UK Engineering Council, offered a warm welcome:

“Professor Dastbaz’s appointment marks a significant milestone in the evolution of MLA College. His leadership experience and academic vision will play a vital role in shaping our future; especially as we work toward university status. I am personally delighted to welcome him on board and look forward to the contributions he will undoubtedly make to our community.”

Mr Chris Gaunt OBE, Chair of the MLA College Board, added a strategic perspective:

“On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to welcome Professor Dastbaz to MLA College. His broad expertise in education, innovation, and sustainability aligns perfectly with our long-term goals. We are confident that his leadership will guide us with clarity and purpose as we embark on this next exciting chapter.”

With this appointment, MLA College reinforces its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and academic excellence as it continues its mission to deliver high-quality, flexible education to learners around the world.