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HKU Scientists Pioneer Dual Trojan Horse Approach to Combat Superbugs

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 22 September 2023 – In the relentless battle against antibiotic-resistant superbugs, science continues to unveil ingenious strategies to address their vulnerability. Like other bacteria, superbugs have a unique weakness – their dependence on iron for growth and survival. Iron serves as an essential nutrient that bacteria utilise for various cellular processes, including DNA replication, energy production, and other vital functions. In essence, iron is like a ‘food’ for bacteria.

The Research Team of Professor Hongzhe SUN (Second from the left) in the Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong.
The Research Team of Professor Hongzhe SUN (Second from the left) in the Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong.

Building upon this understanding, a research team led by Professor Hongzhe SUN from the Department of Chemistry, The University of Hong Kong (HKU), introduced a ‘Dual Trojan Horse’ strategy, where a metal-based-drug and sideromycins, a class of antibiotic structurally resembling iron, work together in combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This approach allows these antibiotics to be delivered into bacterial cells through a pathway that mimics iron uptake. When bacteria encounter sideromycins, they are deceived into believing they are acquiring iron, prompting them to usher these compounds into their cells. This strategy not only enhances the effectiveness of sideromycins but also prolongs their lifespan, marking a significant advancement in our battle against antibiotic resistance. These promising results were successfully replicated in a live mice model, introducing an innovative strategy to combat antimicrobial resistance, offering hope in the fight against superbugs in clinic. These findings have recently been published a in Nature Communications entitled ‘Metallo-sideromycin as a dual functional complex for combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR)’.

‘We are short of new antibiotics, and infection caused by resistant bacteria (i.e. superbugs) may lead to another pandemic. We have uncovered a dual Trojan Horse strategy to restore antibiotics activity, such as cefiderocol, and hope to provide a novel arsenal for combating antimicrobial resistance,’ commented Professor Sun.

Research Background
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacterial infections has emerged as a significant global health concern. The overuse and misuse of existing antibiotics have accelerated the acquired drug resistance in bacteria, resulting in resistance to almost all antibiotics used in clinical settings across various bacteria strains.

Gram-negative bacterial infections, such as those caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, pose significant challenges in treatment due to their complicated structure. For example, the high resistance of P. aeruginosa against conventional antibiotics can be attributed in part to the limited permeability of the outer membrane (OM) and the expression of ‘efflux pump’, specialised proteins within bacteria that actively remove antibiotics, thus reducing their effectiveness. These factors collectively impede the accumulation of antibiotics at the bacterial target site.

Gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, can cause a range of infections in humans. These infections often affect the respiratory system, leading to pneumonia or lung infections, as well as urinary tract infections. They can also lead to skin and soft tissue infections, bloodstream infections (sepsis), and infections in wounds or surgical sites. In severe cases, these infections can be particularly challenging to treat due to the bacteria’s resistance to antibiotics, making them a significant health concern. For these reasons, there is now an urgent need for both new antibiotic discovery and other modifications or strategies to enhance or prolong the antibacterial activity of existing clinical antibiotics.

Sideromycin is a novel type of antibiotic where the parent antibiotics or prodrug incorporates a siderophore molecule that utlises iron transport system for delivery. This incorporation enables the active transport of the antibiotic into bacterial cell through nutrient pathways. Cefiderocol (FetrojaÒ) is a recently FDA-approved sideromycin antibiotic in 2019. The antibacterial activity of cefiderocol is improved under the iron-deficient condition because of the enhanced uptake of cefiderocol, with a component of catechol, which coordinate with iron and facilitate the transportation of cefiderocol-iron complex in P. aeruginosa.

Although the frequency of resistance of P. aeruginosa to cefiderocol is much lower than its parent antibiotic ceftazidime, the resistance to cefiderocol was developed inevitably in several Gram-negative bacteria strains recently, for example, in Carbapenem-Resistant Escherichia coli strains and Acinetobacter baumannii in the burned infections. Resistance to cefiderocol was related to the production of β-lactamases, siderophore receptor mutations, expression of efflux pump and the combination of these mechanisms.

Metal compounds have been used as promising antimicrobial agents for years and show low resistance frequency since they are multi-targeted modes of action. Bismuth (Bi3+) compounds have exhibited potent antibacterial properties against bacterial that have become resistant to a variety of antibiotics. These bismuth compounds act as versatile inhibitors of a group of enzymes called metallo-β-lactamase inhibitors, which are involved in antibiotic resistance. Gallium(Ga3+) also offers antibacterial activities by disrupting Iron (Fe3+)uptake system and iron homeostasis.

Interestingly, catecholate siderophores exhibit exceptionally high affinity not only to iron (Fe3+), but also to metals like bismuth (Bi3+) and gallium (Ga3+). These metals behave similarly to iron when they link up with catecholate molecules. These special catechol-metal combinations have been observed to do two things: they can compete with iron to get inside bacterial cells, and they can imitate iron in biological systems, disrupting important iron functions. Thus, the team propose a dual ‘Trojan Horse’ strategy to ‘sneak in’ the antibiotic sideromycins and metal ions simultaneously through siderophore receptor, the same pathways that bacteria use to grab nutrients, leading to synergistic effect against bacterial infections.

Key findings
In this study, the team demonstrated a bismuth drug (CBS) could enhance the potency of cefiderocol against P. aeruginosa in both laboratory experiment (in vitro) and live animal test (in vivo). This enhancement included improved efficacy against biofilm formation by cefiderocol, suppression of the development of high-level bacterial resistance to cefiderocol, and restoration of the efficacy of cefiderocol against resistant P. aeruginosa strains, including those isolated from clinical cases involving real patients.

Such phenomena are likely due to the competition of Bi3+ with Fe3+ to cefiderocol, which leads to decreased uptake of Fe3+ and increased uptake of antimicrobial Bi3+/Ga3+. This competition disrupts the integrity of bacterial membrane, making antibiotic more permeable.

The in vitro interaction of Bi3+ with cefiderocol was confirmed by both UV-vis spectroscopy and MS spectrometry, analytical techniques which confirmed the interaction between Bi3+ and cefiderocol, resulting in the formation of a 1:1 complex of Bi3+-cefiderocol. The metallo-sideromycin might not only improve the efficiency of sideromycin, but also prolong the effective life span of this type of antibiotics. Their animal studies have further validated the efficacy of the approach. It is worth of further investigation of other sideromycins and metals, to thoroughly explore the potentials of metallo-sideromycins in treating infections caused by drug-resistant bacterial pathogens. The research team has filed a patent for the discovery.

About the research team
This study was done jointly by the Department of Chemistry, Department of Microbiology and Carol Yu Centre for Infection, The University of Hong Kong. Ms Chenyuan WANG and Dr Yushan XIA are the co-first authors of this paper. Other members of participating in the research include Dr Hongyan LI, Dr Patrick H TOY, Dr Runming WANG, postgraduate student Ms Jingru LI, and Mr Chun-Lung CHAN of Department of Chemistry, Professor Richard Yi-Tsun KAO of Department of Microbiology, Professor Pak-Leung HO of Carol Yu Centre for Infection. This research was supported by the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong SAR (R7070-18, 17308921, 2122-7S04), the Health and Medical Research Fund of the Health Bureau of Hong Kong SAR (CID HKU1-13) and The University of Hong Kong (URC (202107185074) and Norman & Cecilia Yip Foundation).

About Professor Hongzhe Sun
Professor Hongzhe Sun is the Norman & Cecilia Yip Professor in Bioinorganic Chemistry and Chair Professor of Chemistry at The University of Hong Kong. His research focuses on metalloproteomics and metallomics, the discovery of antimicrobial and antiviral agents, and inorganic chemical biology. Dr Hongyan Li is a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at The University of Hong Kong.

To view the research paper ‘Metallo-sideromycin as a dual functional complex for combating antimicrobial resistance’, please visit: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-40828-3

Image download and caption: https://www.scifac.hku.hk/press

Hashtag: #HKU

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Singapore Carpentry Partners Bamboo Veneer Specialist to Redefine Affordable Luxury Interiors

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 22 September 2023 – Singapore Carpentry, one of the leading companies in Singapore for custom carpentry, is thrilled to announce its partnership with Bamboo Veneer Specialist to introduce its latest offering – bamboo charcoal veneer.

The unveiling of the new bamboo charcoal veneer caters to the ever-expanding demand for affordable yet opulent interior design solutions, and showcases Singapore Carpentry’s dedication to offering high-quality, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable finishing options. These veneers are manufactured using renewable and recyclable materials, thereby minimising both the environmental and financial impact associated with interior design renovations.

The bamboo charcoal veneers offer a range of benefits, including swift installation within a day’s time and the ability to mimic various premium materials, such as wood, mirrors, marble, and metal, through a range of customisable colours and patterns. This versatility makes them an ideal choice for crafting luxurious interiors at attainable price points.

In addition to their eco-friendliness and versatility, these veneers are highly durable, capable of withstanding wear and tear, neutralising odours, and resisting moisture and mould growth — qualities that make them particularly well-suited for Singapore’s humid climate.

Beyond its renowned status as a leading custom carpentry firm in Singapore, Singapore Carpentry extends its expertise to a variety of other services, including design and build, landscaping, lighting, and commercial interior design services. This comprehensive offering provides homeowners and business owners with a seamless, all-encompassing solution for their renovation needs.

The introduction of the bamboo charcoal veneer expands the choices available to clients, enabling them to achieve premium designs at sustainable and cost-effective rates. With manufacturing facilities strategically located in Singapore, Malaysia, and China, Singapore Carpentry has earned a reputation for delivering efficient, flexible, high-quality, and budget-conscious services.

For further information about Singapore Carpentry and its extensive range of renovation and carpentry services, please visit their website at https://www.carpentry.sg/.

Hashtag: #SingaporeCarpentry #BambooCharcoalVeneer

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Man Impersonating as Police Officer Arrested for Scamming Job Seekers

Man Impersonating Police Officer Arrested for Scamming Job Seekers
The 35-year-old Chankham Sonelavong arrested for impersonating a police officer and scamming people (photo: Lao Security News)

A man who disguised himself as a police officer was arrested in Xaythany district, Vientiane Capital last month for scamming people by promising them a job in a police department in exchange for money.

Introducing Bybit’s Perp Protect: Revolutionizing Options Trading with Industry-First Downside Protection

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Media OutReach – 22 September 2023 – Bybit, the world’s third most visited crypto exchange, is proud to introduce an industry first for crypto exchanges: Perp Protect, an automated risk management tool. Perp Protect acquires options contracts automatically to hedge long and short positions offering easy downside protection.

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Perp Protect has been developed by Bybit and is not available on any of the top crypto exchanges. It offers users peace of mind without compromising their investment strategy by suggesting options contracts that protect against price action going against them.

Traders anticipating market volatility can stay ahead of the curve by leveraging Perp Protect to secure their positions in volatile markets. Its automatic options acquisition is based on intelligent recommendations to ensure that they are well-prepared to navigate market fluctuations.

Inexperienced perpetual traders can also gain the confidence using Perp Protect’s reliable protection layer. It empowers them to explore the world of perpetual trading while minimizing potential losses.

Using Perp Protect requires just two clicks. It’s designed for user convenience, ensuring that its benefits can be accessed effortlessly. Secondly, Perp Protect’s intelligent algorithm continuously evaluates market conditions to offer optimal downside protection and costs as low as 2% of a user’s initial margin.

“As we witness the evolution of crypto, it is essential that traders have access to tools that not only enhance their experience but also mitigate the risks associated with this dynamic market,” said Ben Zhou, co-founder and CEO of Bybit. “With Perp Protect, we are proud to offer a solution that brings ease and security to traders of all levels.”

Hashtag: #Bybit #TheCryptoArk

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Bybit

Bybit is a top-five cryptocurrency exchange established in 2018 that offers a professional platform where crypto investors and traders can find an ultra-fast matching engine, 24/7 customer service, and multilingual community support. Bybit is a proud partner of Formula One’s reigning Constructors’ and Drivers’ champions: the Oracle Red Bull Racing team.

For more information please visit: For updates, please follow:

Traveloka Impact Study by PwC: SEA’s leading travel platform propels global exposure and growth for Indonesia’s tourism ecosystem

PwC research reveals Traveloka, Indonesia’s tech success story, aided post-pandemic recovery by contributing approximately USD10 billion to Indonesia’s GDP

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 22 September 2023 – A socio-economic impact study released by PwC Indonesia today reveals Traveloka, Southeast Asia’s leading travel platform, is making significant social, environmental, and economic contributions to Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, its core areas of operations. While Traveloka’s primary economic contribution is within the tourism sector, its activities also extend to other sectors such as agriculture and energy, indicating a broader economic involvement.

From left to right: Julian Smith, Director, PwC Indonesia; Caesar Indra, President, Traveloka; Radhiyan Irwansyah, Senior Manager, PwC Indonesia
From left to right: Julian Smith, Director, PwC Indonesia; Caesar Indra, President, Traveloka; Radhiyan Irwansyah, Senior Manager, PwC Indonesia

The study highlights Traveloka’s role in stimulating an increase in Indonesia’s Gross Value Added (GVA) across a four-year period, accounting for approximately USD10 billion between 2019 and 2022. Of this amount, the tourism sector accounted for more than USD4.5 billion, contributing 2.7 per cent to the sector’s GDP. This contribution played an important role in aiding the post-pandemic recovery of the travel and tourism sector in the region.

“Traveloka’s impact is far-reaching, and we generate significant real-world value. We engage with millions of travellers daily, and this PwC Indonesia study quantifies for the first time our sizable contribution to Indonesia’s economy through powering innovation, driving growth for local businesses, and job creation,” said Caesar Indra, President, Traveloka. “As we continue to grow our presence around the region and the world, we remain committed to serving our customers, and delivering positive and sustainable impact in Indonesia for the long-term.”

“This study measures the ripple effect that Traveloka’s operations have on various sectors in the region,” said Julian Smith, Director, PwC Indonesia. “The result illustrates a symbiotic relationship between Traveloka and the wider economy, fostering growth and innovation in a period where resilience and adaptability are more vital than ever. It is encouraging to witness a tech unicorn not only thrive but also catalyse positive change in the Southeast Asia region.”

Tangible business impact

The study by PwC Indonesia highlights Traveloka’s impact as it enables its partners in Indonesia to unlock access to new global audiences and innovate to diversify revenue streams. 86 per cent of businesses who participated in the study agreed that Traveloka has helped to accelerate their business growth in the Travel & Tourism, Food & Beverages and Lifestyle Sectors. Respondents reported an average of 50 to 75 per cent growth in sales after partnering with Traveloka.

Further, 67 per cent of businesses based in off-the-beaten-track destinations reported experiencing positive trends in visits to their businesses after partnering with Traveloka, with 77 per cent agreeing that Traveloka has helped them promote domestic tourism. In addition, 62 per cent agreed that Traveloka has helped increase their competitiveness against businesses in other destinations. Among women-owned businesses, 85 per cent agreed that Traveloka has helped them promote their products and services, reach more customers, and obtain higher revenue from online sales.

The study mirrors Traveloka’s Southeast Asia growth

The multi-national Traveloka impact reflects the geographical expansion from Indonesia to the region. With growing demand, Traveloka established more direct, sustainable partnerships with suppliers in Southeast Asia and fostered more profound relationships with travel partners. This resulted in better service quality for Traveloka’s consumers and the impact measured in the PwC Indonesia study.

Promoting sustainability

The positive impact Traveloka has had in the region is set to continue as Traveloka seeks to become the most sustainable technology company in Southeast Asia, with the highest ESG rating from Sustainalytics and MSCI in its category by 2024. To accomplish this, the platform is committed to conducting its business responsibly and ethically to reduce its direct and indirect environmental footprint—both internally and externally.

According to a user survey on sustainability products, it was found that 88 per cent of the users surveyed in Indonesia value the option of offsetting their carbon footprint while booking a flight on the Traveloka app. In addition, 80 per cent of the respondents said they would be more likely to choose an accommodation with sustainability practices. Thus, Traveloka incorporated a filtering option labelled “Sustainable Tourism” within the application. Users can now select the Carbon Offset Checkout on their flights and accommodation options certified by the Global Sustainable Tourism Councils (GSTC).

For more information, full study here.

Hashtag: #Traveloka #PwC #Travel #Sustainability

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About Traveloka

Traveloka, Southeast Asia’s leading travel platform, enables consumers to access, discover and purchase a wide range of travel, local services, and financial services products. Traveloka’s comprehensive product portfolio includes transport booking services such as flight tickets, bus, trains, car rental, airport transfer. It also offers access to the largest accommodation inventory in Southeast Asia, including hotels, apartments, guest houses, homestays, resorts, and villas.

Traveloka is a key player offering local services (currently specific to certain markets), and reservations for a wide range of local attractions, activities, as well as wellness and beauty clinics. Traveloka also offers financing, payment, and insurance products to help Southeast Asian consumers fulfill their aspirations. Traveloka provides 24/7 customer service in local languages as well as more than 30 different local payment methods. The Traveloka app has been downloaded more than 127 million times, making it the most popular travel platform in Southeast Asia.

About PwC

At PwC, our purpose is to build trust in society and solve important problems. We’re a network of firms in 152 countries with nearly 328,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, advisory and tax services. Find out more and tell us what matters to you by visiting us at www.pwc.com. PwC refers to the PwC network and/or one or more of its member firms, each of which is a separate legal entity.

Please see for further details. © 2023 PwC. All rights reserved.

Luxury Smartphone Maker VERTU’s METAVERTU 2 Web3-friendly Smartphone Made a Debut in Singapore

Vertu’s new web3 phone with AI capabilities as a “second brain”

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 22 September 2023 – The handmade luxury smartphone brand VERTU showcased its Web3-friendly smartphone, the METAVERTU 2, at the recent inaugural Token2049 Singapore, said to be the largest crypto-focused event in the region. The handmade METAVERTU 2 luxury smartphone is the successor to the successful METAVERTU range, with its own decentralized operating system (DOS) with security at its core, made for every blockchain and Web3 savvy connoisseur. The stylish VERTU tote bag presented as a gift at the VERTU booth was highly popular in this well-attended event.

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Founded in 1998 from a strong telecommunications pedigree, the VERTU brand of mobile phones steadily became the status symbol of those who love to stay in touch with style. Today, the VERTU range encompasses luxury feature phones as well as highly customized Android smartphones that are handmade and customized to taste. The METAVERTU range of VERTU phones is a leap forward for Web3 adopters who need to communicate and transact in the Web3 universe and mainstream communications with security baked in.

METAVERTU 2 – the Web3 smartphone
The first METAVERTU was touted to be the world’s first Web3 phone, with two smart chips in one phone, a Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC and an A5 encryption chip, for safety in blockchain and Web3 transactions and communications. The first METAVERTU offered luxury and materials for a luxurious tactile feel, and featured a robust memory and storage for the most demanding applications. The phones featured a seamless switch between the Android and Web3 worlds for partitioned security. And as many would understand what the Vertu experience truly is, all vertu phones come with British personal butler service. But METAVERTU 2 provides you with unparalleled Hybrid AI Bulter Service, Seamless integration of AI and human expertise for HNW users

The METAVERTU 2 ups the ante, arguably the most secure crypto mobile phone, with a “unhackable” Secure Element (SE) chip that generates a bank-level encryption for signing, decryption, hardware-based random number generation, and a Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZK) capability.

The Keybox feature stores local private keys within a hardware space based on the physical SE chip, and is isolated from the Android operating system to ensure maximum security for the blockchain private keys.

All Web3 apps are managed in a separate Decentralized Operating System (DOS), again isolated from the Android operating system meant for all other Web2 apps and functionality. The METAVERTU 2 features a seamless switching between the two operating systems (DOS and Android), using different fingerprints, with features such as system camouflage, data destruction, and end-to-end encrypted communication.

The METAVERTU 2 features I-DID, which is an irreplaceable identity that binds the I-DID with a user’s mobile IMEI number, so users can access all Web3 dApps with the Web2 high-net worth user identity, without the need for repetitive registrations.

For cryptocurrency adopters, the MPC Wallet frees the user from memorizing mnemonic phrases, , working with the Keybox feature for robust security for private keys.

The METAVERTU 2 Web3 phone is also a developer haven, with programmability through open protocols to work with the embedded Hardware ZK, Trusted Oracle Protocol (TOP), ensuring the authenticity of every step of data flow through various components such as the TLS, Android, and SE Proof. Developers can access APIs for most Layer 1 (L1) and Layer 2 (L2) protocols. The I-DID Protocol is especially useful for developers to write code that may eliminate the likes of Sybil Attacks. Through dApp Store, developers can also showcase their dApps to attract users to download the dApps for use.

Pricing and Availability
The VERTU METAVERTU 2 will be available in October 2023. Users can make a reservation for the METAVERTU 2 now and get a chance to win a Bitcoin Blind Box. No deposits are required for reservations.

For more information of METAVERTU 2, please visit https://vertu.com/pages/mobile-moment

Hashtag: #metavertu #luxuryphone #web3





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

VERTU

VERTU was founded in 1998 and has its headquarters and workshop in UK. In 2002, VERTU launched THE SIGNATURE, the world’s first luxury mobile phone, creating a new category of luxury mobile phones that shows Vertu’s pioneering spirit in the Brand’s leadership, innovation, confidence and boldness. VERTU strives to perfect the brand’s philosophy of “creating the extraordinary” in every detail, using the rarest and most exceptional materials, setting stringent testing standards, and insisting on artisanal craftsmanship, combining handcrafted craftsmanship, high-end performance and exclusive service. VERTU’s luxury aesthetics are a constant in its DNA, while cutting-edge technology is a key driver of our progress. Visit vertu.com.

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Inspires Students’ Creativity For 10 Years Hong Kong Students Are Invited to Use STREAM and Imagination To Create A Sustainable Future

This year’s Solve for Tomorrow theme is ‘1maginati0n that Creates our Sustainable Future’. Samsung is encouraging Hong Kong students to use STREAM knowledge and creativity to design technology solutions for sustainable development issues. They can compete for prizes worth more than HK$260,000.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 21 September 2023 – The world’s leading technology company, Samsung Electronics H.K. Co. Ltd, officially launched the Solve for Tomorrow competition for 10 years. Over the past years, the competition has inspired tens of thousands of Hong Kong students to unleash their creativity for social causes they are passionate about. As sustainable development is one of the most discussed issues globally, this year’s theme for Solve for Tomorrow is “Imagination that Creates our Sustainable Future”. The competition aims to encourage Hong Kong students to have a longer-term vision and perspective, and collaborate with Samsung to contribute innovative ideas for sustainable development.

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Samsung Solve for Tomorrow has been organizing for 10 years. The competition aims to inspire and motivate Hong Kong students to think deeply about the social issues affecting their community. It encourages them to develop creative technology solutions by applying their STREAM (Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) knowledge. Samsung also added several new elements to help students have a fun and experiential learning experience throughout the competition.

“Over the past decade, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow has inspired tens of thousands of our future leaders to develop innovative solutions that address a wide range of social issues,” said Yiyin Zhao, Managing Director at Samsung Electronics Hong Kong
“Over the past decade, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow has inspired tens of thousands of our future leaders to develop innovative solutions that address a wide range of social issues,” said Yiyin Zhao, Managing Director at Samsung Electronics Hong Kong

“Samsung, as a market leader, is dedicated to inspiring the talented younger generation and using various technological innovations to help them create a better society. This is precisely why Samsung has been organizing Solve for Tomorrow competitions around the world,” said Yiyin Zhao, Managing Director at Samsung Electronics Hong Kong.

“Samsung’s concept of ‘Everyday Sustainability’ aims to incorporate sustainable development into product design and user experience, enabling billions of users to work together towards building a healthier and more livable planet. As part of our ‘Galaxy for the Planet’ project, we utilize recycled materials (such as plastic, aluminium, and glass) in all smartphone products. Additionally, we use eco-friendly packaging, ensure zero-power consumption when smartphone chargers are idle, and strive to achieve zero landfill waste by 2025. Samsung is committed to promoting sustainable development, and we hope to inspire others with this concept. That’s why we have chosen sustainable development as the theme for Solve for Tomorrow’s 10th-anniversary milestone. We look forward to seeing more young inventors create innovative solutions that contribute to promoting sustainable development in society,” said Zhao.

(From the left) Jeffrey Lee, Co-founder of Coding101, Albert Wong, Chairman of AiTLE, Ms. Yiyin Zhao, Managing Director at Samsung Electronics Hong Kong, Dr. Liu, ESG Director of A Plastic Ocean Foundation kicked off the event, marking the official start of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2023.
(From the left) Jeffrey Lee, Co-founder of Coding101, Albert Wong, Chairman of AiTLE, Ms. Yiyin Zhao, Managing Director at Samsung Electronics Hong Kong, Dr. Liu, ESG Director of A Plastic Ocean Foundation kicked off the event, marking the official start of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2023.

Encouraging students to integrate competitions into learning

The United Nations established 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, covering a wide range of issues such as the environment, economic development, and social inclusion. Participating students can choose from these SDGs to create innovative technology solutions and works using STREAM knowledge and creativity, contributing to sustainable development in society.

To further strengthen the STREAM knowledge of participating students, the Solve for Tomorrow STREAM workshop has been well received among the academic community since it was first introduced to the programme three years ago. In addition to the existing collaboration, communication skills, and video production workshops, a design thinking workshop that was included in the kick-off event of the competition, we divided the robotic modular design and programming language workshops into elementary and advanced courses, aiming to significantly enhance students’ skills in these two areas.

As for the scoring system, this year’s preliminary round will include evaluation criteria such as design concepts and creativity, feasibility and technical concepts, presentation, as well as sustainability (considering whether their conceptual economic model is operationally sustainable and scalable) and business model (related to cost and economic benefits). To encourage participation in the Solve for Tomorrow competition, teams that participate in all activities (including the introduction session, design thinking workshop, and STREAM workshops) will receive an additional 5 bonus points, which will be included in the total score of the preliminary round.

The theme for Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2013 is “Imagination that Creates our Sustainable Future”, encouraging students to use their creativity, STREAM knowledge and product solving skill for the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
The theme for Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2013 is “Imagination that Creates our Sustainable Future”, encouraging students to use their creativity, STREAM knowledge and product solving skill for the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

The eight teams will be shortlisted in December 2023, with 4 teams from primary schools and 4 teams from secondary schools. During the Mentorship period, specific professional mentors will assist the teams in further improving their creative ideas and enhancing their presentation skills. All shortlisted teams will present and showcase their works to the judges on the Presentation Day (tentatively scheduled in February 2024), and will be evaluated by the judges along with public voting scores. The official announcement and award ceremony are expected to take place in March 2024.

Samsung aims to strengthen participating students’ STREAM knowledge and other essential 21st-century skills through the unique projects in the Solve for Tomorrow academic technology competition. The competition also provides an opportunity for students to exchange ideas with peers from other schools, achieving a true integration of competition into learning.

Turning creative ideas into real-life solutions for our sustainable future and winning attractive prizes

The annual Solve for Tomorrow 2023 competition is co-organized by Samsung and the Association of I.T. Leaders in Education (AiTLE) with the full support from A Plastic Ocean Foundation, Hong Kong Education City Limited and Coding101, the leading STREAM solution provider in Hong Kong. The competition opens in September 2023 and will run till March 2024. All primary and secondary students can participate in teams representing their respective schools. Teams are encouraged to combine their STREAM knowledge with creativity to design innovative solutions that can help solve the city’s social issues and help create a sustainable future.

There will be one championship winner, 1st runner-up, 2nd runner-up, 3rd runner-up, and six Merit Awards. The winners will be picked from a shortlist of 20 teams, with prizes worth more than HK$260,000.

To participate or learn more about Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2023 “1maginati0n that Creates our Sustainable Future”, please visit
https://www.samsung.com/hk_en/offer/solvefortomorrow2023/.

Hashtag: #Samsung

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

About Samsung Solve for Tomorrow

Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is an annual competition that brings together the creativity and passion for new technologies of young people around the world, to solve social problems in local communities. In 2013, Samsung introduced this meaningful event to Hong Kong and inspired tens of thousands of students to come up with innovative solutions that address social issues in Hong Kong. Samsung is promoting the new educational philosophy of “STREAM4CARE”. Besides encouraging Hong Kong students to increase their knowledge of STREAM – Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics – Samsung hopes that they can develop empathy and sense of responsibility and apply their STREAM knowledge to contribute to the society. Through the competition, Samsung hopes to cultivate thought leaders of tomorrow, equipping them with both technological knowledge and the sense of responsibility of a global citizen.

To learn more about Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, please visit:

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, digital appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions.

“Celebration of NGO Impact Stories” Shines a Spotlight on Digital Transformation in the Social Sector

Report Calls Attention to Local NGOs’ Need for Strategic Social Media Planning

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 21 September 2023 – Asian Charity Services (ACS) hosted the Celebration of NGO Impact Stories at Soho House today, bringing together the social sector’s trailblazers, tech innovators, and communication experts under one roof. The event released the report “Digital Communication For Impact: Synergising For a More Empathetic Community”, and showcased the remarkable journeys of 20 local NGOs through art and video, revealing both the triumphs and the pressing challenges local NGOs faces in the digital age.

The pandemic has accelerated community engagement in the digital realm, ushering in a new era of opportunities and challenges for nonprofit organizations. The “Digital Communication For Impact: Synergising For a More Empathetic Community” report, conducted by ACS, delves into the critical challenges faced by nonprofits in their digital communication efforts and identifies areas where support is needed. One glaring finding from the report is that 67% of NGOs operate without well-defined digital communication strategies, hindering their ability to effectively connect with their audiences. Additionally, the report brings to light another concerning trend: less than half of the surveyed NGOs have established measurable objectives for their digital communication endeavors.

A significant highlight of the event is the NGO sharing session, 20 selected NGOs to present their successful case studies through engaging art and video presentations. Among them, The Samaritans and Ediversity shared valuable experience about their projects and reaches, and how JC Engage helped them refine social media operations for more tangible results.

Jean Lau, Program Director of ACS stated in his sharing, ” This event underscores the urgent need for increased support in leveraging digital communication for the advancement of NGOs’ services and advocacy. While NGOs are eager to embrace digital tools, they face significant challenges such as knowledge gaps, resource limitations, strategic management support, and the necessity to adopt a new mindset. We hope this event serves as a rallying cry for professionals, foundations, and partners to provide essential resources and a platform to collaborate and to co-create.”

Doreen Ho, CEO of Ediversity, stated in her sharing, “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to ACS team to bring strategic insights and networks to our organisation. The JC Engage Program has equipped NGOs like ours with extensive training and invaluable resources – instrumental, empowering us to navigate the digital communication landscape more effectively.”

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About Asian Charity Services

Asian Charity Services (ACS) offers customized philanthropic services to enable foundations and corporates to engage and impact NGOs in a meaningful and innovative way. ACS provides training and support for capacity-building and helps bridge the gap between funders and non-profits. To learn more, visit / or follow @asiancharityservices on Fb, IG, and LinkedIn.

About JC ENGAGE Digital Exploration Program

JC ENGAGE Digital Exploration Program is a digital exploration program for staff from non-profit organizations. We aim to equip NGOs with the knowledge of storytelling and digital campaigns taught by subject matter experts and coached by our skilled-based professionals. Through this journey, non-profit communication with stakeholders can be better, stronger, and deeper. To learn more, visit