SINGAPORE, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Singapore Management University’s (SMU) Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (IIE) announced today the opening of applications for the 12^th edition of its flagship event – the Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC), one of Asia’s most globally representative and exciting deep-tech start-up competitions. 

This year’s LKYGBPC will focus on Urban Solutions and Sustainability. Finalists will also be connected with Southeast Asia’s business families to explore collaborations, and receive exclusive access to senior venture capitalists at the biggest Venture Capital Office Hours in SouthEast Asia. 50 finalist teams (RVLT50) will receive a fully sponsored trip to Singapore for BLAZE – a week-long innovation festival culminating in the LKYGBPC Grand Finale.

The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) will come onboard as the first official Scientific Knowledge Partner for LKYGBPC, bringing a new level of expertise to the competition.

“A*STAR has developed deep technological capabilities critical for a sustainable future, driving Singapore’s sustainability goals through innovation. We are excited to support and nurture young founders in creating transformative solutions that address global urbanisation and sustainability challenges while fostering the growth of a thriving deep-tech startup ecosystem,” said Ms Irene Cheong, Assistant Chief Executive (Innovation & Enterprise) at A*STAR.

Held since 2002, the 11^th edition of LKYGBPC in 2023 attracted over 1,000 entries from 1,100 universities spanning 77 countries, including Argentina, China, Germany, the United States, Ukraine, Japan and Indonesia. Competition alumni have successfully gone on to raise US$1 billion over the last five years.

Prof Lim Sun Sun, Vice President of Partnerships and Engagement, SMU, and Lee Kong Chian Professor of Communication & Technology said, “As SMU consistently strives to translate research and entrepreneurial endeavours into real-world solutions that benefit society, we are confident that LKYGBPC’s global reach and impact will enable us to drive concrete, positive change for a better tomorrow.”

Ms Shirley Wong, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at SMU IIE, Managing Partner of TNF Ventures, and Chairperson of the 12th LKYGBPC Advisory Committee said, “The 2025 LKYGBPC unfolds amidst a unique confluence of milestones: Singapore’s 60th anniversary, SMU’s 25th anniversary, and the Singapore Grand Prix 2025. This dynamic backdrop, combined with other major youth-focused festivals that are taking place simultaneously, creates an extraordinary platform for start-up founders to connect with global business leaders and emerging talents in and outside of the competition.”

LKYGBPC participants, who must be university student founders or recent alumni, can enter individually, or as part of a team. More information can be found at smu.sg/lkygbpc.

To submit an application, please log on to: http://smu.sg/LKYGBPC-APPLY.

Successfully Hosted at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

HONG KONG, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Summit on Digital Economy Summit on Data-driven New Quality Productive Forces (“the Summit”) was successfully held on January 16 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. Organized by the Greater Bay Area International Information Technology Association (GBAITA), co-hosted by the Big Data Governance Association (IBDG) and the Hong Kong Web3.0 Standardization Association, with the Innovation and Technology Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government as a supporting organization. During the summit, the International Data Industry Alliance was officially established, aiming to make Hong Kong an international data hub by uniting industry forces.

The summit was honored by the presence of Vice Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of the GBAITA, Mr. Leung Chun-ying; the Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, Mr. Paul Chan Mo-po; Mr. Liu Guangyuan, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Mr. Ir Yeung Tak Bun, President of the GBAITA and founding chairman of the Big Data Governance Association; Mr. Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister of State for Finance and Revenue of Pakistan; Mr. Rogelio V. Quevedo, Commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission of the Philippines; Ms. Dini Maghfirra, Executive Director of Satu Data Indonesia, Ministry of National Development Planning Indonesia, who all served as distinguished guests of honor.

As the representative enterprise of the Big Data Governance Association (IBDG) and the exclusive gold sponsor of the summit, KN Group engaged in discussions on data-driven digital economic development with the attending guests, contributing to the digital economy in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. The summit focused on innovative applications of data across various industries and sectors to effectively unleash new productivity. Guests from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Pakistan participated in a roundtable discussion, sharing their perspectives on promoting the development of data ecosystems. They discussed how data governance and technological innovation can drive sustainable development of the digital economy, enhancing regional economic competitiveness.

Mr. Wang Yi, Senior Vice President of KN Group, stated, “We are honored to participate in and support this significant summit. KN Group has been dedicated to leveraging advanced artificial intelligence technology and big data analytics to drive innovation and development in financial services. Through this event, we hope to contribute to the development of the digital economy in Hong Kong and the around the world.”

JINAN, China, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On January 17-18, 2025, the “Global Fluid and Environmental Testing Summit Forum and Meide Group Fluid and Environmental Testing Research Institute (Phase I) Opening Ceremony” organized by Meide Group was a complete success.

Wang Hao, an academician of the CAE Member, Zhao Li, a national engineering survey and design master, UL, VdS, KC and other nearly 100 experts, masters and more than 50 global enterprise representatives from all over the world participated in the event. Dave Viola, President of the World Water Association, sent a congratulations message to Meide Group via video. Kong Linglei, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Meide Group, Chang Cheng and Guo Lei, Vice Chairmen, Yu Ruishui, Assistant Chairman, and Wang Shixin, Dean of the Research Institute attended the big event.

This forum focuses on green, low-carbon, and high-quality development, jointly exploring new opportunities in the fluid transportation industry and exploring new perspectives for high-quality development. At the same time, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the opening of Meide Group’s Fluid and Environmental Testing Research Institute. 21 authoritative institutions, including China Architecture Design and Research Institute, China Foundry Association, China Pump and Valve Inspection and Testing Center (Zhejiang), and China Polymer Quality Inspection Center, awarded the institute with plaques.

Meide Group Fluid and Environmental Testing Research Institute is committed to building a comprehensive intelligent fluid laboratory. The largest diamater DN1200 integrated intelligent control multi zone fluid testing system and environmental testing laboratory have more than ten leading technologies, integrating raw material inspection, pipe and valve testing, flow calibration, type testing and other functions, actively solving key technical problems in the fields of fluid mechanics and fluid engineering.

• ZTE has been awarded the EcoVadis Gold Medal for sustainability, ranking among the top 4% of companies assessed over the past 12 months
• Recognized for excellence in environment, labor & human rights, sustainable procurement, and ethics, ZTE continues its commitment to responsible corporate governance and sustainable practices

SHENZHEN, China, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a global leading provider of integrated information and communication technology solutions, has been awarded the prestigious Gold Medal in the EcoVadis 2024 Sustainability Performance Overview report.

This recognition places ZTE among the top 4% of companies assessed by EcoVadis over the past 12 months(96+ percentile) globally. Furthermore, ZTE ranks in the top 2% of companies within the Manufacture of Communication Equipment industry, reflecting its outstanding performance in sustainability. 

EcoVadis awards medals based on a company’s percentile rank, with the Gold Medal recognizing those in the top 5% (95+ percentile). ZTE’s exceptional performance places it among this elite group, underscoring its strong commitment to sustainable practices:

Environment: ZTE ranks in the top 7% of companies in the Manufacture of Communication Equipment industry, demonstrating its ongoing efforts to minimize environmental impact.

Labor & Human Rights: ZTE’s performance in this area places it in the top 3% of companies, reflecting the company’s dedication to ensuring fair labor practices and human rights standards.

Sustainable Procurement: ZTE’s commitment to sourcing responsibly places it in the top 3% of assessed companies in this category.

Ethics: ZTE ranks in the top 3% in ethics, emphasizing its strong governance practices and dedication to transparency and integrity in business operations.

An EcoVadis medal or badge is an acknowledgement of achievement relative to other assessed companies across the EcoVadis database. It serves as a positive indicator of a company’s commitment to sustainability management.

To celebrate the completion of this assessment, EcoVadis will be planting a tree on behalf of ZTE through its partnership with One Tree Planted.  

As a member of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and the Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative (GeSI), ZTE has proactively released its sustainability report for 16 consecutive years since 2009. ZTE’s achievements in sustainable development have been widely recognized.

ZTE is the first large-scale ICT company in China to receive dual targets approvals from Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) while also making CDP A List. Additionally, the company has been included in the FTSE4Good Index Series for the ninth consecutive year and selected as a constituent of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index Series for the 13th year.

ZTE has further distinguished itself by winning two accolades at the 6th BDO ESG Awards 2024, namely the “Theme Award” and the “Outstanding ESG Performance of H-Share Companies” award. These recognitions demonstrate ZTE’s ongoing commitment to advancing sustainable development through innovative practices and corporate responsibility.

The EcoVadis Gold Medal this time further strengthens ZTE’s position as an industry leader, committed to fostering innovation while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability standards.

ABOUT ZTE:

ZTE helps to connect the world with continuous innovation for a better future. The company provides innovative technologies and integrated solutions, its portfolio spans all series of wireless, wireline, devices and professional telecommunications services. Serving over a quarter of the global population, ZTE is dedicated to creating a digital and intelligent ecosystem, and enabling connectivity and trust everywhere. ZTE is listed on both the Hong Kong and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges. www.zte.com.cn/global

FOLLOW US:

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MEDIA INQUIRIES:

ZTE Corporation Communications
Email: ZTE.press.release@zte.com.cn

TAIPEI, Jan. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As we usher in the Year of the Wood Snake, it’s time to embrace transformation and resilience – not just in life, but in the way we store and secure our digital memories. To celebrate this Lunar New Year, pCloud is offering an incredible 54% OFF on Personal Lifetime Plans from January 21 to January 31. Whether you’re looking to safeguard cherished photos, important documents, or massive project files, now is the perfect time to switch to cloud storage with pCloud.

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