On 22 November, the Foundation celebrated its first cohort of teen girl students “Discovering Their Paths. Leading Their Futures.”
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 November 2025 – The FutureGen Girls Foundation (the “Foundation”) hosted its inaugural FutureGen Young Women Leaders Award Ceremony last Saturday, recognizing teen girls for their youth to careers development. The Award Ceremony was held at The GalaMuse, K11 ATELIER, Victoria Dockside, in the presence of leaders from government, education, and business.
Launched by the Foundation in May 2024, the FutureGen Young Women Leaders Award(the “Award”) aims to empower girls aged 12–19 to Discover Their Paths. Lead Their Futures. Over the past year, over 600 girls have joined as members of the new Award Scheme. The inaugural Award Ceremony recognized 35 students who have reached the Bronze Award milestone by participating in: skill-building workshops, career experiences, and community projects.
Celebrating A Year of Exploration
Nearly 150 guests, including students, educators, committee members, industry advisors, and supporting organisation representatives came together to celebrate the milestone. Guest of Honour Ms. Joyce Chan, Commissioner for Women Affairs at the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, congratulated participants and commended the Foundation for providing and expanding access to youth-to-careers exploration opportunities.
“You are all the living proof of Future-Ready Young Women Leaders,” said Ms. Chan. “As an international hub of finance, trade and innovation, Hong Kong provides a unique platform for young women to thrive. I encourage our young ladies here to seize the golden opportunities in technology, entrepreneurship and professional services, and become ‘trailblazers’ who break gender and professional barriers, lead women’s participation in high-quality economic growth, and contribute to the advancement of both Hong Kong and the nation.”
“Our focus through the Award is to level the playing field for teen girls and young women pursuing STEM fields, and also support their exploration of diverse careers experiencing AI transformations,” said Mrs. Jennifer Yu Cheng, Founder of the FutureGen Girls Foundation. “We aim to build a strong talent pipeline of women and leaders prepared for the future world of work in this AI era.”
“Behind every girl who discovers her path through the FutureGen Girls Foundation are the partners who open the door,” added Ms. Secy Cheung, FoundationFounding Board Director. “Our Supporting Organisations are the heartbeat of this movement. Their partnership has turned inspiration into action.”
From Celebration to Elevation
Having gained recognition under the Award, the Bronze Awardees are now eligible to participate in unique reward opportunities offered through the Foundation’s extensive network. These include: interaction opportunities with executives and professionals in media and finance, immersive experiences in the world of production and entertainment, and personal branding opportunities with a leading cosmetic label.
As they received their awards, recipients received a warm round of applause, followed by the Youth to Career Panel “Experts Share: Career Trends and Insights for Youth Today.” The career guidance panel, moderated by Mr. Lawrence Hung, Immediate Past President and Executive Council Member of the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management, featured guest panelists Serena Tang, Career Development and Training Director (Master’s Programmes), HKU Business School, and Selina Wong, Head of Marketing, Jobsdb by SEEK. Together, they discussed the changing landscape of work and how early, hands-on exposure can help students imagine different futures – across technology, finance, law, design and public service.
A Landmark Year for The Foundation
Since its launch, the Award Scheme has grown rapidly — welcoming over 600 student members from nearly 90 schools across all 18 Hong Kong districts. The Scheme has recognised close to 100 programmes, collaborated with approximately 90 Supporting Organisations, and delivered 10 school talks that have inspired girls to explore future pathways.
The Award Ceremony capped a milestone year for the Foundation, which continues to expand its reach and collaborations, including the addition of new committee members and industry advisors, and the release of Season 2 of the DreamTeller Interview Series, spotlighting girls and women shaping diverse fields.
Hashtag: #FutureGenGirlsFoundation
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About the FutureGen Girls Foundation
The FutureGen Girls Foundation (“the Foundation“) is a registered charitable organization dedicated to empowering teen girls and young women, bridging youth to careers. By collaborating with schools, industry partners, and community organizations, the Foundation creates pathways that support skill-building, career exploration, and youth leadership development across Hong Kong SAR.
Youths recognise the need for crucial soft skills to succeed in the future workforce
At the Gen2050 Youth Action Forum, the 3P (public, private, people) sectors bring together their expertise to provide mentorship and uplift youths in realising their aspirations
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 Nov 2025 – At the Gen2050 Youth Action Forum, KPMG, the National Youth Council (NYC), and the Institute of Public Relations of Singapore (IPRS) shared findings from a survey gathered from 1,000 youth respondents on their awareness and attitudes towards current affairs and personal growth.
Source: 2025 Gen2050 Quick Poll of Youths
The Forum is a milestone event under the Gen2050 programme, designed to spark critical conversations about global developments and their impact on youths’ lives and futures, exploring how young people perceive and respond to challenges in areas like the future of work and technological advancements. For more information about the Gen2050 programme, please refer to Annex A.
Minister of State, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Manpower, Mr. Dinesh Vasu Dash, exchanged perspectives on how youths can lead the charge to thrive in an uncertain world during a panel dialogue with industry leaders. Beyond the dialogue, the Gen2050 Youth Action Forum also featured an interactive marketplace with gamified booths to immerse youths in decision-making scenarios, highlighting the complexities of global challenges and the importance of proactive, informed decision-making.
Youths’ aspirations and attitudes towards the future
The survey, conducted by Blackbox Research, found that the majority of youths are aware of and care about global economic developments. The economic uncertainty is a concern and youths said that they hoped to have greater support in career and financial planning.
Amongst key competencies needed to succeed in the workforce, youths surveyed identified communication and interpersonal skills (33 percent), adaptability and lifelong learning (32 percent), and analytical and critical thinking (31 percent) as the most valued competencies.
There is also a demand for more guidance, with 65 percent of youths* indicating that they require more support for career planning. Separately, 58 percent of youths* have also indicated that they need more help with financial planning. [*Within these groups, about 58% are working adults and about 42% are students. This broadly follows the overall sample distribution of the poll.]
Whole-of-Singapore effort to uplift youths and enable them to be changemakers
Half of the respondents recognised that the Government, educational institutions, employers, and the wider society and community do play important roles in supporting them.
The 3P sectors (public, private and people sectors) are helping youths realise their aspirations. The Gen2050 youth action programme by KPMG in Singapore, NYC, and IPRS is one such effort. The programme brings together expertise and support from the 3P sectors in the areas of youth engagement, industry perspectives and mentorship to provide youths with tools, platforms, and opportunities to transform their aspirations into real-world, measurable outcomes.
The Gen2050 youth action programme is part of the SG Youth Plan engagements, a year-long series of engagements to understand youths’ aspirations and concerns. The views and insights garnered from the engagements will directly inform a 5-year action plan on youth development, created by youths, for youths.
“Youths today are discerning in their pursuit of skills — not just chasing trends, but focusing on how these skills can be practically applied to create value in their professions,” said Lee Sze Yeng, Managing Partner, KPMG. “The NYC, KPMG, and IPRS survey highlights that the next generation is deeply aware of the need for practical, impactful skills like applying AI to achieve a multiplier effect in the workplace. This underscores the responsibility of institutions and mentors to guide and empower youths, helping them navigate the complexities of value creation and equipping them for the future of work. With nearly 70 percent of KPMG in Singapore’s workforce comprising youths under 35, we are well-positioned to nurture young talent and enable them to lead and innovate in a rapidly evolving world.”
“Platforms like Gen2050 are useful to connect youths with industry leaders and policymakers, to gain insights into emerging shifts that affect the future of work and the kind of skills and attributes required to stay relevant,” said David Chua, Chief Executive Officer, NYC.
Ross Gan, President, IPRS said: “It’s encouraging to see youth prioritising communications and interpersonal skills as key competencies needed to succeed. In a post-truth world of what’s trending on social media, where artificial intelligence is redesigning how businesses create value, the capacity to communicate with clarity, demonstrate empathy and engage authentically with stakeholders for positive impact has never been more relevant. Through our growing tertiary student chapter network and participation in mentoring programmes such as Gen2050, the IPRS enables industry practitioners to share their hard-earned wisdom with aspiring youth to help them succeed and thrive.”
Annex A
ABOUT THE GEN2050 YOUTH ACTION PROGRAMME
The Gen2050 Youth Action Programme, launched in June 2025 by KPMG in Singapore, NYC and IPRS, empowers youths to step up, speak out, and be in front, as they tackle pressing societal challenges and drive meaningful change. This tripartite collaboration brings together expertise from the public, private, and non-profit sectors to provide mentorship, industry insights, and strategic communication skills.
The programme features two distinct tracks to cater to different groups of youths. The first is a structured accelerated programme, which equips selected participants with critical skills such as social entrepreneurship, problem-solving, stakeholder management, and the ability to craft impactful, scalable solutions. Participants will receive mentorship from industry leaders and access to professional networks to refine and implement their ideas. Outstanding projects may even receive funding for implementation and scaling up opportunities.
The second track is a curated engagement series open to all youths, offering opportunities to learn from policymakers, industry professionals, and peers. These dialogues focus on critical societal issues such as AI, social sustainability, and equitable access to digital skills, fostering discussions that contribute to the SG Youth Plan—a five-year action plan reflecting the aspirations of young Singaporeans.
For more information about the Gen2050 Youth Action Programme, visit our website.
About the SG Youth Plan
SG60 is about Building Singapore Together, and how each of us can contribute to a Singapore that we will proudly call home. NYC and its partners are organising a year-long series of engagements for youths to connect with others who are just as passionate about making a difference and taking action to build our shared future. The engagements will culminate in an SG Youth Plan – a five-year action plan created by youths, for youths, and supported by all of us, so that we collectively do our part for Singapore and fellow Singaporeans.
Annex B
Gen2050 Youth Competencies Zone – Details of booths and activities
Activity
Details
Gen2050 – Step up. Speak out. Be in Front.
This zone embodies the key ethos and spirit of Gen2050 – “Step up. Speak out. Be in Front”. Youths are reminded that it starts with the individual voice or the individual initiative before anything meaningful can be inspired at a larger societal scale.
Portrait of the Future
Generative AI has become increasingly ubiquitous, shaping how we learn, create and connect. In today’s digital age, the real question is not whether youths know how to use advanced technologies, but whether they can harness these tools to reimagine possibilities and drive meaningful change.
In the spirit of cultivating a mindset of innovation and collaboration, youths were invited to co-create a dynamic digital wall using AI-generated visuals, empowering them to translate their aspirations into tangible expressions of the future they want to build. The outcome is an artistic showcase that sparks dialogue and inspires actions.
Key presenter:
Clara Tusin, 26, Senior Associate, Corporate Transformation, KPMG
Menu of Tomorrow
In a world where sustainable growth is a business imperative, it is no longer sufficient for enterprises to solely pursue profits at all costs. Long-term resilience is critical to thrive.
This booth uses the popular Singaporean dish of economic rice (cai fan 菜饭) to strengthen youths’ awareness of the key considerations involved in building sustainable, profitable and inclusive businesses. Youths will learn how personal consumption patterns intersect with economic factors such as supply chain disruptions, and broader trends in environmental and social sustainability.
Key presenter:
Beverly Ang, 24, Associate, ESG, KPMG
The Future of Work
What competencies will youths need to succeed in a fast-changing job market? As advanced technologies rapidly transform the future of work, youths will need to look beyond qualifications and job titles to not only remain relevant but also thrive in the new digital age.
This zone will feature a game where youths will need to consider how market shocks affect current jobs and think critically about the skills they will require to adapt to labour market shifts. The zone will also feature a board game by Workforce Singapore, aimed at sparking conversations about essential competencies needed for the future of work.
Key presenter:
Cheryl Sng, 41, Senior Manager, Personal Tax & Global Mobility Services, KPMG
Annex C
YOUTHS IN GEN2050 (MEDIA INTERVIEWS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST)
Shermaine Kuah Sze Min
20 years old
Year 2, Data Science and Economics, NUS
Profile: Passionate about social sustainability and community empowerment through innovation.
Interests: Social innovation, leadership, scalable community solutions.
Shermaine has been intensely committed to social sustainability and community empowerment through innovation. She sees technology as a tool to craft scalable community solutions and address pressing societal challenges.
As a recent leader of the NUS CSC Project Grant-A-Wish (2024–2025), Shermaine orchestrated a massive effort, successfully mobilising 150 volunteers to bring joy and support to over 200 children. This project vividly showcases her extraordinary organisational skills and compassionate leadership in action. Her dedication to service began early, serving as the former President of River Valley High School’s Service Citizenship Society, and extends to her experience as a Volunteer Manager for elderly outreach and as a dedicated youth mentor.
A recipient of the prestigious People’s Association Scholarship and multiple academic and service excellence awards, Shermaine’s journey exemplifies her proactive and innovative spirit, leveraging her computational background to make tangible, positive change.
Durai Manickam Nizanth
21 years old
Year 1, Accountancy, SUSS
Profile: Driven by a passion for equity and social sustainability, with strong leadership and civic engagement experience.
Interests: Social equity, leadership development, policy advocacy and community engagement.
Nizanth is a young leader fuelled by an unwavering passion for social equity and sustainability. His extensive experience in leadership development, policy advocacy and community engagement underscores his commitment to fostering a more just and inclusive society.
Nizanth has led and facilitated numerous impactful youth conferences and forums, including national-level dialogues and international discussions. He has engaged in high-level civic platforms and further honed his facilitation skills through youth-led programmes, even serving as a forum theatre performer to spark deeper discussion.
His natural ability to guide meaningful conversations and rally diverse groups around critical issues was evident during his tenure as a Student Council leader during Junior College, where he consistently earned recognition through multiple leadership and character awards. In National Service as a manpower clerk, he took on an operational leadership role, overseeing course management and postings for nearly 400 transport operators while strengthening safety culture as the Unit Chief Safety Advocate. He also served as the Welfare and Communications in-charge at the 4th Singapore-Malaysia Youth Leaders Exchange Programme, and was one of four youth leaders selected by the National Youth Council to launch the SG60 Heart & Soul Exhibition with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
He championed the Singapore Management University Mind the GAP Business Case Challenge and played integral roles in policy analysis and diversity workshops. He highlighted comprehensive approaches to tackling societal challenges, which helped position him as an influential and thoughtful voice ready to drive real change.
Mohammad Nurhan Bin Raihan
28 years old Project Fellow, beVisioneers: The Mercedes-Benz Fellowship
Master’s in Development Practice Program, Harvard University
Profile: Global leadership and sustainability advocate with experience in policy, humanitarian work, and strategic partnerships.
Interests: Climate resilience, global policy, technological innovation for sustainability.
Nurhan possesses a unique blend of high-level policy acumen, practical humanitarian experience, and technological foresight.
As an ambassador for the Institute of Economics & Peace, his influence spans globally—being at the forefront of leading AI-driven sustainability innovations and directing policy frameworks impacting millions of ASEAN citizens. His commitment to humanity extends to the ground level, where he managed emergency aid distribution for a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees mission, raising over $6,000 for displaced Syrian families.
Founder of Cool Cities Enterprise (CCSEA) and Country Director for the ASEAN Youth Organisation Singapore, Nurhan plays a pivotal role in driving climate resilience. He has secured over $200,000 in prestigious fellowships across institutions like Harvard and Cambridge. As a published policy researcher and representative at UN forums, he is also the recipient of Oxford University’s esteemed Global Leadership Challenge Title.
Hashtag: #KPMG
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About KPMG
KPMG in Singapore is part of a global organisation of independent professional services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. We operate in 142 countries and territories with more than 275,000 partners and employees working in member firms around the world. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee. KPMG International Limited and its related entities do not provide services to clients.
For more detail about our structure, please visit kpmg.com/governance. For more information, visit kpmg.com.sg LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/kpmg-singapore
About the National Youth Council
At NYC, we believe in a world where young people are respected and heard and have the ability to influence and make a difference in the world. Together with our partners, we develop future-ready youth who are committed to Singapore by instilling in them a heart for service, resilience and an enterprising spirit.
About the Institute of Public Relations of Singapore
Incepted in 1970, the Instituted of Public Relations (IPRS) is a society that champions the public relations & communications profession by encouraging progressive best practices, enabling peer networking and establishing accreditation pathways. Through mentorship, continuing education and training, we nurture emerging practitioners and leaders to succeed and thrive.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 November 2025 – The Golden Bull Award continues its strong presence with a clear message: Recognising SMEs that continue to demonstrate disciplined strategy, resilience and commercial clarity, despite a volatile market defined by rising operational costs, talent scarcity and tightening margins.
This year’s winners represent sectors that have had to operate under constant pressure, dealing with supply chain unpredictability, struggling with manpower constraints and navigating aggressive competition and rapid innovation cycles. Many faced stalled expansion plans, slowed customer demand and the need to scale without inflating cost structures.
The Golden Bull Award programme proved valuable because it reflects the journey of the participating companies that confronted these challenges head-on. Through the structured assessment covering growth performance, financial stability, governance standards and long-term scalability, SMEs received a clear benchmark of where they stood and where they needed to improve.
The programme’s emphasis on measurable performance also helped SMEs focus on fundamentals – profitability quality, sustainable expansion, cash-flow resilience and internal systems maturity. For many, the award journey became a strategic audit that sharpened decision-making and exposed operational blind spots that would have otherwise gone unnoticed.
“SMEs are operating in one of the most demanding environments in the region. What differentiates this year’s winners is their ability to maintain discipline and clarity even when conditions are stacked against them.” Said Datuk William, Organising chairman of the Golden Bull Award. “The Golden Bull Award is not merely a recognition platform. It is a stress test that helps companies understand their weaknesses, sharpen their strategy and build the resilience needed to survive and scale in any market cycle.”
Business leaders noted that the recognition is not merely celebratory but commercially meaningful. The credibility of the Golden Bull Award supports investor confidence, strengthens partnerships and improves employer branding, giving SMEs the leverage they need to compete in a demanding environment.
As companies continue to face a competitive business landscape, the Golden Bull Award reaffirms its commitment to identifying and elevating SMEs that operate with discipline, resilience and long-term strategic intent.
Throughout the award selection process, integrity and transparency remain paramount with Baker Tilly Singapore serving as the official auditor of the program.
Since its founding in 2003, the Golden Bull Award has stood as a benchmark of SME excellence across Asia. With expansion into new Asia Pacific markets on the horizon for 2025, it continues to spotlight the region’s most inspiring business stories.
2. MR. DEXTER ALLAN – GRIFFIN PROTECTION INTEGRATED SECURITY PTE LTD
3. MS. JAE TEO – URSIDAE MANAGEMENT PTE LTD
4. MR. RICK LIAO – FORESTAR INSURANCE BROKERS CO., LTD.
Hashtag: #GoldenBullAward
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About SAMENTA
Established in 1986, SAMENTA is Malaysia’s oldest and largest association of SMEs, with over 5,500 members across the country. A multi-racial, multi-sector association, SAMENTA has been at the forefront of championing a SME-friendly business environment and connecting SMEs to regional and global opportunities.
About Business Media International
Business Media International is a subsidiary of Audience Analytics Limited (1AZ.SG), a regional leader in promoting growth for companies in Asia through data-driven brands and initiatives. BMI owns renowned media brands such as SME Magazine, HR Asia, Capital Asia, Energy Asia, Logistics Asia, TruthTV, and CXP Asia as well as business impact assessment brands such as SME100, HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia, Golden Bull Awards and CXP Asia Best Customer Experience Awards. BMI also organises various exhibitions and has the proprietary software-as-a-service — Total Engagement Assessment Model – in its portfolio.
Yunnan, China (This image is used for representational purposed only) Photo: China Briefing.
Laos is intensifying efforts to attract investment from China’s Yunnan province as the two nations work to strengthen trade, transport links, and broader economic cooperation.
Tetra Pak’s next-generation Automation and Digitalisation portfolio, Tetra Pak® Factory OS™️, delivers contextualised, real-time insights for smarter, faster decision-making in food and beverage production.
SINGAPORE, Nov. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Tetra Pak today unveiled its next-generation Automation and Digitalisation (A&D) portfolio, Tetra Pak® Factory OS™ ️at Gulfood Manufacturing in Dubai. This new suite of modular, open and scalable smart factory technologies will transform food and beverage (F&B) production and lay the foundation for AI-ready factories.
Tetra Pak launches Tetra Pak® Factory OS™ at Gulfood Manufacturing 2025.
A recent comparative study[1] shows that highly automated beverage factories achieve 20% higher overall equipment effectiveness, 45% lower product waste and 20% fewer packaging line stops compared to less automated facilities. Yet, many producers struggle to adopt automation due to limited digital expertise and difficulty of finding a holistic end-to-end solution providers with industry expertise[2]. Tetra Pak® Factory OS™ bridges this gap, by combining advanced technologies with deep food and beverage know-how to help producers tackle cost pressures, meet sustainability goals, and prepare for AI-driven manufacturing.
At the heart of the next-generation portfolio is a new data integration platform, powered by open technologies, powerful analytics and industry standards. It connects equipment and systems throughout the factory, transforming fragmented data into one unified, real-time view. This can empower food and beverage producers to deliver consistent product quality, enhance efficiency, reduce utility usage, and lower total cost of ownership (TCO)[3].
Sean Sims, Vice President, Automation & Solutions at Tetra Pak comments: “Today, food and beverage producers are under enormous pressure. They must deliver more with fewer resources – less water, less energy, less waste – all while maintaining quality and reducing costs.
“Our next-generation portfolio transforms complexity into clarity. By combining contextualised data – the foundation of effective AI adoption – with high performing equipment automation, Tetra Pak® Factory OS™ gives food and beverage producers the confidence to act decisively in an increasingly volatile market.”
Charles Brand, Executive Vice President, Processing Solutions & Equipment at Tetra Pak, adds: “Tetra Pak® Factory OS™ ️is more than a technology portfolio – it embodies our vision for the future of food and beverage manufacturing. Designed for the next decade and beyond, it enables producers to build the factory of the future, where resilience, efficiency and sustainability go hand in hand.”
Designed for flexibility and scalability, Tetra Pak® Factory OS™ allows F&B producers to adopt automation and digitalisation at their own pace: starting small, scaling up, and tailoring solutions to their unique requirements.
Tetra Pak® Factory OS™ standardises data collection across all equipment, regardless of age or supplier, ensuring full compatibility and scalability. Other key features include a unified user experience that enables seamless interaction across lines, equipment and control rooms; a suite of digital applications for real-time monitoring of materials, quality, production and asset performance; and enterprise-level insights powered by contextualised, factory-wide integration.
Developed in collaboration with Accenture, the portfolio is supported by a robust ecosystem including Siemens, Rockwell Automation and Inductive Automation – but it’s Tetra Pak’s deep food production expertise that ensures these technologies deliver real impact for food producers.
Tetra Pak® Factory OS™ is available globally and was showcased at Gulfood Manufacturing, Dubai, 4-6 November. To learn more about how Tetra Pak is building the factories of the future, visit www.tetrapak.com/FutureFactory.
We’re here to make food safe and available. It’s why we provide advanced food production systems. In collaboration with our customers and suppliers, driven by more than 24,000 dedicated employees worldwide, we protect food sustainably every day for hundreds of millions of people in more than 160 countries. Because we’re here to fulfil a purpose:
We commit to making food safe and available, everywhere, and we promise to protect what’s good: food, people and the planet.
More information about Tetra Pak is available at tetrapak.com.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 November 2025 – The Hong Kong Housing Bureau and the Housing Authority hosted the HOUSING · I&T Summit 2025, a four‑day event themed “Pioneering Innovative Housing for a Sustainable Future” in November 2025. Over 400 experts, scholars, industry leaders, and professionals joined from more than 15 countries and cities, including Australia, Cambodia, the Czech Republic, France, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, Switzerland, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
Symposium Highlights
The first two days featured a symposium focused on four pivotal themes: “Smart · Housing”, “Smart · Innovation”, “Smart · Community”, and “Smart · Living” – sparking dynamic discussions on enhancing housing solutions through innovation and technology while exhibitors showcased innovative solutions that brought these ideas to life.
In her welcoming remarks at the Summit’s opening ceremony, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s Secretary for Housing, Winnie Ho, underscored Hong Kong’s pivotal role as a “super connector” and a “super value‑adder” in driving technological innovation related to public housing construction – an essential contribution to shaping the city’s sustainable future.
Portugal’s Secretary of State for Housing, Patrícia Gonçalves Costa, praised the housing innovations on display, emphasising the need to build faster and with higher quality, “this is very important for us to learn from the expertise showcased here in Hong Kong.”
Additionally, the Better Housing Exhibition, organised by the Centre of Science and Technology Industrial Development of China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, provided invaluable insights into cutting-edge technologies and their practical applications.
Smart · Construction
To leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages – Chinese Mainland support, global connectivity, and strategic positioning within the Greater Bay Area (GBA) – a visit to a smart Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) factory in the Mainland city of Zhuhai was arranged for the third day.
A robotics-powered production line efficiently managed various construction stages and these MiC units are already supplying Hong Kong’s Light Public Housing (LPH) projects, proving that smart technology is not a distant vision but a present reality.
Cambodia’s Director General of Housing, H.E. Prak Angkeara, highlighted the importance of managing production costs, noting that the factory-chain production in the GBA offers a promising solution to enhance efficiency and affordability.
The Summit culminated with site visits to Kai Tak and Choi Hing Road LPH projects. The first phase of the 18‑storey Choi Hing Road project, with elevators, was completed in under 18 months, setting a city record for high‑rise construction speed. Attendees were impressed by how LPH integrates simplicity with coziness, promptinglively discussions on construction technology with academics from Australia and Japan.
“Super Connector” and “Super Value-Adder”
As Minister of Housing and Local Government of Malaysia, H.E. Nga Kor Ming, remarked, the Summit was“a great initiative that has actually brought together experts around the globe sharing technologies, innovation and experience.“
By fostering cross-regional collaboration, the Summit provided a vital platform for exploring innovative solutions to housing challenges, as well as infusing momentum into future housing development in Hong Kong while accelerating efforts to build better homes for the public.
SHANGHAI, Nov. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — W. L. Gore & Associates today announced the opening of its Battery Lab in Shanghai, China, expanding its global R&D capabilities to accelerate advanced battery materials development for customers worldwide. The lab is dedicated to the development, characterization, and rigorous testing of critical materials for battery cells and packs—spanning membranes, venting solutions, moisture and condensation management, explosion and thermal runaway mitigation, pressure equalization, and controlled gas release.
Gore’s Shanghai Battery Lab Opening Ceremony
The lab delivers customized, integrated solutions for OEMs in EVs, energy storage, and consumer electronics—enabling faster iterations and a shorter path from prototype to market.
Advancing Materials Science to Empower the Battery Industry
As a global materials science company, Gore has long been committed to transforming deep materials science into a driving force for global sustainability. The launch of the Shanghai Battery Lab accelerates the commercialization of Gore’s breakthrough technologies, including dry electrode, formation processes, and other technological innovations. Through advanced membrane materials and process innovation, Gore provides comprehensive solutions for lithium-ion batteries, including venting, explosion protection, condensation management, thermal runaway prevention, pressure equalization, and gas release — significantly enhancing battery safety and stability.
With decades of experience in the automotive industry, Gore is recognized as a pioneer and leader in venting and moisture management technologies. Its one-stop solutions are widely adopted in critical automotive components such as ADAS sensors, automotive electronics, powertrain, chassis, lighting, and battery systems. Backed by proven reliability and consistency, Gore precisely addresses industry pain points and enables OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers to achieve breakthroughs in safety, durability, and system integration.
Building a Collaborative Innovation Ecosystem for Sustainable Battery Development
As performance and safety demands for batteries continue to rise across EVs, energy storage, and electronics, Gore’s Shanghai Battery Lab serves as a vital hub connecting Gore’s global technical resources with local customer needs. The lab offers end-to-end services from material development to testing and validation, while fostering a deep collaboration with OEMs to drive co-evolution in cell processes, pack design, and vehicle integration.
“By integrating global resources and strengthening local R&D capabilities, Gore delivers agile response and customized material solutions to empower Chinese customers to grow sustainably in global markets,” said Yong Zhao, Automotive Vents Asia Pacific Business Leader of Gore’s Performance Solutions.
Dr. Justin Skaife, CTO of Gore’s Performance Solutions, added: “Gore’s cross-industry experience in automotive and electronics enables us to develop future-ready solutions for next-generation battery systems. We look forward to working with customers in China and around the world to drive collaborative innovation and sustainable progress in battery technology.”
Gore’s Performance Solutions Division addresses complex product and process challenges in a variety of markets, including aerospace, automotive, industrial, electronics, semiconductor and more. By focusing on collaboration and innovation, Gore partners with customers to design their products and processes to be safer, cleaner, more productive, reliable, durable and efficient across a wide range of demanding environments.
PITTSBURGH, Nov. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — DICK’S Sporting Goods today announced the appointment of Matthew Barnes as President of Foot Locker International, effective December 3, 2025. Barnes will lead the Foot Locker business’ international operations with a focus on driving strategic growth, accelerating business momentum and executing targeted turnaround strategies.
In his position at Foot Locker, now part of DICK’S Sporting Goods following its acquisition in September 2025, Barnes will oversee the Foot Locker stores, eCommerce and digital businesses across Europe, Asia and Australia and its licensed store presence in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Barnes will report to Ed Stack, DICK’S Executive Chairman, who leads the Foot Locker business. He joins a Foot Locker management team of experienced senior leaders, including longtime former Nike executive Ann Freeman, who leads Foot Locker North America.
“We are thrilled to welcome Matthew Barnes to our outstanding Foot Locker management team as we bring the business back to where it belongs at the top of our industry and position it for its next phase of global growth,” said Stack. “Matthew’s proven tenure working with prominent global brands to transform and grow their businesses makes him the ideal leader to elevate Foot Locker’s international platform.”
Barnes, a highly accomplished global retail executive, brings nearly three decades of leadership experience from across the United Kingdom, Europe, the U.S., China and Australia to his new role at Foot Locker. He has a track record of guiding consumer-facing companies through periods of growth and transformation, including at Aldi, where he began his career as an Area Manager and held numerous leadership roles including Group CEO & Member of the International (Executive) Board of Aldi Süd. Barnes also held the UK Chief Executive Officer role at Tesco.
“Matthew is a highly accomplished global retail executive and has longstanding familiarity with the international markets where Foot Locker operates,” said Lauren Hobart, President and CEO of DICK’S. “His expertise will be invaluable in strengthening our ability to deliver growth and generate value for our customers, brand partners, team members and shareholders, and we are delighted to have him on board.”
“I am honored to join Foot Locker, a brand with deep recognition across the globe, at such a pivotal and exciting time for the sports retail industry,” said Barnes. “I have a personal passion for sports, and I look forward to working alongside this exceptional leadership team, as well as the talented Foot Locker Stripers and team members to bring innovative experiences and exciting new products to consumers worldwide.”
Barnes earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in law and politics from the University of Liverpool.
About DICK’S Sporting Goods, Inc. DICK’S Sporting Goods creates confidence and excitement by inspiring, supporting and personally equipping all athletes to achieve their dreams. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, DICK’S is a leading omni-channel retailer and an iconic brand in sport and culture. Its banners include DICK’S Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy, Public Lands and Going Going Gone! in addition to the experiential retail concepts DICK’S House of Sport and Golf Galaxy Performance Center. As owner and operator of the Foot Locker business, including the Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports, WSS, and atmos banners, DICK’S serves the global sneaker community in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, plus a licensed store presence in Europe, the Middle East and Asia. DICK’S also owns and operates GameChanger, a youth sports mobile platform for live streaming, scheduling, communications and scorekeeping.
Driven by its belief that sports have the power to change lives, DICK’S has been a longtime champion for youth sports and, together with its Foundation, has donated millions of dollars to support under-resourced teams and athletes through the Sports Matter program and other community-based initiatives. Additional information about DICK’S business, corporate giving and employment opportunities can be found on dicks.com, investors.dicks.com, sportsmatter.org, dickssportinggoods.jobs and on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and X.
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