Collaboration Provides Students Access To Xsolla’s Publishing Suite And Launcher, Bridging Academic Learning With Commercial Game Development Practices

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 July 2026 – Xsolla, a leading global video game commerce company, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Management and Science University (MSU), one of Malaysia’s leading private universities, to strengthen collaboration between academia and the video games industry while providing students with access to professional publishing, monetization, and distribution technologies.

The partnership is designed to support knowledge exchange and talent development across game development, digital commerce, and game monetization. Through industry talks, guest lectures, best-practice sharing sessions, and collaborative educational initiatives, Xsolla and MSU will work together to provide students and faculty with direct exposure to current industry practices and commercial opportunities in the global games market.

As part of the collaboration, Xsolla will facilitate access to its end-to-end game commerce ecosystem across its payments, monetization and distribution platforms. Students will be able to integrate professional-grade publishing, monetization, payment, and distribution capabilities into their projects, helping bridge the gap between academic learning and commercial game development.

“Today’s game developers need more than technical skills; they need to understand the complete business of bringing games to market,” said Chris Hewish, President of Xsolla. “Our partnership with MSU gives students access to the technologies, workflows, and commercial infrastructure used throughout the industry, helping prepare the next generation of developers to successfully launch and grow their games on a global scale.”

MSU is recognized as one of Malaysia’s leading private universities and is ranked #597 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Through strategic industry partnerships and experiential learning programs, the university continues to connect studios with real-world opportunities across Information Sciences, Engineering, Technology, and related disciplines.

In addition to educational initiatives, Xsolla will participate in selected MSU convocation activities by presenting industry awards to recognize outstanding graduates. Both organizations will continue to explore additional collaborative opportunities that support talent development, innovation, and growth within Malaysia’s interactive entertainment ecosystem.

To learn more about the MoU signing between Xsolla and Management and Science University (MSU), visit: https://xsolla.pro/MSU

Hashtag: #Xsolla #ManagementAndScienceUniversity #MSU

https://xsolla.com

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

About Xsolla

Xsolla is a global commerce company that builds and provides all the things developers need to launch, grow, and monetize video games. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, the company supports studios of every size, from indie to AAA, with solutions across direct-to-consumer commerce, intelligent payments, entertainment-based IP, and player engagement products. Xsolla helps developers fund, distribute, market, and monetize their games at scale. Trusted by more than 60% of the top 100 highest-grossing games, Xsolla operates as the merchant of record across 200+ geographies with access to over 1,000+ local payment methods worldwide. Grounded in a deep belief in the future of gaming, Xsolla is resolute in bringing opportunities together and unlocking growth for creators everywhere.

Capability and Resource Gaps Limit Growth Potential As Firms Explore the New Economy

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 July 2026 – Dah Sing Bank, Limited (“Dah Sing Bank”) revealed in its latest SME Survey that Hong Kong SMEs are accelerating digital and business transformation, actively exploring opportunities arising from artificial intelligence (AI) and developments in the Northern Metropolis, and seeking new growth drivers in the evolving economic landscape.

Dah Sing Bank remains committed to staying close to the needs of SMEs and understanding the challenges and directions of their business transformation journey. To gain deeper insights into these trends, the Bank commissioned a survey[1] in May 2026 through a major local media outlet, interviewing over 340 Hong Kong SMEs to understand how businesses are navigating current challenges and evolving strategies, while examining their plans and needs in areas such as AI adoption, Northern Metropolis opportunities and business upgrading.

Transformation Gains Momentum
The Survey shows that around 23% of enterprises have already adopted AI or generative AI (GenAI) in their operations, while a further 32% plan to do so within the next one to two years, indicating a growing transformation momentum. At the same time, nearly 70% of respondents believe that developments in the Northern Metropolis and the Hetao-Hong Kong Science Park are relevant to their future businesses, reflecting strong interest in participating in the evolving new economy.

AI Adoption Still at an Early Stage
In terms of AI applications, SMEs are currently focusing on relatively accessible use cases such as marketing and content creation (56%) and customer service (42%), with some also applying AI in sales support (35%) and data analysis (30%).

In contrast, adoption remains limited in more advanced areas such as process automation or workflow improvement (14%), suggesting that overall AI usage among SMEs is still at an early stage and has yet to be fully integrated into core business operations.

Capability Gaps Limit Transformation
The Survey also highlights significant challenges in advancing AI adoption. Around 45% of SMEs have yet to implement AI technologies, with more than half citing a lack of relevant knowledge or skills (57%) as a key barrier. In addition, 38% pointed to unclear return on investment, while others indicated the absence of suitable use cases (29%) or insufficient time and resources to explore further (24%).

These findings suggest that gaps in capabilities, resource allocation and application planning remain major constraints on SMEs’ ability to scale up transformation initiatives.

Business Models and Talent Needs Evolve
SMEs are also advancing their digitalisation efforts, with widespread adoption of social media marketing (51%), e-commerce platforms (43%) and electronic payment solutions (50%), reflecting a shift towards more flexible, multi-channel business models.

As AI adoption gradually expands, workforce requirements are also evolving. About one-quarter of respondents indicated that AI would shift employees towards higher value-added roles, while around one in five expect increased demand for new skills and talent. This suggests a gradual transition towards more knowledge- and technology-driven operating models.

Northern Metropolis Opens New Opportunities
Regarding developments in the Northern Metropolis and the Hetao-Hong Kong Park, SMEs generally prefer to participate as service providers and supporting partners within the broader ecosystem. This includes offering specialised services or solutions to companies in the area (44%), collaborating with research institutions or technology firms (29%), and participating in pilot projects or proof-of-concept programmes (25%).

In addition, some SMEs plan to provide products and services to future residents, businesses and workers in the district (51%), or take part in construction and infrastructure-related supply chains (36%). These responses indicate that SMEs are actively identifying entry points aligned with their strengths to integrate into emerging industry ecosystems.

Dah Sing Bank Supports SMEs Transformation
To address the challenges of transformation, Dah Sing Bank recognises that SMEs not only need financial support but also practical and clear directional guidance. The Bank adopts a holistic approach, offering flexible financing solutions to meet evolving business needs, while streamlining digital banking processes and enhancing cross-border financial services to improve SMEs’ operational efficiency and agility.

In addition, Dah Sing Bank places strong emphasis on equipping SMEs with relevant market insights and practical knowledge. These initiatives include providing the latest market trends and business tips via the Bank’s online educational platform, the “SME Info Hub”. Additionally, the Bank organises tailored SME seminars through its “328 Business School” educational platform on various topics such as AI technology and digital marketing. Together, these efforts aim to help businesses deepen their understanding of emerging technologies and market developments, enabling them to navigate an increasingly dynamic economic landscape.

Dah Sing Bank Deputy Chief Executive, Senior Executive Director and Head of Group Personal Banking, Ms Phoebe Wong, said: “The Survey shows that Hong Kong SMEs are increasingly exploring AI applications and opportunities in the new economy. However, many businesses continue to face challenges in technology adoption and resource allocation. Dah Sing Bank has long been a trusted partner to SMEs on their transformation journey. Beyond providing flexible financing solutions, we are committed to offering market insights and a range of value-added services that help businesses strengthen their understanding of new technologies and market trends, equipping them with the relevant capabilities. By combining financial services with real-world support, we aim to empower SMEs to capture opportunities arising from AI and the Northern Metropolis, and to achieve sustainable growth.”

To borrow or not to borrow? Borrow only if you can repay!
The service(s) / product(s) mentioned in this document are not targeted at customers in the European Union.

Risk Disclosure Statement
Foreign Exchange Transactions: Foreign exchange involves risk. Currency investments are subject to exchange rate fluctuations, which may result in gains or losses. Customers converting foreign currencies into HKD or other currencies may incur losses due to exchange rate movements. Investors should read and understand all offering documents, including risk disclosures and warnings, before making any investment decisions.

Currency Risk (RMB): Conversion of RMB into HKD or other currencies is subject to exchange rate fluctuations. Customers may experience gains or losses due to RMB exchange rate movements. RMB is currently subject to exchange controls imposed by the PRC government, and its exchange rate may be affected by policy changes.

Unless otherwise specified, this promotional material does not constitute an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to engage in any foreign exchange transaction, nor does it predict future exchange rate movements. This material has not been reviewed by the Securities and Futures Commission or any other regulatory authority in Hong Kong.

Hashtag: #DahSingBank

https://www.dahsing.com/html/en/index.html

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

About Dah Sing Bank

Dah Sing Bank, Limited (the “Bank”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dah Sing Banking Group, Limited (HKG:2356). Founded in Hong Kong over 75 years ago, the Bank has been providing quality banking products and services to its customers with a vision to be “The Local Bank with a Personal Touch”. Over the years, the Bank has been rigorous in delivering on its brand tagline to grow with its customers in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and beyond – “Together We Progress and Prosper”. Building on our experience and solid foundation in the industry, our scope of professional services now spans retail banking, private banking, business and commercial banking. Meanwhile, the Bank is also making significant investments in its digital banking capabilities to stay abreast with smart banking developments in Hong Kong and to support financial inclusion at large.

In addition to its Hong Kong banking operations, the Bank has wholly-owned subsidiaries including Dah Sing Bank (China) Limited, Banco Comercial de Macau, S.A., and OK Finance Limited. It is also a strategic shareholder of Bank of Chongqing with a shareholding of about 13.5%. Dah Sing Bank and its subsidiaries now have 63 operating locations in Hong Kong, Macau and Chinese Mainland.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 July 2026 – As students and parents in Singapore evaluate higher education pathways, employability, starting salary and return on investment are increasingly important considerations. A degree is often assessed not only by academic interest, but also by how it supports entry into the workforce and future career development.

Graduate salary data provides useful guidance, but it should not be read in isolation. Starting salary is one indicator of return on investment. It should be considered alongside employment rates, full-time permanent employment, industry pathways, career support, programme fit and long-term skills relevance.

For students considering Singapore Institute of Management Global Education (SIM GE), SIM’s Graduate Outcome & Employability page provides a reference point for understanding graduate outcomes. The page explains how SIM graduates have performed in the Private Education Institution Graduate Employment Survey (PEI GES), where they have worked, and how SIM supports students in building career readiness.

Why the PEI Graduate Employment Survey matters
For students considering private education pathways, the PEI Graduate Employment Survey (GES) is an important reference because it provides employment and salary outcomes for graduates from registered private education institutions.

The 2024/2025 PEI GES focused on economically active fresh graduates who graduated between May 2024 and April 2025 from full-time Bachelor’s level External Degree Programmes. The survey covered about 6,150 full-time graduates across 26 private education institutions, with a response rate of 61.6 per cent, and was conducted from October 2025 to January 2026.

Among 2,600 economically active PEI fresh graduate respondents in the labour force, 78.9 per cent secured employment within six months of graduation. The median gross monthly salary for PEI fresh graduates in full-time permanent employment remained stable at S$3,500.

This makes the PEI GES useful for students and parents who want to compare graduate outcomes within the private education sector. It also allows SIM’s graduate outcome data to be read against a broader PEI sector benchmark.

What SIM graduate outcome data shows
SIM’s Graduate Outcome & Employability page reports that SIM fresh graduate respondents recorded 81.0 per cent secured employment, 77.9 per cent currently employed, 47.0 per cent in full-time permanent employment and a median gross monthly salary of S$3,565. The page attributes these figures to Skills & Workforce Development Agency 2024/2025 PEI GES.

Indicator	SIM	Avg of All PEI (include SIM)
Secured employment	81.0%	78.9%
Full-time permanent employment	47.0%	46.9%
Median gross monthly salary	S$3,565	S$3,500

This comparison places SIM’s graduate outcomes at the top spectrum of the PEI sector. It also shows why employability should be assessed through more than one indicator. Secured employment, full-time permanent employment and median gross monthly salary each provide a different view of graduate outcomes.

Secured employment indicates whether graduates entered work, accepted job offers or were taking steps to start a business venture. Full-time permanent employment provides a view of stable employment. Median gross monthly salary shows the middle salary point among full-time permanently employed graduates.

Where SIM graduates have worked
SIM graduates have entered a range of sectors, including aviation, aerospace and engineering, airline and tourism, banking and financial services, information and communications technology, cybersecurity, insurance, consumer services, public sector and government, consulting and professional services, healthcare, logistics, transportation, retail and manufacturing.

These employer destinations are relevant because students are not only selecting a degree. They are also considering possible pathways into industries, job functions and future career options. A business-related pathway may support roles in banking, consulting, retail, logistics or entrepreneurship. A technology-related pathway may lead to opportunities in information and communications technology, cybersecurity, data, digital services or business technology roles.

How students should compare salary, employability and ROI
A practical approach to comparing degree options is to consider four areas: relevance, return, readiness and resilience.

Factor	What to consider
Relevance	Does the degree connect to industries that are hiring?
Return	What do employment and salary outcomes show?
Readiness	What career support, internship guidance and employer exposure are available?
Resilience	Can the skills support future career changes?

This approach helps students avoid selecting a degree based only on the highest salary benchmark. While starting salary is an important consideration, long-term value also depends on whether the student can build relevant skills, gain experience and adapt to changes in the labour market.

How SIM supports employability
SIM supports students through career preparation and employer engagement, including résumé writing, interview preparation, job search guidance, career fairs, employer talks, recruitment events, internship search guidance and workshops that build communication, teamwork, problem-solving and professional confidence.

Such support is relevant to return on investment because employability is influenced not only by the qualification awarded, but also by how prepared students are to enter the workforce. Career readiness, employer exposure and workplace skills can support the transition from study to employment.

Conclusion
Graduate starting salary is an important consideration for students and parents assessing higher education options in Singapore. However, it should not be the only measure used to evaluate a degree pathway.

A more balanced assessment considers employment rates, full-time permanent employment, median gross monthly salary, industry pathways, career support and long-term skills relevance. This provides a broader view of how a higher education pathway may support employability and future career development.

When read together with the PEI Graduate Employment Survey, national salary benchmarks and SIM’s Graduate Outcome & Employability page, graduate outcome data can help students and parents make more informed decisions about salary expectations, employability and return on investment.

References

1. SIM’s Graduate Outcome & Employability page – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/parent-resource-hub/graduate-outcome-employability
2. SWDA PEI Graduate Employment Survey 2024/2025 – https://www.swda.gov.sg/home/skills-career-resources/private-education-resources/graduate-employment-survey/2024-2025
3. Employment Outcome for PEI Graduates – https://www.swda.gov.sg/home/newsroom/employment-outcomes-for-private-education-institution-graduates-remain-stable-in-2024-2025
4. SIM Career Service – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/life-at-sim/career-services

Hashtag: #SIMGlobalEducation #SIMGE #GlobalEducation #InternationalDegree #CareerReady #FutureSkills

https://www.sim.edu.sg/

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

About SIM Global Education

SIM Global Education (SIM GE) is a leading private education institution in Singapore and the region. We offer more than 140 academic programmes ranging from diplomas and graduate diploma programmes to bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes with some of the world’s most reputable universities from Australia, Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, and the United States. SIM GE’s cohort is made up of 17,000 full- and part-time students and adult learners, of which approximately 41% are international students hailing from over 50 countries.

SIM GE’s holistic learning approach and culturally diverse learning environment aim to equip students with knowledge, industry skills and employability competencies, as well as a global perspective to succeed as future leaders in a fast-changing, technologically driven world.

For more information on SIM Global Education, visit www.sim.edu.sg

• Pre-registration for new server Helena opens July 14… Official launch on July 29
• Sweeping new server growth-support systems, including 50% additional EXP via Mastery Buff
• Rich rewards including a 32,000 USDt reward event, limited edition skins, and 1,111 summon tickets

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – EQS Newswire – 15 July 2026 – Smilegate announced on Tuesday, July 14 that pre-registration has begun for ‘Helena’, a new growth-accelerated server for the MMORPG 《LORDNINE: Infinite Class》 (developed by NX3 Games), in celebration of the game’s 1st anniversary.

Pre-registration for the new Helena server is available through the official LORDNINE page (https://l9asia.onstove.com/en), with the official launch scheduled for July 29 at 7:00 PM.

Helena is a growth-accelerated server designed to allow players to level up characters faster than on existing servers. Key features include a Mastery Buff that provides an additional 50% EXP gain and more than 40,000 ‘Fragments of Ancient Relics’ to support character progression, helping players settle in smoothly during the early stages.

To celebrate the launch of the Helena server, Smilegate has prepared a variety of events, including a 32,000 USDt reward event. Helena server users can participate in in-game attendance and mission events to obtain three Hero-grade avatars and three artifacts, as well as up to 1,111 summon tickets.

A pre-registration event will also be held. Users who sign up for pre-registration will receive a limited edition skin, and among users who refer 20 friends through the pre-registration page, a drawing will be held with winners receiving an iPhone 17 Pro.

In addition, a skin design contest will be held to celebrate the 1st anniversary. Participants can freely submit skin designs they would like to see released in LORDNINE. In-game rewards worth up to 80 million KRW are up for grabs, and notably, the grand prize-winning design will actually be released in-game.

For more information about the game, please visit the official page (https://l9asia.onstove.com/en).

Contact Point		Office		Mobile Phone		Email
Sangjik Oh, Team Leader		031-630-3142		010-5236-0571		sjikoh@smilegate.com
Hyeran In, Deputy General Manager		031-630-3143		010-3291-6710		hranin@smilegate.com
Jiwon Hong, Deputy General Manager		031-630-3144		010-4135-0298		jwhong@smilegate.com
Taehyun Park, Assistant Manager		031-630-3179		010-6805-1177		thpark@smilegate.com

Hashtag: #Smilegate

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

HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 July 2026 – Open visa policies, a wealth of cultural and natural attractions, acclaimed cuisine, warm local hospitality, and increasingly convenient payment options are fast positioning Vietnam as one of the most compelling destinations in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Visitors to Vietnam can now look beyond conventional payment methods to enjoy a seamless transaction experience. With a home-country banking app or e-wallet, users need only scan a QR code to complete payments through VietQR Global, the cross-border payment solution provided by National Citizen Commercial Joint Stock Bank (NCB), Vietnam. The solution enables international travellers to make transactions instantly and securely.

The solution currently supports visitors from key inbound tourism markets, including China (Alipay and UnionPay), South Korea (GLN, Hana Financial Group and Naver Pay), Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, with further expansion planned for Japan, Singapore, India, Malaysia and other markets.

The service is now available across a network of premier partners, spanning Sun World’s entertainment destinations nationwide as well as Sun Group’s prestigious hotels and resorts. These include Capella Hanoi (Hanoi), Oakwood Ha Long (Quang Ninh), Serena Resort (Hoa Binh), InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, Novotel Danang Premier Han River, Ba Na Hills Golf Club (Da Nang), JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa, La Festa Phu Quoc, and Eschuri Vung Bau Golf (Phu Quoc). The network additionally encompasses Sun PhuQuoc Airways, Vietnam’s first resort airline, alongside many other participating merchants.

How to use VietQR Global

Simply open the preferred banking or e-wallet app, scan the NCB VietQR code displayed at participating merchants, confirm the payment amount, and authenticate the transaction as usual. The payment is processed instantly within the same app, making every purchase fast, secure and convenient throughout the journey in Vietnam.

Through this innovative solution, NCB aims to optimize the travel itinerary for international visitors, ensuring a highly convenient and enriching exploration of Vietnam.

Hashtag: #NCB

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

About National Citizen Commercial Joint Stock Bank (NCB)

National Citizen Commercial Joint Stock Bank (NCB) operates as a modern commercial bank, ranking among Vietnam’s fastest-growing banks by charter capital during the 2021–2026 period. Committed to pioneering technology-driven financial solutions, NCB continuously expands its digital payment ecosystem and strengthens connections with global payment networks. The bank delivers secure, seamless and convenient payment experiences for all customers, particularly international visitors, whether travelling, working or doing business in Vietnam.

For more information about NCB, please visit: https://www.ncb-bank.vn/en

Hotline: 1800 6166 (Vietnam only) / +84 28 3821 6216 (International)