Focusing on the Future Pathways of Fundamental Science and Global Governance

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, Feb. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The World Laureates Summit 2026 (WLS 2026), hosted by the World Laureates Association (WLA) and co-hosted by KuCoin, officially opened on February 1 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. As one of the world’s most influential high-level platforms for dialogue between science and public governance, the summit brings together leading scientists, research institutions, policymakers, and technology practitioners from around the globe to explore the future pathways of basic science, frontier technologies, and global governance within a shared framework.

Against the backdrop of long-term and structural global challenges, this year’s summit is themed “Basic Science: Addressing Human Challenges Through Scientific Consensus.” The agenda emphasizes forging stronger and more direct links between fundamental scientific discoveries and the needs of global governance and public policy, advancing science from the accumulation of knowledge toward a form of structural support for institutions and governance systems, and reinforcing its foundational role in addressing long-term challenges facing humanity.

The summit has received high-level support from the UAE government. This strong engagement at the national level further emphasizes the growing importance of fundamental science and frontier technologies within national development strategies and global governance frameworks, and signals a new phase of closer, more practical dialogue between science, public governance, and institutional innovation.

As a co-host of WLS 2026, KuCoin participates in the summit from the perspective of long-term trusted digital infrastructure. Leveraging the verifiability, traceability, and collaborative potential of blockchain technology, KuCoin explores its foundational value in scientific collaboration, digital infrastructure, and public governance, while facilitating cross-disciplinary dialogue among technologists, the scientific community, and policymakers. During the summit, KuCoin is also hosting the “Blockchain x Science Forum,” further examining the application potential of blockchain and artificial intelligence in scientific collaboration and public governance.

Within this multilateral dialogue framework, Michael Gan, in his capacity as Deputy Secretary-General of the World Laureates Association, is participating in multiple roundtable sessions and closed-door discussions. He is engaging with scientists, policymakers, and representatives of public institutions from different countries on topics including artificial intelligence, fundamental science, and global collaboration mechanisms.

Michael Gan noted that technology plays a foundational role in advancing the long-term development of human society, and that frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain should serve more open and trustworthy global collaboration systems. Through participation in the multilateral dialogues of WLS 2026, he seeks to integrate his practical experience in technology and blockchain with the perspectives of global scientists and policymakers in research and governance, helping to advance technology-enabled open collaboration mechanisms that support humanity’s long-term development.

Following his departure from the role of Chief Executive Officer, Michael Gan has continued to engage in international dialogue and collaboration on frontier issues at the intersection of technology and society, drawing on his long-standing background in engineering and system design. He has consistently focused on and supported developments in artificial intelligence, blockchain, and fundamental science, and is committed to advancing open collaboration mechanisms for the global research community while exploring the foundational role of technology in scientific collaboration and public governance.

WLS 2026 runs for three days and brings together more than 1,000 participants from around the world. The scientific cohort includes recipients of the Nobel Prize, Turing Award, Wolf Prize, and other leading international scientific honors, setting new benchmarks for the summit’s scale and academic impact. With the continued participation of world-leading scientists, policymakers, and technology practitioners, the World Laureates Summit is steadily evolving into a key international platform for addressing shared long-term human challenges and advancing cross-disciplinary collaboration and institutional innovation.

About KuCoin

Founded in 2017, KuCoin is a leading global crypto platform trusted by over 40 million users across 200+ countries and regions. The platform delivers innovative and compliant digital-asset services, offering access to 1,000+ listed tokens, spot and futures trading, institutional wealth management, and a Web3 wallet.

Recognized by Forbes and Hurun, KuCoin holds SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001:2022 certifications, underscoring its commitment to top-tier security. With AUSTRAC registration in Australia and a MiCA license in Austria, KuCoin continues expanding its regulated footprint under CEO BC Wong, building a reliable and trusted digital-asset ecosystem.

Learn more: www.kucoin.com

About the World Laureates Association

The World Laureates Association (WLA) is a non-profit, nongovernmental international organization founded in 2017 in Hong Kong.

WLA brings together 187 leading scientists, including 78 Nobel Laureates, alongside recipients of the Turing Award, Wolf Prize, Lasker Award, Fields Medal, Breakthrough Prize, and other major international scientific honors. Its members span disciplines such as chemistry, physics, biology, medicine, economics, and computer science, and are drawn from leading research institutions across 25 countries.

Guided by the vision of “Science and Technology for the Common Destiny of Mankind,” WLA is committed to advancing basic science, fostering international scientific cooperation, and supporting the development of the next generation of scientists. Through research collaboration and academic exchange, WLA seeks to promote science as a shared global endeavor for the benefit of humanity.

QUZHOU, China, Feb. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This is a report from China.org.cn:

This year’s Feb. 4 marks the Beginning of Spring, or Lichun, the first of the 24 Chinese solar terms. On this day, Miaoyuan village in Quzhou city held a ritual ceremony to welcome the arrival of spring. It has been a tradition sustained for nearly 1,000 years.

In 2016, China’s traditional 24 solar terms, including folk activities, were officially inscribed into the UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

As the year 2026 marks the 10th anniversary of this inscription, guests and visitors from home and abroad were invited to take part in the ceremony.

The ceremony began with the resonant boom of drums and the chime of bells. In addition to traditional rituals such as “whipping the spring ox” and “offering five fruits,” the event this year featured innovative activities including a parade, a photo exhibition, and a folk food fair showcasing seasonal delicacies.

The Chinese longing for spring is deeply rooted in a millennia-old reverence for nature and respect for life. According to legends from thousands of years ago, the God of Spring in ancient China, known as Goumang, spread the blessings of spring and taught farming skills to local people. In gratitude, villagers built a temple in his honor and have offered sacrifices ever since.

Village welcomes spring with traditional rituals

http://www.china.org.cn/2026-02/04/content_118317022.shtml

WonderBot 2.0 debuts at Children’s Museum Singapore as part of a three-year digital heritage commitment by Tencent.

SINGAPORE, Feb. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HeritageSG and Tencent announced a strategic partnership to bring immersive, game-based learning and conversational AI into HeritageSG’s institutions and programmes, beginning with the launch of WonderBot 2.0 at the Children’s Museum Singapore (CMSG).

In 2025, Tencent contributed over S$750,000 in technology support and cash contributions to elevate digital initiatives within Singapore’s museums and heritage sector, including the development of WonderBot 2.0. Moving forward, Tencent will continue to expand its support in Singapore to advance culture, heritage, and the arts over the next two years. 

The launch of WonderBot 2.0 also marks Tencent’s pioneering social impact collaboration in Singapore. It is powered by Tencent’s digital avatar, 3D modelling and semantic understanding technologies, enabling voice-responsive interactions, interactive missions, and personalised learning journeys for young visitors. Through natural conversations and guided activities, children can explore museum stories in intuitive and engaging ways, transforming a traditional visit into an interactive learning experience.

Beyond this first installation, the partnership establishes a platform for HeritageSG to pilot and scale digital initiatives across its programmes and partnerships, while creating opportunities to collaborate with technology partners and local creatives to build shared capabilities and accelerate innovation.

Reimagining Heritage Learning Through Play

Located on the first floor of CMSG’s exhibition space, WonderBot now serves as an intelligent companion guiding children through interactive exhibits and activities. Combining conversational AI with gamified learning, WonderBot encourages curiosity, experimentation, and discovery, turning a museum visit into a two-way learning experience calibrated to the child’s age range.

Through quizzes, storytelling, and interactive missions, WonderBot invites children to explore heritage through play, making learning more engaging and memorable while encouraging questions and meaningful dialogue.

This initiative supports CMSG’s mission to inspire learning through play and forms part of Tencent’s broader commitment to “Tech for Good”, complementing its ongoing initiatives in youth education and sustainability.

“Drawing on Tencent’s deep experience in game technology, interactive design, and digital cultural preservation, we wanted to help create a museum experience that feels responsive, engaging, and playful,” said Murphy Zhao, Country Manager of Tencent Singapore and Head of Global Game Technology, Tencent. “As Tencent Singapore recently celebrated its fifth anniversary, we’re proud to contribute to the development of a digitally inclusive and culturally connected society for the next generation.”

Ms Asmah Alias, Director of Galleries, Exhibitions and Museums at HeritageSG, added, “Partnerships like this demonstrate how emerging technologies can make heritage learning more engaging and accessible for families and students.”

“The Children’s Museum Singapore is where curiosity takes hold. WonderBot is now more than a mascot — it’s a companion that listens, learns, and laughs alongside our visitors. Through this collaboration with Tencent, we want to redefine how children today get to experience our heritage,” continued Ms Asmah Alias.

WonderBot 2.0 will be available to the public from 4 February 2026 as part of the Children’s Museum Singapore’s permanent interactive experience.

More information and media assets can be found in the digital media kit here.

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About HeritageSG

HeritageSG (HSG) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Heritage Board (NHB), a statutory board under Singapore’s Ministry of Culture, Community, and Youth (MCCY). Established to strengthen sector capabilities and unlock new synergies across the museum and heritage ecosystem, HSG brings greater agility and responsiveness to the evolving needs of Singapore’s heritage sector.

As the creative force behind flagship events – including Children’s Season, the Singapore HeritageFest, and Singapore Night Festival – HSG brings Singapore’s rich heritage to life for diverse audiences through immersive experiences and innovative storytelling.

HeritageSG manages key heritage institutions such as ArCH Square, Children’s Museum Singapore, Changi Chapel and Museum, and Reflections at Bukit Chandu, and leads initiatives spanning archaeological research, travelling exhibitions, and interactive digital experiences.

By collaborating with partners across the ecosystem and blending tradition with technology, HSG strengthens heritage touchpoints and fosters meaningful encounters that contribute to our shared national identity and pride.

Find out more at https://www.heritage.sg/

About Children’s Museum Singapore

Children’s Museum Singapore is the first museum in Singapore dedicated to children 12 years old and below. The museum believes in sparking wonder and the power of play in a safe environment. CMSG aspires to be a place of wonder and joyful learning for all children to engage with Singapore and the world.

Families with young children can look forward to interactive exhibits, anchored in rich storytelling, complemented by engaging programmes and initiatives. Children will have hands-on opportunities to learn about Singapore’s heritage through play. CMSG will organise educational programmes throughout the year to cater to children of different age groups and abilities. These programmes are created in collaboration with educators to ensure that they are developmentally appropriate for children.

CMSG is housed in a historical double-storey colonial building that was formerly part of Anglo-Chinese School in 1906. The building housed the Methodist Book Room in the 1970s and 1980s, before being converted to become the Singapore Philatelic Museum in 1995.

About Tencent

Tencent is a world-leading internet and technology company that develops innovative products and services to improve the quality of life of people around the world. Our communication and social services connect more than one billion people around the world, helping them to keep in touch with friends and family, access transportation, pay for daily necessities, and even be entertained. Our financial technology business covers payment, credit, wealth management and insurance sectors, as we support our partners’ business growth and assist with their digital upgrade through FinTech and other enterprise services. We also publish some of the world’s most popular video games and other high-quality digital content, enriching interactive entertainment experiences for people around the globe. Tencent was founded in Shenzhen, China, in 1998, and has been listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong since 2004.

About the National Heritage Board

The National Heritage Board (NHB) was formed on 1 August 1993. As the custodian of Singapore’s heritage, NHB is responsible for telling the Singapore story, sharing the Singaporean experience and imparting our Singapore spirit.

NHB’s mission is to preserve and celebrate the shared heritage of our diverse communities, for the purpose of education, nation-building and cultural understanding. It manages the national museums and heritage institutions, safeguards and promotes intangible cultural heritage, and sets policies relating to heritage sites, monuments and the national collection. Through the national collection, NHB curates heritage programmes and presents exhibitions to connect the past, present and future generations of Singaporeans. NHB is a statutory board under the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. Please visit www.nhb.gov.sg for more information.