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World Book, Publishing Day 2025: Laos Backs Local Authors, History

“A book isn’t something you force yourself to read, but something you do because you love it,” noted Robert George Cooper, a British-born anthropologist and well-known author of several books on Laos.

As the world celebrates World Book and Copyright Day today, 23 April, attention turns to figures like Cooper, individuals who have devoted their lives to literature and cultural exchange.

Cooper first arrived in Laos in 1973 during his PhD studies, later working with the United Nations on refugee repatriation and serving as head of the British Trade Office in Vientiane from 2000 to 2004.  

 

A linguist speaking English, French, Lao, Malay/Indonesian, and Thai, Cooper established his iconic bookshop in downtown Vientiane in 2007, which continues to thrive despite the digital age.

One of his most popular works is  “CultureShock! Laos: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette.” This book guide offers practical insights into Lao culture, traditions, and social norms, making it valuable for travelers or anyone interested in understanding the nuances of life in Laos. 

CultureShock! Laos: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette.

His newest release, “Laos: Making History in Search of Time Gone By,” was published in early 2025. The book traces Lao history from the Lan Xang era through French colonialism, the Indochina War, and into the complexities of modern-day Laos.

Robert Cooper’s Laos: Making History, a powerful reflection on the nation’s past from Lan Xang to modern Laos.

Now retired in Vientiane, Cooper expresses concern about reading habits among Lao youth. He notes that few young people embrace reading as a pathway to education and, by extension, the country’s economic development.

“In Laos, few people are able to read in English,” he notes. “Translating into the Lao language is a long process and often not worth doing because Lao people have very little to read in their own language; they even prefer to read Thai books.”

Despite this, Laos has made growing efforts to promote Lao-language literature. Events like the annual Vientiane Book Festival, held each November, aim to ignite a love of reading, especially among children and students.

While many young readers gravitate toward Thai books for their variety and professional quality—bolstered by Thailand’s larger publishing industry—others are turning their attention toward supporting local authors. Still, the road ahead remains challenging. 

With only 15 to 20 publishing houses operating across the country, the Lao publishing industry is relatively small.

In a previous interview with the Laotian Times, writer and publisher Phoumpanya Douangpaseuth emphasized the need for stronger local support. 

He urged readers to back Lao creators to help build a more self-sustaining literary culture.

Meanwhile, Laos continues to nurture its literary scene with the hope that more readers will turn to local authors and support homegrown stories.

Baozun Releases 2024 Chairman Letter

SHANGHAI, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — 

Dear Shareholders:

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the management team at Baozun, I would like to express our deepest appreciation for your continued support and trust — especially during a year marked by global volatility and uncertainty across capital markets.

Adapting to a Changing Environment

In response to a rapidly shifting macroeconomic and digital landscape, Baozun continued its strategic transformation in 2024 to stay agile, competitive, and future-ready. Our evolution is more than a vision — it’s a deliberate strategy to align with changing consumer behavior, market dynamics, and emerging technologies.

2024: A Year of Strategic Progress

Despite external headwinds, Baozun achieved 7% year-over-year revenue growth in 2024 and reached operating profit breakeven — an important milestone that demonstrates our disciplined execution and operational efficiency.

Baozun e-Commerce (BEC) returned to topline growth in 2024 after two consecutive years of contraction, while also delivering expansion in its non-GAAP operating margin. To navigate an ever-evolving market, we enhanced our creative content capabilities and leveraged proprietary technologies to help brand partners capitalize on platform interconnectivity, data intelligence, and AI-driven efficiencies. By year-end, BEC supported over 490 brand partners, up from more than 450 in 2023. Our Net Promoter Score (NPS), measured by Neilsen, rose to 8.53 from 8.23 the previous year — reflecting the trust we’ve built with our partners and reinforced by a strong 95% renewal rate among key accounts. Once again, we were recognized as a Top Service Provider on both the Alibaba and Tencent WeChat ecosystems. In 2024, we also earned top awards across additional platforms, including Douyin, JD.com, and Rednote.

Baozun Brand Management (BBM) delivered 16% revenue growth in 2024 while narrowing adjusted operating losses by 10%. Our China-for-China strategy continues to evolve with promising progress, particularly in product innovation, marketing, and channel development. We worked closely with Gap Inc. to strengthen the brand’s DNA and enhance our localization efforts. Throughout the year, we optimized our offline store network and leveraged a strategic partnership model to expand in emerging cities — further sharpening our competitive edge while mitigating expansion risk. By the end of 2024, the total number of Gap stores in China increased to 152, and store-level unit economics showed a healthy upward trend.

Baozun International (BZI), represents a long-term growth opportunity, and we continue to lay a solid foundation for the business and its supporting infrastructure. In 2024, we expanded our regional presence by introducing Hunter, another BBM brand, to Singapore and Malaysia, while building a strong team across Southeast Asia. These strategic moves broaden our market access and strengthen synergies across business lines.

Technology as a Catalyst for Efficiency and Innovation

We believe our strength in technology — applied across operations and business transformation — is central to Baozun’s identity. Building on this foundation, we continue to advance our capabilities and drive innovation in technology monetization, capitalizing on the momentum of omnichannel growth and the seamless integration of online and offline experiences.

We are proud that Baozun has been recognized as a Representative Vendor in Gartner’s 2024 Market Guide for Distributed Order Management Systems (“OMS”) and Direct-to-Consumer (“DTC”) solutions. Tailored for the Chinese market, our OMS and DTC offerings provide a secure, scalable, and flexible commerce platform, empowering our brand partners to accelerate their growth. In 2024, we further enhanced generative AI and large language models in operations, offering agile and sustainable digital transformation.

Advancing Sustainability

As we move forward in our journey, we remain steadfast in our commitment to leading the e-commerce industry toward a more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable future. We employ a green operations strategy to reduce our environmental footprint across offices, warehousing, logistics, packaging, and partnerships — efforts that have contributed to significantly reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. In 2024, we achieved ISO 14064 carbon verification for three warehouse and logistics parks, with two attaining PAS 2060 carbon-neutral status.

In addition, we prioritize a “people-first” philosophy in our organizational and community efforts. By fostering a sense of “vitality” through various activities, we help employees feel a strong sense of belonging and happiness, cultivating a positive workplace environment. Our talent strategy emphasizes “individual growth and team success,” establishing a framework that aligns personal achievement with corporate goals.

Looking Ahead

As we enter the final year of our three-year strategic transformation, we remain committed to maintaining our momentum while adapting to a rapidly shifting external landscape. Following the transformation, we anticipate that BEC, our core business, will enter a phase of quality growth, generating consistent and reliable cash flow. BBM is poised to capture new opportunities and create value for brand equity, driving additional revenue and becoming our new growth driver. By diversifying our revenue streams and ensuring solid financial stability, we aim to position the company for long-term success and resilience in an ever-evolving market.

We are grateful to our employees, customers, and partners for their dedication. We have also further strengthened our leadership team, bringing in deep expertise, strategic vision, and entrepreneurial zeal.

Together, we have navigated adversity and achieved measurable progress. With a continued focus on innovation, operational excellence, and financial discipline, I am confident in Baozun’s future and remain committed to delivering sustainable and long-term value.

Thank you for your continued support and confidence in our vision.

Sincerely,
Vincent Wenbin Qiu
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Baozun Inc.

About Baozun Inc.

Founded in 2007, Baozun Inc. is a leader in brand e-commerce service, brand management, and digital commerce service. It serves more than 490 brands from various industries and sectors around the world, including East and Southeast Asia, Europe and North America as of December 31, 2024.

Baozun Inc. comprises three major business lines — Baozun e-Commerce (BEC), Baozun Brand Management (BBM) and Baozun International (BZI) and is committed to accelerating high-quality and sustainable growth. Driven by the principle that “Technology Empowers the Future Success,” Baozun’s business lines are devoted to empowering their clients’ business and navigating their new phase of development.

For more information, please visit http://ir.baozun.com.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Baozun Inc.
Ms. Wendy Sun
Email: ir@baozun.com 

Baozun Releases 2024 Chairman Letter

SHANGHAI, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — 

Dear Shareholders:

On behalf of the Board of Directors and the management team at Baozun, I would like to express our deepest appreciation for your continued support and trust — especially during a year marked by global volatility and uncertainty across capital markets.

Adapting to a Changing Environment

In response to a rapidly shifting macroeconomic and digital landscape, Baozun continued its strategic transformation in 2024 to stay agile, competitive, and future-ready. Our evolution is more than a vision — it’s a deliberate strategy to align with changing consumer behavior, market dynamics, and emerging technologies.

2024: A Year of Strategic Progress

Despite external headwinds, Baozun achieved 7% year-over-year revenue growth in 2024 and reached operating profit breakeven — an important milestone that demonstrates our disciplined execution and operational efficiency.

Baozun e-Commerce (BEC) returned to topline growth in 2024 after two consecutive years of contraction, while also delivering expansion in its non-GAAP operating margin. To navigate an ever-evolving market, we enhanced our creative content capabilities and leveraged proprietary technologies to help brand partners capitalize on platform interconnectivity, data intelligence, and AI-driven efficiencies. By year-end, BEC supported over 490 brand partners, up from more than 450 in 2023. Our Net Promoter Score (NPS), measured by Neilsen, rose to 8.53 from 8.23 the previous year — reflecting the trust we’ve built with our partners and reinforced by a strong 95% renewal rate among key accounts. Once again, we were recognized as a Top Service Provider on both the Alibaba and Tencent WeChat ecosystems. In 2024, we also earned top awards across additional platforms, including Douyin, JD.com, and Rednote.

Baozun Brand Management (BBM) delivered 16% revenue growth in 2024 while narrowing adjusted operating losses by 10%. Our China-for-China strategy continues to evolve with promising progress, particularly in product innovation, marketing, and channel development. We worked closely with Gap Inc. to strengthen the brand’s DNA and enhance our localization efforts. Throughout the year, we optimized our offline store network and leveraged a strategic partnership model to expand in emerging cities — further sharpening our competitive edge while mitigating expansion risk. By the end of 2024, the total number of Gap stores in China increased to 152, and store-level unit economics showed a healthy upward trend.

Baozun International (BZI), represents a long-term growth opportunity, and we continue to lay a solid foundation for the business and its supporting infrastructure. In 2024, we expanded our regional presence by introducing Hunter, another BBM brand, to Singapore and Malaysia, while building a strong team across Southeast Asia. These strategic moves broaden our market access and strengthen synergies across business lines.

Technology as a Catalyst for Efficiency and Innovation

We believe our strength in technology — applied across operations and business transformation — is central to Baozun’s identity. Building on this foundation, we continue to advance our capabilities and drive innovation in technology monetization, capitalizing on the momentum of omnichannel growth and the seamless integration of online and offline experiences.

We are proud that Baozun has been recognized as a Representative Vendor in Gartner’s 2024 Market Guide for Distributed Order Management Systems (“OMS”) and Direct-to-Consumer (“DTC”) solutions. Tailored for the Chinese market, our OMS and DTC offerings provide a secure, scalable, and flexible commerce platform, empowering our brand partners to accelerate their growth. In 2024, we further enhanced generative AI and large language models in operations, offering agile and sustainable digital transformation.

Advancing Sustainability

As we move forward in our journey, we remain steadfast in our commitment to leading the e-commerce industry toward a more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable future. We employ a green operations strategy to reduce our environmental footprint across offices, warehousing, logistics, packaging, and partnerships — efforts that have contributed to significantly reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. In 2024, we achieved ISO 14064 carbon verification for three warehouse and logistics parks, with two attaining PAS 2060 carbon-neutral status.

In addition, we prioritize a “people-first” philosophy in our organizational and community efforts. By fostering a sense of “vitality” through various activities, we help employees feel a strong sense of belonging and happiness, cultivating a positive workplace environment. Our talent strategy emphasizes “individual growth and team success,” establishing a framework that aligns personal achievement with corporate goals.

Looking Ahead

As we enter the final year of our three-year strategic transformation, we remain committed to maintaining our momentum while adapting to a rapidly shifting external landscape. Following the transformation, we anticipate that BEC, our core business, will enter a phase of quality growth, generating consistent and reliable cash flow. BBM is poised to capture new opportunities and create value for brand equity, driving additional revenue and becoming our new growth driver. By diversifying our revenue streams and ensuring solid financial stability, we aim to position the company for long-term success and resilience in an ever-evolving market.

We are grateful to our employees, customers, and partners for their dedication. We have also further strengthened our leadership team, bringing in deep expertise, strategic vision, and entrepreneurial zeal.

Together, we have navigated adversity and achieved measurable progress. With a continued focus on innovation, operational excellence, and financial discipline, I am confident in Baozun’s future and remain committed to delivering sustainable and long-term value.

Thank you for your continued support and confidence in our vision.

Sincerely,
Vincent Wenbin Qiu
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Baozun Inc.

About Baozun Inc.

Founded in 2007, Baozun Inc. is a leader in brand e-commerce service, brand management, and digital commerce service. It serves more than 490 brands from various industries and sectors around the world, including East and Southeast Asia, Europe and North America as of December 31, 2024.

Baozun Inc. comprises three major business lines — Baozun e-Commerce (BEC), Baozun Brand Management (BBM) and Baozun International (BZI) and is committed to accelerating high-quality and sustainable growth. Driven by the principle that “Technology Empowers the Future Success,” Baozun’s business lines are devoted to empowering their clients’ business and navigating their new phase of development.

For more information, please visit http://ir.baozun.com.

For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

Baozun Inc.
Ms. Wendy Sun
Email: 
ir@baozun.com 

MEXC Strengthens Reserve Backing with $390M Asset Increase

VICTORIA, Seychelles, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, has significantly bolstered its reserve holdings, reporting an increase of approximately $389 million in total asset value over the past two months (as of April 21, 2025). The latest audit of MEXC’s Proof of Reserves confirms that all major cryptocurrencies are backed by reserves exceeding 100%, underscoring the exchange’s strong liquidity position and commitment to financial transparency.

MEXC Strengthens Reserve Backing with $390M Asset Increase
MEXC Strengthens Reserve Backing with $390M Asset Increase

Reserve Ratio Update Reflects Strong Growth

As of April 2025, MEXC’s reserve ratios continue to demonstrate solid coverage across all major cryptocurrencies:

graph 1
graph 1

The updated reserve ratios highlight consistent over-collateralization, reinforcing user confidence in the platform’s ability to meet withdrawal demands at any time.

Substantial Asset Growth Over Two Months

A comparison between February and April 2025 reveals a notable surge in MEXC’s asset holdings, with total on-chain reserves increasing by approximately $389.1 million:

graph 2
graph 2

The sharp rise signals robust capital inflows during this two-month period.

Strong Capital Inflow Signals Growing Market Confidence

The substantial increase in our reserves over the past two months reflects growing confidence in MEXC’s platform during recent market conditions,” said Tracy Jin, COO of MEXC. “With nearly $390 million in added value to our reserves, we’re not just maintaining our commitment to user security — we’re strengthening it.”

The latest data shows notable growth in Bitcoin and Ethereum holdings, with reserves increasing by 1,649.72 BTC and 21,264.46 ETH, respectively. At current market prices, these additions represent over $179 million in combined value, underscoring rising user activity and capital inflow.

Commitment to Transparency and Security

MEXC continues to conduct bi-monthly Proof of Reserve audits as part of its broader commitment to transparency and user trust. These regular reports allow users to independently verify that their assets are fully backed on-chain, with the latest audit confirming near-zero discrepancies between public blockchain data and platform records.

“Transparency isn’t just a policy at MEXC — it’s a fundamental principle guiding our operations,” added Tracy Jin. “By publishing these comprehensive reserve reports every two months, we ensure our users have full visibility into the security of their assets.

Multi-layered Security Framework

MEXC safeguards user assets through a comprehensive security architecture that includes:

  1. 100%+ Reserve Backing: All user assets are fully backed with reserves exceeding total deposits
  2. Insurance Fund: Provides protection against extreme market volatility
  3. Regular Audits: Bi-monthly verification ensures continued compliance and transparency
  4. Cold Wallet Storage: The majority of user funds are held in offline, secure cold wallets to prevent unauthorized access

The Go-To Platform for Seamless Crypto Trading

In addition to implementing robust safety measures to ensure a secure trading environment, the platform offers a variety of features and services designed to enhance the user experience. These features help traders minimize costs and maximize returns. MEXC is committed to empowering traders by enabling investments across the widest range of assets, ensuring safe and seamless transactions regardless of market conditions.

  • M – Most Trending Tokens: MEXC is known for its rapid token listings and diverse selection of popular tokens, helping users capitalize on emerging opportunities. To date, over 3,000 tokens have been listed on the platform.
  • E – Everyday Airdrops: MEXC makes it easy for users to engage in daily airdrop events and receive substantial rewards without complex procedures. In 2024, the platform completed 2,293 airdrop events, distributing over $136 million in rewards.
  • X – Xtremely Low Fees: MEXC offers highly competitive trading fees, helping users reduce costs and maximize their growth potential.
  • C – Comprehensive Liquidity: Backed by strong liquidity and market depth, MEXC ensures the efficient and seamless execution of every transaction, minimizing slippage even during volatile conditions.

These features have helped MEXC attract over 36 million users, establishing it as the platform of choice for an increasing number of traders around the world.

About MEXC

Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto”. Serving over 36 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, frequent airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.

MEXC Official Website X Telegram |How to Sign Up on MEXC

Risk Disclaimer:

The information provided in this article about cryptocurrencies does not represent MEXC’s official stance or investment advice. Given the highly volatile nature of the cryptocurrency market, investors are encouraged to carefully evaluate market fluctuations, project fundamentals, and potential financial risks before making any trading decisions.

IFS Launches Accelerator to Help SAP Customers Rapidly Migrate to IFS Cloud and Unlock New Value

Demand from SAP ecosystem leads to launch of new accelerator  

BIRMINGHAM, England, April 23, 2025 //PRNewswire// — IFS, the leading provider of enterprise cloud and Industrial AI software, has today launched a new migration accelerator service, designed to help SAP customers move seamlessly and quickly from existing SAP systems to IFS Cloud and immediately start generating value from Industrial AI.  

With many SAP customers in the process of modernizing and rethinking their enterprise landscape, the IFS accelerator offers a proven, low-risk approach for businesses to migrate their technology estate, empowering them to break free from monolithic, legacy systems and take advantage of IFS.ai. This shift towards a multi-vendor, multiplatform, digital ecosystem drives transformation and business agility through a modern, composable tech stack. 

The accelerator service enables SAP customers to diversify their portfolio of products beyond a singular vendor and deploy IFS Cloud with minimal disruption. The accelerator is tailored to address the complexity and risk often associated with enterprise software migrations, providing a clear, structured path to accelerate cloud adoption while reducing costs, time, and potential challenges.  

The accelerator unifies data management, migration, and continuous system optimization, keeping the process seamless and secure for customers. Building on the proven success of IFS Cloud and IFS.ai, the migration offering supports diverse data sources and is set to expand compatibility with additional platforms, delivering a resilient, future-ready foundation. 

“IFS has already helped hundreds of companies successfully migrate all or part of their technology estate from legacy vendors to IFS Cloud,” said Max Roberts, Chief Operations Officer at IFS. “CEOs, CFOs, and CIOs from the world’s largest organizations are rethinking their approach to technology and operations. By leveraging IFS.ai through IFS Cloud, businesses can automate workflows and seamlessly integrate AI into their operations, dramatically improving efficiency and reducing costs. An open and composable platform like IFS Cloud, empowers companies to unlock the full potential of automation and digital transformation. Applying AI in the industrial setting is arguably the greatest growth driver we can have for society.” 

The IFS accelerator provides a structured approach to rapid ROI and unlocks organizational business value by aligning data around business transformation goals. This is underpinned by a recent IDC study, which found that IFS customers experience an 11-month payback on investment and a 414% three-year ROI with IFS Cloud. Industry specific services have been developed which embed deep business process knowledge across IFS’s six core industries: Aerospace & Defense, Energy & Utilities, Engineering & Construction, Manufacturing, Telco, and Service.  

Contact IFS now to find out more: https://www.ifs.com/ifs-cloud/choice  

IFS Press Contacts: 

EUROPE / MEA / APJ: Adam Gillbe 
IFS, Director of Corporate & Executive Communications 
Email: adam.gillbe@ifs.com   

NORTH AMERICA / LATAM: Mairi Morgan 
IFS, Director of Corporate & Executive Communications 
Email: mairi.morgan@ifs.com  

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

 

Sengkang General Hospital Introduces Photon-Counting CT Scanner to Advance Diagnostic Capabilities

  • New photon-counting CT scanner aims to enhance diagnostic imaging capabilities for SKH.
  • Advanced technology provides clearer images with lower radiation dose, improving diagnostic precision and patient safety.

SINGAPORE, April 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) officially launched a new photon-counting computed tomography (CT) scanner today, strengthening its imaging capabilities to enhance diagnostic precision and confidence for better patient care. This next generation technology delivers highly detailed submillimetre images with improved contrast using less radiation compared to conventional CT scanners.

Key representatives from Sengkang General Hospital, SingHealth and Siemens Healthineers.
Key representatives from Sengkang General Hospital, SingHealth and Siemens Healthineers.

How it works
The Siemens Healthineers NAEOTOM Alpha is a Dual-Source Photon-Counting Computed Tomography (PCCT) system that uses advanced photon-counting detector technology. Unlike traditional CT scanners, which convert X-rays into visible light before creating images, this new system directly converts X-ray photons into digital signals with lower radiation.

What this means for patient care
This means safer scans for patients, along with sharper imaging that helps doctors detect and better understand complex conditions. From heart and brain vessel enhancement to delicate internal ear evaluation, this technology opens new possibilities in precision diagnostics and patient care.

Professor Teo Eng Kiong, Chief Executive Officer, SKH shares, “This advanced imaging system demonstrates our commitment to not only provide our patients with enhanced care, but value-based care – delivering better outcomes while optimising resources. With over 1,800 successful cases since November 2024, we are seeing how innovation improves both the effectiveness and efficiency of care, reducing the need for repeat procedures or scans. This is how we are building a more resilient healthcare system that serves our patients needs today and tomorrow.”

Supporting healthcare professionals in decision-making
“We are delighted to witness the launch of our NAEOTOM Alpha Photon-Counting CT scanner at SKH— marking a significant milestone as the first of its kind installation in a public healthcare setting in Southeast Asia,” says Ms Siow Ai Li, Managing Director, Siemens Healthineers Singapore and Malaysia. “With this next generation Photon-counting CT technology, we aim to empower clinicians and radiologists with sharper insights that elevate diagnostic precision and treatment across various clinical disciplines, such as cardiology, pulmonology, and oncology. This milestone reflects our ongoing commitment to shaping the future of healthcare and improving outcomes of patients in Singapore“.

Key clinical benefits include:

  • Clearer images of heart vessels and blood vessels in the brain
  • Better views of delicate structures like the inner ear
  • Earlier detection of lung nodules and diseases
  • Clearer imaging around metal implants
  • Lower radiation exposure, especially beneficial for patients needing frequent scans or those sensitive to radiation

“The high image quality helps us detect diseases earlier, more accurately and with greater confidence. We can now detect small fractures or early signs of bone disease that might otherwise be missed, allowing for earlier treatment and better outcomes,” explains Dr Mohammad Taufik Bin Mohamed Shah, Senior Consultant, Department of Radiology, SKH, who specialises in musculoskeletal imaging.

This press release and a press picture is available at

https://www.siemens-healthineers.com/en-sg/press-room/press-releases-sg/skh-introduces-pcct-scanner 

The product/features mentioned in this press release is/are not commercially available in all countries. Due to regulatory reasons their future availability cannot be guaranteed. Please contact your local Siemens organization for further details. The product and features mentioned in this press release are meant for healthcare professionals only.

Contact for media enquiries, please get in touch with:

Siemens Healthineers
Jo’an Chng
Head of Marketing, Sales Operations and Communications
Phone: +65 8328 1015; E-mail: jo-an.chng@siemens-healthineers.com 

Sengkang General Hospital
Geraldine Lee
Manager, Communications, Sengkang General Hospital
Phone : 6930 3159 ; 9060 8304 ; Email : Geraldine.lee.s.k@skh.com.sg 

Farah Rahman
Senior Executive, Communications, SKH
Phone : 6930 4475 ; 9686 7159 ; Email : Farahliyana.Rahman@skh.com.sg

Siemens Healthineers pioneers breakthroughs in healthcare. For everyone. Everywhere. Sustainably. The company is a global provider of healthcare equipment, solutions and services, with activities in more than 180 countries and direct representation in more than 70. The group comprises Siemens Healthineers AG, listed as SHL in Frankfurt, Germany, and its subsidiaries. As a leading medical technology company, Siemens Healthineers is committed to improving access to healthcare for underserved communities worldwide and is striving to overcome the most threatening diseases. The company is principally active in the areas of imaging, diagnostics, cancer care and minimally invasive therapies, augmented by digital technology and artificial intelligence. In fiscal 2024, which ended on September 30, 2024, Siemens Healthineers had approximately 72,000 employees worldwide and generated revenue of around €22.4 billion. Further information is available at www.siemens-healthineers.com.

Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) plays a vital role in providing quality and accessible care to better serve the healthcare needs in North-Eastern Singapore. Offering a wide spectrum of specialist clinics and co-located with Sengkang Community Hospital, we are a part of the integrated hospital campus delivering multi-disciplinary and patient-centric care covering all major healthcare disciplines. Reflecting on our mission of achieving better health together, SKH’s team of doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals practise multi-disciplinary and team-based care. Patients who need longer-term rehabilitative care can be seamlessly transferred from the general hospital to the community hospital to receive the appropriate care during their recovery. We also work together with polyclinics, general practitioners, and other healthcare providers to ensure timely and appropriate access to specialist care for acute and complex cases.

Enabling residents in the northeast access to national specialty services nearer their homes, SKH has collaborated with KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, National Cancer Centre Singapore, National Dental Centre Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, and Singapore National Eye Centre, to set up satellite clinics within the hospital’s Medical Centre. For more information, visit www.skh.com.sg

 

Foodpanda to Cease Operations in Thailand, Parent Company Announces

A Foodpanda rider (Photo: Thaiger)

Foodpanda will cease its operations in the country on 23 May, its German parent company Delivery Hero announced on 23 April. 

PolyU and Peking University Third Hospital establish Medicine-Engineering Collaborative Innovation Research Laboratory

Opening new frontiers in smart healthcare


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 April 2025 – The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Peking University Third Hospital (PUTH) have joined hands to establish the “Medicine-Engineering Collaborative Innovation Research Laboratory”, guided by the shared vision of “interdisciplinary medicine-engineering”. In alignment with the national strategy of “medical-engineering collaborative innovation,” the two institutions aim to drive practical innovation in the field of smart healthcare. The unveiling ceremony of the joint laboratory took place on 17 April in Beijing, marking a significant milestone in deepening collaboration between two leading institutions in the fields of medicine and engineering.

PolyU and PUTH held a joint unveiling ceremony today in Beijing to mark the establishment of the Joint Laboratory for Medical-Engineering Innovation.
PolyU and PUTH held a joint unveiling ceremony today in Beijing to mark the establishment of the Joint Laboratory for Medical-Engineering Innovation.

The ceremony was held in the Surgical Building Conference Hall of PUTH and officiated by Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU; Prof. H.C. Man, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering of PolyU; Prof. FU Wei, PUTH President, Prof. SHEN Ning, PUTH Vice President and Prof. YUAN Chunhui, Director of the Department of General Surgery of PUTH. The event was witnessed by academic leaders and students from various disciplines, including advanced materials, aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, and artificial intelligence. The launch and signing ceremony for the laboratory’s three-year scientific research plan also took place at the same occasion.

Prof. Fu Wei, PUTH President, remarked that medicine-engineering collaborative innovation is a driving force behind modern medical advancements. He expressed hope that this collaboration would accelerate the alignment between clinical needs and engineering solutions, promote the rapid translation of innovations, and make a profound impact on the quality of medical technologies.

Prof. Wing-tak Wong, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU, said that PolyU has a solid foundation in healthcare education and a wealth of experience in nurturing medical professionals. He expressed his hope that the establishment of the Joint Laboratory would further leverage PolyU’s strengths in medicine-engineering integration and facilitate collaboration with PUTH to advance medical technology and benefit society at large.

On the same day, the PolyU delegation visited PUTH’s Medical Animal Experimentation Centre and Clinical Teaching Centre to gain an in-depth understanding of its clinical teaching and research facilities. The two institutions also engaged in exchanges on topics such as surgical navigation, virtual reality simulation training, and biomaterials compatibility. The PolyU delegation also visited the campus of Peking University Health Science Center, touring the Peking University Medical Museum to appreciate the mastery of medical pioneers and the evolution of modern medicine in our Nation.

PolyU has extensive experience and a solid foundation in health science education and research. Over the past 40 years, in support of the development of the local healthcare system, PolyU has nurtured over 50,000 allied healthcare professionals in various disciplines, including medical laboratory science, medical imaging, radiotherapy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nursing, optometry, prosthetics and orthotics, and speech therapy.

In addition to its collaboration with PUTH, PolyU has established partnerships with several universities in mainland China, and is actively preparing for the establishment of the third medical school in Hong Kong to meet the high demand for quality healthcare services in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.
Hashtag: #PolyU #MedicineEngineeringIntegration

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