SINGAPORE, Oct. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Neopharma Technologies Ltd (“Neopharma”), a digital health company pioneering AI-driven Digital Drug and Impairment Testing, today announced the appointment of Mr. Joo Seng Wong to its Advisory Board. Mr. Wong will play a key role in strengthening Neopharma’s institutional strategy, execution frameworks, and global commercialization roadmap as the company advances toward its planned NASDAQ listing.

Institutional Credibility and Strategic Depth

Mr. Wong is one of Singapore’s most accomplished financial and technology leaders. A Fintech Veteran and Serial Entrepreneur, he currently serves as Venture Partner at Vickers Venture Partners, one of Asia’s foremost global venture capital firms, and Venture Partner at True Global Ventures, a leading technology-focused VC.
He is also Chairman of the Singapore International Chamber of Commerce (SICC), Singapore’s oldest chamber of commerce. His deep capital-markets expertise and proven ability to commercialize complex technology platforms will further strengthen Neopharma’s institutional leadership and execution discipline.

Mr. Wong brings over three decades of experience leading and advising institutional-grade enterprises at the intersection of finance, AI, and data infrastructure. As Co-Founder and CEO of Spark Systems, he built one of Asia’s most advanced AI-powered trading platforms. Previously, he co-founded M-DAQ Private Ltd, which achieved a SGD $250 million Series C valuation within six years, and served as Founding CEO of GK Goh Financial Services, transforming it into one of Asia’s largest FX trading houses.
A MENSA Singapore member, Mr. Wong is recognized for strategic execution, risk management, and innovation—qualities critical to scaling Neopharma’s global commercial and regulatory footprint.

Guiding Neopharma’s Institutional Growth

Neopharma’s proprietary NEOVAULT® Platform combines AI, data analytics, and cybersecurity to digitize drug and impairment testing across occupational health, safety, and law-enforcement sectors. The system provides tamper-proof, regulatory-compliant data that enables governments and enterprises to make informed, real-time compliance decisions.

“It is an honour to welcome Mr. Joo Seng Wong to the Neopharma Technologies team,” said Marcus L’Estrange, Executive Chairman of Neopharma Technologies. “Mr. Wong brings exceptional institutional credibility and fintech execution expertise that will help drive our investor engagement, disciplined growth, and global expansion strategy.”

Mr. Wong added: “It is a pleasure to join Neopharma and be part of the team. The wide scope as well as depth of this product makes this one of the key companies to watch, as it will literally force an evolution in this industry.”

About Neopharma Technologies Ltd

Neopharma Technologies Ltd is an Australian-based AI- and cybersecurity-driven digital health company. Its NEOVAULT® Platform secures Digital Drug and Impairment Testing and ensures compliance with ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, and HIPAA standards. Through partnerships with leading POC manufacturers and system integrators, Neopharma delivers real-time, compliant, and globally scalable diagnostic data solutions.

Contact: Shaun Melville, shaun@neopharmatechnologies.com

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a landmark collaboration that bridges Islamic finance and emerging technology, Masverse Sdn. Bhd., in cooperation with Lembaga Zakat Selangor (LZS) and under the facilitation of Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), has completed the e-Wakalah Proof-of-Concept (POC). This blockchain-powered platform redefines transparency, efficiency, and accountability in Zakat fund distribution.

The initiative, officially commissioned through a Letter of Engagement dated 7 May 2024, followed a rigorous selection process where Masverse was shortlisted from several technology companies that submitted proposals to participate in this pioneering effort. All the firms were first briefed during an industry engagement session organised by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) in collaboration with Lembaga Zakat Selangor (LZS).

This selection marked the beginning of a historic milestone — one of Malaysia’s first blockchain-based pilots for Islamic social finance. The project was completed with full data sign-off by Lembaga Zakat Selangor in December 2024, confirming the POC’s validated outcomes and its demonstrated potential to transform the way Zakat is managed and distributed.

Transforming Faith-Based Giving through Technology

The e-Wakalah model digitises the traditional wakalah process, ensuring Zakat funds are distributed securely and verifiably via MasChain, Masverse’s public-permissioned blockchain. Through this innovation, each transaction is immutable, traceable, and auditable — allowing LZS to monitor every fund transfer from Wakalah (appointed representative) to Asnaf (eligible recipient) in real time.

During the POC, all the Asnaf successfully withdrew their Zakat funds directly to their bank accounts, with every transaction recorded on-chain. All the participating Wakalah reported positive feedback on the system’s usability and transparency, while Asnaf beneficiaries praised the digital process for its speed and convenience. The fastest withdrawal from onboarding to receipt of funds was completed in under seven minutes.

This milestone directly addresses long-standing issues, such as manual reporting, limited traceability, and potential fraud risks, replacing them with digital audit trails, automated validation, and data integrity at every stage.

A Global Benchmark for Islamic Fintech

The success of e-Wakalah is more than just a technological proof — it is a testament to possibility. It demonstrates that Islamic social finance can evolve through innovation without compromising its core principles of trust (amanah), justice (‘adl), and transparency (shafafiyyah). The e-Wakalah platform also introduces the concept of purpose-bound money (PBM), ensuring that every tokenised Zakat money issued is digitally programmed for its designated recipient and use case. This mechanism safeguards the sanctity of Zakat funds by preventing misuse, guaranteeing that allocations reach the right Asnaf categories in a fully verifiable manner.

Through blockchain technology, the distribution of Zakat now carries a digital signature of trust, ensuring that every ringgit reaches its rightful beneficiary. This model can be replicated globally across Waqf, Sadaqah, and other Islamic philanthropic systems.

“This initiative is a milestone in harmonising syariah-compliant finance with cutting-edge innovation,” said Mr Chew Kian Kok, Chief Executive Officer at Masverse. “With e-Wakalah, we’ve shown that technology can preserve the sanctity of Islamic giving while ensuring every transaction is transparent, accountable, and efficient.”

Towards a Scalable, Inclusive Future

Backed by MDEC’s Blockchain Pilot Programme, the e-Wakalah POC was developed and delivered between May and December 2024, encompassing prototype development, system testing, pilot distribution, and final data analysis.

The system integrates blockchain-based smart contracts, digital wallets, and e-KYC verification for Asnaf — providing a secure end-to-end process for fund management. Feedback from the pilot has also guided proposed enhancements, including automated withdrawals, integration with existing LZS systems, and simplified e-KYC flows for non-tech-savvy users.

A Call to the Islamic Digital Ecosystem

The success of e-Wakalah stands as a call to action for Islamic institutions, fintech vendors, and government bodies to collaborate in building transparent and equitable distribution systems powered by blockchain.

As Masverse continues to advance its MasChain infrastructure and expand e-Wakalah’s capabilities, the platform opens new pathways for global Islamic finance institutions seeking verifiable, scalable, and ethical digital transformation.

“This is Malaysia’s signal to the world,” added Mr Chew Kian Kok. “Islamic finance has always upheld the principles of accountability and trust — and through blockchain, we can now make these values visible. e-Wakalah is not just a project; it’s the beginning of a new era for digital trust and transparency in Islamic social finance.”

About Masverse

Masverse Sdn. Bhd. is a Malaysian blockchain solutions provider developing MasChain, a Layer-1 public-permissioned blockchain designed to power trust-based digital ecosystems. The company develops enterprise solutions for digital identity, supply chain management, ESG tracking, and Islamic finance, including its flagship BlockchainCert.my and e-Wakalah platforms.

About Lembaga Zakat Selangor (LZS)

LZS is the authorised zakat institution for the state of Selangor, Malaysia, responsible for collecting and distributing zakat funds to eligible Asnaf, ensuring equitable and transparent management aligned with Islamic principles.

• Expert jurors from 26 countries select Farizon SV for IVOTY shortlist
• High standards of efficiency and safety are key factors jurors consider
• Winner to be announced at Solutrans Expo in Lyon, France on 19 November

HANGZHOU, China, Oct. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The all-new born-electric Farizon SV large van has been shortlisted for the prestigious 2026 International Van of the Year (IVOTY) Award. The news comes ahead of the overall winner being announced at a ceremony to be held at the Solutrans commercial vehicle expo in Lyon, France on 19 November.

An expert panel of jurors from 26 countries have selected the Farizon SV after evaluating numerous new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) that have been introduced to global markets this year. The jurors consider a vehicle’s contribution to high standards of efficiency and safety among other factors when deciding on the final shortlist.

Jarlath Sweeney, Chairman of the International Van of the Year Award, said: “We’re in a very interesting period in our sector, with new players coming into the marketplace, with fresh thinking, creating new segments, and offering new solutions, all with emission free technologies. These new brands are most welcome, and to have them in the contest alongside household names in the trade, makes our job when voting even more difficult.”

Cook Xue, CEO at Farizon Auto International Company, said: “We set out four years ago to develop and build the world’s best van, and being shortlisted for the IVOTY award is testament to the hundreds of engineers and manufacturing colleagues that produce the Farizon SV. In conjunction with distribution partners around the world, we have successfully launched across Europe, the Gulf region and Asia Pacific through 2025, and to cap off the year with the IVOTY award would be very gratifying. We’re excited to hear the result in November.”

The Farizon SV 

The Farizon SV features a host of advanced innovations, including drive-by-wire technology, a unique hidden B-pillar design, and cell-to-pack battery packaging, which combine to deliver market-leading cargo capacity. With a payload of up to 1,465 kg, load space up to 13 m3, and an ultra-low loading height of just 550 mm, the SV sets a new benchmark for capability and versatility in the global medium / large van sector.

A single highly-specified trim level includes several premium features as standard, including a unique payload monitoring system, heated seats, heated multifunction steering wheel, heated windscreen, and a 360-degree surround view, depending on market. A comprehensive suite of ADAS safety systems is also included. The SV has earned the highest five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP.   

The model line-up includes the option of a 49 kWh, 67 kWh or an 83 kWh battery, or a 66 kWh or 106 kWh battery, depending on market. Depending on the model, peak power is rated at 200 kW (272 PS) and maximum torque at 343 Nm. The SV delivers a WLTP range of up to 551 km (342 miles) on the WLTP city cycle, and up to 398 km (247 miles) on the WLTP combined cycle. A 20 to 80 per cent top-up charge can be completed in as little as 36 minutes.  

About Farizon

Farizon New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group is the commercial business division of Geely Holding Group. With the support of Geely Holding Group’s Central Research Institute, Farizon New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group has founded China’s largest new energy commercial vehicle research institute. It is responsible for the R&D of a new generation of green and intelligent commercial vehicle products based on passenger vehicle technology. Farizon has become China’s first commercial vehicle brand to offer a full range of new energy product. Farizon is committed to becoming a comprehensive intelligent and green transportation technology service provider.

Farizon has doubled its Chinese market share for three consecutive years, with a product market share exceeding 20%, continuously consolidating its leading position in the new energy commercial vehicle industry. In 2024, Farizon has reached the milestone of 300,000 unit sales, becoming the first new energy commercial vehicle brand ever to achieve this goal.

For more information regarding Zhejiang Geely Farizon New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group please refer to the official website at https://global.geelycv.com/ 

BANGKOK, Oct. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness (GNH) has captured global attention as a unique development philosophy, emphasizing holistic well-being over mere economic metrics. Yet, as Mr. Namgay Tshering, Former Finance Minister of Bhutan and alumnus of Chulalongkorn University’s Master of Public Health program, points out, the concept often raises questions: “People tend to ask whether every Bhutanese is happy. GNH is not about individual happiness alone—it’s about collective wellbeing, sustainability, and inclusivity.”

When Happiness Meets Real-World Pressures

“People tend to ask whether every Bhutanese is happy.”

Bhutan faces modern pressures that test the resilience of its happiness-centric model. The country remains largely import-driven, leaving it vulnerable to global economic shocks and inflationary pressures. Tourism, once a cornerstone of the economy, is still recovering from the pandemic, and over-reliance on any single sector proved risky. Technological advancements, while offering opportunities, also pose societal challenges. As Tshering notes, youth may struggle to make rational decisions in the digital age, requiring careful oversight and education.

Turning Vision into Sustainable Action

To address these challenges, Bhutan has embraced sustainable policies and diversified its economy. During his tenure as Finance Minister, Tshering developed public financial management and debt policies as well as enacted taxation laws—all evaluated through the GNH framework to ensure meaningful, sustainable growth. Beyond governance, Bhutan has launched visionary projects such as the Gelephu Mindfulness City, championed by His Majesty the Fifth King. The city integrates nature conservation, spirituality, economic growth, and good governance, serving as a global model of mindful urban development.

Moreover, Bhutan invests heavily in youth development programs to ensure that young citizens grow to be healthy, sensible, and responsible individuals, capable of embracing technology while preserving cultural values. Tshering continues to mentor the next generation, guiding them toward balanced, impactful lives.

Redefining Leadership for a Changing World

Reflecting on leadership, Tshering emphasizes a holistic approach: academic excellence alone does not make a leader. “Embrace a wholesome education—go beyond the curriculum, explore different perspectives, and understand global dynamics,” he advises.

His career exemplifies this philosophy, blending national service with international experience at the World Health Organization, World Bank, and Global Fund.

Shaping Perspectives and Inspiring Action

After his undergraduate studies in Bhutan, Tshering pursued a Master of Public Health at Chulalongkorn University, Thailand’s oldest and most prestigious institution. He credits Chula for providing not just academic knowledge, but a global perspective: “I could discuss policies, meet colleagues from different countries, and hear about their experiences. It has been a driving force behind my success.”

Through his work, Tshering demonstrates how Chula alumni contribute to society on both national and international stages, applying knowledge with purpose, compassion, and a commitment to sustainable development

Read the full article at: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/260992/

Watch the video for this story: https://youtu.be/a10uzeJb27g 

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About Chulalongkorn University

Chulalongkorn University has made the world’s top 50 university list for employment outcomes, which reflects both the high employment rate and work ability of Chula graduates. The university is also listed as the best in Thailand for the 15th Consecutive Year (since 2009), according to the newly released QS World University Rankings 2024, putting Chula at 211th in the world, up from 244th last year.

Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChulalongkornUniversity

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/chulauniversity

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/school/15101896/

Major Acquisition Deal Originated at 2024 Event Highlights Conference’s Role as Premier Investment Platform

HONG KONG, Oct. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Questex’s IHIF Asia cemented its position as the APAC region’s premier hotel investment forum after three days of intensive deal-making and strategic discussions. The event attracted 520 senior delegates from 33 countries, with investors representing $280B in AUM comprising 40% of attendees – a 33% increase from the $210B represented at the 2024 event.

The conference’s deal-making hub was illustrated by the revelation that Seibu Prince Hotels’ acquisition of Ace Hotel Group – a landmark transaction that reshaped the boutique hotel landscape – originated from meetings at IHIF Asia 2024. This demonstrates the forum’s unique ability to facilitate transformative deals that drive industry consolidation and growth.

Diversified Capital Sources Signal Maturing Market

A standout feature of the event was the significant increase in Chinese and Japanese investor participation, and the emergence of new capital sources that demonstrate the hospitality sector’s evolving appeal to institutional investors. Private equity firms including Blackstone, BlackRock, Brookfield, Bain Capital and Fortress Group were represented alongside investment banks such as Goldman Sachs, signalling the asset class’s growing sophistication.

The event welcomed an increasing number of family offices, multilateral and bilateral institutions, reflecting the sector’s expanding investor base beyond traditional hospitality-focused funds.

Chinese investment groups including Delonix, Huamao, JinJiang, SSAW Group, Funyard Hotels & Resorts, and China Travel Group registered their strong presence with expanded delegations, while Japanese participation reached new heights with institutions representing both inbound capital seeking regional opportunities and outbound capital targeting domestic market expansion. This bi-directional capital flow from Japan demonstrates the country’s evolving role as both a destination and source market for hospitality investment across APAC.

Japan’s real estate developers – Mitsubishi, Indochina Kajima, Takenaka Corporation and Mitsui – brought delegations highlighting the convergence of hospitality and real estate investment strategies.

Key Investment Opportunities Drive Strategic Decision-Making

The forum’s strategic sessions delivered actionable market intelligence influencing capital deployment decisions across the region. Gateway city trophy assets in established markets including Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, and Sydney dominated investor appetite, with focus on operational upside opportunities.

Emerging markets across Southeast Asia and India emerged as key expansion targets, while technology-enabled hospitality captured attention through measurable AI integration and automation returns. Cross-border partnership structures between Western operators and Asian capital were highlighted for market access and risk mitigation, with third-party operators importing best practices from US and European markets.

Branded residential evolution featured prominently, with hybrid models emerging as preferred structures across diverse Asian markets, creating new revenue streams and enhanced development cycle economics.

IHIF Asia Digital will offer main stage sessions, extending the event’s reach to the broader hospitality investment community. Learn more here.

About Questex

Questex fuels exceptional business connections—where every buyer and seller interaction matters. Through live events enriched with data insights and active year-round digital communities, we deliver measurable results. It happens here.

Media Contact

mfranzman@questex.com

New device harnesses the power of AMD’s Ryzen^TM AI processing technology to simplify complex on-device tasks and bolster productivity in demanding field and industrial environments

News in brief:

• The new S510AD joins the B360 Plus, F120 and next generation UX10 in Getac’s rapidly growing lineup of Copilot+ PCs.
• Powered by AMD Ryzen™ AI technology, the S510AD delivers strong on-device AI performance, supporting faster insights and reducing reliance on cloud connectivity where applications allow.
• The S510AD is ideally suited to professionals working in industries including automotive, manufacturing, utilities, field services, public safety and defence.

TAIPEI, Oct. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Getac Technology Corporation (Getac), a leading provider of rugged computing and mobile video solutions and a manufacturer with advanced in-house capabilities, today announced the launch of its new S510AD laptop, a powerful rugged PC built around AMD Ryzen^TM AI processing technology, for professionals who need advanced edge-AI performance in demanding field and industrial environments.

Powerful Copilot+ PC functionality

The new S510AD laptop is the latest Getac device to meet Microsoft’s stringent Copilot+ PC requirements^[1], joining the recently launched B360 Plus laptop, F120 tablet and next generation UX10 tablet in Getac’s rapidly growing lineup. Powered by AMD Ryzen^TM AI 5 340 / 7 350 processors, AMD Radeon^TM 800M graphics, and an AMD XDNA 2 NPU, the S510AD delivers up to 50 NPU TOPS of on-device AI performance, for seamless multitasking and high-quality visuals directly at the point of work. The S510AD also comes with up to 64GB DDR5 memory and 2TB of PCIe NVMe SSD storage, while Windows Hello face authentication as standard maintains robust data security.

The result is a highly versatile rugged solution that’s ideally suited to industries such as automotive, utilities, field services, public safety and defence, where access to real-time diagnostics, intelligent automation, and secure offline processing enables professionals to make faster decisions and achieve greater operational efficiency.

Purpose built for complex field operations

The S510AD is purpose built to boost productivity in challenging field situations and scenarios. Its spacious 15.6″ Full HD screen with 1,000 nits of brightness and sunlight readable display makes performing complex field tasks quick and easy in a wide range of weather conditions. A large touchpad and optional multitouch screen ensure smooth operation, even when wearing gloves or working in rain and snow, while an optional dual hot-swappable battery configuration helps minimise downtime on long shifts. The S510AD also boasts an extensive list of connectivity and data transfer options including Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 as standard, with options such as 4G-LTE, 5G Sub-6, Dual SIM, and dedicated GPS also available if required.

Redefining ruggedness with sustainability

The Getac S510AD is certified to MIL-STD-810H and IP53 standards and is resilient to drops from up to 3ft (0.9m). It also boasts an operating temperature range of -29°C to 63°C (-20°F to 145°F) for dependable performance in unpredictable field environments.

It is also the latest Getac device to incorporate SORPLAS in its chassis; an environmentally conscious plastic developed by Sony Semiconductor Solutions (SSS) that offers up to 99% recycled material utilisation. With over 45% of its chassis made from post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials, the S510AD helps reduce energy use, carbon emissions, and e-waste across the supply chain, all without compromising on durability.

Delivering robust, AI-driven intelligence for critical frontline operations

From busy workshops and factory floors to remote field environments, the S510AD empowers professionals to stay productive and make confident decisions in real-world conditions:

• Automotive: Mechanics and engineers can run advanced diagnostics and stream multiple camera views simultaneously, helping them identify issues faster and return vehicles to service without delay.
• Manufacturing: Operators can use on-device AI for predictive maintenance and automated quality checks, reducing unexpected downtime and ensuring consistent product standards on the factory floor.
• Utilities: Crews inspecting power lines or pipelines in remote areas can stay connected and productive with hot-swappable batteries, rugged connectivity, and reliable performance in changeable weather.
• Field Services: Technicians working outdoors can transfer data quickly and easily using an extensive array of connectivity options, while powerful AI support speeds up task completion.
• Public Safety: First responders gain real-time situational awareness through video and data analysis in the field, with built-in security features protecting sensitive information at every step.
• Defence: Troops in mission-critical scenarios can depend on secure offline AI analysis, sunlight-readable mapping and video feeds, while hot-swappable batteries facilitate continuous operations even without network access.

“The launch of the S510AD represents another important step in expanding our AI-Rugged portfolio,” says James Hwang, President of Getac Technology Corporation. “Built on AMD’s latest AI processing technology, it addresses customer demand for platform diversity while maintaining the rugged reliability and sustainability they expect from Getac, helping organisations accelerate AI adoption in the field.”

S510AD will be available in November.

For more information, please visit www.getac.com

About Getac

Getac Technology Corporation is a global leader in AI-capable rugged mobile technology and intelligent video solutions, including laptops, tablets, software, body-worn cameras, in-car video systems, digital evidence management and enterprise video analytics solutions. Getac’s solutions and services are designed to enable extraordinary experiences for frontline workers in challenging environments. Today, Getac serves customers in over 100 countries spanning defence, public safety, ambulance, fire & rescue, utilities, automotive, natural resources, manufacturing, transport, and logistics. Getac was recently recognized as one of Newsweek’s “World’s Most Trustworthy Companies” for 2024. For more information, visit: https://www.getac.com. Participate in the Getac Industry blog or follow the company on LinkedIn and YouTube. 

Getac and Getac logo are trademarks of Getac Holdings Corporation or its affiliates. Other brands or trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ©2025 Getac Technology Corporation.