• Five-week programme to prepare students for a fast-evolving, more AI-centric job market
• Cohort empowered with AI tools to solve real world challenges from leading local organisations AmBank, JCorp, Silverlake, and Arkie AI
• Two winning teams will represent Malaysia at the Tencent Cloud Hackathon Global Finals in Shenzhen

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Tencent Cloud, the cloud business of global technology company Tencent, and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) have formalised a three-year collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 18 August 2026 to strengthen AI education, cloud skills development and industry-led problem-solving.

The AI CAN DO IT – Tencent Cloud x UTM AI Hackathon 2026 demonstrated how students can apply AI to real-world industry needs. Held from 10 July to 13 August, the five-week programme brought together UTM students to develop solutions for challenges identified by leading local organisations AmBank, Johor Corporation (JCorp), Silverlake and Arkie AI.

The programme recorded more than 300 engagements across recruitment, training and mentoring activities. The Demo Day at UTM Kuala Lumpur also brought together representatives from the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Tencent Institute of Games and other industry partners.

The MoU was signed at The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur by Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd Shafry bin Mohd Rahim, Vice-Chancellor of UTM, and Poshu Yeung, Senior Vice President, Tencent Cloud International.

Preparing students for an AI-enabled workplace

The Tencent Cloud–UTM collaboration comes as AI proficiency is becoming increasingly important across the workforce. Students and young adults are entering a fast-evolving job market in which AI-supported research, analysis, programming and ideation are becoming more common.

Students at the Hackathon received both online and in-person training on Tencent WorkBuddy, an AI desktop agent that can assist with research, analysis and document creation; CodeBuddy, an AI programming suite that supports coding and software development; and Tencent Design Miora, an AI-native creative studio for visual content and design. These AI tools were used as part of their project work, with technical guidance and feedback from industry practitioners. Students’ AI and troubleshooting abilities were tested at the Hackathon by solving real-world problems in a controlled, low-risk environment.

AmBank, JCorp, Silverlake and Arkie AI contributed challenge statements covering financial scam prevention, organisational performance monitoring, and communication and social skills training.

JCorp, for example, asked students to consider how AI could help management identify emerging performance concerns and understand the factors behind them. Arkie AI challenged students to explore how AI-driven role-play and personalised feedback could help people practise communication in a safe environment.

“Much of the AI conversation focuses on access to models and infrastructure. In practice, the harder question is what organisations do with them,” said Jasmine Chan, Partnership Director, Tencent Cloud Malaysia. “The same applies to students. Working on a real brief requires them to make choices, test their assumptions and justify their solution with real world commercial outcomes. These experiences will become invaluable to students as AI continues to integrate into Malaysian businesses and the wider economy.”

AI skillsets yielding diverse benefits for students

For students, exposure to AI tools and real industry challenges can strengthen practical problem-solving, communication and technical capabilities that are increasingly relevant across sectors. The hackathon also gave participants opportunities to work across disciplines, receive feedback from industry practitioners and translate ideas into demonstrable solutions.

Team Sleep_Well, which included Ho Yu Xiang from UTM’s Faculty of Artificial Intelligence, was named champion of the AI Agent Track for AI Scam Shield, an AI-powered financial scam prevention platform developed in response to Silverlake’s challenge.

Team Untitled, comprising Ahmad Mohamed Elhassan Seliaman Mohamed and Mohammed Rahbab Chowdhury, won the Game Track with Threshold, a 3D social simulation game designed to help users practise communication skills and build social confidence. Players create an identity, explore an open environment and interact with AI-driven characters across different scenarios.

Both teams will go on to represent Malaysia at the Tencent Cloud Hackathon Global Finals in Shenzhen, China, in September.

Building a longer-term pathway for AI talent development

The hackathon is one of the early initiatives under the broader three-year collaboration between Tencent Cloud and UTM. The MoU provides a framework for joint research in AI, Cloud Computing, Smart Technologies and Digital Transformation; professional certification; hackathons and innovation programmes; internships and talent development; and exchange and training activities.

“Malaysia’s continued progress in AI will depend on our ability to connect academic learning with the skills and tools used by industry,” said Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd Shafry bin Mohd Rahim, Vice-Chancellor of UTM. “Through this collaboration, we look forward to giving students and educators more opportunities to build practical capabilities in cloud and AI, while contributing to a stronger national talent pipeline.”

UTM established Malaysia’s first Faculty of Artificial Intelligence in 2024, and its Bachelor in Artificial Intelligence with Honours includes Responsible AI and Ethics. The collaboration supports UTM ASCEND 2030 by expanding opportunities for students and educators to engage with current technologies, industry expertise and real-world AI applications.

About Tencent Cloud

Tencent Cloud, one of the world’s leading cloud companies, is committed to creating innovative solutions to resolve real-world issues and enabling digital transformation for smart industries. Through our extensive global infrastructure, Tencent Cloud provides businesses across the globe with stable and secure industry-leading cloud products and services, leveraging technological advancements such as cloud computing, Big Data analytics, AI, IoT, and network security. It is our constant mission to meet the needs of industries across the board, including the fields of gaming, media and entertainment, finance, healthcare, property, retail, travel, and transportation.

About Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) is a leading innovation-driven entrepreneurial research university in engineering, science and technology, with campuses in Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur and Pagoh. Ranked 158th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, UTM advances education, research, innovation and industry collaboration for national and global impact.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The JETOUR T2 i-DM has officially launched in Malaysia. As the hybrid variant of the T2 family, the T2 i-DM combines responsive performance, extended range and outdoor-ready features to offer Malaysian consumers greater versatility for different mobility needs.

Ke Chuandeng, President of JETOUR International, said: “Malaysia is a key market in JETOUR’s global strategy. Since entering Malaysia, we have focused on the local market, guided by user needs and local culture as we bring our ‘Travel+’ philosophy to life. Through more meaningful initiatives, we hope to build stronger connections with local users and continue to develop products and services that meet diverse mobility needs and create better travel experiences for consumers.”

i-DM Hybrid Technology Meets Diverse Mobility Needs

The JETOUR T2 has surpassed 570,000 units in cumulative global sales, after becoming one of the fastest boxy SUVs to reach the 500,000-unit milestone. It continues to perform strongly across markets including the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia-Pacific.

As the hybrid variant of the T2 family, the T2 i-DM introduced in Malaysia is equipped with JETOUR’s Intelligent Dual-Mode hybrid system, which seamlessly integrates electric and hybrid power to deliver responsive performance, efficient driving and everyday versatility. The system features five operating modes: EV Drive, Series Hybrid, Dual Power Boost, Parallel Hybrid and Regenerative Braking, supporting different driving conditions including low-speed driving, urban commuting, overtaking and hill climbing, and highway cruising. Together, these capabilities allow the T2 i-DM to adapt to diverse mobility needs, from daily urban commuting and long-distance travel to outdoor adventures.

The T2 i-DM is also equipped with an 18.4kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery and supports up to 3.3kW Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) external power output, providing convenient power for outdoor lighting, cooking appliances and other compatible devices. Together, these features further enhance the vehicle’s practicality for travel and outdoor living.

Deepening Presence in Malaysia, Advancing NEV Lineup

The launch of the T2 i-DM marks a strategic step in JETOUR’s efforts to strengthen its presence in Malaysia and accelerate its global new energy vehicle (NEV) development. Since entering the Malaysian market in 2024, JETOUR has introduced multiple SUV models including the T1, T2, and Dashing, earning widespread consumer recognition for their competitive product offerings. Previously, the JETOUR T2 achieved a five-star safety rating from ASEAN NCAP and was named “SUV of the Year 2026” at the DSF.my Car Awards. As of Q2 2026, JETOUR ranks first in both the boxy SUV and SUV-D segments in Malaysia.

Beyond its product portfolio, JETOUR is actively engaged with local communities in Malaysia through initiatives such as sea turtle and freshwater turtle conservation programs, as well as its role as the official automotive partner of the Malaysia Sarong Music Run (MSMR). These efforts reflect the brand’s “Travel⁺” philosophy by connecting mobility with local culture and environmental responsibility.

Looking ahead, JETOUR will continue to introduce new models tailored to Malaysian users’ needs—including the T1 PHEV, G series, and BEV models—further strengthening its local lineup and advancing its NEV strategy.

Customers can purchase 24 karat 99.99% pure Swiss-made, LBMA accredited gold from one gram, manage their holdings online and request physical delivery or pick-up in Singapore.

SINGAPORE, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — FinMet Pte. Ltd. has announced the launch of FinMet.sg, a fully transactional platform created specifically for customers in Singapore who want a simpler way to purchase, own and manage physical gold. FinMet’s global presence began in Singapore, and FinMet.sg builds on that foundation with a service designed around how customers in Singapore identify themselves, make payments, store their gold and take delivery. Customers can begin with one gram, monitor their holdings through a clear account experience, buy or sell at any time, and request physical pickup/delivery once their holdings reach 10 grams.

The purpose of FinMet.sg is simple: to remove unnecessary friction from purchasing physical gold without changing what the customer ultimately owns. The platform makes it possible to begin with a smaller quantity, complete purchases online and view holdings through a clear account experience. At every stage, the underlying product remains 24 karat, 99.99% pure, Swiss-made physical gold.

To start purchasing and managing physical gold from just one gram, visit FinMet.sg today.

A Seamless, Secure Purchasing Journey

This approach is intended to make physical gold easier to access and manage for customers who value clarity, convenience and the option of delivery. Rather than requiring customers to begin with a larger bar, complete an entirely offline purchase or arrange storage independently, FinMet.sg brings the principal stages of gold ownership into one online platform designed for use in Singapore. Gold purchased through the platform is professionally vaulted in Singapore, and customers can request physical delivery within Singapore once their holdings reach 10 grams.

The customer journey incorporates services that people in Singapore already use and recognise, including Singpass for identity verification and PayNow for payment. This straightforward online process includes:

• Accessible Entry: Customers purchase gold in whole-gram quantities, beginning at one gram.
• Transparent Pricing: Before confirming a transaction, customers review the live price per gram in Singapore dollars and the total amount payable. 
• Clear Ownership: Once a purchase is completed, legal title to the corresponding physical gold passes to the customer, reflected immediately in their platform balance.
• Flexible Management: Customers can hold, purchase more, sell through the platform, or request physical delivery within Singapore once their holding reaches 10 grams.

How Does FinMet.sg Make Physical Gold More Affordable?

FinMet.sg’s direct-to-consumer model reduces the overheads associated with operating a conventional network of brick-and-mortar stores. These efficiencies are passed on to customers, helping make physical gold more affordable and accessible while retaining professional vaulting and the option of physical delivery or collection.

“We took a customer-first approach to make the buyer’s entry into gold ownership the easiest part of the experience,” says Anirudh Menon, Co-Founder and CEO of FinMet Technologies.

“Price matters, but affordability should not come at the expense of clear ownership,” adds Sunil Kashyap, Managing Director of FinMet Pte. Ltd. “Gold that is identifiable rather than held within an undifferentiated pool gives customers greater clarity over what they own and makes taking physical delivery more straightforward.”

Professional Vaulting and Uncompromised Purity

The physical gold is held in the form of 99.99% pure, Swiss-made CombiBars. These physical bullion bars are individually minted into individual one-gram segments that can be separated without reducing their stated metal weight or purity. This structure supports FinMet.sg’s whole-gram ownership model while retaining a clear connection between the quantity shown on the platform and the underlying physical asset.

The gold is professionally vaulted in Singapore by Helveticor, an international Swiss-based provider of security logistics, storage and transportation services. Helveticor provides the professional vaulting arrangement, while FinMet.sg provides the website through which customers purchase, view and manage their gold.

Designed for Ease of Use

Ease of use was treated as a product requirement rather than a secondary design consideration. The customer journey was developed to present the essential information clearly, from the quantity and price of a purchase to the customer’s current holdings and delivery eligibility.

The team behind FinMet.sg developed the platform with a clear understanding that trust must extend beyond the gold itself to every part of the customer experience. The aim was to create a service that feels straightforward and familiar to people in Singapore, including those purchasing physical gold for the first time.

“This is a platform that I wanted to make sure my mother could use without anyone else’s help,” says Anirudh Menon, Co-Founder and CEO of FinMet Technologies. “That was my benchmark for success in the user experience.”

For customers unfamiliar with physical gold, practical considerations—such as deciding how much to buy, understanding purity, arranging storage, and determining resale options—can make an initial purchase difficult to navigate. FinMet.sg addresses these barriers through a one-gram starting quantity, professional vaulting, and an online management platform.

FinMet Group’s leadership brings decades of experience in the global precious metals market.

“Gold has always been trusted. What has been missing is an experience that matches that trust with the standards people now expect from any financial platform. That is what FinMet.sg is built on,” noted Sunil Kashyap, Managing Director, FinMet Pte. Ltd.

Commitment to Industry Standards

FinMet follows the Seven Retail Gold Investment Principles developed by the World Gold Council, covering areas such as fairness, transparency, protection of customer assets and regulatory compliance. The company clarifies that adherence to the framework does not amount to certification or endorsement by the World Gold Council.

FinMet Pte. Ltd. is also an Associate Corporate Member of the Singapore Bullion Market Association (SBMA), reinforcing the company’s connection to Singapore’s professional bullion-market community.

FinMet Pte. Ltd. is registered under Singapore’s Precious Stones and Precious Metals Act as a regulated dealer. Regulation by Singapore’s Ministry of Law is for anti-money laundering and countering terrorism financing purposes only, and does not constitute product endorsement.

As a precious-metals dealer—not a bank or MAS-licensed financial institution—FinMet does not accept deposits or provide financial advice. Gold prices can fluctuate, and customers should review all applicable terms before completing a transaction.

Further information is available at https://finmet.sg/.

About FinMet Group

FinMet is a precious metals advisory and technology group operating in Singapore, UAE and other international markets. Its activities span precious metals consulting, product development, sector-specific technology solutions and partnerships with industry associations across the global precious metals ecosystem. FinMet Technologies Pvt. Ltd., the Group’s technology arm, was named Best Financial Technology Company in Gold of the Year 2025–26 at the India Gold Conference (IGC) 2026 in Goa.

About FinMet Pte. Ltd.

FinMet Pte. Ltd. is a Singapore-registered precious-metals dealer and the operator of FinMet.sg, a platform through which customers in Singapore can purchase and manage physical gold. The platform offers whole-gram purchases from one gram, online holdings management, buying and selling subject to applicable terms, professional vaulting in Singapore and physical delivery from 10 grams.

UEN: 202022529N Registered address: 160 Robinson Road, #14-04, Singapore Business Federation Center, Singapore 068914 Website:https://finmet.sg/

100-Word Media Summary

FinMet Pte. Ltd. has launched FinMet.sg, a fully transactional platform created for customers in Singapore seeking a simpler way to purchase and manage physical gold. Operated by a Singapore-registered company, it combines FinMet Group’s international precious-metals experience with familiar local services, including Singpass and PayNow. Customers can purchase 99.99% pure, Swiss-made gold from one gram, monitor their holdings, and buy or sell through the platform. The gold is held as physical CombiBars and professionally vaulted in Singapore by Helveticor. Physical delivery within Singapore is available from 10 grams. Ease of use was central to the platform’s development.

Five Key Facts for Journalists

1. FinMet.sg launched on 2 September 2026 as a Singapore-based platform created specifically for customers in Singapore and operated by Singapore-registered FinMet Pte. Ltd.
2. The website is fully transactional, with purchases beginning from one gram.
3. Customers purchase 24 karat, 99.99% pure, Swiss-made physical gold.
4. Holdings are reflected in physical CombiBars professionally vaulted in Singapore by Helveticor.
5. Customers can monitor, buy or sell through the platform and request physical delivery from 10 grams, subject to applicable terms.

SHANGHAI, Sept. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At HUAWEI CONNECT 2026, Huawei unveiled its upgraded Stellar AI WAN Solution. Centered on ultimate computing efficiency and multi-dimensional security, this solution addresses cross-region computing challenges in efficiency, cost, and security, driving all intelligence across industries in the AI era.

Stellar AI WAN for Intelligent Connectivity

Amid the rapid expansion of AI computing power, deploying new compute infrastructure in the West has made remote invocation the new norm. However, traditional networks face three critical issues relating to cross-region computing.

• Severe efficiency loss: Invoking computing power across 1,000 km can incur a 37% efficiency loss from a mere 0.073% packet loss.
• High on-premise costs: Local compute deployment costs from 1 million RMB per branch.
• Expensive private lines: Enterprises spend around 1.2 million RMB annually on 10G private lines.

To address this, Leon Wang, President of Huawei’s Data Communication Product Line, introduced the Stellar AI WAN Solution, enabling lossless delivery of computing power over 1,000 km for a local-like remote computing experience. The XH computing-network appliance uses a unique layerwise model partitioning algorithm to run the initial and final layers of inference locally while offloading intermediate layers to remote infrastructure. With the network transmitting only high-dimensional vectors, raw data remains on-premises. The appliance requires just two xPUs to match a traditional 8-xPU setup, slashing xPU costs by 75%. The updated Starnet lossless algorithm cuts bandwidth idle time by over 80% and reduces required bandwidth fivefold, further lowering cross-region computing costs.

Stellar AI WAN for Security

As global security threats intensify, novel vectors like APTs and HNDL attacks continue to emerge. To address these, Huawei provides a three-layer defense for WANs.

• Device layer: Intrinsic security boards detect and block intrusions in real time, tracing threats within minutes at over 95% accuracy.
• Link layer: Built-in QKD delivers robust quantum security without extra devices or fibers, slashing costs by over 60%. An adaptive noise suppression algorithm extends QKD transmission past 80 km.
• Network layer: APN6-based data fencing enables network-wide control over traffic paths, ensuring data travels exclusively within secure networks with intrinsic security and quantum encryption deployed.

Looking ahead, Huawei will continually upgrade the Stellar AI WAN Solution, deepening its computing-network synergy and multi-dimensional security. Together with partners, Huawei aims to reinforce the intelligent network foundation and accelerate all intelligence across enterprises.