Spacebiz in Hong Kong – a golden opportunity for Professional Services and STEM

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 June 2026 – Space Economy Association (Hong Kong) Ltd, or “SEA”, officially formed in the midst of the space economy boom. It is an independent membership-based non-government organisation dedicated to connecting and facilitating space-related industries, businesses, investors, educators, experts, and governments worldwide in their pursuit for businesses and technology in commercial space. SEA helps establish Hong Kong as a super-connector hub in the international space ecosystem by capitalising on our professional services, led by finance.

The new renaissance is in the space economy. The US$630 billion global space economy is set to triple to US$1.8 trillion^[1] by 2035. With launch costs dropping 10-fold in the last 20 years, private and public sectors will soar with all humanity set to benefit. Space economy is ubiquitous and creating value beyond rocketry and satellites, everyone will flourish as the space economy grows 9% per annum. China is the world’s second largest player in space, highlighting it as one of the four emerging strategic industries in its 15th National Five-Year Plan. Its commercial space sector has already launched 81 rockets and 336 satellites into orbit, with over 100 space start-ups and companies raising around US$6.5 billion. Hong Kong, as a key international financial centre practicing Common Law with international arbitration system and robust insurance, data and intellectual property protection capabilities, uniquely stands to serve China and other countries to pursue capital, business, technology and talent in commercial space.

“From Hong Kong’s perspective, the NewSpace economy is not simply about rockets or satellites; it is about the commercial possibilities they create for our professional services community. As the nation advances its aerospace ambitions, Hong Kong’s strengths in finance, insurance, law and related fields equip the city to support activities ranging from project financing and initial public offerings to risk management and crossborder transactions. Our bankers, insurers, accountants and lawyers are ideally positioned to help turn space initiatives into viable enterprises — and to participate directly in the value they generate.” said the Honourable Bernard Charnwut Chan, GBM, GBS, JP. Patron of SEA.

“Hong Kong’s top-class professional services would facilitate the processes from research and innovation to startup, scale-up and successful space business. Besides a hub for IPOs, Hong Kong offers funding from seed and angel, to private equity, venture capital, mergers and acquisitions, in debt, equity, and lease financing. This space economy would contribute plentiful job and business opportunities to become a key pillar of Hong Kong in terms of economy and quality opportunities for our young generation,” said Professor Richard Leung, Chairman of SEA. “SEA’s global network of partners grows beyond Asia, North America and Europe to include the UNOOSA ecosystem. SEA is a platform that empowers astropreneurs to launch towards humanity’s collective space dream.”

SEA is governed by a Board of 19 members and supported by nine committees. SEA is also strongly supported by a Patron and five Fellows who share the vision to position Hong Kong as a leading hub in the international space economy. The Honourable Bernard Charnwut Chan, GBM, GBS, JP is SEA’s Patron with Fellows Dr. Anthony Neoh, KC, SC, JP, Chairman, Asian Academy of International Law, Prof. Jin-Guang Teng, BBS, JP, President, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Mr. Jimmy Tsang, General Manager, Goldlion, Mr. Roger Tong, Chief Executive Officer, AsiaSat, and Prof. Gregg Li, Adjunct Professor at the Laboratory for Space Research, The University of Hong Kong.

As this new economy requires education first, SEA began as the Orion Astropreneur Space Academy or OASA, with an aim to herald and teach this new economy. OASA was formed in 2020 to accelerate the awakening of young executives and professionals through action-learning and Artificial Intelligence, preparing them for the NewSpace economy. OASA has made important strides in advancing NewSpace awareness, talent development, and ecosystem building. It has engaged more than 200,000 visits, worked with over 50 partner organisations, and organised more than 60 courses and activities. As OASA evolves into SEA, the OASA remains the brand for school development programmes and youth-focused education.

SEA membership is a community of 100 co-founders, 150+ active members, 250+ student members, and 40+ industry partners shaping the future of NewSpace in the Greater Bay Area. Members connect with leading innovators, world-class institutions, global mentors, and industry leaders at the forefront of the commercial space. SEA provides a trusted platform for dialogue, collaboration, and engagement through events and direct connections. Members can access closed-door industry dialogues, international delegations, early opportunities for partnerships, and connect with an internationally respected network.

SEA’s membership framework has full, associate, and fellow membership options to serve this diverse community. All members benefit from preferential event rates, networking opportunities, curated market intelligence, professional development, and selected business support services. Full Members enjoy governance rights at general meetings, while higher-tier and charter members receive additional recognition and priority access.

Hashtag: #SpaceEconomyAssociation #SEA

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About Space Economy Association (Hong Kong) Ltd

Space Economy Association (Hong Kong) Ltd (SEA) is an independent, membership-based NGO dedicated to connecting and facilitating space-related industries, businesses, investors, educators, experts, and governments worldwide in their pursuit of commercial space business and technology. SEA aims to help establish Hong Kong as a super-connector hub within the international space ecosystem by capitalising on its strengths in professional services, led by finance. SEA’s membership comprises a community of 100 co-founders, over 150 active members, more than 250 student members, and 40+ industry partners, all contributing to shaping the future of NewSpace in the Greater Bay Area. Members benefit from access to closed-door industry dialogues, international delegations, early partnership opportunities, and connections with a respected global network, including the UNOOSA ecosystem. SEA’s growing global network of partners spans Asia, North America, and Europe.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 June 2026 – Organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers (HKICM / the Institute), the biennial flagship event of the construction industry—the 6^th Construction Management Awards (the Awards)—is now open for nominations. Since its debut in 2016, the Awards have received enthusiastic support from the industry, successfully gathering outstanding construction professionals. By recognizing the cornerstone professionals of the construction sector—such as construction managers, site managers, and engineers—the Awards acknowledge their practices and exceptional contributions in their professional fields, actively driving the professional development of the industry while nurturing and attracting younger generations of talent.

Deepening “Corporate Leadership, On-Site Implementation” to Reflect Excellent Governance Standards

Entering its sixth edition, the Awards continue to uphold their mission of creating a credible exchange platform for industry elites. In recent years, with society’s high emphasis on occupational safety and health, along with the widespread application of smart construction technologies, site safety has gone far beyond the traditional, rigid mindset of “checking in and re-inspecting”. The Institute thoroughly understands that excellent site safety performance does not rely solely on the routine compliance execution of frontline sites; it must stem from the forward-looking vision and comprehensive policy drive of corporate management.

To this end, this year’s Awards have comprehensively enhanced the judging criteria. Building upon the existing award categories, the judging perspective has been extended from frontline construction management to the macro corporate level, significantly increasing the weight of the “Safety” element in scoring to elevate industry standards. This edition will more comprehensively and deeply review the effectiveness of corporations in formulating and implementing safety management policies. In addition to frontline execution capabilities, the judging panel will place greater emphasis on how corporations promote an excellent construction safety culture from a policy level, including integrating tech solutions like Smart Site Safety Systems (SSSS) into long-term development strategies to safeguard site safety. Furthermore, special emphasis is placed this year on how corporations establish long-term accident prevention and continuous improvement mechanisms through institutional frameworks, embedding safety concepts into the core of corporate governance to lead a comprehensive transformation of the safety culture in Hong Kong’s construction industry.

Inaugural “Excellent Construction Safety Culture Award” with a Dedicated Judging Panel Establishes Industry Authority

Cr Alfred TANG, President of the Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers, stated: “Site safety has always been the core focus most valued by the Government and the Institute. The Institute firmly believes that ‘Corporate Leadership, Safety Implementation, Everyone’s Responsibility’ is the key to driving industry transformation. To encourage more developers, main contractors, and stakeholders to actively play a top-down driving role, this year’s Awards have introduced the ‘Excellent Construction Safety Culture Award’, supported by an independent ‘Dedicated Safety Judging Panel’ composed of top senior safety experts and consultants in the industry to review the long-term effectiveness of corporate safety policies from the most rigorous and professional perspective. We firmly believe that this brand-new award and dedicated judging mechanism will effectively drive continuous progress in Hong Kong’s construction industry, laying a solid foundation for building a sustainable, safe, and highly efficient future.”

The “Construction Management Awards 2026” is opening for nominations from today until 31 August 2026. For details about the Awards, nomination forms, and judging criteria, please visit the Awards website (www.hkicm-cma.com).

Award Categories Overview

Award Categories	Team / Corporate Awards	Corresponding Individual Award Categories
Building Project	Excellent Construction Team Award (Building Project)	A) Construction Manager Award B) Site Manager Award C) Engineer Award D) EHS Officer Award E) Construction Supervisor Award
Civil Project	Excellent Construction Team Award (Civil Project)	A) Construction Manager Award B) Site Manager Award C) Technical Manager Award D) Engineer Award E) EHS Officer Award F) Construction Supervisor Award
Corporate Project	A) Excellent Construction Safety Culture Award B) Excellent Construction Innovation Enterprise	/
Individual Project	/	Young Construction Manager Award

Jury Panel

Chairman of the Judging Panel (Building Project):
Mr HO Chun Hung, JP, Director of Buildings, Buildings Department, HKSARG

Members of the Judging Panel (In apathetical order of surnames):

• Ir CHAN Siu Chung, Cedric, Chairman of Building Division, The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers
• Prof CHAN, Isabelle Y. S., Associate Dean of the Faculty of Architecture; Associate Professor at the Department of Real Estate and Construction, The University of Hong Kong
• Mr LEE Hok-yin, Arthur, JP, Deputy Director/Regulatory Services, Electrical & Mechanical Services Department, HKSARG
• Cr TANG Yu-chi, Alfred, President, The Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers
• Sr WAN Wai Ming, Tony, President, The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors
• Ir Prof Michael C. H. YAM, Head of Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Mr Emil YU Chen-on, President, The Hong Kong Federation of Electrical & Mechanical Contractors Limited

Chairman of the Judging Panel (Civil Project):
Mr HO Ying Kit, Tony, JP, Deputy Secretary for Development (Works) 3, Development Bureau, HKSARG

Members of the Judging Panel (In apathetical order of surnames):

• Ir Benjamin CHAN, JP, Project Manager (West), Civil Engineering and Development Department, HKSARG
• Cr CHAN Chi-man, Vice President, The Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers
• Ir CHAN Ho-yee, Vice chairperson of Civil Division, The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers
• Prof Jack Chin Pang CHENG, Associate Head of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
• Mr HO Kwing-kwong, Alex, Director – Industry Development, Construction Industry Council
• Mr NG Wai-hong, Patrick, Project Manager/Major Works, Highways Department, HKSARG
• Prof Songye ZHU, Interim Head of Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Members of the Excellent Construction Safety Culture Award Judging Panel (In alphabetical order of surnames):

• Prof Dr Daron Wai Kwong LEUNG, Safety Adviser, The Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers
• Dr Winson YEUNG, Principal Consultant, Occupational Safety & Health Council

Hashtag: #HKICM

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About HKICM

Established in 1997 with the sovereignty handover, Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers (“Institute” or “HKICM”) is the only local professional institution representing the construction management profession in Hong Kong. The Institute has developed rapidly, with its members reached 3,439, of which 1,285 were Corporate Members (including Fellows and Members).

Our objectives are to secure the advancement and facilitate the acquisition of knowledge and expertise which constitutes and promotes the practice of and professionalism in construction management. The works of the Institute include setting standards for professional services and performance, establishing rules of conduct, promoting Registered Construction Managers and Construction Supervisors and promulgating the recognition of professional site supervisors. We believe that all construction sites need to be managed by registered professional construction managers to ensure compliance of operation with government laws, safety and environmental protection requirements. In order to improve the professional standard of technical personnel in an orderly manner, the government needs to register and recognize the professional qualifications of site supervisors.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 June 2026 – As students and families evaluate higher education options, academic quality and programme offerings remain central considerations. However, there is growing recognition that the university experience extends beyond formal learning, with student wellbeing, peer engagement and career development increasingly influencing decision-making.

In a rapidly evolving employment landscape, higher education institutions are expected not only to provide academic knowledge but also to support students in developing the relationships and networks that can contribute to personal growth and professional readiness.

The Role of Peer Connections in Student Development

University friendships often form an important part of the student experience. Developed through classes, group projects, student organisations, volunteering initiatives and campus activities, these relationships can provide a sense of community and belonging throughout a student’s academic journey.

Research has consistently highlighted the role of peer support in student engagement, wellbeing and academic persistence. Strong social connections can help students adapt to new learning environments, navigate challenges and participate more actively in campus life. For international students in particular, peer networks often play an important role in easing cultural transitions and fostering inclusion.

Beyond graduation, these relationships frequently evolve into long-term personal and professional networks that continue to provide support throughout different stages of life and career development.

Professional Networks and Career Readiness

Alongside peer relationships, professional networks have become an increasingly important component of higher education. Connections with alumni, faculty members, career advisors, employers and industry practitioners can provide students with valuable insights into workplace expectations, emerging industry trends and potential career pathways.

Such interactions help bridge the gap between academic learning and employment by exposing students to real-world perspectives and opportunities. Early engagement with industry networks can also support career planning, mentorship and professional development, equipping students with a deeper understanding of the skills and competencies required in the workforce.

As employers place greater emphasis on workplace readiness and transferable skills, access to professional networks can complement academic qualifications and enhance graduates’ ability to navigate competitive labour markets.

Integrating Student Life and Career Development

Many higher education institutions are responding to evolving student expectations by adopting a more holistic approach to education. This includes creating opportunities for students to engage in co-curricular activities, leadership development programmes, community initiatives and career-related experiences alongside their academic studies.

At SIM Global Education (SIM GE), student engagement initiatives and career development resources form part of a broader ecosystem designed to support both personal and professional growth. Through student clubs, leadership opportunities and career advisory services, students can build interpersonal skills, expand their networks and explore future career possibilities throughout their studies.

For prospective students comparing higher education options, the question is not whether university friendships or professional networks matter more. Both are important. University friends provide belonging, encouragement and shared experiences, while professional networks provide exposure, guidance and access to future opportunities. In an education environment where students are increasingly conscious of wellbeing, employability and return on education, institutions that integrate student life, career development and holistic support are better positioned to meet evolving expectations. A meaningful higher education experience is shaped not only by qualifications, but also by the relationships, confidence and networks that students carry forward.

Looking Ahead

As higher education continues to evolve, students are increasingly seeking learning environments that support both academic achievement and broader developmental outcomes. While qualifications remain important, the relationships, experiences and networks developed during university can also play a significant role in shaping future opportunities.

For prospective students, evaluating higher education options may therefore involve looking beyond curriculum and rankings to consider how institutions foster community, professional engagement and personal development. Together, these elements contribute to a more holistic educational experience and can support students as they prepare for the next stage of their academic, professional and personal journeys.

Reference:

1. SIM Global Education Overview – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/sim-global-education/university-partners-sim-ge/sim-ge
2. SIM CCA – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/life-at-sim/co-curricular-activities
3. SIM Project 1095 – https://project1095.simge.edu.sg
4. SIM Student Life – https://project1095.simge.edu.sg/student-life
5. SIM Student Care – https://project1095.simge.edu.sg/student-care
6. SIM Career Services – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/life-at-sim/career-services
7. SIM Advantage – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/sim-global-education/sim-advantage
8. NDPI Peer Support – https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7102/15/5/602

Hashtag: #SIMGlobalEducation #SIMGE #GlobalEducation #InternationalDegree #CareerReady #FutureSkills

https://www.sim.edu.sg/

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

About SIM Global Education

SIM Global Education (SIM GE) is a leading private education institution in Singapore and the region. We offer more than 140 academic programmes ranging from diplomas and graduate diploma programmes to bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes with some of the world’s most reputable universities from Australia, Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, and the United States. SIM GE’s cohort is made up of 17,000 full- and part-time students and adult learners, of which approximately 41% are international students hailing from over 50 countries.

SIM GE’s holistic learning approach and culturally diverse learning environment aim to equip students with knowledge, industry skills and employability competencies, as well as a global perspective to succeed as future leaders in a fast-changing, technologically driven world.

For more information on SIM Global Education, visit www.sim.edu.sg

The Diamond Report includes insights on who is buying diamonds and why, based on a study of 18,500 women across the industry’s largest consumer market

LONDON, UK – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 June 2026 – Natural diamonds are the most desired luxury jewellery product, average purchase prices have increased 25%, Gen Z is now the second largest generation buying diamonds, and non-bridal occasions account for three-quarters of overall US demand. These are some of the key findings of De Beers Group’s latest US Diamond Acquisition Study, featuring responses from 18,500 women aged 18 – 74 across the industry’s largest consumer market.

Completed in 2026, the biannual study also found that Gen Z is spending almost double what Baby Boomers spend when buying natural diamonds – at $4,080 per piece vs $2,250 – and that while love-related purchase motivations remain the core driver of demand, personal motivations such as celebrating a new job, getting a promotion, recognising an achievement or ‘just because’ are increasingly driving diamond jewellery purchasing.

The study highlights that US consumers rank natural diamonds as their top preference for a luxury jewellery item, with 11% of women ranking natural diamond jewellery their most desired luxury gift. This places natural diamond desirability ahead of synthetic lab-grown diamonds (8%), other gemstones (5%) and plain gold jewellery (4%).

Average prices for natural diamond jewellery also increased significantly in 2025, rising to $4,063 per piece compared with $3,242 in 2023. This growth is being driven by consumers buying larger carat weights, with average total carat weight increasing to 1.86 carats, up from 1.65 carats in 2023.

When it comes to the industry’s youngest generation, the study found that Gen Z punches above its weight: the generation now accounts for just under a quarter (23%) of natural diamond demand value despite representing just 18% of the population. Gen Z consumers also buy or receive diamonds for more occasions than any other generation – at 1.83 occasions per year compared with an overall average of 1.7. While bridal occasions lead Gen Z demand at 45% of total purchases, gifting from relatives also plays an important role. Birthdays are particularly significant, representing 17% of all Gen Z diamond acquisitions compared with 13% across all generations. Gen Z also highly values self-expression and associates diamonds with being a symbol of identity more than any other generation, while also having the greatest reliance on social media for researching their purchases.

Diana Mitkov, lead researcher within Diamond Demand Insights & Analytics at De Beers Group, said: “The study findings highlight that today’s consumers aspire to own natural diamonds just as much as the generations that came before them, and ahead of any other jewellery product. And they are spending more per piece than ever before. But how and why consumers buy diamonds is evolving. Traditional life milestones such as getting engaged are no longer the only value driver for the industry; consumers are increasingly marking a wide range of occasions with natural diamonds and are looking for distinct pieces that feel personal to them.

“As unique miracles of nature, the attributes of natural diamonds play directly into these shifting consumer trends. The opportunity for the diamond industry is to ensure that natural diamonds continue to capture the value of this strong underlying desire in an increasingly competitive landscape by offering compelling designs across all sizes, colours and price points and for occasions that go well beyond traditional engagement or wedding jewellery.”

These findings feature in a new publication from De Beers, The Diamond Report, which also includes an editorial on the key forces shaping a positive future for natural diamonds by EVP Corporate Affairs & Strategy and Chief Economist, Eirik Wærness; an analysis of US jewellery retail trends; perspectives from leading US designers and retailers on how the diamond buying experience is evolving; and reflections on the role natural diamonds can play in supporting socioeconomic progress for the people and places where they are discovered.

The report also notes that natural diamond sales are increasing across US independent jewellers, with Point of Sales data from 950 retailers showing sales grew 4% and 9% year-on-year in Q4 2025 and Q1 2026, respectively. Coloured and low-coloured diamonds (those in the K – Z colour range) promoted by De Beers Group’s ‘Desert diamonds’ campaign outperformed, with sales growth of 15% and 19%, respectively.

The same data shows that while synthetic lab-grown diamond jewellery sales are increasing in volume, declining retail prices mean their value share of demand remains relatively low at 15% of independent jewellers’ diamond sales, compared with 85% for natural diamonds in 2025. In addition, there is a noticeable drop-off in sales once synthetic lab-grown diamonds reach 3 carats or larger in size, suggesting that consumers may feel synthetic lab-grown diamonds beyond this size could look too big. The report notes this could mean that as synthetic lab-grown diamond prices continue to decline in line with the multi-year trend already experienced, retailers may be unable to upsell to larger sizes, which could result in lower overall sales and impact long-term gross profits.

Eirik Wærness said: “The diamond industry is evolving at pace with both supply and demand-side dynamics shaping the industry’s future. On the supply side, declining global production of natural diamonds is expected to support an improved supply-demand balance over the coming years. On the demand-side, a resilient US economy and stabilisation of demand in China saw global natural diamond demand return to growth in 2025 while the industry’s marketing efforts are showing encouraging signs of momentum. With retail returns from synthetic lab-grown diamonds likely to come under pressure in the future, we expect retailers will increasingly differentiate them from natural diamonds in their sales strategies. As these fundamentals continue to stabilise, the industry has a significant opportunity to reinforce the value of natural diamonds and support long-term growth.”

Hashtag: #DiamondReport #NaturalDiamonds #Diamonds #Dessertdiamonds #DeBeersGroup

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About De Beers Group

Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining, marketing and retailing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with diamond mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of De Beers Group’s strategy as it develops a portfolio of offers that span the diamond value chain, including its jewellery houses, De Beers London and Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions such as diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives Tracr and GemFair. De Beers Group also provides leading services and technology to the diamond industry in the form of education and laboratory services and a wide range of diamond sorting, detection and classification technology services. De Beers Group is committed to ‘Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach to sustainability that underpins our efforts to create meaningful impact for the people and places where our diamonds are discovered. Building Forever focuses on three key areas where, through collaborations and partnerships around the globe, we have an enhanced ability to drive positive impact; Livelihoods, Climate and Nature. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American plc group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.