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PSB Academy celebrates 60th Birthday with interactive installations to showcase upskilling opportunities for Singaporeans


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 July 2024 – In celebration of its 60th anniversary, PSB Academy (PSBA), one of Singapore’s leading private education institutions, is hosting a series of interactive installations to showcase the various upskilling and reskilling opportunities for Singaporeans across all walks of life in a fun and informative way.

'Skill Up, Stand Out with PSB Academy' pop-up installation

Themed ‘Skill Up, Stand Out with PSB Academy’, visitors will get a first look at PSBA’s latest line-up of courses for students in Singapore and can meet with consultants who can share more about these courses. This initiative aligns with the government’s recent push to make skills upgrading easier for working adults and their vision to bring high-quality, industry-relevant programs offered by private education providers into the higher education landscape.

Celebrating 60 Years of Making Upskilling Accessible and Inclusive

These installations follow PSBA’s recent announcement of its S$3.5 million Diamond Jubilee Education Grant initiative, to support Singapore-based students in upskilling and reskilling and is a lead up to its 60th Diamond Jubilee celebration at the end of the year.

“For 60 years, PSB Academy has been a proud partner in Singapore’s educational landscape,” said Derrick Chang, Chief Executive Officer of PSB Academy. “By bringing these interactive installations directly to the public, we aim to make higher education more accessible, inclusive, and relevant to current industry needs. These experiences provide a welcoming platform for everyone to learn about the variety of courses we offer. It reaffirms our commitment to empowering Singaporeans with the skills they need to succeed in their careers, ultimately contributing to shaping Asia’s future leaders.”

Kicking off at Our Tampines Hub on July 19th to 21st, and followed by Westgate in August, visitors can also expect to:

  • Explore a wide range of flexible, industry-relevant courses: Get a first-hand look at PSBA’s extensive part-time and full-time programmes offered in partnership with renowned global universities, covering over 18 disciplines and spanning academic levels from certificates, diploma to doctorates, align perfectly with the key messages shared by Minister Chan Chun Sing at the launch of SkillsFuture Festival 2024 theme of Recognising Skills, Building Careers.
    • Echoing the SkillsFuture movement’s emphasis on enhancing career health through upskilling, PSB Academy’s programmes are designed to positively impact Singaporeans’ professional journeys. Collaboration with renowned global universities to provide a diverse and inclusive higher education will equip Singaporeans with essential skills for diverse careers, enhancing professional journeys and manpower development.
    • PSB Academy shares the government’s vision of affordable lifelong learning, offering flexible programmes from pre-university to postgraduate levels, supporting continuous professional development and reducing opportunity costs for mature workers.
    • Minister Chan highlighted the government’s commitment to making lifelong learning more affordable and accessible. PSB Academy shares this vision, offering flexible and affordable learning options for all stages of life. Our suite of programmes, from pre-university courses to postgraduate degrees, is structured to reduce opportunity costs for mature workers and support continuous professional development. This aligns with the government’s efforts to invest in Singaporeans throughout their lives, fostering a culture of lifelong learning.
  • Discover in-demand skills through interactive game booths: Participate in interactive game booths that highlight various skillsets in demand by employers. Participants have the opportunity to test their abilities and discover their potential in high-growth fields such as AI & Robotics, Engineering, Media and Communications, Sports Sciences, and Health and Life Sciences via engaging, skill-based challenges. *Participants can also stand a chance to win vouchers and attractive prizes such as JBL earbuds, 3D-Printed tokens and coasters, Balestier Khalsa’s jerseys and many more! When all game booths have been completed, players will be entitled to redeem a free goodie bag of PSBA’s Diamond Jubilee merchandise!

*While stocks last

Special appearance by PSB Academy’s long-time partner, Balestier Khalsa Football Club (FC): The athletes will be making a special appearance at Our Tampines Hub and Westgate, engaging participants at various stations such as the Diamond Dash and Balloon Buster stations that put your sports performance to the test! Bringing along 15 sets of the Balestier Khalsa team jerseys to hand out to some lucky participants at each location, the public will get to learn more about the marvels of sport sciences in our everyday lives.

“Our partnership with PSB Academy underlines our focus in sports science and data to optimise player performance and well-being,” said Don Darwin Jalil, Vice-Chairman, Balestier Khalsa Football Club. “PSB Academy’s facilities and expertise have significantly aided our preseason and match preparations. We are committed to our players’ post-sports careers and encourage them to explore educational opportunities at PSB Academy.”

‘Skill Up, Stand Out with PSB Academy’ pop-up installation

Date Time Location
19-21 July 11am-8pm

Special appearance by players from Balestier Khalsa FC daily, from 5pm to 7pm.

Our Tampines Hub, Festive Walk East

Nearest MRT: Tampines

7-11 August 10.30am-8pm

Special appearance by players from Balestier Khalsa FC daily, on 7-8 August and 10-11 August, from 5pm to 7pm.

Westgate, Level 2

Nearest MRT: Jurong East

In line with the Diamond Jubilee anniversary celebration, PSB Academy will also be raising funds for Care Corner’s “Uplift for Life 2024” campaign through sales of its 60th merchandise to its staff and students. The campaign aims to raise funds for programmes that help break cycles and uplift lives of disadvantaged children, youths, families and seniors for the long-term.

Further event details and updates can be found on https://openhouse.psb-academy.edu.sg/60th-anniversary.

Hashtag: #PSBAcademy

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

About PSB Academy:

As one of Singapore’s leading private education institutions, proudly celebrates its 60th anniversary, marking a heritage of almost six decades dedicated to shaping over 200,000 learners. With our campaign themed “Uncovering Diamonds,” we reflect on our journey and commitment to defining our identity as “Asia’s Future Academy.”

Established in 1964 under Singapore’s Economic Development Board, and later the Productivity and Standards Board, PSB Academy was founded to enhance the knowledge and skills of Singapore’s workforce. Our approach to education focuses on what truly matters: performance in the New Economy. We are dedicated to providing quality education that nurtures future-ready graduates equipped with the skills and tools necessary to thrive in a digitally-driven world.

To bolster our commitment to excellence, we have recently launched the STEM Wing—an expansion of our City Campus. This innovation hotbed is equipped with high-tech, industry-approved labs and facilities designed to enhance STEM education for our students. Located in the heart of the city, our learning spaces foster global connectivity, offering a collaborative environment that prepares students to become agile innovators and contributors to society.

With a robust network of industry partners, PSB Academy ensures our students are well-prepared for the workforce. Today, we host over 17,000 students each year from more than 50 nationalities, offering a comprehensive slate of certificate, diploma, degree, and short courses.

As we commemorate this milestone, we remain dedicated to uncovering the diamonds within each learner, continuing our legacy of excellence and innovation for many more years to come.

Alpha Quest Appoints Shankar Jha as Managing Director, Group Head.


SINGAPORE, July 16, 2024 – Alpha Quest Pte. Ltd., a Singapore based Wealth Management Company, today announced the appointment of Shankar Jha as Managing Director, Group Head.

Shankar Jha - Managing Director, Group Head, Alpha Quest
Shankar Jha – Managing Director, Group Head, Alpha Quest

In his new role, Mr. Jha will manage investments for wealthy and sophisticated families and work on growing the firm’s franchise. Mr. Jha brings 25 years of experience from leading bulge bracket institutions, most recently serving as Managing Director and Group Head at Deutsche Bank’s Private Bank. His distinguished career also includes senior positions in private banking and wealth management at other financial powerhouses including DBS Private Bank, UBS, and the Citi Private Bank.

Commenting on his appointment, Shankar Jha said, “Sophisticated investors are increasingly recognizing that one-size-fits-all solutions are no longer sufficient. The future of wealth management lies in bespoke advisory services that are completely aligned with clients’ investment objectives. I’m excited to contribute to this transformative shift through my role at Alpha Quest, a firm whose leadership I’ve long admired. Together, we’ll work to reinforce Singapore’s status as the premier jurisdiction for discerning investors seeking world-class talent and tailored financial solutions.”

Vinit Sarangdhar, CEO of Alpha Quest, stated, “We are committed to working in the clients’ interest at all times, providing them with unbiased advise, professional service and best in class products and solutions. Shankar’s extensive experience and expertise in Wealth Management will be instrumental in enhancing the Company’s coverage and driving its growth.”
Hashtag: #AlphaQuest

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

About Alpha Quest Pte. Ltd.

holds a Capital Markets Services (CMS) license issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Founded in 2016, the company specializes in providing advisory and discretionary portfolio management service, manages VCC structures and provides family office services to wealthy families across Asia and beyond.

POND’S SKIN INSTITUTE Unveils Breakthrough Microbiome Analyzer to Offer Science-Based Skincare Recommendations

The new technology, being piloted with Watsons Philippines, has the power to revolutionize the way consumers identify and address their unique skincare needs


MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 July 2024 – POND’S SKIN INSTITUTE has debuted a revolutionary Microbiome Analyzer that deciphers the complex ecosystem of microorganisms residing on the skin and delivers insights that empower consumers to make more precise choices for achieving their ultimate skin. A step change in beauty tech, the state-of-the-art test that generates a customized microbiome report, identifies users’ unique skin profile and recommends a complete day and night skincare regimen best suited to their individualized results.

POND'S SKIN INSTITUTE Landing Page
POND’S SKIN INSTITUTE Landing Page

“At the POND’S SKIN INSTITUTE, we’re constantly innovating to help people achieve their ultimate skin, and we’re thrilled to reveal the Microbiome Analyzer as our latest beauty breakthrough,” said LUCIA LIU, R&D Platform Lead for POND’S SKIN INSTITUTE. “Invisible to the naked eye, the microbiome holds specific information about how to enhance your skin and guide your skincare routine. Leveraging our unrivaled expertise in microbiome science, this new technology is a game-changer in making that data accessible, comprehensible, and actionable.”

POND'S SKIN INSTITUTE Event Image
POND’S SKIN INSTITUTE Event Image

The skin microbiome, an intricate ecosystem unique to every individual, plays an important role in maintaining skin health and produces important nutrients to support our skin’s beauty needs, such as vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids. It dynamically responds to external factors such as weather, pollution, UV exposure, cosmetics, stress, sleep, and exercise and imbalances in the microbiome have been linked to various skin concerns, including dryness, sensitivity, acne, and premature aging. By gaining a deeper understanding of the skin microbiome, individuals can better address their specific skincare needs.

The POND’S SKIN INSTITUTE Microbiome Analyzer utilizes rapid profiling and innovative data tools to facilitate identification of users’ microbiome signature. Consumers will learn about their skincare needs and be recommended a suitable skincare regimen, based on their microbiome characteristics. The process is simple. Here’s how it works:

  1. Provide a Sample: An on-site beauty advisor will assist in collecting a microbiome sample. All it takes is a gentle swab of your skin.
  2. Test Processing: The sample will be processed and within 60mins, the analysis will be completed.
  3. Custom Skincare Consultation: Your beauty advisor will generate your microbiome report, including personalized skincare recommendations.
POND'S SKIN INSTITUTE Product Images
POND’S SKIN INSTITUTE Product Images

The tool integrates the latest product innovations available from POND’S SKIN INSTITUTE, such as the new Age Miracle Ultimate Youth Serum with Hexyl-Retinol™ that boosts collagen for reduced wrinkle appearance and plumper skin, and the new Bright Miracle Ultimate Clarity Serum with Niasorcinol™ that repairs skin up to 10 layers deep and fades dark spots.
Hashtag: #pondsskininstitute #skincare

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

ABOUT POND’S SKIN INSTITUTE

POND’S SKIN INSTITUTE has a longstanding history of skincare expertise and innovation dating back more than 175 years. Founded by American pharmacist Theron T. Pond in 1846, the brand’s advancements in dermatological sciences have not only made their mark with industry experts at large, but have also captured the loyalty of public figures, renowned celebrities and women across the world.

As a brand of firsts, in 1978 it raised the bar in skincare technologies as the originator of Niacinamide, which has become a one of the most valuable and versatile skincare ingredients in a formulator’s arsenal, renowned for its ability to brighten the skin and soften the appearance of pores. It was preceded by the creation of the brand’s Cold Cream, Vanishing Cream and Repairing Serum.

Today, POND’S SKIN INSTITUTE is a global community of 700 researchers working to discover and advance scientific breakthroughs that can help people achieve their most ultimate skin. Its frontier is the Nobel-Prize winning science of autophagy and skin’s natural repair and rejuvenation processes, which is core to the brand’s innovations and product solutions that help skin remain resilient, healthy, and full of vitality.

Throughout its steeped history, POND’S SKIN INSTITUTE boasts more than 5,000 patents worldwide across its five global R&D centers that are dedicated to the ongoing development of technologies and ingredients that will care for skin today, tomorrow, and beyond.

Vientiane Steps Up Efforts to Protect Phou Phanang Conservation Area

Phou Phanang National Conservation Area (Photo: PAI WA)

Vientiane authorities are intensifying efforts to re-designate the Phou Phanang National Conservation Area to improve its management and prevent land encroachment.

Data Erasure Software Earns Government STQC Certification, Enabling DPDP Act Compliance


PUNE, INDIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 July 2024 – Thanks to a recently awarded government certification, businesses facing new data deletion mandates under India’s Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, as well as Indian government agencies with stringent procurement requirements, can confidently use software from Blancco to destroy data on data storage drives, laptops, desktops, and servers.

India’s Standardisation Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) Directorate recently certified Blancco Drive Eraser, the flagship data erasure software from Blancco Technology Group, as able to securely destroy data to established industry standards.

“The recognition granted by India’s STQC certification underscores Blancco’s unwavering commitment to technological excellence, affirming Blancco Drive Eraser’s quality, security, and performance,” says Blancco Technology Group APAC Director Masayuki Morita. “This certification is a milestone for Blancco and an important step in supporting businesses complying with data erasure standards under the DPDP Act.”

The STQC certification, granted by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology Government of India, verifies that Blancco Drive Eraser v7.8.2 meets standards necessary to erase data securely and permanently.

This assures businesses, soon to be considered data fiduciaries, that Blancco software enables them to comply with the DPDP Act and other data protection regulations around the world. Government agencies in India are also able to procure Blancco software through GeM, the Government e-Market Place, to streamline their compliance.

Under the DPDP Act, influenced by the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), companies processing data in India are required to promptly erase digital personal data once its purpose is fulfilled, or upon individual request. STQC-certified Blancco Drive Eraser will assist organizations in complying with the DPDP Act by removing all data from drives and drive-based devices, producing a tamper-proof audit trail to document compliance.

Blancco Technology Group regularly undergoes assessments by third-party industry organizations. These assessments validate product and solution claims, effectiveness, and the security of its software development processes. With offices in more than 20 countries and a global partner network, the company centralizes data erasure software development in Pune, Maharashtra, with the company ISO-certified for Quality Management and Information Security Management.

To achieve STQC certification, Blancco Drive Eraser underwent rigorous verification testing, ensuring the secure sanitization of data in accordance with the DoD 5220.22 standard. Testing also ensured that the product met or exceeded Clear and Purge levels of sanitization for the globally referenced NIST 800-88 standard. Blancco Drive Eraser successfully underwent security functional testing on SATA Magnetic HDD, Magnetic SCSI HDD, SATA Solid-State Drive (SSD), Serially Attached SCSI SSD, and NVM Express (NVMe) SSD media types, confirming its standards-based erasure capabilities.

The Directorate’s technology certification also verified the software’s accurate tracking of erasures. This critical software capability enables enterprises to maintain a meticulous record of serialized drives and devices that have been erased. In the case of both internal and external audits, this proves their compliance with DPDP Act erasure standards.

Blancco data erasure solutions have earned more than 13 globally recognized certifications from around the world, and Blancco Drive Eraser is also certified to permanently destroy data to the most recent international data erasure standard, IEEE 2883-2022.

Additional Blancco software is available for files and folders in live environments, for virtual machines, removable devices, mobile devices, and other data storage media, providing India’s businesses with a centralized resource for DPDP Act data deletion requirements.

Businesses preparing for DPDP Act obligations may contact the company’s Pune office at the Blancco contact us page.

Hashtag: #blancco

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

About Blancco Technology Group

Blancco Technology Group, a carbon-neutral supplier, provides organizations with secure, compliant, and automated solutions that accelerate the transition to the circular economy. Each year, tens of millions of Blancco erasures allow top-tier organizations to protect end-of-life data against unauthorized access, safely redeploy data storage assets, and firmly comply with increased data protection and privacy requirements. Our precise device diagnostics help move used IT assets confidently into the circular economy, enabling enterprises, IT asset disposition (ITAD) vendors and recyclers, and mobile industry stakeholders to operate more sustainably.

Globally approved, recommended, and certified by governing and industry bodies around the world, Blancco is the industry standard in data erasure and mobile lifecycle solutions. With 40+ patented or patent-pending ideas, we continue to grow the number of innovative solutions global companies can rely on to accelerate operations, secure their data, and grow their businesses. Read more about us at .

Senoko Energy Launches Movement to Celebrate Everyday Energy Savers with National Singlet Month Campaign

  • Senoko’s ‘Thank You’ Campaign will introduce a series of initiatives, starting with a social media contest encouraging Singaporeans to showcase themselves wearing singlets as a collective movement to celebrate everyday habits that conserve energy.
  • Grand prize of a 6-day Great Barrier Reef ecotourism experience trip for two worth over S$8,000 up for grabs in its social media contest.
  • Customers’ energy savings of up to S$50,000 will be donated to TOUCH Community Services Aspire Fund to uplift low-income families.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 July 2024 – Senoko Energy, a committed sustainable energy solutions provider to help Singapore reach our Net Zero goals, announces the launch of its ‘National Singlet Month’ campaign, celebrating individuals keeping cool through the quintessential Singaporean behaviour of singlet wearing amid the hot weather. This initiative marks the first phase of Senoko’s larger ‘Thank You’ campaign, aimed to spotlight everyday individuals saving energy in their own ways. It is also a part of Senoko’s overall brand purpose to support environmental sustainability and promote energy-efficient practices among its customers.

Senoko Energy Launches Movement to Celebrate Everyday Energy Savers with National Singlet Month Campaign
Senoko Energy Launches Movement to Celebrate Everyday Energy Savers with National Singlet Month Campaign

Through a series of activities, including a month-long social media contest, short film and influencer engagement, the campaign aims to cultivate appreciation for daily local habits that reduce energy consumption while kicking off a wider movement among Singaporeans to do their part in saving energy for a greener future. To further the benefits, Senoko has also pledged up to S$50,000 worth of customers’ energy savings to TOUCH Community Services, encouraging customers to do good for the environment and directly contribute to empowering disadvantaged Singaporeans.

Rallying Singaporeans to keep cool creatively

Amid global warming, Singapore alongside the rest of the world is facing record temperatures[1]. In response, individuals are keeping cool by turning up the air-conditioning[2], with it accounting for 24% of an average household’s electricity consumption[3].

Against this backdrop, Senoko’s National Singlet Month campaign recognises Singaporeans who choose singlets as a way to stay cool amid the country’s tropical heat, transforming everyday fashion into a statement of energy conservation. This initiative is one of Senoko’s multiple ongoing sustainability efforts including its SolarShare 2.0 – Singapore’s first commercially available peer-to-peer grid scale trading platform for solar energy – and its Memorandum of Understanding with City Energy to explore import of hydrogen power. These comprehensive efforts on various business fronts underscore Senoko’s commitment to advancing Singapore’s journey towards a net zero.

“With the National Singlet Month campaign, we are not only encouraging Singaporeans to reduce their energy consumption. It is a wider movement to recognise the current ways in which Singaporeans are already conserving energy and to encourage them to continue championing such behaviours,” said Frederik Baerts, CEO of Senoko Energy.

“As we explore renewable energy solutions such as hydrogen and green electricity imports, we recognise that energy conservation plays a crucial role in our overall sustainability push. Through creative community engagement and strategic partnerships, we aim to make a significant impact on our environmental responsibilities and community commitments,” Mr Baerts adds.

From 16 July 2024 to 15 August 2024, participants will be able to submit images or videos of themselves wearing their favourite singlets at home or anywhere on the go together with an energy saving tip on Facebook or Instagram[1], and stand a chance to win a 6-day ecotourism experience trip for two[2] to the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns, Australia. In line with the brand’s sustainability focus, Senoko will be paying to offset the carbon footprint of the flights. In addition to the grand prize, up to 200 twin sets of limited-edition Senoko Energy singlets are also up for grabs on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Doing good for both the environment and community

Underlining Senoko’s commitment to driving change and creating a positive impact on communities, the brand also partnered with TOUCH Community Services in a first-of-its- kind initiative to match customers’ energy savings dollar for dollar and donating it in support of TOUCH’s initiatives to uplift the disadvantaged in the society.

Customers’ household energy usage will be monitored through six bi-monthly checks from 1 Aug 2024 to 31 Jul 2025[1] with the total savings channelled to TOUCH Community Services Aspire Fund that serves to improve living conditions of low-income families. Up to S$50,000 will be donated at the end of the 12-month period.

The campaign will also feature a short film on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, and collaborations with Mothership and social media influencers Xiao Ming (@sgagxiaoming) and Jayne (@jaynejetplane) to propel this movement among their audiences. On top of the ‘Singlet Wearers’, the campaign will spotlight other personas in later phases who advocate for energy-saving practices at home. Phase two of the campaign is scheduled to launch in 2025.

Senoko has been at the forefront of powering the nation’s growth since its inception. As one of the largest power plants in Singapore, the group is committed to delivering safe, innovative, and sustainable energy solutions. Senoko dedicates themselves to powering Singapore’s journey towards carbon neutrality and supporting the nation’s environmental goals.

[1] Meteorological Service Singapore. 2023 Annual Climate Assessment Singapore: http://www.weather.gov.sg/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ACAR_2023.pdf

[2] CNA. Commentary: Singaporeans’ reliance on air-cons will only lead to more discomfort: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/singapore-heat-hot-weather-aircon-home-office-consumption-4242321

[3] National Environment Agency. Four In Five Households Motivated To Save Energy If They Can Save Money: NEA Study: https://www.nea.gov.sg/media/news/news/index/four-in-five-households-motivated-to-save-energy-if-they-can-save-money-nea-study

[4] Refer to Annex A for details of the social media competition.

[5] Prize includes a pair of return flight tickets. accommodation for two and on-ground tour to the Great Barrier Reef.

[6] Refer to Annex B for details of mechanics.

Annex A – Details of National Singlet Month Social Media Contest

To participate –

  1. Wear your favourite singlet at home or anywhere on the go and share with us an energy tip via a video or photo.
  2. Follow Senoko Energy on Facebook or Instagram.
  3. Tag your post #NationalSingletMonth and two friends. Don’t forget to make your profile public so we can see your entry!

Annex B – Details of mechanics to track Senoko customers’ bi-monthly average energy usage

Senoko will be tracking the customers’ bi-monthly average energy usage from 1 Aug 2024 – 31 Jul 2025 and comparing them against the same customers’ bi-monthly average usage in the previous year.

Example

Customer [A]

Energy used in June and July 2024 (kWh)

[B]

Energy used in June and July 2023 (kWh)

Energy conserved

[A – B]

Remarks
A 780 800 20 Customer successfully conserved 20kWh against compared to last year’s energy usage.
B 900 800 0 No energy conservation observed, Customer B used more than last year.
C 800 800 0 No energy conservation observed, Customer C used the same amount of energy as last year.

Hashtag: #senoko #energy #energysaving #singlet

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

About Senoko Energy

Senoko Energy Pte Ltd provides energy for life to generations of Singaporeans, delivering safe, innovative, and efficient energy supply to customers since 1977. Integral to Singapore’s development, it is a pioneer in power generation and energy solutions, serving Singapore’s energy needs with proven reliable performance. As one of the largest power generation companies by installed capacity in Singapore, Senoko Energy has a licensed capacity of 3,300 megawatts (MW), providing about one-fifth of the nation’s electricity needs. It is owned by a consortium comprising Marubeni Corporation, ENGIE, The Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc., Kyushu Electric Power Co. Inc. and Japan Bank for International Cooperation. Visit www.senokoenergy.com for more information.

Octa provides charity support in celebration of Eid al-Adha


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 July 2024 – One of the most important holidays in the Islamic tradition, Eid al-Adha, or ‘The Feast of Sacrifice’, is observed by Muslims all around the world. This year, the festivities took place between 15 and 19 of June. The holiday celebration includes a special prayer followed by the sacrifice of an animal, usually a goat, sheep, cow, or camel. After slaughtering a sacrificial animal, devout Muslims usually give a third of the meat to the poor, sharing another third with friends and relatives, and offering the last third to the Qurbani (sacrifice) performer.

Octa provides charity support in celebration of Eid al-Adha_01

Deeply involved in the lives of local communities across all regions of its operation, Octa joined in the celebration of ‘The Feast of Sacrifice’ and helped underprivileged citizens of Indonesia and Malaysia.

In Malaysia, Octa worked closely with Azeehan, a broker’s local partner and the driving force behind many charity initiatives, to distribute the Qurbani meat of two cows in Kelantan. Thanks to this humanitarian effort, about 300 people received the much-needed food. ‘In Islam, sharing Qurban meat among the underprivileged to alleviate hunger and poverty has always been regarded as a noble and righteous endeavour. We are thankful to Octa for sponsoring this act of kindness and supporting the local community for two years in a row,’ Azeehan said.

Octa provides charity support in celebration of Eid al-Adha_02

Keeping true to its mission of benefiting local communities in the regions where it operates, Octa consistently engages in various charitable activities. For example, the broker sponsored an emergency support program this January following severe weather conditions in Bali, Indonesia.

In Indonesia, Octa joined forces with a humanitarian organisation called IDEP Foundation, feeding more than 400 people at Banjar Pebuahan, Banyubiru village, Jembrana, Bali. With Octa’s funding, IDEP bought three cows and distributed the meat among the local Muslims. This charity effort targeted families affected by coastal abrasion and high waves. According to IDEP, the program symbolised continuous care and support for the affected community. ‘For us, getting a portion of meat like this means not only being able to prepare an additional dish but also inviting relatives and especially the children to spend time together’, said one of the charity recipients.

Keeping true to its mission of benefiting local communities in the regions where it operates, Octa consistently engages in various charitable activities. For example, the broker sponsored an emergency support program this January following severe weather conditions in Bali, Indonesia.
Hashtag: #Octa

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

Octa

is an international broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charity and humanitarian initiatives, including the improvement of educational infrastructure and short-notice relief projects supporting local communities.

Beijing to Fully Open Ming Tombs to Tourists to Further Showcase Ming Dynasty Culture at The Ming Culture Forum 2024


BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 July 2024 – The Ming Culture Forum 2024 was recently held in the district of Changping in Beijing. With the theme of “The Splendid Age of the Colorful Ming,” it is composed of forums, one international academic seminar, cultural relics exhibitions and cultural activities, with more than 30 of them in total which will be held throughout the year. More than 100 national treasures were unveiled at the opening ceremony.

At the main forum, Chinese and foreign guests talked about the contemporary value of Ming culture
At the main forum, Chinese and foreign guests talked about the contemporary value of Ming culture

The event on the whole has reached a new height in terms of scale, embodies a broader cultural perspective, gathers a wealth of cultural relics of the Ming Dynasty, and features a series of wonderful activities. It aims to give full play to Changping’s abundant Ming cultural resources, do a good job in the protection and inheritance of the Ming Tombs, a world cultural heritage site, and help enhance Beijing’s reputation as a famous historical and cultural city.

The event brought together more than 600 Chinese and foreign experts and scholars to share their wisdom on the Ming culture. In the international dialogue session of the main forum held on July 13, Lyu Zhou, professor and doctoral supervisor of Tsinghua University and director of Tsinghua’s National Heritage Center, and Marie-Noël Tournoux (French), project director of the World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and Pacific Region under the auspices of UNESCO, exchanged ideas on the theme of “Inheritance and Mutual Learning: The Contemporary Value of Ming Culture,” and shared their understanding of the Ming culture. The dialogue laid a solid foundation for cooperation between the two sides, promoted two-way friendly exchanges, and helped explore a new path for the development of Ming culture.

During the main forum, at the “Magnificent Ming Dynasty Treasures” exhibition dedicated to the cultural relics of Ming Dynasty, more than 100 pieces of national treasures were on display, including Emperor Wanli’s golden mesh crown, the empress’ phoenix coronet, authentic calligraphy works by Dong Qichang, a gold box from the Royal Archives Center, and a copy of the Jiajing era’s Yongle Encyclopedia. All of them are national treasures rarely seen by the general public.

The empress’ phoenix coronet featuring the design of six dragons and three phoenixes unearthed from Dingling (Tomb of Emperor Wanli)
The empress’ phoenix coronet featuring the design of six dragons and three phoenixes unearthed from Dingling (Tomb of Emperor Wanli)

The main forum also released a number of major plans, including the comprehensive opening plan of the Ming Tombs, the call for designs of the culture-museum-tourism complex featuring the Ming culture, and the study tour routes at the Ming Tombs Scenic Area, with the aim to promote tourism development through cultural research and development.

It is learned that the Ming Tombs Scenic Area will gradually open more tombs to the visitors, and all of them by 2030. This will be done in three phases from 2024 to 2030. The first phase is from 2024 to 2025, to open Siling (Tomb of Emperor Sizong) and Yongling (Emperor Shizong); the second phase, from 2026 to 2028, to open Maoling (Emperor Xianzong), Tailing (Emperor Xiaozong), Deling (Emperor Xizong) and the ruins of the New Imperial Residence; the third phase is from 2029 to 2030, to open Xianling (Emperor Renzong), Yuling (Emperor Yinzong), and Qingling (Emperor Guangzong). After all the tombs are open to tourists, physical cultural relics will be displayed as they are with signs and explanations, including not only ancient buildings, tombs, and the Sacred Way, but also cultural heritage elements such as the former architectural sites and the Sacred Way, to comprehensively represent the whole construction process of the Ming Tombs, and their architectural characteristics and construction skills.

In addition, the Forum issued a call for designs of a culture-museum-tourism complex featuring the Ming culture. The complex will be located in Shisanling Town of Changping, with abundant cultural and tourism resources, business services and scientific research industries, including the Ming Tombs, Juyongguan Great Wall, Baifuquan Site, and Badaling Outlet.

Upon completion, it will become a world-renowned international exchange base dedicated to Ming culture, China’s most influential exhibition area of Ming culture, and a cultural, museum and tourism business zone based on the world cultural heritage site in the northwest of the capital.

At the main forum, two study tour routes featuring the ruins and relics of the Ming Dynasty were announced: one is from the Park of the Ruins of the Grand Canal Source, to Changling (Tomb of Emperor Yongle), Dingling and then the Visitor Center of the Ming Toombs Scenic Area, and the other from the Juyongguan Great Wall to Yongling or Siling and other mausoleums not yet open to the public.

It will take two days to complete both routes, and visitors can spend the night in hotels nearby or camping at Juyongguan to enjoy the starry night and immerse yourself in the splendor of Ming culture.

On the opening day of the main forum, the imperial guard-of-honor welcome ceremony and the grand archery ritual typical of Ming Dynasty were held at the Ming Culture International Exchange Center. The performers were dressed in exquisite official uniforms, holding huban (representing government officials of Ming Dynasty), Xiuchun Dao (a single-edged sword representing the Imperial Guard of Ming Dynasty), flags featuring the pattern of dragon, tiger, bird, and tortoise respectively, and qilin-pattern flags, among other ceremonial utensils. The ceremonial demonstrations, soundtrack performances, costume displays, and competitive performances fully showed the solemnity and grandeur of the grand archery ritual of Ming Dynasty.

Meanwhile, Changping has planned four modules of activities: “Ming Gift,” “Ming Joy,” “Ming Color” and “Ming Rhyme,” and will successively launch more than 30 cultural activities including music concerts, air tours, the parade in ancient ceremonial dress, Li Shizhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Cultural Festival, and the Ming-style fashion, to attract more tourists and improve the popularity and influence of Ming culture.
Hashtag: #MingDynastyCultureForumCommittee

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