Recognising true leadership which is measured not only by results, but by the ability to create lasting value for society.

BALI, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 December 2025 – The ACES Awards 2025 concluded its two-day celebration in Bali with Day Two shining a spotlight on Asia’s most inspiring leaders, transformative institutions, and organisations driving meaningful impact across the region.

While Day One focused on sustainability excellence, Day Two honoured the visionaries whose leadership continues to shape industries, strengthen communities, and elevate national progress.

ACES Awards organiser, MORS Group CEO Dr Shanggari Balakrishnan said that the 2025 Leadership Award recipients embody the spirit of progress in Asia.

“They show that true leadership is measured not only by results, but by the ability to uplift people, drive innovation, and create lasting value for society.

“We celebrate leaders whose impact goes beyond their institutions and into the fabric of the communities they serve,” she said.

This year’s awards cycle saw 827 nominations from 32 countries, with 381 finalists shortlisted after 946 hours of evaluation by the ACES Council.

Day Two featured 71 winners across leadership sub-categories, highlighting Asia’s growing depth of influence, leadership maturity, and organisational transformation.

Celebrated Leaders and Institutions of 2025

Day Two of the Awards recognised a distinguished list of leaders and organisations:

• EDL-Generation Public Company – Asia’s Best Performing Companies
• Ayala Corporation and Asialink Finance Corporation – Asia’s Most Influential Companies
• United Asia Finance Limited, Nickel Asia Corporation, LCY Development Sdn Bhd | Francis Lau Choo Yew – Outstanding Leaders in Asia
• Myanmar Agro Exchange Public Company Limited, Highland Coffee Service Joint Stock Company, Globe Telecom – Industry Champions of the Year
• Letright Industrial Corp., Ltd. | Ombra Brand – Entrepreneur of the Year

Major trophy recipients included:

• Francis Lau Choo Yew, LCY Development Sdn Bhd – Gold ACES Trophy
• Highland Coffee Service Joint Stock Company – Gold ACES Trophy
• Globe Telecom – Black ACES Trophy, the pinnacle honour
• Ren Li, Letright Industrial Corp. | Ombra Brand – Entrepreneur of the Year, Standard Gold Trophy
• Dr. Shardul S. Shroff, Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co – Lifetime Achievement Award

These winners stood out for their vision, organisational influence, resilience, and impact that extends beyond commercial performance to national and social development.

Recognising leadership that moves nations and industries

The 2025 Leadership Category expanded to reflect Asia’s evolving leadership landscape, introducing new segments such as Emerging Leaders in Asia, Asia’s Impact Advocates (Individual and Enterprise), Nation Builder Award, Inspiring Institutions in Asia, and Landmark Hotels in Asia.

These categories honoured individuals and organisations demonstrating strategic clarity, ethical leadership, resilience, people-first values, innovation capability, and measurable societal impact.

Judges noted a clear regional shift toward purpose-driven decision-making, stronger governance, crisis resilience, and leadership that aligns financial performance with social and national progress.

Many winners showcased noteworthy achievements in culture building, workforce empowerment, community transformation, and influence beyond their industries.

A Meaningful Close to ACES 2025

Day Two concluded with emotional acceptance moments, powerful leadership narratives, and a reaffirmation of ACES’ role in recognising excellence that transforms nations.

The 2025 edition marked a new chapter in Asia’s leadership evolution—one defined by integrity, empathy, innovation, and long-term impact.
Hashtag: #ACESAwards #MORSGroup #Sustainability #Leadership #ACES2025 #ACESinBali

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About the ACES Awards

The Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability (ACES) Awards recognises outstanding leaders and organisations across Asia that demonstrate excellence in leadership, sustainability, and corporate responsibility. As a premier regional awards platform, ACES highlights companies and individuals that set industry benchmarks and contribute meaningfully to economic and social progress. Through its rigorous evaluation and broad regional reach, ACES continues to showcase best-in-class achievers shaping Asia’s corporate landscape.

About MORS Group

MORS Group is a regional business intelligence and advisory organisation committed to advancing leadership, sustainability, and corporate excellence in Asia. Through strategic platforms and recognition programmes—including the ACES Awards—MORS Group supports organisations in elevating performance, strengthening governance, and fostering long-term growth. Its work enables companies and leaders to connect, gain insights, and drive purposeful impact across the region.

OceanX has completed its first research mission in Timor-Leste, carrying out fourteen days of integrated science and exploration across the northern coast and Atauro Island region.

Dili, Timor-Leste – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 December 2025 – The mission brought together scientists from KAUST, the University of Florida, the University of Western Australia, and Timorese counterparts to investigate biodiversity, whale ecology, and seafloor structure in one of the most dynamic marine corridors of the Coral Triangle.

The Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, said “The Government of Timor-Leste was pleased to partner with OceanX on this historic expedition in our waters. The research has revealed the extraordinary richness of our marine biodiversity and provided some of the most valuable and comprehensive scientific data our country has ever had, covering coral reefs, deep-sea ecosystems and the annual blue whale migration. These findings give us a strong foundation for future conservation, including the establishment of a national park around Atauro Island.”

Vincent Pieribone, Co-CEO and Chief Scientist of OceanX, said the mission marked a major step in understanding the Timor Passage. “This region holds an exceptional range of species and habitats, and our teams were able to document it with a depth and breadth that has rarely been possible in these waters. The volume of information collected across deep, midwater, and coastal environments will support research for years to come.”

Building a New Baseline for Timor-Leste’s Ocean Science

Over fourteen operational days, researchers mapped close to five thousand square kilometers of seabed and recorded more than one hundred hours of sustained ROV and submersible activity. These dives generated extensive samples and imagery from steep slopes, midwater zones, and deep benthic habitats that have remained largely unexplored.

The expedition also delivered a detailed view of the seasonal blue whale migration. Helicopter teams, drones, and small vessels enabled sixty blue whale sightings and nearly fifty individual encounters, which produced a strong set of genetic and microbiome samples. These records will strengthen ongoing work to understand whale health and the impact of cookie-cutter shark interactions along the migration corridor north of Dili.

Andrew Craig, the mission lead for OceanX, highlighted the coordinated effort required to achieve this. “Every part of the ship contributed to this result. Deep-sea systems, mapping crews, aerial teams, and whale researchers worked in constant collaboration. The scale of the dataset reflects the commitment of the team and the strong support we received in Timor-Leste.”

A Comprehensive Biodiversity Record

The mission’s bioblitz program added substantial depth to the scientific output. Scientists collected more than four thousand biological samples, including corals, invertebrates, and cryptic species from reef, mesophotic, and bathyal environments. Early assessments indicate representation from roughly two thousand species. These findings reinforce the global significance of the Timor Passage and strengthen the scientific foundation for long-term monitoring.

High-resolution bathymetry gathered during the mission will contribute to global mapping initiatives and help fill major knowledge gaps in the region’s seafloor structure. These datasets, combined with biological and megafauna records, will support collaborative research and advance efforts to understand ecosystem connections across the Indo-Pacific.

Towards Long-Term Impact

The Timor-Leste expedition delivers a major contribution to regional marine science. The data collected will support biodiversity assessments, whale ecology research, and the development of long-term baselines for the Atauro Marine Protected Area. It also strengthens OceanX’s collaboration with Timorese institutions, creating new opportunities for research, education, and capacity building.

Hashtag: #OceanX

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About OceanX

OceanX is a nonprofit working to unlock the ocean’s sustainable potential. Through a dual focus on science and education, we’re building a new paradigm where humanity and the ocean mutually thrive. Our approach is fueled by exploration, leveraging advanced research, multimedia educational programs, cross-sector partnerships, and advanced technology to help transform how people understand and value the ocean. Our work strives to fortify biodiversity and increase the sustainable use of ocean resources to help ensure the ocean remains a foundation for human wellbeing and potential. OceanX is a nonprofit operating program of Dalio Philanthropies. For more information, visit www.oceanx.org and follow OceanX on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 December 2025 – German explorer Jana Alessa Bittner, currently on a solo mission to visit all 197 countries and become the youngest German woman to achieve this milestone, recently selected Taipei as the 80th stop on her global journey. Her early November visit highlighted the city’s reputation as a safe, welcoming and culturally rich destination for independent travelers.

During her stay, Bittner explored the historic Dadaocheng district and experienced a traditional qipao transformation at the Dadaocheng Visitor Center. Dressed in elegant vintage-style attire, she strolled along Dihua Street, passing preserved merchant houses, temples, herbal medicine shops, tea stores and vibrant street food stalls. The immersive experience allowed her to witness how Taipei seamlessly blends historical heritage with contemporary urban life.

Sharing her journey on Instagram, Bittner described the qipao walk as one of the highlights of her Taiwan trip and recommended that visitors reserve the experience online in advance. She encouraged travelers to explore Dihua Street in traditional attire, noting that the lively atmosphere enabled her to connect deeply with local culture — from historic architecture and community scenes to authentic Taiwanese cuisine and artisan boutiques.

The Taipei City Government Department of Information and Tourism stated that the Dadaocheng Visitor Center offers a complimentary retro costume experience as part of its efforts to promote immersive cultural tourism. This initiative provides visitors with an engaging gateway into Taipei’s history while showcasing the charm of old districts through interactive cultural experiences.

Taipei’s commitment to safety and inclusivity has also gained international recognition. In 2025, Time Out ranked Taipei as the world’s safest city for female digital nomads, citing its secure environment, efficient public transportation and traveler-friendly infrastructure. This distinction further strengthens Taipei’s appeal as a destination where solo female travelers can explore with confidence and peace of mind.

Through Bittner’s visit, Taipei once again demonstrates its appeal as a city where tradition and innovation coexist, offering meaningful cultural encounters alongside modern urban charm for global travelers seeking authenticity and inspiration.

More travel ideas and itineraries can be found on Travel Taipei: https://www.travel.taipei/en

Hashtag: #TaipeiCityGovernment

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SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 December 2025 – In today’s interconnected world, education is more than a credential, it is a passport to global opportunities. Singapore Institute of Management Global Education (SIM GE) exemplifies this vision through strategic partnerships with two leading North American institutions, the University at Buffalo (UB), The State University of New York, and the University of Alberta (UofA). These collaborations bring world-class degrees to Singapore, combining academic excellence with accessibility and flexibility.

Bringing North American Excellence to Singapore

North American universities are recognized for their rigorous standards, innovative teaching, and global outlook. SIM’s partnerships allow students to earn prestigious U.S. and Canadian degrees locally while enjoying opportunities for overseas exposure. This model offers affordability without compromising quality, making SIM a trusted gateway to international education.

University at Buffalo: A U.S. Flagship Institution

Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is the largest and most comprehensive campus in the State University of New York (SUNY) system and a member of the elite Association of American Universities (AAU). UB ranks among the top public universities in the United States, reflecting its strong academic reputation. At SIM, UB offers undergraduate programs in business and communication, backed by AACSB accreditation, the gold standard for business education worldwide. Only about six percent of business schools globally hold this accreditation, ensuring UB graduates meet international benchmarks in business knowledge and ethics.

UB’s programs at SIM are designed for efficiency and value. Students can complete their U.S. degree in just three years, compared to the traditional four-year program, and at a fraction of the cost. The curriculum blends core business principles with interdisciplinary learning, including courses in psychology, sociology, and technology, skills essential for thriving in today’s dynamic global economy. Faculty members include visiting professors from the U.S. and local experts, creating a rich, multicultural learning environment that mirrors the global workplace.

University of Alberta: Canada’s Premier Business School

On the Canadian front, SIM partners with the University of Alberta, ranked among the top four universities in Canada and consistently within the top 100 globally. Its Alberta School of Business holds the distinction of being the first and longest continuously AACSB-accredited business school in Canada, a testament to its enduring commitment to excellence.

SIM offers the MBA (FastTrack) program from UofA, tailored for business graduates seeking senior management roles. This program combines academic rigor with flexibility, allowing completion within one to two years. Students enjoy the same degree as those studying on campus in Canada, but at a significantly lower cost and with the convenience of remaining in Singapore. The program also provides career coaching and networking opportunities, equipping graduates with the tools to advance in competitive global markets.

AACSB Accreditation and Flexible Pathways: Your Passport to Global Leadership

Both UB and UofA share the hallmark of AACSB accreditation, a rigorous standard that signifies excellence in teaching, research, and curriculum development. For students, this means their qualifications are recognized worldwide, opening doors to careers across borders and industries. Beyond these flagship programs, SIM offers flexible pathways for lifelong learning, including part-time options, online learning, and articulation routes to other top universities. These pathways empower working professionals to upskill without sacrificing career progression, reinforcing SIM’s role as a lifelong learning partner.

Your Passport to Global Business Leadership

Choosing SIM’s North American programs is more than an academic decision, it is an investment in a future defined by global opportunities. Students gain a globally recognized degree from top-ranked universities, access to international faculty, and a curriculum that blends North American rigor with global relevance. In a world where borders are increasingly blurred, SIM equips its graduates to lead confidently on the international stage right from Singapore.

References:

1. University at Buffalo – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/sim-global-education/university-partners-sim-ge/university-at-buffalo-the-state-university-of-new-york
2. University of Alberta – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/sim-global-education/university-partners-sim-ge/university-of-alberta
3. SIM Students overseas exposure – https://www.sim.edu.sg/getmedia/e71b6eb5-1484-45e7-9fe8-db7becd9e7ff/Academic-Prospectus_20Jul2022_1.pdf
4. University at Buffalo AAU membership – https://www.buffalo.edu/news/key-issues/aau.html
5. UB is ranked #36 among public universities and #75 nationally by U.S. News & World Report. – https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/ub-9554
6. Uofa ranked among the top four universities in Canada and top 100 globally – https://www.topuniversities.com/universities/university-alberta
7. Alberta School of Business is the first and longest continuously AACSB-accredited business school in Canada – https://www.ualberta.ca/en/business/news/articles/2021/01/aacsb-accreditation.html

Hashtag: #SIMGlobalEducation #SIMGE

https://www.sim.edu.sg

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About SIM Global Education

SIM Global Education (SIM GE) is a leading private education institution in Singapore and the region. We offer more than 140 academic programmes ranging from diplomas and graduate diploma programmes to bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes with some of the world’s most reputable universities from Australia, Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, and the United States. SIM GE’s cohort is made up of 16,000 full- and part-time students and adult learners, of which approximately 36% are international students hailing from over 50 countries.

SIM GE’s holistic learning approach and culturally diverse learning environment aim to equip students with knowledge, industry skills and employability competencies, as well as a global perspective to succeed as future leaders in a fast-changing, technologically driven world.

For more information on SIM Global Education, visit sim.edu.sg