NEW YORK CITY, US – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 November 2025 – KOI, the globally recognized premium bubble tea brand, proudly announces that its founder, Khloe Ma, has been named one of Forbes China’s 2025 Top 100 Most Influential Chinese, in the Value Creator category. The honor recognizes entrepreneurs and business leaders whose companies demonstrate exceptional growth and high market value through innovation and leadership. These companies are rapidly rising in both traditional industries and emerging sectors, driven by new thinking and innovation.
Selected from thousands of nominees across industries, Khloe Ma earned recognition for KOI’s pioneering role in redefining modern tea culture and its success in expanding premium Asian beverage experiences to the global audiences. Operating under the KOI and FIFTYLAN brands in different markets, the company has built a strong international presence with a loyal following across Asia, North America, and Europe.
“This award represents more than personal recognition — it celebrates every partner, employee, and customer who has believed in KOI’s vision,” said Ma. “We started with one simple goal: to bring joy to everyone through an authentic cup of tea. This recognition from Forbes China inspires us to continue building bridges between cultures and markets.”
A Vision Beyond Borders
KOI’s rise mirrors the evolution of Asian brands on the global stage — innovative, quality-driven, and culturally confident. Founded on the belief that tea could be both a cultural expression and a lifestyle symbol, KOI blends traditional craftsmanship with a modern retail experience.
Today, KOI operates more than 600 outlets across 15 countries worldwide, offering a diverse menu that celebrates the artistry of modern bubble tea while keeping to its authentic tea roots. Its focus on sourcing high-quality ingredients and maintaining consistent global standards has earned KOI recognition as a leading brand in the premium beverage segment.
Beyond retail, KOI has strengthened its identity as a purpose-driven brand, advancing environmental sustainability and promoting diversity and equity across its global teams.
Recognition Reflecting Global Momentum
The Forbes China Top 100 Most Influential Chinese list highlights individuals who drive innovation and foster positive social and economic impact. The 2025 honorees include leaders from sectors such as technology, pharmaceuticals, design, and consumer brands — leaders who are shaping Asia’s global narrative through creativity and entrepreneurship.
For KOI, this accolade underscores its continued commitment to brand excellence and international expansion. The company’s strategic approach — balancing authenticity with adaptability — has positioned it as an ideal partner for co-ventures seeking to enter or expand within the dynamic Asian and global markets.
Building the Future of Global Tea Culture
In recent years, KOI has invested heavily in sustainability and digital transformation, implementing responsible sourcing practices, and data-driven customer engagement platforms. These initiatives align with a new generation of consumers who value quality, transparency, and purpose-driven brands.
The company’s upcoming initiatives include:
Co-venture programs designed to empower local entrepreneurs and potential investment partners for local expansion.
Tea innovation labs focusing on creative products and ingredient exploration with environmentally responsible production.
Global lifestyle partnerships merging beverage culture with design, art and entertainment.
Through these efforts, KOI aims to redefine how tea culture contributes to bridging communities and inspiring shared growth — and ultimately, to be part of everyone’s daily beat.
“Khloe’s inclusion in the Forbes China list reflects the values we stand for,” said Cavin Lau, KOI’s Chief Business Officer. “It’s a recognition of how thoughtful innovation, cultural appreciation, and partnership can together create lasting impact.”
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About KOI
Founded in 2006, KOI is a global premium beverage brand known for its commitment to authentic tea craftsmanship and innovation. The company operates under the KOI and FIFTYLAN brands in various markets, offering signature drinks such as its Golden Bubble Milk Tea and creative seasonal collections. With operations across Asia, North America, and Europe, KOI has become a symbol of modern tea culture and cross-cultural connection.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 November 2025 – Cyberport formed partnership by exchanging a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Telkom University (Tel-U) on 17 November 2025, Indonesia’s leading private technology university, and its innovation hub, Bandung Techno Park, to deepen collaboration between Hong Kong and Indonesia in innovation and technology.
Cyberport formed partnership by exchanging a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Telkom University (Tel-U) on 17 November 2025, Indonesia’s leading private technology university, and its innovation hub, Bandung Techno Park, to deepen collaboration between Hong Kong and Indonesia in innovation and technology. Dennis Tedja, Cyberport Ambassador for Indonesia (second from left), and Professor Dr Suyanto, S.T., M.Sc Rector of Telkom University (third from right), exchanged the MoU in Indonesia.
The partnership focuses on technology transfer, mentorship for start-ups and access to global markets, with a particular emphasis on two-way expansion between Hong Kong and Indonesia. It helps accelerate technology innovations from Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland into emerging ASEAN markets under the Belt and Road Initiative, while attracting high-calibre start-ups and entrepreneurs from Indonesia into Cyberport.
The collaboration will prioritise projects in AI, Web3.0, smart city solutions, e-farming and digital creative industries. Tel-U and Bandung Techno Park will serve as a gateway and soft landing partner for Cyberport companies and innovators entering Indonesia, while Cyberport will provide a platform for Indonesian start-ups to connect with investors, partners from the Chinese Mainland and international markets.
Stanley Wan, Director-General (Acting) of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office – Jakarta, said, “The MOU opens new gateways for both ecosystems to collaborate from artificial intelligence, Web3, smart city development, to other high-potential fields, generating opportunities for start-ups and innovators.”
Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, stated, “As Cyberport actively serves as a ‘super-connector’ and ‘super value-adder’ connecting Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and the world, this partnership with Telkom University exemplifies our international two-way platform to advance innovation and entrepreneurship across borders by linking Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland start-ups with high-potential markets in ASEAN along the Belt and Road Initiative and facilitating ASEAN companies to tap the high-growth markets on the Mainland. By synergising our ecosystems, we are creating a broader international stage for Hong Kong and Indonesian start-ups, helping them capture high-growth opportunities in ASEAN, while pooling technology, global talent, investments and innovation resources in Hong Kong, and thus reinforcing our city’s position as an international I&T hub.”
Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport
The initiative is designed to support Indonesia’s Asta Cita 2045 vision, especially in digital talent and innovation-driven growth, while aligning with Hong Kong’s role as a “super-connector” for the Belt and Road and ASEAN region.
Tubagus Nugraha, Executive Director of the National Economic Council, said, “We hope this partnership strengthen our global innovation networks and accelerate Indonesia’s path toward becoming a more digital, innovative, and competitive nation.”
Professor Dr Suyanto, S.T., M.Sc Rector of Telkom University, said, “Through this collaboration, we hope to accelerate innovation connectivity between Indonesia and Hong Kong and pave the way for our mentored start-ups to make a significant impact in the global market.”
The MoU establishes a framework for joint activities that will support tech companies from both ecosystems. Key initiatives include:
Encourage tech industry growth by guiding Indonesian tech companies to leverage Cyberport as a springboard to Hong Kong’s thriving sectors such as AI, FinTech, blockchain and smart city solution, and other emerging technologies.
Introduce proof-of-concept and pilot implementation opportunities in Indonesia for Cyberport start-ups, facilitating their expansion into Indonesian & ASEAN markets.
Connect Cyberport companies to access Tel-U’s partnership networks for business integration and investment opportunities for Cyberport start-ups.
Provide assistance, investments and resources for high-calibre Indonesian companies to take foot in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland markets by landing in Cyberport and leveraging Cyberport partnership networks and industry initiatives.
Dennis Tedja, Cyberport Ambassador for Indonesia, and Professor Dr Suyanto, S.T., M.Sc Rector of Telkom University, exchanged the MoU in Indonesia.
Cyberport actively serves as a “super-connector” and “super value-adder”, enabling over 330 Cyberport-incubated companies to expand into more than 35 overseas markets, while one-third of on-site company founders originate from 27 countries and regions. Among the high-growth markets along the Belt and Road, more than 80 Cyberport companies have expanded to ASEAN including Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia, while over 30 start-ups have expanded to the Middle East markets.
Meanwhile, Cyberport has continued to expand global alliances to facilitate cross-regional growth of tech ecosystems and expansion of Hong Kong tech innovation on a global stage. Cyberport has forged strategic partnerships with UAE’s accelerator Hub71, Saudi Arabia’s national technology park KACST, Dubai Future Foundation, Thailand’s Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) and InnoSpace, Korea’s largest start-up accelerator d.camp, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Draper Dragon from the US Silicon Valley. This growing global network positions Cyberport as an international two-way platform for Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland tech companies to access high-growth Belt and Road markets and for overseas companies to access the Chinese Mainland. Cyberport will continue to build an international and diverse ecosystem, bringing together innovative talent, technology, investments and resources, and actively attracting more talent from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and overseas.
Hashtag: #Cyberport
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Hong Kong Cyberport
Wholly owned by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, Cyberport is Hong Kong’s digital tech hub and AI accelerator, with a vision to empower industry digitalisation and intelligent transformation, to promote digital economy and AI development, and to foster Hong Kong to be an international AI, innovation and technology (I&T) hub. Cyberport gathers over 2,300 companies, including 13 listed companies and 10 unicorns. One-third of onsite companies’ founders come from 27 countries and regions, while Cyberport companies have expanded to over 35 global markets.
Cyberport, with Hong Kong’s largest AI Supercomputing Centre and AI Lab as the engine, has been building the AI ecosystem with industry-leading AI companies and over 500 AI and data science start-ups. Through development of tech clusters, namely AI, data science, blockchain and cybersecurity, Cyberport empowers industries across smart city and government, banking and finance, digital entertainment, culture and tourism, healthcare, education and training, property management, construction, transportation and logistics, green environment and more, while hosting Hong Kong’s largest FinTech community. Commissioned by the HKSAR Government, Cyberport has implemented proof-of-concept and sandbox schemes, subsidisation for digital tech adoption, industry tech training and start-up incubation, to drive technology R&D, translation and commercialisation, thus propelling digital transformation and intelligent upgrade across industry and society.
Also as “State-level Scientific and Technological Enterprise Incubator” and Hong Kong’s key incubator, Cyberport supports entrepreneurs with funding and office space, extensive networks of enterprises, investors, technology corporations and professional services for business growth and expansion to Chinese Mainland and overseas markets, all-round facilitation for landing in Hong Kong, talent attraction and cultivation, ready as a launchpad to take start-ups in any stages of development to the next level.
Telkom University is the best private university in Indonesia, committed to the development of education, research, and innovation in the fields of technology, business, and digital creativity. With the vision of becoming a National Excellence in Entrepreneurial University based on SAFE AI (Secure/Sustainable, Accurate, Fair, and Explainable Artificial Intelligence) by 2028, contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Telkom University continues to enhance global competitiveness through international collaboration, strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and accelerating digital transformation.
Bandung Techno Park (BTP) is a center for innovation, business incubation, and technology development located within the Telkom University area in Bandung. BTP serves as a bridge between universities, industries, and the government to foster the creation of start-ups, applied research, and market-ready technology products. Its facilities include coworking spaces, incubation programs, and business mentoring to support Indonesia’s innovation ecosystem.
DALLAS, Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Newton™, Inc. (formerly Neurolens®), a leader in innovative eye care technology, today announced its expansion into Asian markets through a strategic partnership with Hong Kong Optical Lens Co Ltd (HKO) as the exclusive distributor for Hong Kong and China. This milestone in Newton’s international growth brings the therapeutic solution of Neurolens for headaches, neck pain, and motion sickness, along with the everyday digital eye strain prevention of Sequel™ lenses, to millions across two of the world’s most digitally connected markets.
This partnership represents Newton’s first major expansion into Asia. Hong Kong’s healthcare infrastructure makes it ideal for Newton’s complete portfolio, while China’s 1 billion internet users and position as the world’s largest smartphone market creates significant opportunity for the Sequel everyday lens. The arrival of Newton’s therapeutic and everyday lens solutions is eagerly anticipated across both markets.
Newton’s expansion into Hong Kong is supported by HKO’s strategic partner CMER Eye Centers, which has integrated the Neurolens N3 measurement device into its practice. In support of advancing eye care education, HKO, together with Newton, have donated N3 devices to The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Optometry, one of Asia’s most prestigious optometry programs, enabling future eye care professionals to train on this innovative technology.
Newton’s Vision Solutions
Neurolens Therapeutic System: The N3 diagnostic device provides objective measurement of eye misalignment. Neurolens therapeutic lenses use patented Contoured Prism™ technology to alleviate visual misalignments leading to headaches, neck pain, motion sickness, and eye strain, delivering relief for up to 90% of symptomatic patients.
Sequel Everyday Lens: Designed for daily wear to prevent and alleviate digital eye strain, proprietary Convergence Boost™ technology provides comfortable vision for extended screen time.
“This partnership marks a pivotal moment in Newton’s global expansion,” said Davis Corley, Newton CEO. “Hong Kong Optical Lens’ market expertise positions us to bring relief to millions experiencing headaches, neck pain, motion sickness, and digital eye strain. This is just the beginning of Newton’s international growth.”
Eddie So, Managing Director of Hong Kong Optical Lens, added, “Our legacy is rooted in a partner-first philosophy, working closely with global brands, to transform market insights into reality. We are excited to partner with Newton to bring the cutting-edge Neurolens and Sequel technologies to Hong Kong and China.”
About Newton Newton is an innovation company transforming eye care through exceptional patient experiences and outcomes. With patented Contoured Prism technology in the Neurolens portfolio and breakthrough Convergence Boost technology in Sequel lenses, Newton empowers eye care providers to deliver measurable relief while elevating the standard of care industry wide.
About Hong Kong Optical Lens For over 50 years, Hong Kong Optical Lens Co Ltd (HKO) has stood at the forefront of Asia’s optical manufacturing industry. Headquartered in Hong Kong, HKO operates a powerful integrated network—supported by 3,000 employees, 13 specialized facilities, and 8 international offices—to offer end-to-end manufacturing from concept to quality-assured delivery. By uniting cutting-edge innovation with precision manufacturing, HKO produces the next generation of high-performance lenses and frames that define market trends and meet the dynamic demands of consumers worldwide.
NANJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 November 2025 – From November 21 to 22, the 2025 Yangtze Culture Forum will be held in Nanjing, China. This gathering will bring together global scholars in river studies, ecological conservation experts, cultural ambassadors, and representatives from international waterfront cities for intercontinental dialogues on topics such as aquatic culture preservation, sustainable water resource utilization, and mutual learning among great river civilizations to explore collaborative solutions.
Caption: Post of Yangtze Culture Forum.
The Yangtze River, known as the cradle of Chinese civilization, is the world’s third-longest river and flows through 24 major cities along its course. Nanjing, located in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, is a megacity within China’s Yangtze River Delta economic hub. In 1979, Nanjing and St. Louis, situated along the Mississippi River, became sister cities, marking the first such partnership established between China and the United States after the establishment of diplomatic relations. As inscribed on the brocade banner presented by Nanjing to St. Louis: “May the friendship between the people of Nanjing and St. Louis be as enduring as the Yangtze and Mississippi Rivers.” These two great rivers stand as enduring witnesses to the friendship between two cities and two nations.
Caption: Post of Yangtze Culture Forum.
Indeed, over the 46 years since establishing sister-city ties, Nanjing and St. Louis have engaged in profound and sustained exchanges across trade, culture, education, and other fields. Back in 1992, St. Louis-based company Purina invested and established operations in Nanjing. In the early 2000s, Emerson established R&D and procurement centers in the city. In 1994, Nanjing built the Margaret Grigg Nanjing Friendship Garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. This garden now serves as the venue for the annual “Chinese Culture Day” celebrations. This year, Nanjing musicians reinterpreted the American baseball anthem Take Me Out to the Ballgame using traditional Chinese instruments during the event, resonating deeply with the audience.
Last April, Nanjing brought the art of Chinese characters to the banks of the Hudson River. An exhibition titled “Chinese Characters: A Journey of Creation, Connection and Harmony” opened at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in celebration of the 15th Chinese Language Day. The theme centered on the characters “和” (connection) and “合” (harmony), embodying the ideals of harmony, peace, cooperation, and alignment.
In the works of Mark Twain, the Mississippi River serves not only as the most iconic geographic symbol in American literature, but also as a spiritual vessel carrying profound social critique and exploration of humanity. For Nanjing, a UNESCO “City of Literature”, the Yangtze River is more than just a “golden waterway” in the geographical sense; it is a “river of the soul” in the literary sense. Setting sail from Wumadu in Nanjing, a cruise on the Yangtze River transforms the abstract notion of a “spiritual river” into a tangible, flowing epic. Along the banks, literary landmarks such as Qixia Mountain, Mufu Mountain, and Swallow Rock have inspired poetic masterpieces for over a millennium. On the water, the finless porpoises emerge like elfin presences beside the vessel, while elegant egrets and black-eared kites circle overhead. Thanks to Nanjing’s ecological conservation policies, the once-endangered finless porpoise has seen its population recover to approximately 65 in the Nanjing section of the Yangtze River by 2024. This makes the Nanjing stretch of the Yangtze River the world’s only case of a stable finless porpoise habitat within a densely populated megacity.
To further advance the shared values of humanity and deepen global understanding of the Yangtze River Basin, the forum will also feature a series of online and offline thematic exhibitions and interactive activities. These include the “Rivers * Humanity * Cities” theme exhibition, the “Reading the Yangtze River: A Journey for Global Think Tank Experts and Diplomats” event, and the “Me & River” social media campaign, all designed to promote the sustainable development of river cities through mutual learning among civilizations.
In 2019, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of its sister-city relationship with Nanjing, St. Louis designed a set of baseball-themed sculptures. Among them, the “American Pitcher” sculpture presented to Nanjing now stands in the Nanjing International Friendship Park along the Yangtze River, winding his pitch toward the direction of St. Louis. Meanwhile, its counterpart, the “Nanjing Batter” sculpture, was installed at Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis, awaiting a pitch from across the ocean. This thoughtful interaction illustrates a simple yet profound truth: civilizations flourish through exchange and grow richer through mutual learning. Hashtag: #YangtzeCultureForum
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
The Bertelsmann Executive Board member will succeed Thomas Rabe on January 1, 2027
Supervisory Board Chairman Christoph Mohn praises Thomas Coesfeld as a successful entrepreneurial leader
Clément Schwebig to join the Bertelsmann Executive Board as future CEO of RTL Group on May 1, 2026
GÜTERSLOH, Germany, Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Thomas Coesfeld will become the new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bertelsmann. The Supervisory Board of the international media, services and education company made the decision. The 35-year-old Bertelsmann Executive Board member will succeed Thomas Rabe (60) on January 1, 2027, after Rabe’s contract expires on December 31, 2026, marking the end of his 15-year tenure as Chairman and CEO. Coesfeld has been CEO of the BMG division since 2023 and a member of the Bertelsmann Executive Board since 2024. The Supervisory Board has also appointed Clément Schwebig (48) to the Bertelsmann Executive Board as the future CEO of RTL Group, effective May 1, 2026.
Christoph Mohn, Chairman of the Bertelsmann Supervisory Board, said: “On behalf of the Supervisory Board, I would like to congratulate Thomas Coesfeld on his appointment as the next Chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann. As both an entrepreneur and a manager, he has all the qualities needed to lead Bertelsmann successfully and ensure the company’s continuity. Over the past ten years at Bertelsmann, I have come to know Thomas Coesfeld as an entrepreneurial leader. In recent years, he has taken the music company BMG to significantly higher levels of revenue and earnings and positioned it even more firmly for the streaming age. His appointment marks a generational change in Bertelsmann’s leadership. I wish him every success and a steady entrepreneurial hand.”
Thomas Rabe, Chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann, said: “I am very pleased with the Supervisory Board’s decision and congratulate Thomas Coesfeld on behalf of the entire Executive Board. We have worked closely and with great trust for many years, and I will do everything possible to ensure a smooth transition. Bertelsmann’s leadership will be in excellent hands with him and his team.”
Thomas Coesfeld, CEO of BMG and future Chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann, said: “I would like to thank the Supervisory Board – and in particular its Chairman, Christoph Mohn – for the trust they have placed in me. I am very much looking forward to assuming responsibility for leading Bertelsmann. It is a challenge I will take on with the full support of the Executive Board, top management, and all employees.”
Regarding the appointment of Clément Schwebig to the Bertelsmann Executive Board, Supervisory Board Chairman Christoph Mohn said: “Clément Schwebig has more than 20 years of experience as a media executive, including ten years in various management positions at RTL Group. He will continue to drive forward the transformation of RTL’s businesses and, in particular, further expand its streaming and production activities.”
Bertelsmann Chairman and CEO Thomas Rabe added: “Clément Schwebig knows RTL Group well, having worked for the company in senior positions in several countries between 2002 and 2013. In addition to his media expertise, he brings valuable insights into the growth markets of Asia, where Bertelsmann also aims to expand further. I know and value Clément Schwebig – we have worked together for many years – and I look forward to handing over the leadership of RTL Group to him.”
About Thomas Coesfeld
Thomas Coesfeld began his career in 2014 as a management consultant at McKinsey after studying business administration in Vallendar, Washington, and Atlanta. Following various roles within Bertelsmann businesses, he became Chief Strategy Officer of Mohn Media in 2018. In 2019, he assumed the same role for the entire Bertelsmann Printing Group (now Bertelsmann Marketing Services) and joined its management board. In 2020, Coesfeld moved to the management board of BMG, becoming CFO in April 2021 and CEO in July 2023. He will continue in this role in a dual capacity. In July 2024, Thomas Coesfeld was appointed to the Bertelsmann Executive Board.
Thomas Coesfeld is married and lives in Berlin and Gütersloh.
About Clément Schwebig
Clément Schwebig began his career in 1999 as an M&A analyst at JP Morgan Chase after earning a master’s degree in management from HEC Paris Business School and in corporate law from the Sorbonne. After more than a decade in various management positions at RTL Group, he moved to Hong Kong in 2013 as Asia Head of Business Development & Digital, General Manager China, and CFO Asia Pacific at Time Warner/Turner. He later served as President and Managing Director of Warner Bros. Discovery in Asia, based in Singapore, before being appointed President & Managing Director of Warner Bros. Discovery – Western Europe & Africa in 2023.
Clément Schwebig is a French citizen. He is married and has two children.
About Bertelsmann
Bertelsmann is a media, services and education company with about 75,000 employees that operates in some 50 countries around the world. It includes the entertainment group RTL Group, the trade book publisher Penguin Random House, the music company BMG, the service provider Arvato Group, Bertelsmann Marketing Services, the Bertelsmann Education Group and Bertelsmann Investments, an international network of funds. The company generated revenues of €19 billion in the 2024 financial year. Bertelsmann stands for creativity and entrepreneurship. This combination enables first-class media offerings and innovative service solutions that inspire customers around the world. www.bertelsmann.com
Contact Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA Markus Harbaum Senior Vice President Communications Content Team Spokesperson Phone: +49 5241 80-24 66 markus.harbaum@bertelsmann.de
HONG KONG, Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) today hosted its flagship event, HKBU Engagement Luncheon, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event brought together more than 600 industry leaders, employers and community representatives to foster university-industry collaboration and to showcase the University’s commitment to nurturing talent, driving innovation, and advancing sustainable development.
Hong Kong Baptist University today held its flagship event, the “HKBU Engagement Luncheon”. Dr the Hon Kennedy Wong Ying-ho (right 4), Chairman of the Council and the Court, attended the ceremony accompanied by Professor Alexander Wai (left 4), President and Vice-Chancellor; Mr Paul Poon (left 3), Deputy Chairman of the Council and the Court; Mr Kevin Liem (right 3), Treasurer of the Council and the Court; Professor Martin Wong (left 2), Provost; Professor Lyu Aiping (right 2), Vice-President (Research and Development) cum Dean of Graduate School; Dr Albert Chau (right 1), Vice-President (Teaching and Learning); and Ms Christine Chow (left 1), Vice-President (Administration) and Secretary.
The luncheon received strong community support, with representatives from leading corporations in attendance. More than 120 students participated in employer conversations to explore market needs and industry trends. By engaging directly with business leaders, HKBU aims to further refine its academic curriculum to remain aligned with global developments and prepare graduates with the vision and skills vital for success in a rapidly evolving world.
Dr the Hon Kennedy Wong Ying-ho, Chairman of the Council and the Court of HKBU, welcomed guests in his address and expressed his heartfelt appreciation for their efforts in creating meaningful social experiences for students. He said the strong support and contributions from different sectors are vital to realising the University’s vision.
Dr Wong noted that in the age of artificial intelligence, HKBU’s education places greater emphasis on empathy, imagination and moral judgement — qualities that define humanity and prepare students to thrive amid rapid change. He added that, as the nation’s 15th Five-Year Plan highlights innovation and high-quality development, HKBU will continue to make meaningful contributions to shaping a prosperous and sustainable future for the country.
Looking ahead to HKBU’s 70th anniversary next year, Dr Wong invited the community to join the University in celebrating its legacy of innovation and contributions to society, and to embark on the next stage of its development together.
In his appreciation remarks, Professor Alexander Wai, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, said that cultivating capabilities for a sustainable future is a core mission of the University. He stressed that HKBU’s transdisciplinary programmes are closely aligned with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), nurturing talent with vision and purpose to serve the community.
Professor Wai added that the University’s Transdisciplinary Innovation Team has been honoured with the 2025 University Grants Committee (UGC) Teaching Award in the collaborative teams category, a strong recognition of HKBU’s excellence in whole‑person education and in nurturing future-ready leaders.
The Luncheon featured six Themed Matching Zones embodying HKBU’s latest initiatives in Creative Arts and Media, Entrepreneurship, Health and Wellbeing, Humanities and Cultures, Sustainability and Green Innovation, and Technology and Innovation. An Interactive Zone, co-presented by HKBU’s seven Faculties and Schools and the Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University, showcased the University’s cutting-edge research and creative endeavours. The exhibition provided a dynamic platform for academics, students and corporate partners to exchange ideas, illustrating HKBU’s success in transdisciplinary learning, research and knowledge transfer.
Sustainability was thoughtfully incorporated into every detail of the luncheon. Approximately 80% of the event’s decorations and materials were made of eco-friendly or recyclable resources, including seed paper for guest badges, Tyvek reusable tote bags, and creative venue designs crafted from corrugated cardboard. These efforts echoed the SDGs and demonstrated HKBU’s commitment to sustainability in both concept and practice.
HKBU’s sustainability achievements have received growing international recognition. In the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025, the University rose sharply from the 101-200 band to 69th globally, and for the second consecutive year, ranked second in the world for SDG 4: Quality Education. HKBU also ranked in the global top 100 for nine SDGs, a significant improvement from last year, reaffirming its leadership in human-centred innovation, transdisciplinary research and social responsibility.
This dedication is also reflected in the University’s continued rise in international higher education rankings. In the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings 2026, HKBU climbed from 71st to 53rd place, marking its best performance since 2016.
Moving forward, HKBU will continue to embed sustainability as a core strategic priority and will strengthen collaboration with employers and industry partners to advance curriculum reform and applied research. Through transdisciplinary partnerships and global alliances, HKBU aims to translate research into real-world impact and cultivate a new generation of creative, socially responsible talents.
About Hong Kong Baptist University Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) is one of the eight publicly funded universities in Hong Kong supported by the University Grants Committee. Founded in 1956 as Hong Kong Baptist College and renamed Hong Kong Baptist University in 1994, HKBU has been committed to academic excellence, innovative research and community service. As one of Asia’s leading institutions of higher education, the University aims to nurture future generations of socially responsible and creative leaders through a diverse, interdisciplinary and holistic education.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 November 2025 – This year, Pacific Place and Starstreet Precinct invite everyone to gather at the heart of the city for a Ticket to Christmas — a joyful celebration set within the enchanting Christmas Grand Central, a European-inspired train station brimming with magic, charm and joy. From now until 2 January 2026, the platforms are alive and every corner sparkles with joyful energy. Visitors can step into this magical world filled with whimsical characters, greet Santa on his exclusive express train, and join workshops to bring home a memento of their unforgettable journey. Shopping rewards are available when getting the season’s must-haves and gifts for loved ones, with extra benefits for eligible UnionPay cardholders.
More than a celebration, Ticket to Christmas is an invitation — a call to come together, to return home, to reconnect. It’s where travellers and loved ones meet again, where moments are shared, and where the heart of the season shines brightest.
Greet the Stars of Christmas Grand Central Across Pacific Place and Starstreet Precinct
Choo-choo — all aboard. The fascinating station is now bustling with travellers and station staff, each with a unique role to play. From freight manager Carlos the Capybara to tree delivery crews Pascal and Pedro the Red Panda Brothers and FarmerRemi the Rabbit with his enormous award-winning carrot, these charming characters fill the station with personality and purpose. Every encounter offers a moment of delight, a touch of wintertime wonder, and plenty of photo opportunities along the way.
Be sure to set some time aside to visit these playful characters.
Christmas Grand Central
Step into Christmas Grand Central, where the holiday journey begins. Snap a photo with the adorable Bear family at their carriage. Bernie the Father Bear is the cheerful conductor, while inside, Bella the Mother Bear and Bruno the Bear Junior are busy preparing figgy pudding — all ready for a picture-perfect moment.
Throughout the station, delightful surprises await— from amusing clock tower animations beneath Ellie the Elephant to heartwarming train announcements echoing across the platforms. Every moment is designed to spark joy and wonder.
Redeem a ticket to hop aboard the immersive train ride to Paris with same-day electronic spending upon HK$300. Enjoy a magical animated experience that whisks participants across the globe and back to bring the enchantment of Christmas to life. Each redemption admits up to 4 participants only, Terms and Conditions apply.
Discover a treasure trove of joyful finds at the Christmas shopping hub. From Precious Pals blind boxes to curated gift card sets, there’s something for everyone. Collect all three blind-box characters in a complete set or opt for a HK$500 Pacific Place Gift Card Set with an exclusive luggage tag — they’re perfect for gifting or holiday shopping.
Precious Pals Blind Box: HK$150
Precious Pals Blind Box Set (one set of three blind boxes – all characters included): HK$550
Christmas Traveller’s Gift Card Set (includes one HK$500 Pacific Place Gift Card + one luggage tag): HK$550
And don’t forget to look up. George the Giraffe has found the perfect perch to stack priority goodies sky-high, making sure lots of treats are in place for eager shoppers.
Next up is Park Court Concourse, a holiday hotspot decked out with a Christmas tree so grand it’s practically larger than life.
Prof. Hugo the Hippopotamus, dressed to impress in a sharp suit and carrying flowers for a special occasion. Emerging from the larger tunnel exit designed for bigger travellers, he’s on his way to a long awaited date. Meanwhile, from the smaller passageway nearby, the stylish Mrs. Harriet the Hedgehog and her little son Henry the Hedgehog Junior are all bundled up and ready for Christmas fun.
Location: Park Court, Level 1, Pacific Place Opening hours: 10am – 10pm
Starstreet Precinct Station
The festive journey continues at Starstreet Precinct Station, the perfect place to explore beloved boutiques, savour seasonal treats, or catch the next connection.
Among the crowd, Mrs. Harper the Hippopotamusis spotted soaking in the festive spirit as she awaits a romantic reunion.
And arriving fresh from a long adventure, Kody the Koala is eagerly waiting for his train to Christmas Grand Central for the ultimate celebration.
Location: Outside Three Pacific Place on Wing Fung Street and Star Street Opening hours: 10am – 10pm
Santa’s Waiting. Register for the Express and Holiday Workshops at Station Café
Registration for Santa’s meet-and-greet and our Festive Workshops is now open at https://christmas2025.pacificplace.com.hk/en/. Spots are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis, ensuring participation in the festive fun.
Get Tickets Ready. Meet Santa on the Santa Express
Seats aboard the Santa Express lead into a Christmas adventure at Santa’s travelling grotto. Clarence the Crocodile is busy calibrating the clocks before departure. Step inside and snap a magical framed photo with Santa, enjoy sweet treats, and meet Felix the Fox, Santa’s cheerful butler who’s been keeping track of who’s been naughty or nice. Best of all, every ticket helps spread the joy, with all proceeds going to Operation Santa Claus to support those in need this holiday season.
Station Café Workshop – Make Christmas Magic
Get hands-on with the season’s most heartwarming crafts, from glowing cake candles to intricate glass timepieces and charming Christmas wreaths. Hosted at the cosy Station Café, each workshop includes all necessary materials for festive creations, with Chef Allie the Alpaca adding love and cheer to every session.
Festive Cake Candle
Craft a candle shaped like a Christmas cake, decorated with beloved characters from Christmas Grand Central. Sweet enough to eat (almost).
Stained Glass Timepiece
Light up Christmas with a DIY stained glass timepiece featuring Ellie the Elephant or George the Giraffe.
Christmas Traveller’s Wreath
Bring a piece of Christmas Grand Central home with a wreath decorated with festive characters, ornaments, and even a mechanical train.
Festive Shopping Rewards to Sweeten the Season
Celebrate the holidays in style at Pacific Place with exclusive shopping rewards. Accumulate same-day electronic spending to enjoy a range of seasonal delights — from generous shopping e-Vouchers to holiday surprises from Venchi and La Maison du Chocolat, plus extra bonuses for eligible UnionPay cardholders. Stay tuned and check out the latest details at: https://christmas2025.pacificplace.com.hk/en/
Melodies on the Move: Christmas Buskers Fill the Station with Cheer
Nothing sparks the festive spirit like live performances weaving through the hustle and bustle of Christmas Grand Central. From Broadway-inspired mini-musicals set against a whimsical Christmas train scene, to surprise piano duets full of magical moments that unfold in rhythm with the music, every performance promises delight and wonder. Highlights include a heartwarming duet by Kiri T and Joyce Cheung, and special appearances by the Hong Kong Philharmonic. Every act is designed to make the holiday journey truly unforgettable.
“Whistle-stop” Musical
Date: 6 and 25 December 2025 (Sat & PH) Time: 3pm Location: Park Court, Level 1, Pacific Place
“Twin Tracks” Duet
Date: 20 and 26 December 2025 (Sat & PH) Time: 3pm Location: Park Court, Level 1, Pacific Place
Date: 13 December 2025 (Sat) Time: 3pm Location: Park Court, Level 1, Pacific Place
Live Performances by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
Date: 21 December 2025 (Sun) Time: 1pm/3pm/5pm Location: Park Court, Level 1, Pacific Place
Whether memories are being captured, festivities joined, or simply the cheer enjoyed, Ticket to Christmas promises an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages — a celebration of togetherness, wonder, and the true spirit of the season.
Showcasing the complete portfolio built on NVIDIA Blackwell architecture for scalable supercomputing and AI enablement
KEY POINTS
Rack-scale performance: ASUS XA GB721-E2 with NVIDIA GB300 NVL72 delivers 10-petaflops-class power with liquid cooling and integrated networking
Enterprise acceleration: New ESC8000A-E13X pairs eight NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 GPUs with 400G SuperNIC for efficient large-model AI and HPC
End-to-end AI: ASUS unites NVIDIA Blackwell platforms, advanced cooling, and professional services for scalable AI infrastructure
SINGAPORE, Nov. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ASUS today announced a showcase of its comprehensive AI infrastructure portfolio accelerated by NVIDIA® Blackwell and Blackwell Ultra architectures at Supercomputing 2025 (SC25). Driven by the strategy of ‘Ubiquitous AI. Incredible Possibilities.’, ASUS infrastructure goes all in AI strategy, aiming to accelerate clients’ time to market with superior computing performance. ASUS stands as a total infrastructure solution provider, offering robust, scalable, cloud and on-premise solutions for diverse AI workloads. This is achieved through the seamless integration of the latest NVIDIA compute platforms with advanced cooling, network orchestration, and large-scale deployment capabilities. By providing a full spectrum of AI solutions, from personal workstations to national supercomputing systems, ASUS is committed to democratizing access to powerful AI technologies for everyone.
Rack-scale AI infrastructure with NVIDIA GB300 NVL72
At the top of the portfolio, the XA GB721-E2, ASUS AI POD built on NVIDIA GB300 NVL72, embodies a field-proven rack-scale AI architecture, accelerated by 72 NVIDIA Blackwell Ultra GPUs and 36 NVIDIA Grace CPUs. Combining a 100% liquid-cooling system with integrated switch trays, the system delivers deployment-ready scalability and energy-efficient performance, offering 10-petaflops-class computing power for enterprise AI and national-cloud workloads.
Building on this strong foundation, ESC NM2N721-E1 accelerated by NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 marks a major step forward in the sovereign-AI domain, underscoring the capability to support national-scale AI platforms through fully integrated storage and compute architectures. ASUS is also thrilled to announce the successful deployment of the ESC NM2N721-E1, built on NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 platform reaffirming its strength in delivering NVIDIA Blackwell architecture for large-scale, industry-backed AI initiatives.
All-New ASUS ESC8000A-E13X system With NVIDIA RTX PRO Server supporting NVIDIA ConnectX-8 SuperNIC
Making its debut at SC25, the ASUS ESC8000A-E13X is a 4U NVIDIA RTX PRO™ Server based on NVIDIA MGX built to accelerate enterprise AI and industrial HPC workloads. Powered by two AMD EPYC™ 9005 series processors and accelerated by eight NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Server Edition GPUs, it delivers exceptional compute density and efficiency for large-model training and inference. Integrated with NVIDIA ConnectX-8 SuperNIC, the system offers ultra-fast 400G NVIDIA InfiniBand/Ethernet connectivity per QSFP port and supports up to eight NVMe drives for high-speed storage. Its optimized 4U air-cooled design ensures sustained performance and reliability, even under the most demanding AI workloads.
From data center to personal AI development
ASUS also showcases a comprehensive lineup accelerated by NVIDIA technologies that spans every scale of AI computing — from large-scale data centers to personal systems.
At the core, the XA NB3I-E12, based on NVIDIA HGX™ B300 system, delivers breakthrough performance and air-cooled efficiency for high-density AI training and HPC workloads. Designed as a foundation for AI Factory deployment, it supports large-model training and multi-GPU scale-up through NVIDIA NVLink, and enables organizations to accelerate AI development pipelines from simulation and model training to full production. Complementing it, the ESC NB8-E11, based on NVIDIA HGX B200 system, brings enterprise-grade flexibility to inference and cluster-level AI applications, providing the compute density and scalability required for AI Factory edge and production environments.
Extending the ecosystem to creators and developers, the ExpertCenter Pro ET900N G3 supercomputer accelerated by NVIDIA Grace Blackwell Ultra Superchip, bringing powerful AI computing to professional creators. Meanwhile, the compact ASUS Ascent GX10 personal AI supercomputer accelerated by NVIDIA GB10 Grace Blackwell Superchip enables next-generation AI exploration in a desktop form factor.
ASUS Professional Services: Uniting deployment and excellence
ASUS maintains a strong ecosystem of partners that supports every stage of the data center lifecycle — from design and validation to deployment and management. At SC25, ASUS and Vertiv are partnering to accelerate rack-scale AI for the NVIDIA GB300 NVL72 platforms. Vertiv augments ASUS platforms with the industry’s most complete power and cooling portfolio, including advanced CDU solutions. As a first-mover with validated grid-to-chip reference architectures for the NVIDIA GB300 NVL72 platform, 800 VDC architecture and gigawatt-scale NVIDIA Omniverse DSX Blueprint — our collaboration de-risks thermal and power integration. This partnership improves energy efficiency, enables industrial-scale deployment, and accelerates time-to-first-token for AI factories.
By combining NVIDIA Blackwell and Blackwell Ultra architectures, advanced cooling, storage, networking, and world-class hardware-software integration, ASUS continues to advance AI and supercomputing infrastructure that empowers innovation across enterprise, research, and sovereign applications. Through ASUS Professional Services, customers gain access to expert engineering, validation, and deployment support, while AIDC and ACC streamline rollout, monitoring, and lifecycle management across multi-node and multi-rack clusters – ensuring reliability, scalability, and rapid time-to-value for every AI deployment. Meet us at SC25 Booth #3732 to experience the future of AI infrastructure!
Availability & Pricing
Please contact your local ASUS representative for further information.
About ASUS
ASUS is a global technology leader that provides the world’s most innovative and intuitive devices, components, and solutions to deliver incredible experiences that enhance the lives of people everywhere. With its team of 5,000 in-house R&D experts, the company is world-renowned for continuously reimagining today’s technologies. Consistently ranked as one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies, ASUS is also committed to sustaining an incredible future. The goal is to create a net zero enterprise that helps drive the shift towards a circular economy, with a responsible supply chain creating shared value for every one of us.
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