Hashtag: #ISCA #CharteredAccountants #AnnualDinner #DifferenceMakers #Accounting #Accountancy
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Hashtag: #ISCA #CharteredAccountants #AnnualDinner #DifferenceMakers #Accounting #Accountancy
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 July 2026 – The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) officially launched the AI Fluency Programme, AIxAccountancy, today. The programme will empower accountancy and corporate finance professionals with the skills, confidence and know-how to use artificial intelligence (AI) effectively and responsibly at work. It supports ISCA’s broader commitment to strengthening AI capabilities across the profession, in line with its ambition to upskill 60,000 accountancy and corporate finance professionals [1] over a three-year period.
2. AIxAccountancy is the first training programme developed through IMDA’s partnership with professional bodies under the National AI Impact Programme (NAIIP) [2], which aims to train 100,000 non-tech professionals to become AI bilingual over the next three years. Prior to its launch, more than 20,000 individuals [3] across the public and private sectors, including tertiary students, had already expressed interest in AIxAccountancy, reflecting strong demand to build AI capabilities. The Accountant-General’s Department is also planning to incorporate the programme as part of the learning and development of all 4,000 public sector finance and internal audit officers. To make the programme widely accessible, AIxAccountancy will be offered free to ISCA members who are Singapore Citizens or Permanent Residents, including tertiary students.
Flexible AI training programme with industry-recognised credentials
3. AIxAccountancy is designed to offer flexible and structured online learning tailored for working professionals to learn at their own pace, fitting in their busy schedules so that their professional and personal commitments are not disrupted. The programme will be delivered in two progressive phases, enabling learners to develop core AI capabilities before advancing to specialised applications. Learners will gain hands-on experience with widely used AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot and Gemini, with the curriculum regularly refreshed to stay industry-relevant.
4. Upon completing both phases, ISCA will award participants a Certificate of Completion, a digital badge and Continuing Professional Development Education (CPE) hours. The digital badge serves as a verifiable, tamper-proof record of achievement that recognises AI proficiency, signalling credibility to employers. It can be easily shared across professional platforms including LinkedIn.
5. Accounting professionals in, or aspiring to, management roles can also enrol in modules focused on AI implementation after completing the two phases. These modules are designed to equip them to lead the responsible adoption of AI and drive AI transformation within their organisations.
An AI sandbox to experiment and learn from peers and industry leaders
6. As part of AIxAccountancy, participants will also have access to AI Nexus, a dedicated hub for accountancy and corporate finance professionals to learn and share insights, resources and best practices on AI adoption. Through AI Nexus, participants can experiment, prototype and build their own AI-assisted workflows in a sandbox environment, applying their learning directly to real industry needs. Participants can also connect with peers, technology providers and educators to share and work on new use cases. Regular sharing sessions by leading accountancy companies and AI tool providers will further enrich the learning experience with best practices and real-world applications. Together, these channels ensure participants receive both expert guidance and meaningful peer-to-peer learning throughout the programme. Participants can access AI Nexus at: https://ainexus.isca.org.sg/.
7. Mr Lee Boon Teck, President of ISCA, said: “AI is reshaping the future of the accountancy profession. The professionals who will thrive are those who become AI bilingual, combining deep accounting expertise with the ability to use AI confidently, responsibly, and with sound professional judgement. AIxAccountancy is more than a training programme. It is a national profession transformation initiative that equips accountants and finance professionals with the skills and confidence to create greater value for businesses and society.”
8. Mr Ng Cher Pong, Chief Executive Officer of IMDA, said: “AI delivers the most impact when it is grounded in domain expertise and applied to the work professionals know best. Our partnership with ISCA on AIxAccountancy reflects this approach by equipping accounting and corporate finance professionals not just with AI skills, but also with the ability to apply them meaningfully and responsibly in their day-to-day work. We look forward to seeing more professionals harness AI with confidence and purpose, becoming not only fluent, but truly AI bilingual in their field.”
9. Mrs Chia-Tern Huey Min, Chief Executive Officer of Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, said: “ISCA’s AI Fluency Programme, AIxAccountancy, comes at an opportune time, as AI continues to reshape industries and redefine the way we work. It complements the refreshed Skills Framework for Accountancy, which embeds AI fluency across all 44 job roles – spanning data analytics, visualisation and strategic decision-making. Through this programme, accounting and finance professionals will gain the practical AI skills they need to thrive in this rapidly evolving landscape.”
10. The launch of the AIxAccountancy underscores ISCA and IMDA’s commitment to help the accountancy profession navigate the AI era. By equipping professionals with accessible learning, practical AI experimentation and community collaboration, ISCA aims to accelerate AI adoption across the profession while ensuring professional judgement, ethics and trust remain at the core of professional accountants in an increasingly AI-driven business environment.
Hashtag: #ISCA #CharteredAccountants #AIxAccountancy #AIFluency #AIBilingualism #DifferenceMakers #Accounting #Accountancy
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Deployed across retail, hospitality and public spaces, Pudu Robotics demonstrates how commercial service robots are already creating value in real-world environments.
DAVOS, Switzerland, July 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pudu Robotics, a global leader in commercial service robotics, is showcasing how autonomous robots create real operational value at Davos Tech Summit 2026, one of Europe’s premier events exploring the future of Physical AI.
Held under the theme “Touching Intelligence,” this year’s summit focuses on how embodied intelligence is moving beyond technological breakthroughs into real-world deployment. As part of the event’s Robot City initiative, robots are deployed across everyday commercial environments throughout Davos, giving industry leaders, customers, and the public the opportunity to observe autonomous systems performing practical tasks in live operating environments.
As one of the featured robotics companies participating in Robot City, Pudu Robotics has deployed four robots across three operational locations in Davos, demonstrating how embodied intelligence is already delivering measurable value in everyday business scenarios.
Four Robots Across Three Real-World Scenarios
Throughout the Robot City program, visitors can follow guided tours to observe Pudu robots performing daily tasks across retail, hospitality, and public infrastructure.
At a SPAR supermarket, PUDU CC1 Pro carried out autonomous floor cleaning during normal business operations. Navigating customer traffic, shelving layouts and changing aisle conditions, the robot combined vision, LiDAR and AI perception to plan routes dynamically while continuously evaluating cleaning results. Equipped with a rear AI camera, CC1 Pro can detect residual stains after cleaning and automatically perform targeted re-cleaning, allowing it to verify task completion rather than simply execute a predefined route.
At Hilton Davos, FlashBot Max and BellaBot Pro work together to support both back-of-house delivery and guest-facing services. FlashBot Max autonomously delivered supplies between floors by integrating with the building’s elevator system, while BellaBot Pro welcomed guests and delivered food and beverages through autonomous navigation and multimodal interaction. Hotel service requires robots to coordinate multiple interconnected processes—from order pickup and elevator access to guest interaction—while adapting to unexpected changes throughout the workflow.
At the Davos train station plaza, PUDU MT1 Max demonstrated autonomous cleaning in outdoor and semi-outdoor public spaces. Leveraging 3D perception, LiDAR and multi-sensor fusion, the robot safely navigated crowded environments while adapting to moving pedestrians and changing surroundings. Its IP54 protection rating and active rain avoidance further enhanced operational reliability in outdoor conditions.
Although each robot addressed different operational needs, together they demonstrated a common capability: embodied AI that can perceive, understand, adapt and complete real-world tasks autonomously.
The Technology Behind the Scale: One Brain, Multiple Embodiments
Delivering reliable robotic operations across multiple industries and city-scale environments requires more than advanced hardware—it depends on years of real-world deployment experience and an AI architecture designed for scalability.
Rather than developing isolated intelligence stacks for individual product lines, Pudu has built a unified embodied AI architecture centered on its proprietary PuduFM foundation model and PuduAgent general-purpose agent platform. This shared intelligence enables robots with different categories—including service delivery, commercial cleaning, industrial delivery, and general embodied AI—to share a common cognitive framework for environmental perception, task execution, and multi-agent collaboration.
The architecture significantly reduces deployment complexity, improves fleet coordination and accelerates localization across international markets, providing customers with scalable automation solutions rather than standalone robotic devices.
Real-World Deployment Accelerates Embodied AI
This technology strategy has supported Pudu’s rapid global expansion. As of 2026, the company has delivered more than 130,000 robots worldwide, serving customers across 85 countries and regions, with overseas markets contributing more than 80% of total revenue.
These long-term deployments expose robots to diverse real-world challenges—from changing pedestrian flows and temporary obstacles to varying building infrastructures, weather conditions and local operational requirements. After compliant data collection, evaluation and model optimization, these experiences become reusable capabilities that can be deployed across additional products and customer scenarios.
This continuous feedback loop is already translating into commercial scale. In June 2026, Pudu Robotics and regional partner Robobee announced a partnership with Swiss retailer Denner to deploy 200 PUDU CC1 cleaning robots across its store network, helping improve operational efficiency through human-robot collaboration. Together with Robot City, these deployments demonstrate how embodied AI is being validated through both commercial operations and public urban environments.
From Demonstrations to Real-World Deployment
At Robot City, Pudu Robotics demonstrated that the future of embodied AI is not defined by isolated demonstrations, but by reliable deployment in real-world environments. With a shared intelligence foundation powering multiple robot forms, the company continues to bring embodied AI into everyday operations across industries worldwide.
About Pudu Robotics
Pudu Robotics, a global leader in the commercial service robotics sector, is dedicated to empowering easier work and better lives through AI and robotics, with a vision of building a global intelligent robotics infrastructure that serves 10 billion people worldwide.
Pudu Robotics has developed key core technologies and components, including robotic joint modules and motion controllers, and has filed more than 1,800 patent applications worldwide. Built on three core technologies—Embodied Navigation, Embodied Manipulation, and Embodied Interaction—Pudu Robotics has pioneered an “One Brain, Multiple Embodiments” architecture, establishing a comprehensive product portfolio that includes specialized, semi-humanoid, and humanoid robots.
Currently, Pudu offers four major product lines: service delivery, commercial cleaning, industrial delivery and general embodied AI. Its solutions are widely deployed across industries such as retail, hospitality, manufacturing, real estate and property services, healthcare, entertainment and sport, education, and public services.
To date, Pudu Robotics has shipped over 130,000 units globally, with a presence in more than 85 countries and regions.
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HONG KONG, July 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Harbour City, Hong Kong’s most iconic shopping mall and tourist destination, has been transformed into a grand Toy Story 5 celebration with “FOREVER TOYS @Harbour City”. Since its launch on 19 June 2026, the event has brought together immersive installations, interactive gaming experiences, exclusive exhibitions and limited-edition retail concepts — creating one of the city’s most comprehensive Toy Story experiences to date.
Hong Kong Disneyland has presented vibrant “Pixar Summer Rally”-themed installations and brought a burst of summer energy to the Victoria Harbour!
Various themed experience zones, including the “Toy Meets Tech” Playroom, Hong Kong’s only official “The Forever Toy House” Toy Story 5–themed Pop-Up Store, and city’s exclusive “Buzz Lightyear” Project Car Landing, have successfully attracted large crowds of fans eager to explore, take photos, and immerse themselves in the excitement. From 1 July, the second wave of “FOREVER TOYS @ Harbour City” has rolled out an upgraded and dynamic line-up of highlights. Exclusive stamp rally activities and limited-edition merchandise collections have debuted, alongside an impressive 4.5-metre-tall “Buzz Lightyear! To Infinity and Beyond!” installation, themed around Hong Kong Disneyland’s “Pixar Summer Rally”. Additionally, “The Art of Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5” exhibition has officially opened, offering fans an immersive artistic journey into the world of the film.
Located along the world-renowned Victoria Harbour, the “Toy Meets Tech” Playroom at the Ocean Terminal Forecourt offers an immersive interactive experience. Upon entering, guests are greeted by giant sculptures of Woody, Jessie and Bullseye—each standing over two metres tall — posed in eye-catching scenes ideal for photos. Visitors then pass through a whimsical tunnel inspired by the Lilypad tablet from the movie, featuring twin LED screens designed as blinking eyes for a lively effect.
Beyond the tunnel are four interactive game zones. In “JESSIE & BULLSEYE: COWGIRL IN CHARGE”, participants take on a Western-themed ring toss challenge. “FORKY & KAREN: ALWAYS CONNECTED” features a block-building challenge inspired by their dream wedding. At “BUZZ LIGHTYEAR & ALIENS: SPACE RANGERS,” guests test their skills in a ball-scoring game, while “LILYPAD & TECH TRIO: ALWAYS IN SYNC” presents an electronic memory challenge.
Fans can also explore immersive installations at Ocean Terminal Deck. The 4.5-metre-tall “Buzz Lightyear — To Infinity and Beyond!” installation stands prominently against the Victoria Harbour skyline. Striking his iconic heroic pose, Buzz gazes over the harbour as if embarking on his next space mission.
Hong Kong Disneyland has also presented vibrant “Pixar Summer Rally”-themed installations, including a splash-filled “Pixar Water Play Street Party!” parade float–inspired display, a 4-metre-tall Pixar pals–themed block castle, and a dynamic installation inspired by the beloved “RC Racer” attraction. Together, these displays create a playful summer atmosphere for visitors of all ages, extending the energy of “Pixar Summer Fest” beyond the park to Ocean Terminal Deck.
#HarbourCity #ForeverToys #Disney #Pixar #ToyStory5 #HKDisneyland @harbourcity @disney @disney.hk @pixar @hkdisneyland
Event Details: https://www.harbourcity.com.hk/en/article/forever-toys-harbour-city/
To download the press release and photos︰https://bit.ly/4g3aiNn
“FOREVER TOYS @ Harbour City” has received an overwhelmingly positive response since its grand opening on 19 June.
Fans can explore immersive installations at Ocean Terminal Deck. The 4.5-metre-tall “Buzz Lightyear — To Infinity and Beyond!” installation stands prominently against the Victoria Harbour skyline.


Now in its 19th year, the festival has grown into one of Taiwan’s largest outdoor music events, attracting tens of thousands of fans every summer. Set against Hualien’s breathtaking mountains and Pacific coastline, the event combines live performances with one of Asia’s most scenic festival experiences.
This year’s lineup features an impressive mix of award-winning Taiwanese artists, rising indie musicians and international performers. Headliners include Jam Hsiao, Show Lo, Accusefive, Sun Shu-mei, Hsu Fu-kai, MIXER, Aisa Senda, Chih Siou, Lee Chu-hsin and Chen Yi-no, representing pop, rock, folk and contemporary Taiwanese music.
Adding an international dimension, South Korean rock band ChRocktikal and CNU and Gongchan from K-pop group B1A4 will also perform, highlighting Hualien’s growing role as a cultural destination connecting audiences across Asia.Each festival night carries a unique musical theme, including:Nature & Adventure Night、Youth Power Night、Rock Explosion Night、Asia Wave Night、All-Star Finale.
The festival also showcases seven winning acts from Hualien’s emerging artist competition, giving local musicians the opportunity to share the stage with internationally recognized performers.
Organized by the Hualien County Government, the event reflects the county’s long-term vision of promoting cultural tourism through music while strengthening international exchange. By combining Taiwan’s original music scene with performances from across Asia, organizers hope to position Hualien not only as Taiwan’s summer music capital but also as an emerging destination for international music tourism.
Beyond the concerts, visitors can explore Hualien’s dramatic natural landscapes, indigenous culture, local cuisine and outdoor attractions, making the festival an ideal gateway to experience eastern Taiwan.
With free admission and five consecutive nights of live entertainment beneath the stars, the 2026 Hualien Summer Carnival invites music lovers from Taiwan and around the world to celebrate an unforgettable summer on Taiwan’s spectacular east coast.
Hashtag: #HualienSummerCarnival
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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SYDNEY, July 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BLUETTI, a global leader in clean energy, today launches its Prime Day Australia 2026 Deals on BLUETTI Store, active from July 1 through July 16. This announcement features discounts on portable power stations, solar generators and home battery backup systems designed for winter chills, cozy indoor living, and snow sports or winter getaways during the school holiday season.
Flexible Home Backup & RV And Caravan Travel: Elite 300
Recognized as the “Best Overall” by WIRED on its curated Best Portable Power Station List, Elite 300 delivers a 2,400W continuous output (4,800W surge) through 8 versatile ports. Tailored for travel trailers, the high-current 12V/30A DC output directly powers heavy loads like diesel heaters, eliminating energy conversion losses. For camping, boondocking, and more off-grid road trips, the Elite 300 solar generator pairs with a 500W solar panel and the 1,200W Charger 2 solar/alternator charger for fast, renewable recharging on the go.
World’s smartest off-grid portable power solution: Expandable Home Backup: Apex 300
From larger households to more scenarios, the Apex 300 home battery backup delivers steady, long-lasting energy for RVs, Caravans, remote cabins, outdoor studios and essential devices like fridges, routers, and lights. Delivering 2,764.8Wh of standalone capacity and 3,840W of output, the system is able to expand up to 58kWh capacity and 11.52kW output for more comprehensive home battery backup.
Everyday Portability: Elite 200 V2, Elite 100 V2
BLUETTI Prime Picks Now Available
Available through July 16, BLUETTI’s Prime Picks are offering exclusive discounts on its official online store, backed by a 30-day price guarantee. Grab your portable power deals and shop now to secure your winter adventures, power backup and school holidays.
About BLUETTI
Established in 2013, BLUETTI’s portfolio of solar generators and home battery backup solutions ensures reliable power for emergency preparedness, RV travel, and off-grid lifestyles.
NHA TRANG, Vietnam, July 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On June 18, Mercure Nha Trang Beach proudly celebrated the first anniversary, marking an important milestone in the journey of growth and excellence. Ideally located along Nha Trang stunning coastline, the hotel has become an iconic destination, offering memorable stays enriched with authentic local culture and elevated hospitality for travelers visiting Nha Trang.
More than a celebration of the first anniversary, this new chapter reflects the passion, creativity, and dedication of the entire Mercure Nha Trang Beach team members.
Mr. Michael Keller, General Manager of the hotel, remarked: “As we celebrate our first anniversary, we are incredibly proud of the footprint Mercure Nha Trang Beach has made in this vibrant coastal destination. Over the past year, our team’s dedication to providing authentic, locally-inspired hospitality has allowed us to deliver unforgettable experiences for travelers from around the world. We are deeply grateful to our guests, partners, and the local community for their unwavering support. Looking ahead, we remain committed to elevating our services, celebrating Vietnamese culture, and ensuring our hotel remains a beloved sanctuary on Nha Trang’s beautiful shores.”
Managed by Accor, Mercure Nha Trang Beach features 108 contemporary guest rooms and modern facilities, establishing itself as more than just a place to stay. The hotel embodies Mercure’s signature “Discover Local” philosophy, inviting guests to experience the unique character of Nha Trang through thoughtfully curated design, cultural inspiration, and warm hospitality. From artistic elements inspired by local heritage to breathtaking sunrises over the bay, every detail reflects the spirit of this coastal destination.
In the years ahead, Mercure Nha Trang Beach will continue to strengthen its identity as a locally inspired destination, celebrating the people, culture, and heritage of Khanh Hoa while delivering internationally recognized hospitality standards.
Blending the richness of Vietnamese traditions with world-class service, the hotel offers guests an exceptional coastal retreat. With its prime beachfront location, diverse culinary experiences, rooftop spa overlooking the sea, and guestrooms featuring panoramic views of Nha Trang Bay, Chín Khúc Mountain, and the city skyline, Mercure Nha Trang Beach delivers an immersive experience that captures the enduring beauty and vibrant spirit of Vietnam’s central coast.
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ABU DHABI, UAE, July 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH), the regulator of the healthcare sector in the emirate, and the MIT – Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research have announced a strategic collaboration to advance AI-enabled oncology research, translational science and bioconvergence innovation. Leveraging Abu Dhabi’s intelligent life science ecosystem, the partnership will connect world-class research expertise with the infrastructure, talent and capabilities required to accelerate the translation of scientific discovery into real-world impact.
Aligned with UAE’s National Cancer Strategy and MIT’s research excellence, the partnership aims to advance breakthrough cancer research with an emphasis on addressing climate-health and population-specific oncology challenges. This will be achieved through the development and implementation of large-scale, multi-institutional clinical trials and translational research studies, participation in MIT’s Bioconvergence Cancer Alliance and establishment of shared research databases and biobanks enabling population-specific cancer research.
H.E. Dr. Noura Khamis Al Ghaithi, Undersecretary of the DoH, said: “We define innovation by the impact it creates at a population-level. Our partnership with the MIT Koch Institute is built on this principle and focuses on building an all-encompassing sustainable ecosystem that empowers knowledge sharing, scientific discovery and applied innovation. Together, we will advance new approaches to cancer research, talent development and bioconvergence innovation while creating new opportunities to build, test and scale solutions that can benefit patients in Abu Dhabi and around the world.”
Matthew Vander Heiden, MD, PhD, Director, MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT notes: We believe addressing complex health challenges requires collaboration across disciplines, sectors, and geographies and are delighted to welcome our new collaborators in Abu Dhabi to the Alliance. We look forward to connecting MIT’s research community with Abu Dhabi’s growing healthcare innovation ecosystem, to exploring together new opportunities in oncology, AI and precision medicine, and ultimately to improving patient outcomes.
Beyond research, the collaboration will focus on building the next generation of talent and innovation at the intersection of AI and oncology. Through physician-scientist fellowships, bilateral exchange programmes and joint learning opportunities, DoH and MIT will equip healthcare professionals with advanced capabilities in clinical oncology, artificial intelligence and computational biology. The partnership will also establish a bioconvergence incubator to support the growth of high-potential startups, connecting innovators with mentorship, expertise and investment to accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into real-world health solutions.