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Inspur Showcases Prefabricated Modular Solutions at Indonesia Data Center Summit, Boosting Local Digital Infrastructure

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JINAN, China, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Inspur participated in the Indonesia International Data Center & Cloud Computing Summit (IIDCC) in Jakarta from October 28-30. The company spotlighted its one-stop data center solutions and full life-cycle data center services, garnering keen interest from international clients and partners at the event.

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Indonesia’s digital economy has experienced rapid growth in recent years. According to Mordor Intelligence, the country’s data center market is projected to reach USD 3.09 billion by 2030. This surging market demand, coupled with increasingly stringent policy directives, is placing higher requirements on data centers concerning energy efficiency, construction speed, and operational costs.

In response to these challenges, Inspur prominently featured its prefabricated modular data center solution at the summit. This solution integrates efficient “air-liquid hybrid cooling” technology with modularized design. It can significantly reduce the traditional construction timeline of 18-24 months down to just 4-6 months, while also lowering overall energy consumption by 15% to 20%. Furthermore, by incorporating an AI-powered energy management platform, the solution enables intelligent, full-lifecycle management—from planning and construction to operation and maintenance. This effectively enhances system reliability and operational efficiency, offering local customers a new choice for green and agile computing infrastructure.

During the event, Inspur engaged in in-depth discussions with leading local data center operators including BDx, SM+, and Area 31, as well as industry partners such as Prima, STP, and Euroklimat, exploring data center construction trends and energy-efficient innovations. To foster deeper collaboration, the company established long-term communication mechanisms with organizations like the Indonesia Data Center Provider Association (IDPRO), focusing on developing industry standards and enhancing industrial synergy to promote the healthy growth of the local data center ecosystem.

The CEO of PT Inspur Technology Indonesia stated, “Our participation provided a clearer perspective on the vibrancy and potential of Southeast Asia’s data center market. The thorough exchanges with clients and industry associations have deepened our understanding of regional market needs and laid a solid foundation for future cooperation. Moving forward, Inspur will continue to refine its products and services to align with Southeast Asian market characteristics, contributing to the region’s digital economic development.”

NTT Honours with Energy Management Award at CLP Smart Energy Award 2025

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Accelerating smart and sustainable operations through cutting-edge energy-efficiency technologies, best-in-class data center practices, and renewable energy adoption


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 October 2025 – As part of NTT Group, a leading global technology company, NTT Com Asia (NTT) is delighted to receive the Energy Management Award (Services Industries) at the CLP Smart Energy Award 2025. Presented by CLP Power Hong Kong Limited, this distinguished programmer recognizes NTT’s achievement in adopting industry-leading energy optimization and sustainable best practices.

Steven So, Chief Technology Officer of NTT Com Asia, receives the trophy at the Award Presentation Ceremony of CLP Smart Energy Award 2025.
Steven So, Chief Technology Officer of NTT Com Asia, receives the trophy at the Award Presentation Ceremony of CLP Smart Energy Award 2025.

NTT is committed to sustainability and energy efficiency at the core of its business and operations by actively exploring new approaches to adopt renewable energy and continuously advancing data center cooling technologies to optimize energy usage. Among its latest smart initiatives, NTT has implemented Hong Kong’s largest car park with solar panels, in terms of scale, size and electricity generated, which is deployed and currently in use. With a size of 1000 m2 solar panel coverage offering 71 parking space in the Tseung Kwan O Financial Data Center campus, the solar system is capable in generating more than 200,000 kWh of electricity annually. It is also connected to the CLP grid and participates in the CLP Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff Scheme. This initiative is a testament to NTT’s pursuit of driving the adoption of renewable energy to achieve ESG and sustainability goals.

In addition, the company is investing in new data center technologies that improve energy-efficiency, which includes leveraging Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC) technology to meet the needs for power-hungry AI infrastructure. NTT also works with CLP to purchase renewable energy certificates for each unit of electricity used in EV charging at its carpark, as part of its efforts to optimize carbon footprints management.

“In the AI era, data centers have become the power engine of the new digital economy, and sustainability has become strategic priorities of our company,” said Steven So, Chief Technology Officer of NTT Com Asia. “Receiving this award is a recognition to our efforts toward environmental stewardship. We expect to partner with CLP to adopt new smart solutions and renewable energy initiatives, empowering both NTT and our enterprise customers to achieve their ESG goals.”

CLP Power Senior Director – Customer Success and Experience Ms Lena Low congratulated NTT on receiving the award, she remarked, “CLP believes that smart energy management and renewable energy are the cornerstones of sustainable long-term development, particularly for organizations managing mission-critical infrastructure that supports the digital economy. By leveraging our expertise in electricity and integrating innovative technologies, we help customers optimize system design and energy management to enhance operational efficiency. We look forward to exploring further collaboration opportunities with industry leaders such as NTT to jointly advance Hong Kong’s sustainable development.”.

Hashtag: #NTT

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About NTT Com Asia

As part of the NTT Group, a leading global technology company, NTT Com Asia is committed to building a smart and sustainable world through innovation. We empower businesses to accelerate their digital and AI journeys by unlocking the full potential of data.

From smart digital infrastructure, technology services to leading-edge AI solutions, we enable organizations to navigate the evolving challenges of a data-centric world.

For more information, please visit:

450+ years of tradition of scholarly excellence: Queen Elizabeth’s School, Dubai Sports City to Open August 2026

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DUBAI, UAE, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Building on more than 450 years of academic excellence in the UK, Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet, in partnership with GEDU Global Education, has secured initial approval from the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) to open its first international branch campus in Dubai in August 2026. To be known as Queen Elizabeth’s School, Dubai Sports City, the new branch campus will provide young people in the UAE with access to the National Curriculum for England, delivered to the exacting academic standards that have seen Queen Elizabeth’s School in Barnet consistently recognised as Outstanding by Ofsted and ranked at the very top of the UK league tables.

“This landmark approval allows us to accelerate our vision to deliver world-leading K-12 education to students from across the UAE,” said Caroline Pendleton-Nash, CEO of Queen Elizabeth’s Global Schools.

“While the model of establishing international branches is familiar among leading UK independent schools, this marks the first time in history that a distinguished UK state grammar school has embarked upon such a partnership. It represents an unprecedented and truly exciting milestone for global education.

Queen Elizabeth’s School, Dubai Sports City, will be a co-educational school, opening initially from Nursery to Year 8, with a phased growth through to Sixth Form. Its location in Dubai Sports City affords our students privileged access to unrivalled sporting facilities, embedding sport and physical excellence as a defining pillar of their education. This will be brought to life through our QE Flourish Programme, which nurtures character and personal development across the strands of Care, Challenge, Create and Compete, realising the boundless potential of our students.

The Dubai branch campus will remain faithful to the mission, ethos, tradition, and exacting academic standards of Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet, while embracing Dubai’s spirit of innovation and ambition. Our mission is to nurture confident, able, and responsible young people who are prepared to lead happy and fulfilled adult lives and to make a positive contribution to others. In uniting the heritage of one of the UK’s most distinguished schools with the vision of Dubai, we aspire to set a new global benchmark for educational excellence.”

Neil Enright, Headmaster of Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet said: “We are delighted to have received this encouragement from the KHDA to offer a rounded and enriching QE education to children in the UAE, spreading opportunity and supporting students to become the leaders of their generation.

“We are also excited by the potential for international collaboration, which, in time, will build a global network of Elizabethans for the benefit of our new students as well as those within the state sector in Barnet.”

Edward Hobart, His Majesty’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates said, “I am delighted that Queen Elizabeth’s School will open in Dubai Sports City next year. This milestone represents the first time a British state funded grammar school has expanded globally, testament to the enduring strength of UK-UAE educational partnerships.

“By bringing QE’s proven educational methodology and 450-year heritage of academic excellence to Dubai, it increases the opportunity for young people in the UAE to access world-class British education. I look forward to seeing the positive impact this world-class institution will have on students and the broader educational landscape in the UAE.”

Founded in 1573 by a royal charter from Queen Elizabeth I, Queen Elizabeth’s is a grammar school with over 450 years of rich heritage and a pioneering tradition. The school is a UK leader, providing a rounded education to students from diverse and modest backgrounds, based on merit. A Queen Elizabeth’s School education routinely surpasses the provision of most of the UK’s most expensive and selective independent schools and QE’s results consistently place the School at the very top of UK league tables for both the independent and state sector. Queen Elizabeth’s School was named 2025 Sunday Times State Secondary School of the Year for A-levels. In 2024, 55% of leavers held offers from an institution in the top five of the QS World University Rankings. For more information, visit: www.qedubaisportscity.com.

 

NovaBridge Subsidiary Visara Assigns Its Exclusive License to Everest Medicines for VIS-101 in Greater China and Certain Other Asian Countries

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  • NovaBridge subsidiary Visara assigned its exclusive license to Everest Medicines to accelerate the development of potential best-in-class therapy for wet AMD, VIS-101, leveraging Everest Medicines’ strong clinical and commercialization expertise in Greater China and other Asian markets
  • NovaBridge also named Mr. Ian Woo, President and Chief Financial Officer of Everest Medicines, to its Board of Directors, bringing substantial expertise in international biopharma finance, operations and management
  • VIS-101 is a novel bifunctional biologic targeting VEGF-A/ANG2, with potential to provide more effective and durable treatment than the current standard of care for patients with wet AMD, DME and RVO. The program is completing a Phase 2 study in China and is expected to be Phase-3-ready in 2026

ROCKVILLE, Md., Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — NovaBridge Biosciences (Nasdaq: NBP) (NovaBridge or the Company) a global biotechnology platform company committed to accelerating access to innovative medicines, today announced that its subsidiary Visara, Inc. (Visara) has assigned it exclusive license agreement to Everest Medicines (HKEX: 1952) for the development, manufacture and commercialization of VIS-101, a novel bifunctional biologic targeting VEGF-A and ANG-2, in Greater China, and certain other Asian countries In addition, NovaBridge has appointed Mr. Ian Woo to its Board of Directors (the Board).

“This Agreement with Everest Medicines is an excellent fit with NovaBridge’s focus on collaborating with global innovators to accelerate the development of novel medicines such as VIS-101,” said Sean Fu, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of NovaBridge. “In addition, I believe Ian’s extensive track record in strategic transactions, operations and management will be a valuable asset to NovaBridge as we work to accelerate the global development of transformative medicines and create value for patients and investors.”

“Everest Medicines’ clinical and commercial expertise could enable us to accelerate the development and bring VIS-101 to patients across Asia sooner,” said Emmett T. Cunningham, Jr. MD, PhD, MPH, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Visara. “With its unique potency and potential to provide more durable treatment benefits, we believe VIS-101 has a robust opportunity to be a second-in-class with best-in-class potential treatment for patients around the world with wet AMD, DME and RVO.” 

“Partnering with Visara brings a highly differentiated and commercially attractive asset to Everest’s late-stage pipeline and paves the way for our entry into the ophthalmology market, an area of significant unmet need,” said Ian Woo, President and Chief Financial Officer of Everest Medicines. “We are pleased to leverage our core clinical development and commercialization expertise to advance VIS-101 in Greater China and across Asia.” 

As previously reported, through an assignment agreement with AffaMed and a direct license with AskGene, Visara acquired exclusive rights for VIS-101 globally. Visara has assigned its direct license with AskGene to Everest Medicines to develop, manufacturing and commercialize VIS-101 in Greater China, Singapore, South Korea, and certain Southeast Asian countries.  Everest will assume all payment obligations under the assigned license agreement and reimburse Visara any upfront payment it has already made.

About Ian Woo

Mr. Ian Ying Woo is an experienced biopharma finance professional bringing substantial strategy, capital markets and operations and management expertise to NovaBridge. Currently, Mr. Woo is President, Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director of Everest Medicines Limited (HKEX: 1952), and also serves as an operating partner of CBC Group. He has recently served as an independent director and chairman of the audit committee of Prenetics Global Limited. Before that, Mr. Woo’s held the role of managing director of CBC Group. Prior to that, Mr. Woo was a managing director in the global healthcare group of Lazard Frères & Co. LLC, working in the New York and Hong Kong offices. Throughout his investment banking career, Mr. Woo helped to raise over US$1 billion in equity financings and advised on merger and acquisition transactions aggregating more than US$35 billion in value.

Mr. Woo received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Tufts University, his Master of Arts in Cellular, Molecular and Biomedical studies from the Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and his Master of Business Administration from the Columbia University Graduate School of Business.

About VIS-101

VIS-101 is a novel bifunctional biologic targeting VEGF-A and ANG-2, and a more potent molecule that could potentially provide more durable treatment benefits for patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD), diabetic macular edema (DME) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO) than current standard of care. VIS-101 has completed initial safety and dose-escalation studies in both the US and China, and is currently completing a randomized, dose-ranging Phase 2 study in China. VIS-101 is anticipated to be Phase 3-ready in 2026.

About Visara, Inc.

Visara is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focusing on the development of best-in-class ophthalmic therapeutics. The Company is led by Co-Founder and Executive Chairman Emmett T. Cunningham, Jr., MD, PhD, MPH, a physician, innovator, entrepreneur, and investor and internationally recognized specialist in infectious and inflammatory eye disease. NovaBridge is the majority shareholder of Visara, and Visara controls global rights to VIS-101, outside of Greater China and certain countries in Asia.

About NovaBridge

NovaBridge is a global biotechnology platform company committed to accelerating access to innovative medicines. We combine deep business development expertise with agile translational clinical development to identify, accelerate, and advance breakthrough assets. By bridging science, strategy, and execution, NovaBridge enables transformative therapies to progress rapidly from discovery toward patients in need.

The Company’s differentiated pipeline is led by givastomig, a potential best-in-class, bispecific antibody (Claudin 18.2 x 4-1BB), and VIS-101, a second-in-class, potentially best-in-class bifunctional biologic, targeting VEGF-A and ANG2.

Givastomig conditionally activates T cells via the 4-1BB signaling pathway in the tumor microenvironment where Claudin 18.2 is expressed. Givastomig is being developed to treat Claudin 18.2-positive gastric cancer and other gastrointestinal malignancies. The Company is also collaborating with its partner, ABL Bio, for the development of ragistomig, a bispecific antibody integrating PD-L1 as a tumor engager and 4-1BB as a conditional T cell activator, in solid tumors. Additionally, NovaBridge owns worldwide rights outside of China to uliledlimab, an anti-CD73 antibody that targets adenosine-driven immunosuppression in cancer.

VIS-101 targets VEGF-A and ANG-2 to provide more potent and durable treatment benefits for patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wet AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). VIS-101 is currently completing a large, randomized, dose-ranging Phase 2 study for wet AMD. NovaBridge is the majority shareholder of Visara, and Visara controls global rights to VIS-101, outside of Greater China and certain countries in Asia.

For more information, please visit https://www.novabridge.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

About Everest Medicines

Everest Medicines is a biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering, developing, manufacturing and commercializing transformative pharmaceutical products and vaccines that address critical unmet medical needs for patients in Asian markets. The management team of Everest Medicines has deep expertise and an extensive track record from both leading global pharmaceutical companies and local Chinese pharmaceutical companies in high-quality discovery, clinical development, regulatory affairs, CMC, business development and operations. Everest Medicines has built a portfolio of potentially global first-in-class or best-in-class molecules in the company’s core therapeutic areas of renal diseases, infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders.

For more information, please visit its website at www.everestmedicines.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will”, “expects”, “believes”, “designed to”, “anticipates”, “future”, “intends”, “plans”, “potential”, “estimates”, “confident”, and similar terms or the negative thereof. NovaBridge may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, statements regarding: the potential benefits of the collaboration with Everest Medicines; the strategy, clinical development, plans, results, safety and efficacy of givastomig and VIS-101 and its other drug candidates; the strategic and clinical development of NovaBridge’s drug candidates, including givastomig and VIS-101; anticipated clinical milestones and results, and related timing. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in these forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the following: the Company’s ability to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of its drug candidates; the clinical results for its drug candidates, which may or may not support further development or New Drug Application/Biologics License Application (NDA/BLA) approval; the content and timing of decisions made by the relevant regulatory authorities regarding regulatory approval of the Company’s drug candidates; the Company’s ability to achieve commercial success for its drug candidates, if approved; the Company’s ability to obtain and maintain protection of intellectual property for its technology and drugs; the Company’s reliance on third parties to conduct drug development, manufacturing and other services; the Company’s limited operating history and the Company’s ability to obtain additional funding for operations and to complete the development and commercialization of its drug candidates; and those risks more fully discussed in the “Risk Factors” section in the Company’s annual report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC on April 3, 2025 as well as the discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors in the Company’s subsequent filings with the SEC. All forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

NovaBridge Investor & Media Contacts

PJ Kelleher

 Kyler Lei

LifeSci Advisors

 NovaBridge

+1-617-430-7579

 +1-240-745-6330

pkelleher@lifesciadvisors.com

 kyler.lei@imabbio.com

 IR@imabbio.com

 

Quality HealthCare and PolyU School of Accounting and Finance Launch Strategic RPA Internship to Drive Healthcare Innovation and Develop Future Talent

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 October 2025 – Quality HealthCare Medical Services (QHMS), a long-established healthcare provider in Hong Kong, has partnered with School of Accounting and Finance (AF) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) to launch a strategic internship programme focused on Robotic Process Automation (RPA). The initiative supports internal workflow improvement across QHMS operations while giving undergraduate students real-world experience in digital process transformation. The collaboration reflects QHMS’s commitment to fostering future talent and exploring technologies that enhance operational efficiency in healthcare.

Quality HealthCare and PolyU School of Accounting and Finance Launch Strategic RPA Internship to Drive Healthcare Innovation and Develop Future Talent
Quality HealthCare and PolyU School of Accounting and Finance Launch Strategic RPA Internship to Drive Healthcare Innovation and Develop Future Talent

Robotic Process Automation (RPA) uses software robots to automate repetitive, rule-based digital tasks such as data entry, file handling, and system navigation — reducing manual workload and improving consistency across administrative processes.

In this internship, six PolyU AF students are working across five QHMS departments to develop and implement nine RPA use cases, with additional projects in reserve. These automations are expected to contribute to a combined monthly saving of approximately 1,600 man-hours1, providing measurable improvements in internal productivity.

Key areas of focus of the internship include:

  • Clinic report digitisation – Automating the generation and handling of internal reports across 20 clinics (approx. 1,320 hours/month1).
  • Billing query management – Streamlining billing-related administrative queries (approx. 120 hours/month1).
  • Amendment form handling – Automating the processing of 100+ scanned amendment forms from clinics to the billing system.

“This programme allows us to pilot emerging technologies in a structured, low-risk way while supporting student learning,” said Elaine Chu, General Manager of QHMS. “It demonstrates how collaboration between academia and healthcare services can create mutual value. By working alongside students, our teams gain fresh perspectives on how technology can enhance efficiency — supporting our broader goal of continuous improvement in healthcare operations.”

Designed specifically for business undergraduates, the internship provides the students with an opportunity to apply their analytical and process improvement skills in a live healthcare setting. Unlike traditional tech internships, this programme equips students from non-technical backgrounds to contribute meaningfully to automation projects.

Each student will take part in a 24-week internship over two semesters, dedicating approximately 10 to 14 hours per week to the project. Throughout the programme, they will gain hands-on exposure to Quality HealthCare’s business operations and processes, and contribute to the design and development of automation robots with an objective to enhance efficiency and foster innovation.

Prior to the internship, students are required to complete a five-day training course on RPA. This course covers the fundamentals of automation design, development, and deployment, and equips them with the technical foundation needed to contribute effectively under supervision during the internship.

The internship deliverables include:

  • Term 1: Initial RPA bots and interim reports
  • Term 2: Finalised bots, process documentation, and summary reports

“This partnership provides students with a valuable opportunity to apply their knowledge in a practical setting,” said Professor Brian Kei, Professor of Practice (FinTech), School of Accounting and Finance at PolyU. “It also allows them to explore how digital transformation is impacting a vital sector like healthcare.”

Beyond skill development, the RPA internship fosters a broader innovation mindset within QHMS. The initiative encourages staff to explore process improvement opportunities and engage with digital tools that enhance internal workflows.

Looking ahead, QHMS plans to deepen its collaboration with academic institutions in Hong Kong by expanding internship and applied learning opportunities. These initiatives will support a wider range of innovation and operational improvement projects across different functions. By partnering with more higher education institutions in Hong Kong and nurturing future talent, QHMS aims to contribute to workforce readiness in Hong Kong and foster a culture of continuous improvement within healthcare service operations.

* The above contents are prepared for information purposes only and do not constitute an offer or solicitation for services.

1 The estimated man-hour savings are computed based on internal time-tracking data and average monthly volumes recorded across relevant teams (Q1-2 2025).

Hashtag: #QHMS, #healthcare, #TheHongKongPolytechnicUniversity, #PolyU, #internship, #futuretalent, #卓健醫療, #醫療, #香港理工大學, #實習, #未來人才

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Quality HealthCare Medical Services Limited 

Rooted in Hong Kong as Dr. Anderson & Partners since 1868, Quality HealthCare Medical Services (QHMS) has provided healthcare services for over 150 years. Today, we are one of Hong Kong’s major private healthcare providers.

We offer a wide range of services, including Western Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Diagnostics & Imaging, Physiotherapy, Mental Health, and Wellness, through a network of over 1,650 service points across Hong Kong.

QHMS is committed to supporting the Government’s policy through various public-private partnership programmes to provide medical services to the public.

The QHMS App, our proprietary health and wellness mobile app, offers a range of features including e-ticketing for GP visits, e-booking, health records, video consultations, and health information, bringing healthcare services to everyone’s fingertips.

In October 2013, QHMS became part of Bupa, an international healthcare company.

For more information, visit .

DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship 2026: “Espresso Your Flavour” – Entries Now Open

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SINGAPORE, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — DaVinci Gourmet, a brand under Kerry Group, announces the launch of the Barista Craft Championship 2025/2026, inviting baristas worldwide to participate under the theme, “Espresso Your Flavour”. This year’s competition celebrates the artistry, individuality, and creativity that define the global barista community.

The 2026 Barista Craft Championship introduces a streamlined entry process designed to maximise participation and creativity
The 2026 Barista Craft Championship introduces a streamlined entry process designed to maximise participation and creativity

The 2026 competition introduces a streamlined entry process designed to maximise participation and creativity. The National Preliminary Round is fully digital, requiring only a single, innovative coffee beverage submission: crafted with at least one shot of espresso and 10mL of a DaVinci Gourmet product, via a user-friendly online form. The rules and requirements have been simplified, ensuring that the spotlight remains firmly on creative expression and technical excellence.

Baristas who advance from the digital round will compete in high-energy, face-to-face National Finals, followed by Sub-Regional Finals, and ultimately the prestigious Global Final in Vietnam in May 2026. At every stage, outstanding talent is recognised with cash prizes, trophies, and certificates. The Global Champion will receive USD2,000, a trophy, and earn an accolade synonymous with innovation and professional pride.

All competition materials, including rules, code of conduct, and submission guidelines, are available in multiple languages, ensuring accessibility for participants from every market. Comprehensive marketing and social media assets are provided to amplify the championship’s reach and celebrate the achievements of all competitors.

Entries for the National Preliminary Round are now open. Baristas across the world are invited to prepare their most imaginative beverage concepts and submit them for consideration. Full details, including the official entry form and competition guidelines, are available on the Barista Craft Championship page and through local DaVinci Gourmet representatives.

“The DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship is more than a competition. It is a global platform for baristas to showcase their unique vision and inspire the evolution of coffee culture. The DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Champion title stands as a mark of excellence, creativity, and international recognition and we look forward to celebrating the passion and innovation that drive the world’s best baristas.” said Eloise Dubuisson, General Manager, Foodservice Brands, Kerry Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa.

Clarivate Pulse of the Library Report Reveals Link Between AI Literacy, AI Implementation and Confidence

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Drawing on insights from over 2,000 librarians representing academic, national and public libraries globally, the report offers an up-to-date view of how they are adapting to rapid change

LONDON, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Clarivate Plc (NYSE:CLVT), a leading global provider of transformative intelligence, today released the Pulse of the Library 2025 report. The report examines how libraries globally are adapting to fast-moving opportunities and challenges such as AI adoption, open science and geopolitical pressures.

The findings reveal a steady rise in artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, with 67% of libraries exploring or implementing AI tools, an increase from 63% in 2024. While the majority remain at the initial stages of evaluation, early adopters are pressing ahead and reporting greater optimism, particularly as they progress through implementation phases.

The report also shows that libraries are more likely to be in the moderate or active implementation phases of AI when AI literacy is part of the formal training or onboarding program (28%), librarians have dedicated time/resources (23.3%), or have managers actively encouraging development (24.2%).

Oren Beit-Arie, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Innovation, Academia & Government at Clarivate, said: “Our second Pulse of the Library report points to growing maturity in library approaches to AI, and an increase in the number of early adopters since last year. It also underscores the importance of offering AI literacy and professional development. Libraries that invest in literacy report greater confidence and will be better positioned to leverage AI for a range of uses, including to increase efficiencies to leave more time for important strategic and creative tasks.”

Other key findings from the report include:

  • Pace of AI adoption varies regionally: Asia and Europe have continued to advance AI adoption, with 37 – 40% in initial implementation or beyond, compared with 14 -16% in 2024. The U.S. is behind in adoption and confidence, with the lowest optimism about AI’s potential benefits (7% optimistic, compared with 27 -31% in Asia, Mainland China and Rest of World).
  • Perception gaps across roles: Senior librarians are more likely to prioritize library efficiencies as a primary objective of implementing AI technologies, especially when compared to librarians. Senior librarians were more confident in AI terminology, with 43% ranking their confidence in AI terminology as 4 or 5 (on a scale of 1 for not confident to 5 for highly confident), compared to 36% for junior librarians.
  • Core library missions mostly unchanged from 2024: The only shift observed was in academic libraries where student engagement has become the primary focus in 2025 (40%).
  • Budget constraints remain a key challenge: Many libraries are experiencing geopolitical pressures, affecting budgets and collections. Half of U.S. and North American respondents expect cuts to collections as a result.

John Chrastka, Executive Director at EveryLibrary, said: “Librarians play a leading role in sharing knowledge and building connections within their communities. This report will help support library and information professionals worldwide as they navigate challenges and opportunities.”

The 2025 Pulse of the Library report draws on insights from more than 2,000 librarians across 109 countries and regions, representing academic, public and national libraries. Building on the first report in 2024, it provides actionable insights and recommendations for libraries seeking to maximize the benefits of AI.

Explore the Pulse of the Library report here.

Survey methodology and demographics
The survey was hosted online from June to July 2025. In partnership with Library Journal, Clarivate promoted it to academic, national and public libraries through email, listservs, website pop-ups and social media. To ensure accessibility, the survey was available to complete in English, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Korean and Japanese languages. Data analysis was conducted in partnership with an external agency, TBI Communications, with additional qualitative interviews led by Clarivate.

In total, 2,032 responses were analyzed. The demographic profile of respondents was broadly consistent with the 2024 survey: 77% represented academic libraries; 46% of respondents were in the U.S.; librarians made up the majority of each library type (over 40%).

The full demographics of the 2025 survey and the quantitative survey data can be found here.

About Clarivate
Clarivate is a leading global provider of transformative intelligence. We offer enriched data, insights & analytics, workflow solutions and expert services in the areas of Academia & Government, Intellectual Property and Life Sciences & Healthcare. For more information, please visit www.clarivate.com

Media contact:
Helen Chung-Kesl, Manager, External Communications
newsroom@clarivate.com 

 

ARDY FERGUSON WINS ESTEEMED S.PELLEGRINO YOUNG CHEF ACADEMY AWARD 2025

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The dish, ‘Archipelago Celebration’ from Asia takes the crown and will help shape the future of gastronomy.

MILAN, Oct. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Following a two-day Grand Finale, last night saw Ardy Ferguson crowned as the winner of S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024-25, the competition’s sixth edition, at the iconic Castello Sforzesco in Milan. Competing against 14 other talented global finalists,Ferguson’s dish ‘Archipelago Celebration’ stole the show.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:
https://www.multivu.com/s_pellegrino/9363351-en-young-chef-academy-award-2025

The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy is an inspiring global community, empowering talented young chefs through unparalleled connections with renowned culinary figures, education, mentorship and further networking opportunities. Its rigorous two-year global competition, spanning 55 countries and 15 regions, reached its culmination last night, with the extraordinary creativity, skill and visionary talent of gastronomy’s next generation on full display and a winner crowned.

After two years of competing with chefs regionally and worldwide, Ardy Ferguson’s  signature dish was chosen as the winner by a  Grand Jury of seven renowned  chefs – Christophe Bacquié of France and two-Michelin-star Le Table des Amis; Jeremy Chan, co-founder of London’s trailblazing two-Michelin-star restaurant Ikoyi; Antonia Klugmann, of Michelin-starred L’Argine in Gorizia, Italy; Niki Nakayama, of Michelin-starred n/naka in Los Angeles; Elena Reygadas, chef-owner of Michelin-starred Rosetta in Mexico City and founder of the Elena Reygadas Scholarship; Julien Royer, of celebrated three-Michelin-starred Odette in Singapore; and Mitsuharu Tsumura, whose restaurant Maido in Lima is the best in the world according to The World’s 50 Best Restaurants.

The jury praised Ferguson who has been guided throughout the competition by Vicky Lau for demonstrating exceptional technical precision, a distinctive creative vision and a deep personal connection to their dish. Their dish, ‘Archipelago Celebration’, stood out for its balance of innovation and authenticity, perfectly embodying the competition’s values of skill, passion and purpose.

Ardy Ferguson, winner of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Awards 2025, said: ‘‘I’m incredibly honoured to have been named the winner of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2025. Representing Asia on this global stage has been an unforgettable experience. Creating my dish, ‘Archipelago Celebration’, allowed me to share the vibrant culinary traditions of Indonesia that have deeply inspired me. This journey has challenged me creatively and technically and connected me with some of the most inspiring chefs in the world. I’m deeply grateful to my mentor, Vicky Lau, for her guidance, and to S.Pellegrino for building such an extraordinary platform that empowers and celebrates young chefs.”

Guests at the awards ceremony, held at Castello Sforzesco in Milan, were treated to an exclusive gastronomic spectacle, as a bespoke dinner was created by two of the culinary world’s most influential figures: Pía León, chef-owner of Lima’s Kjolle, ranked number nine on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025, and Jessica Rosval, Head Chef of Casa Maria Luigia and Al Gatto Verde.

Among those present in the kitchen was Nelson Freitas, winner of S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2022–2023, who, following his mentorship experience with the Academy, now works alongside León – a true example of the meaningful career opportunities and connections the Academy continues to create.

The gala evening also saw the winners of the S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition’s collateral awards crowned. Chef Zanté Neethling (Africa, Middle East & South Asia) received the S.Pellegrino Social Responsibility Award for her dish Tribute to the Khoi-Khoin Tara, which was praised for best exemplifying the use of sustainable practices.

Chef Noah Wynants (North Europe) and his plant-based take on a global classic, Dutch ‘Rendang’, was named winner of the Acqua Panna Connection in Gastronomy Award which celebrates the young chef whose signature dish best reflects harmony between tradition and innovation. Finally, chef Nicolás A. López (USA) took home the Fine Dining Lovers Food for Thought Award, which is the only award in the competition decided by public vote and recognises the young chef whose dish best expresses their personal beliefs and values, something chef López was praised for with his dish Pork with Hints of the Sea.

The S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy is an incredible opportunity for young talent in the industry to access the highest levels of expertise and knowledge, with Ardy Ferguson now joining high ranking names to create a positive contribution to the world of gastronomy and wider community.

Highlights from S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2024-25 are available on S.Pellegrino Academy and Sanpellegrino official social channels. To discover more about the competition, please visit sanpellegrinoyoungchefacademy.com.

About S.Pellegrino and Acqua Panna

S.Pellegrino, Acqua Panna and Sanpellegrino Italian Sparkling Drinks are international trademarks of Sanpellegrino S.p.A., which is based in Milan, Italy. Distributed in over 150 countries through branches and distributors on all five continents, these products represent quality, excellence by virtue of their origins and perfectly interpret Italian style worldwide as a synthesis of pleasure, health and well-being. Sanpellegrino, with its iconic products and a history of over 120 years is the leading company in Italy in the non-alcoholic beverage sector, offering a wide range of mineral waters, aperitifs, and soft drinks.

Sanpellegrino has always been committed to enhancing this primary good for the planet and works responsibly and passionately to ensure that this resource has a secure future.

 

ARDY FERGUSON WINS ESTEEMED S.PELLEGRINO YOUNG CHEF ACADEMY AWARD 2025
ARDY FERGUSON WINS ESTEEMED S.PELLEGRINO YOUNG CHEF ACADEMY AWARD 2025

 

 

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