HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, April 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ardingly College Vietnam Joint Stock Company, in collaboration with Vietnam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank), officially announces the launch of a Financial–Education solution named “World Ready,” exclusively designed for parents of students at Ardingly College Vietnam. This innovative financial solution aims to support families seeking international education for their children by enabling long-term financial planning with peace of mind, while preserving their initial capital for future educational stages beyond secondary school.

This marks the first time in Vietnam that a financial solution has been developed through a strategic partnership between a bank and an educational institution, offering a unique dual-benefit model for parents. Specifically, with an initial savings deposit (depending on the selected duration, programme, and study format), parents can enroll in the “World Ready” package, under which VPBank guarantees full payment of tuition fees and related expenses throughout the student’s study period at Ardingly College Vietnam, with no additional costs incurred. Upon completion of the contracted programme, parents will receive back 100% of their initial principal, along with any remaining accrued interest (if applicable, depending on chosen options).

A key advantage of the programme is the full protection of the initial investment at a reputable financial institution, while shielding parents from any annual tuition fee increases. This ensures complete confidence in long-term financial planning for their children’s education.

The “World Ready” Financial–Education package is also considered a practical, cost-efficient, and effective solution for corporations, including multinational companies operating in Vietnam, in designing educational benefit policies for their senior employees’ children—particularly amid ongoing global uncertainties in exchange rates, interest rates, and operational costs.

“World Ready,” the name of this integrated Financial–Education solution, is also the core slogan of Ardingly College Vietnam, reflecting its educational philosophy: preparing students to thrive in a dynamic and ever-changing world.

About Ardingly College Vietnam
Ardingly College Vietnam is an authentic British boarding school in Vietnam, developed through a partnership between Khoi Nguyen Investment Group (KNI) and Ardingly College UK—a prestigious British boarding school established in 1858. In the UK, Ardingly College ranks among the top 40 independent boarding schools and is recognized as a leading school for International Baccalaureate (IB) academic results.

Ardingly College Vietnam inherits a modern and well-equipped campus with a total investment of nearly VND 700 billion, formerly the Canada International School Lao Cai (CIS Lao Cai), developed by KNI and located in the administrative center of the former Lao Cai province. With strong infrastructure advantages, particularly its newly completed premium boarding facilities (as of October 2025), Ardingly College

Vietnam, as part of the global Ardingly College family, fully adopts the educational philosophy, operational model, quality standards, and distinctive British boarding system of Ardingly College UK.

Guided by the “World Ready” philosophy, Ardingly College Vietnam is committed to the holistic development of students in academics, skills, and character, preparing them for international higher education and to become global citizens in an ever-evolving world.

Academic Programmes

Ardingly College Vietnam currently offers two educational pathways, both available in day and boarding formats:

• Bilingual Programme: Based on the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) curriculum from Grade 1 to Grade 12, integrated with English as a Second Language (ESL) following Oxford international standards. The programme leads to the Vietnamese High School Diploma.
• International Programme: Based on the OxfordAQA curriculum from Grade 6 to Grade 12/Sixth Form, leading to IGCSE and A-Level qualifications.

Both programmes accept boarding students from Grade 6 (age 11) to Grade 12 (age 18), regardless of nationality or gender. The school is currently recruiting for its inaugural academic year 2026–2027 and is offering only 100 “World Ready” Financial–Education packages for first-year students.

HONG KONG, April 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — To enhance the business acumen and practical experience of students from Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area (GBA) tertiary institutions, the Hong Kong Institute of Business Studies (HKIBS) at Lingnan University organised the third Business Case Competition (LUBCC) 2026. The Final Presentation Day and Award Presentation Ceremony were successfully held yesterday (12 April). This year’s competition expanded for the first time to include five GBA universities: Shenzhen University, Jinan University, Foshan University, Guangdong University of Finance and Economics, and Guangdong University of Technology. The first-prize teams were Lingnan University and Foshan University.

A total of 445 students from 98 teams registered for this year’s competition. This represents a significant 22.5 per cent increase in the number of participants compared with the previous year. The competition featured real-world business cases provided by various government departments and corporations, including the Hong Kong Police Force and MTR Corporation Limited, for participants to analyse collectively and devise optimal business strategies.

Prof Shi Shanshan, Associate Dean (TP Studies) of the Faculty of Business at Lingnan University, delivered a welcome address, noting that the inclusion of several GBA universities this year helped foster academic and cultural exchanges across institutions. She said “The number of participants this year reached a record high, reflecting the growing student demand for practical platforms that simulate the workplace. Participants are required to tackle real-world problems faced by different enterprises, gaining insights into diverse cultural and business contexts. They flexibly apply the theoretical knowledge learned in the classroom to solve business challenges with innovative solutions. Through cross-institutional competitions like this, the Faculty of Business aims to strengthen students’ cross-border market mindset, enhance their analytical and problem-solving skills, and nurture future leaders capable of addressing global business challenges.”

The business cases for this year’s competition were provided by government departments and corporations, spanning areas such as public services, transportation, property management, and healthcare. These included the Hong Kong Police Force, Integrated Property Management Platform of China Resources Longdation Company Limited, MTR Corporation Limited, and New Town Medical Group (listed in no particular order). A total of 20 teams from the Undergraduate Division, Taught Postgraduate Division, and GBA universities advanced to the final round. Each team was required to conduct an in-depth analysis of the real-life business challenge provided by the supporting organisations and their strategic recommendations tailored to address the issues identified. Outstanding proposals may be considered as reference strategies by the respective organisations. The final judging panel, comprising industry experts and academics, engaged with the teams through insightful questions and feedback.

The Hong Kong Police Force invited students to propose a targeted, multi-channel mission-based marketing and education campaign to solve low public awareness and sustained engagement across demographics for the HKPF Super App. Integrated Property Management Platform of China Resources Longdation Company Limited requested students to formulate new strategies to solve client confusion by clearly unifying the CRLIPM Platform’s brand and relationship structure across its three companies, and to enhance public engagement through its WeChat official account while making CRLIPM content trend on social media. The case topic for MTR Corporation Limited was developing a strategy and implementation plan to reduce fare evasion on MTR Light Rail. New Town Medical Group required students to provide a marketing and outreach strategy to raise public awareness of the CDCC scheme, attract eligible participants to pair with NTMG doctors, and retain enrolled participants for follow-up doctor, nurse clinic, and optometrist services—while promoting the role of nurse clinics in the co-care model. These real-world cases spanned diverse fields such as public services, property management, transportation, and healthcare, testing the students’ cross-industry business analysis capabilities and innovative thinking.

The event concluded with the much-anticipated Award Presentation Ceremony. Prizes were awarded to the top-performing teams in various categories, recognizing their exceptional analyses and innovative strategies.

For the full list of awardees, please refer to the table below:

Three-year deal to supply BESS cells for grid-scale deployments across Japan and international markets

TOKYO, April 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AESC and NEXTES, a Japanese energy storage integrator, recently announced a three-year strategic supply agreement at SMART ENERGY WEEK in Tokyo. Under the agreement, AESC will supply 1.5 GWh of energy storage cells beginning in 2026 — the largest single ESS cell order placed in the Japanese market this year.

Japan’s energy storage market demands rigorous JIS certification, compatibility with the country’s unique grid frequency and voltage characteristics, and long-term performance commitments including capacity warranties of up to 20 years. AESC’s track record in large-capacity energy storage cell production — leading the generational shift from 300+ Ah to 500+ Ah to 700+ Ah — combined with a comprehensive global certification portfolio spanning JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards), IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission standards), and UL (Underwriters Laboratories standards) and zero critical safety incidents across more than 100 GWh of cells delivered worldwide, were decisive factors in NEXTES’s selection.

As NEXTES expands its project pipeline beyond Japan, AESC’s manufacturing footprint across Asia, Europe, and North America — with 14 gigafactories in Japan, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Spain — enables both companies to serve diverse regional certification requirements and support long-term operational partnerships at scale. In Japan specifically, AESC’s local R&D and manufacturing base in Yokohama provides NEXTES with direct access to technical support and supply chain proximity.

Japan’s grid-scale energy storage market is projected to grow steadily, driven by accelerating renewable energy deployment and ongoing power market reform. The AESC-NEXTES partnership positions both companies to capture this growth with a supply chain built on proven safety, certified quality, and long-duration performance.

About AESC

AESC is a global leader in high-performance batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Founded in Japan in 2007 and headquartered in Yokohama, the company operates 14 gigafactories across Japan, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Spain. In the energy storage sector, AESC has pioneered early mass production of ESS large-capacity cells exceeding 300Ah, 500Ah, and 700Ah, demonstrating clear technological leadership. To date, AESC has delivered over 100 GWh of energy storage cells across more than 400 projects in over 20 countries, partnering with leading global system integrators including Envision Energy, Fluence, Nidec, and NEXTES.

About NEXTES

Founded in 2008, NEXTES has developed advanced in-house technology for efficient lithium-ion battery control and offers a broad portfolio of lithium-ion battery solutions integrated with its proprietary systems. Guided by its mission “THE ADVENTURERS – Adventurers solving energy challenges for the coexistence of people and the planet,” the company delivers long-life energy storage systems through its innovative technologies. With the growth of renewable energy, its solutions have been widely adopted for grid-scale energy storage and other applications. NEXTES is also actively engaged in battery reuse initiatives, working toward the realization of a sustainable society. Addressing global energy challenges through professional technical expertise, NEXTES is committed to building businesses for a sustainable future. As part of its growth strategy, the company officially rebranded from its former name, NExT-e Solutions Co., Ltd., to NEXTES on April 1, 2026.

BEIJING, April 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Muyuan, a representative enterprise in the agricultural sector, was honored as a Role-Model Enterprise at the 2026 China ESG Gala for its exemplary practices in green and low-carbon operations, circular agriculture, and social responsibility. Qin Yinglin, Chairman of Muyuan, attended the ceremony and used “family” as a metaphor to interpret the philosophy that “with pigs and grain, the nation is secure,” demonstrating China’s firm commitment to sustainable agricultural development.

In 2025, Muyuan supplied to the market 77.98 million pigs, with a carbon emission intensity of only 0.883 kg CO₂e per kg of pork. It reduced carbon emissions across its entire industrial chain by 6.0588 million tons – equivalent to planting 600 million trees – breaking the stereotype that “agriculture struggles to become an ESG benchmark.” Leveraging its integrated pig farming industry chain, Muyuan pioneered a crop-livestock cycle model, realizing 100% resource utilization of pig manure and urine, covering 4.92 million mu (approx. 328,000 hectares) of farmland, and increasing farmers’ annual income by over CNY 1 billion. Additionally, it improved 300,000 mu (approx. 20,000 hectares) of saline-alkali land in regions such as Da’an, Jilin Province, turning barren soil into fertile farmland with rice yields exceeding 900 jin per mu (approx. 6,750 kg per hectare). Guided by its “Five Plus” and “Five Minus” green development concepts, Muyuan ensures “safe, delicious, and green” consumption, aligning ESG practices with people’s aspirations for a better life.

Muyuan firmly believes that ESG is a must-do task for high-quality development. Going forward, it will continue to drive green transformation through technological innovation, offering a “Chinese Solution” for the sustainability of global agriculture.

Featuring unlimited object recognition, a 140°F self-cleaning track mopping system, and a reimagined premium design for smarter, more efficient home cleaning.

NEW YORK, April 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Narwal, a global leader in smart home cleaning, today announced the launch of its 2026 flagship robot vacuum, the Narwal Flow 2, bringing advanced AI capabilities and enhanced cleaning performance to modern homes. Building on its industry-recognized mopping technology, the Flow 2 introduces a Vision Language Model (VLM) that enables human-like spatial understanding, along with new scenario-based features such as Baby Care Mode, Pet Care Mode, and AI Floor Tag. The product also features a redesigned, premium aesthetic that blends seamlessly into contemporary living spaces.

First unveiled at CES 2026, the Narwal Flow 2 immediately captured widespread media attention and earned multiple prestigious awards. Today, with its official release, Narwal brings this highly anticipated innovation to households across North America.

FlowWash Mopping System: Building on the acclaim of the original Flow’s FlowWash Mopping System, the Flow 2 further raises the bar by increasing heated water temperature from 113°F to 140°F. Traditional dual-spin or flat mops easily spread dirt due to a lack of timely self-cleaning. To resolve it, the Flow 2 features a high-speed track mop rolling at over 100 rotations per minute with 12N of downward pressure, while using heated water through a 16-nozzle rinsing system. An integrated scraper removes debris from the track, and wastewater is collected internally, together with real-time hot water washing to keep the mop clean throughout. Unlike roller mops that clean along a rotating “line,” the Flow 2 provides full 0.157 ft² surface coverage per pass, ensuring genuine surface contact for more effective and efficient cleaning. While conventional roller mops’ central rotating-axis design is prone to hair tangles, the flat-loop track rotates on a plane with attached hair releasing more easily, preventing tangling at the source.

Human Vision. AI Decisions: Equipped with dual RGB cameras and an onboard AI processor, the device enables adaptive obstacle avoidance and distinguishes between different types of messes to optimize cleaning strategies. The introduction of Narwal’s cloud-based VLM Omni Model expands recognition capabilities beyond onboard limitations, enabling continuous learning and more accurate contextual understanding. This empowers advanced features such as Pet Mode, which includes auto pet zone cleaning and pet locating, and Baby Mode, featuring ultra-quiet operation near cribs and toy recognition. With the AI Floor Tag mode, the robot can identify valuable objects and alert users upon detection.

Brand-New Industrial Design: Narwal’s latest flagship base station features a sleek, semi-enclosed design with a square silhouette and frosted glass surfaces, transforming the robot from a bulky appliance into a refined home centerpiece. An ambient light strip beneath the glass indicates its status and creates a dynamic visual effect, blending function with elegant design.

Comprehensive Upgrades for Effortless Home Cleaning: Additional flagship features include a 7,000 mAh battery with AI-powered battery health management supporting simultaneous washing and fast charging, a 3D color mapping system for enhanced control and interactivity, upgraded 31,000Pa suction power with CarpetFocus technology and anti-tangle design, and a fully automated base station with self-emptying, AI Adaptive Hot-Water Mop Washing, and a large dust bag supporting up to 120 days of maintenance-free use.

Availability
The Narwal Flow 2 will be available for pre-order from April 13 to April 28 on the Narwal website and Amazon, with a promotional price of $1,099.99 (MSRP $1,499.99).

About Narwal
Narwal is dedicated to developing innovative products that transform daily life. Our range of solutions addresses common challenges, with a focus on understanding and meeting user needs through extensive R&D. This commitment has yielded industry-firsts like the Auto-washing mop, AI-powered DirtSense™, and the DualFlow Tangle-Free System. We obsess over every detail to ensure our products are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, aiming to blend design and performance for a better daily life. As a top-five global vacuum brand, Narwal serves over 5 million users across 30 countries, including North America, South Korea, Germany, and Australia. Our innovations have been honored with awards like the CES Innovation Awards, Edison Gold Award, and Time Magazine’s Best Inventions.

Media contact:
Dede Liu, xichen.liu@narwal.com