• The Southeast Asia launch marks a pivotal step in mobilising the University’s global community to tackle urgent challenges through philanthropy, and volunteering.

SINGAPORE, Dec. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The University of Manchester (UoM) today launched its first global fundraising and volunteering campaign, Challenge Accepted, in Southeast Asia, in partnership with the British High Commission to Singapore, with an event held at the British High Commissioner’s residence, Eden Hall.

The exclusive launch drew a full house of distinguished alumni and partners to show their support and underscored the University’s bold ambition to harness the collective power of its global community to tackle pressing challenges and drive lasting impact.

The launch featured a reception with the President & Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, Professor Duncan Ivison, who underscored the significance of the campaign and reflected on the ongoing contributions of alumni and students. “Challenge Accepted is our call to action. The University, our people, and our global community have the scale, expertise, and ambition to face the challenges of our time,” Professor Ivison said: “Through this campaign we’re inviting everyone to contribute, volunteer, and advocate. Together, we can accelerate discoveries, create opportunities, and drive meaningful impact for society.“

The campaign centres on four key pillars that drive real-world impact — Student Inclusion and Success, Research with Purpose, Innovation and Enterprise, and Culture and Community. From opening doors for talented students and funding bold research, to bringing ideas from lab to life and fostering creativity through culture, these pillars embody The University of Manchester’s spirit of turning knowledge into action. Each theme offers alumni and supporters clear ways to contribute through philanthropy, mentorship, and volunteering.

Professor Ivison highlighted that the campaign builds on Manchester’s 200-year legacy of groundbreaking discoveries, social impact, and innovation. He urged attendees to become challenge accepters, contributing to a global movement that combines ambition, hope, and impact. “Universities like Manchester were created from gifts and people’s hard work and talent to answer the big questions. The challenges we have today, like climate change, global health inequality and achieving social justice demand action and the brightest minds. Challenge Accepted is our collective response, calling on researchers, students, volunteers, and donors to step forward and help shape the future,” he said.

The University of Manchester South East Asia Centre (UoMSEA) in Singapore plays an important role in connecting the region’s alumni and students with the University’s global initiatives. UoMSEA also provides world-class part-time Master’s programmes, including the Global MBA, MSc Financial Management and MA Educational Leadership in Practice allowing local professionals to benefit from Manchester’s expertise while continuing their careers.

With a thriving network of nearly 7,000 in Singapore – one of the University’s most active and engaged global communities – the launch celebrated the region’s strong tradition of volunteering, mentorship, and advocacy in support of Manchester’s mission.

Distinguished attendees at the event included H.E. Nik Mehta OBE, British High Commissioner to Singapore, who welcomed the University to Eden Hall, and Mr Teo Chee Hean, Senior Advisor in the Prime Minister’s Office; Chairman of Temasek Holdings; and Patron of The University of Manchester Alumni Association Singapore (UoMAAS). Senior alumni such as Mr Desmond Tan, Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office and Deputy Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), were also present, alongside Nobel Laureate Professor Sir Konstantin Novoselov who was awarded the Nobel Prize for his achievements with graphene at The University of Manchester.

Challenge Accepted was presented at the launch as a call for the University’s global community to engage in meaningful action through volunteering, advocacy, or philanthropy. Alumni and students in Southeast Asia were given first-hand insights into how they can support the campaign’s four key pillars, from donating via initiatives such as ‘help tackle brain cancer head-on’ to volunteering through the University’s Volunteering Hub or championing causes aligned with research, student development, innovation, and culture. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps translate the campaign’s ambition into real-world impact locally and globally.

Reflecting on the University’s strong alumni community, Mr Teo Chee Hean said, “The University of Manchester’s global network of alumni and partners makes a positive contribution to building collaboration and cooperation to address the challenges of our times. Our alumni here in Singapore are part of this network, and play leading roles in the public, private and people sectors. Initiatives like Challenge Accepted remind us to take bold action to tackle the challenges faced by our societies, many of which we face in common. We can achieve much more together, applying what we learned and the friendships we made at Manchester.”

Professor Sir Konstantin Novoselov said, “Supporting initiatives like Challenge Accepted enables researchers and students to pursue ambitious projects that can transform lives and societies. This campaign empowers the next generation of innovators and changemakers to make a real difference.”

H.E. Nik Mehta OBE remarked, “It is a privilege to host The University of Manchester at Eden Hall. The impact of its alumni, research, and initiatives across Southeast Asia is remarkable, and Challenge Accepted offers an exciting opportunity for students and alumni alike to engage meaningfully with pressing global challenges.”

The event also showcased the University’s long-term vision, Manchester 2035: From Manchester for the World, which outlines a decade of ambition to build a sustainable, inclusive, and innovative future.

Professor Ivison emphasised that Challenge Accepted supports this with bold action and collective impact. He highlighted that the future will be shaped by those who act, and that every member of the University’s global community can make a difference through donations, volunteering, or advocacy. Challenge Accepted calls on every member of Manchester’s global family to step forward to give, volunteer, and champion the discoveries that will shape a fairer, healthier, and more sustainable world.

To learn more about Challenge Accepted and The University of Manchester’s Global fundraising and volunteering campaign, explore ways to get involved and discover how you can support the University’s global initiatives at https://give.manchester.ac.uk/p/southeastasia2025/

About The University of Manchester

The University of Manchester is ranked 35th in the world by QS World University Rankings 2026, 5th in the UK research powerhouse in REF 2021 and 2nd in THE Impact ranking 2025. With as many as 26 Nobel Prize winners, the University’s academic pedigree is among the best globally.

For more information, visit manchester.edu.sg

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In commemoration of the 110th anniversary of Moutai’s debut and award-winning at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition and the 10th anniversary of San Francisco Moutai Day, the Kweichow Moutai delegation led by Group Vice General Manager Zhang Guichao will arrive in New York City for a week of U.S. tour on December 3, Eastern Time (U.S.). By returning to the very place where it first gained global recognition, Moutai is showing the North American market its drive to push forward internationally and its firm commitment to speed up the growth of its product sales and cultural presence.

The connection between Moutai and the United States goes back more than a century. In 1915, Moutai was first introduced to the world when it won the gold medal at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, starting its global story. Then, in 2015, San Francisco established “Moutai Day,” turning this history into an official friendship. In 2025, as we mark the 110th anniversary of the award and the 10th anniversary of Moutai Day, this year holds deep historical meaning for the brand.

On December 7, Moutai is to host a grand cultural exhibition at San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts. This is a two-day event, and it will open to the public on December 8. Titled “San Francisco: In Search of Our Shared Memory – 1915 Through the Eyes of a Chinese Brand,” the exhibition invites visitors to step into a multi-sensory experience. Through historical documents, images, and artistic displays, it brings to life the moment Moutai first appeared overseas and won its gold medal. This immersive space allows American audiences to connect with the century-long story between Moutai and the United States, and indeed, the world. During the exhibition, Moutai will also host the “Moutai Night”. This special evening will celebrate these two major milestones, opening a cultural dialogue that spans 110 years across the Pacific.

For Moutai, which is speeding up its global plans, the U.S. market is not just a key place to share its brand culture and value, but one of the most important parts of its overseas strategy. To better serve local customers, the delegation will visit key cities like New York and San Francisco. Through store visits, talks with local sellers, and meetings with groups such as the China Chamber of Commerce in the U.S., Chinese Consulates in the U.S., and the San Francisco Mayor’s Office, they aim to build a wide cooperation network. These steps will lay a strong foundation for Moutai’s long-term growth in the United States.

A Moutai representative stated that Moutai is honored to have witnessed many important moments and the growth of trade between the PRC and the United States.  Leveraging the dual anniversaries as an opportunity, the delegation aims to continue its role to promote cultural exchange and friendship between the peoples of the two countries. Moutai will also keep working on its local development in the U.S., sharing China’s rich liquor and deep culture with more American consumers and spirits enthusiasts.

BEIJING, Dec. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Waterdrop Inc. (NYSE: WDH) was honored with the Global Best Case Brands Award at the 3^rd International Conference on Management Change and Sustainable Development (MC&SD). Selected from more than 100 nominated companies, Waterdrop stood out for its significant contributions and innovative practices in advancing inclusive protection. The conference was hosted by Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics (JUFE) and organized by its School of Business Administration.

Nearly 300 industry experts, researchers, and business leaders from North America, Europe, and Asia—spanning management, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development—took part in a series of conference sessions centered on the theme “AI Development and Enterprise Continuous Innovation.”

Co-hosted by the International Case Research Association (ICRA) and the Canada China Business Council (CCBC), the Global Best Case Brands Award aims to recognize companies that have made outstanding contributions to business case research and case-based teaching, as well as those demonstrating strong international impact. Prof. William Wei, President of ICRA and Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics at Algoma University in Canada, outlined the award’s evaluation criteria and selection process. The award was jointly presented to the winning companies by Que Shandong, Vice President of JUFE and Mike Annett, Associate Dean of the School of Business, MacEwan University, Canada.

Founded in 2016, Waterdrop Inc. is a leading insurance technology and healthcare platform in China. Anchored in its mission of “harnessing internet-based technologies to make insurance and healthcare accessible for all and to protect millions of families,” the company is committed to delivering comprehensive insurance and health-protection solutions to its users. Its business portfolio includes Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding, Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace, E-Find, Waterdrop Financial, and Lugo Visa, creating a diversified service ecosystem that combines medical fundraising, insurance technology, and healthcare services.

Since 2019, Waterdrop has been exploring the use of AI to address the limited availability of suitable insurance offerings, investing nearly RMB 300 million annually in technology R&D. In 2024, the company’s proprietary GuardianShuishou LLM completed algorithm filing with the Cyberspace Administration of China and secured multiple patents for large-model development. As of the end of 2024, Waterdrop had filed 48 patents associated with its foundation model, with more than 100 AI-related patents granted overall.

The GuardianShuishou LLM provides insurance agents, brokers, and policyholders with more professional, accurate, and easy-to-understand recommendations, enhancing capabilities and boosting efficiency across the entire insurance value chain. At the same time, Waterdrop continues to focus on the differentiated protection needs of seniors, individuals with pre-existing conditions, and pregnant women and infants. By launching inclusive products such as Jiehaoyun and Kanbingbao, the company has enhanced the accessibility and affordability of insurance coverage. A case in point is products designed for individuals with pre-existing conditions: In 2025, Waterdrop Insurance Marketplace introduced 214 such offerings, including 34 first-of-their-kind product types in China and 37 options that require no health declaration. On average, a new pre-existing-condition product was launched every 1.14 days, enabling Waterdrop to build a portfolio of innovative insurance products tailored to individuals with health challenges. This ensures that consumers of different ages and varying health conditions can access insurance coverage suited to their needs.

Meanwhile, to support inclusive protection, Waterdrop has also built a critical bridge for serious-illness assistance through its Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding platform. Patients can initiate medical fundraising campaigns and share them across social networks such as WeChat, enabling donors to provide support quickly and easily. As of June 2025, approximately 480 million people had collectively contributed about RMB 70 billion to more than 3.54 million patients with major illnesses via Waterdrop Medical Crowdfunding. Every 53 seconds, a new family launches a fundraising campaign on the platform, and every second, nine people make a donation. Behind each fundraising campaign, an average of seven Waterdrop crowdfunding staff members provide dedicated support.

Winning the Global Best Case Brands Award once again highlights the research value of Waterdrop’s innovative business model. Looking ahead, Waterdrop will continue to focus on inclusive protection, create greater value for people, and deepen its AI-driven strategy. The company is committed to becoming a global, technology-driven leader in financial and healthcare services, contributing to a better quality of life for all.

For more information, visit Waterdrop at https://www.waterdrop-inc.com/.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Dec. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — AppliedHE today announced the results of the inaugural AppliedHE Public & Private University Rankings: ALL ASIA, the first Asia-wide university ranking that separately recognises both public and private universities while placing student feedback and employability outcomes at the heart of its methodology.

The launch of the AppliedHE ALL ASIA Rankings took place during the AppliedHE Xchange, hosted at Sunway University, which is an annual conference that brings together higher education leaders, policymakers, and industry partners from across Asia and beyond.

This new ranking responds to the growing demand for a more meaningful and student-centric approach to evaluating higher education quality in Asia. By distinguishing between public and private universities and foregrounding real-world outcomes, the rankings offer a more nuanced and equitable view of institutional performance across a diverse and rapidly evolving higher education landscape.

A total of 493 Asian universities from 41 countries were successfully ranked in this year’s edition. Institutions were evaluated using a rigorous and balanced methodology across six dimensions: Community Engagement, Employability, Student Satisfaction, Research Excellence, Internationalisation and Peer Recognition. These indicators collectively ensure the AppliedHE ALL ASIA ranking reflects not only academic strength, but also the broader student experience and societal value contributed by both public and private universities across the region.

Countries with the highest representation in this year’s ranking: Indonesia leads with 73 ranked universities, followed by the Philippines with 60 institutions and Malaysia with 44. India is represented by 29 universities, while South Korea has 28 institutions making into the list. Importantly, all six regions of Asia feature in the rankings, underscoring that access to quality higher education is broadly distributed and that academic excellence is emerging from every corner of the continent.

In the overall results, Yonsei University secured its position as the top private university in Asia, with Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) and Korea University following closely behind. On the public university side, the University of Hong Kong achieved the highest ranking, ahead of the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Mainland China’s Peking University. Sunway University continues to be the top-ranking private university in Southeast Asia, ranking 6^th in Asia, while National University of Singapore ranked as top public university in the region.

These outcomes reflect a dynamic and competitive higher education landscape in Asia, one in which both public and private institutions are demonstrating strong performance, regional leadership, and global relevance.

Top 10: ALL ASIA Private Universities

1. Yonsei University – South Korea
2. Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) – South Korea
3. Korea University – South Korea
4. Hanyang University – South Korea
5. Waseda University – Japan
6. Sunway University – Malaysia
7. Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) – South Korea
8. American University of Sharjah – United Arab Emirates
9. UCSI University – Malaysia
10. Kyung Hee University – South Korea

Top 10: ALL ASIA Public Universities

1. The University of Hong Kong – Hong Kong SAR
2. National University of Singapore (NUS) – Singapore
3. Peking University – Mainland China
4. Nanyang Technological University (NTU) – Singapore
5. King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) – Saudi Arabia
6. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) – Hong Kong SAR
7. Tsinghua University – Mainland China
8. City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) – Hong Kong SAR
9. Qatar University – Qatar
10. Fudan University – Mainland China

An Asia-Rooted, Student- and Employability-Focused Alternative

AppliedHE was founded in 2020 by Ms Mandy Mok, a veteran in international university rankings and university improvement strategies, recognised for her expertise in global branding and marketing for higher education. Based in Singapore, AppliedHE has a clear mission to serve students, families, employers, and society with what matters most to them – employability, quality teaching and learning, and real-world engagement.

“AppliedHE was started because we saw an important gap – university rankings often don’t reflect what really matters to students and the communities they live in,” said Mandy Mok, Founder & CEO of AppliedHE. “With ALL ASIA, we’re creating an Asia-rooted, globally trusted ranking that listens to students, focuses on employability and real-life outcomes – not just reputation – and, importantly, separates public and private universities so that comparisons are fairer and more meaningful.”

Professor Sibrandes Poppema, President and Vice Chancellor of Sunway University, shared, “The AppliedHE ALL ASIA ranking highlights the depth and diversity of excellence across Asian universities. For Sunway University, being recognised among the region’s leading institutions affirms our purpose as a mission-driven 5th generation university, committed to empowering impactful research, building meaningful partnerships, and developing talent for the world. Hosting the AppliedHE Xchange reflects our shared commitment and underscores the importance of institutions coming together to advance a better tomorrow for future generations.”

Public and Private: Recognising Asia’s Full Higher Education Ecosystem

Unlike most international rankings, which either focus overwhelmingly on public universities or combine both sectors into a single list, the AppliedHE Public & Private University Rankings: ALL ASIA 2026 deliberately separates public and private universities into two parallel rankings.

This approach:

• Recognises the distinct missions and funding models of public and private institutions
• Provides fairer benchmarking within each category
• Highlights the critical role of private universities in expanding access, innovation, and industry-linked programmes across Asia

“Asia’s higher education landscape is powered by both sectors,” said Professor Kevin Downing, Chair of the AppliedHE Ranking Committee. “Public universities often carry national mandates, while private universities are agile pioneers in education innovation, employability, internationalisation, and industry partnerships. ALL ASIA is designed to honour both – side by side, on their own terms.”

The Only Asian Ranking Built on Student Voices

A key differentiator of ALL ASIA is the systematic inclusion of student and alumni voices through structured surveys on:

• Teaching & learning experience
• Support services and campus life
• Career guidance and employability support
• Online and blended learning quality

These student-based indicators are integrated into the overall score, ensuring that lived experiences of learners are reflected in how universities are recognised.

SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Pudu Robotics, a global leader in service robotics, today announced the launch of the PUDU D5 Series, a new generation of Industry-grade Autonomous Quadruped Robots engineered for complex, unstructured, and large-scale outdoor environments. The series includes two configurations: the PUDU D5, a legged version built for maximum terrain adaptability, and the PUDU D5-W, a wheeled version designed for optimized performance on mixed surfaces.

Addressing the Automation Gap in Challenging Environments

While service robots are well-adopted in restaurants, hotels, and other structured commercial environments, many outdoor and industrial spaces remain difficult to automate. Uneven terrain, slopes, staircases, multi-level layouts, and weather exposure continue to limit deployment in critical tasks such as inspection, patrol, logistics support, and emergency response. The D5 Series was developed to close these gaps—delivering advanced autonomy, rugged mobility, precise perception, and high environmental resilience to enable robots to operate where traditional systems cannot.

“The PUDU D5 series represents a significant leap forward in our vision for robotics. The D5 successfully brings advanced autonomy, rugged mobility, and intelligent interaction into the complex outdoor and industry-grade scenarios”, said Felix Zhang, Founder and CEO at Pudu Robotics. “For Pudu, the D5 is not merely a new product, but a milestone in our mission to push robots deeper into more applications. We are building a collaborative ecosystem of ‘specialized, semi-humanoid, and humanoid robots’ that, by complementing each other’s capabilities, can comprehensively meet the diverse needs of our users.”

Key Features of the PUDU D5 Series

• Automotive-Grade Computing for True Autonomy
  Powered by a dual-processor architecture featuring NVIDIA Orin and RK3588 for up to 275 TOPS, D5 executes real-time SLAM, 3D reconstruction, object recognition, obstacle avoidance, and path planning simultaneously—supporting continuous, unsupervised operation even in dynamic environments.
• High-Precision 360° Perception
  Four 120° fisheye cameras combined with dual 192-line LiDAR sensors provide comprehensive environmental awareness, generating dense 3D point clouds for precise localization and dynamic navigation. Remote visualization tools allow operators to oversee missions when needed.
• Million-Square-Meter Navigation Capability
  Capable of mapping and navigating facilities up to one million square meters, the D5 handles complete autonomous workflows including departure, patrol, obstacle handling, and return-to-charge. Single-charge range extends to 14 kilometers, making it suitable for airports, metro systems, and industrial campuses.
• 30kg Payload with Stable Performance
  High-strength aluminum construction and closed-loop torque control enable stable 30-kilogram payloads with over two hours of continuous runtime at full load, accommodating diverse inspection devices, materials, and mission-specific modules.
• All-Terrain Mobility for Complex Environments
  Advanced wheel-leg hybrid locomotion reaches 5 m/s on flat surfaces, while maintaining the ability to climb 30° slopes and continuously step over 25cm stairs. IMU-driven stabilization and bionic control algorithms ensure smooth and sustained operation across floors and challenging terrain.
• All-Weather Durability and Extreme Resilience
  Designed for real-world exposure, the D5 supports cold-start at -10°C, operates from -20°C to 55°C, and achieves IP67 ingress protection for dependable performance in rain, snow, dust, and fluctuating climate conditions.
• Intelligent Following and Predictive Avoidance
  With fusion of vision and depth sensing plus proprietary dynamic-obstacle-prediction algorithms, the D5 achieves natural, reliable autonomous following. It maintains safe, stable spacing even in narrow or crowded environments — ideal for inspection, logistics, and escort-type tasks.
• Natural Interaction with Gesture and Voice Control
  The D5 supports 10+ intuitive hand gestures (start, stop, recall, follow, etc.) and features a 6-mic array with AI noise reduction for highly robust voice recognition in noisy environments. This enables more human-friendly collaboration and seamless on-site operation.

Expanding Pudu Robotics’ Embodied-Intelligence Ecosystem

The PUDU D5 Series extends Pudu Robotics’ embodied-intelligence portfolio beyond specialized service robots into complex industrial and outdoor environments. By complementing its existing specialized, semi-humanoid and humanoid robots, the D5 enables customers to deploy robot fleets across diverse scenarios—from industrial inspection and transportation infrastructure to outdoor security and research applications—creating a scalable ecosystem that addresses real-world operational challenges previously beyond the reach of autonomous systems.

About PUDU

Pudu Robotics, a global leader in the service robotics sector, is dedicated to enhancing human productivity and living standards through innovative robot technology.

With a focus on R&D, manufacturing, and sales of service robots, Pudu Robotics emphasizes three core technologies: mobility, manipulation, and artificial intelligence. Pudu Robotics has taken the lead in establishing a comprehensive range of specialized, semi-humanoid, and humanoid robotic products in the industry. Currently, PUDU offers four product lines: service delivery robots, commercial cleaning robots, industrial delivery robots and embodied intelligent robots, which are deployed across ten major industries, including food and beverage, retail, hospitality, healthcare, entertainment and sports, industrial facilities, education, and more. To date, Pudu Robotics has successfully shipped over 100,000 units to a variety of markets, with a presence in more than 1,000 cities across 80+ countries and regions worldwide. For more information on business developments and updates, follow PUDU on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Instagram.