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Singapore Management University Launches New Brand Campaign to Support SMU2030 Ambitions

 “Bold Ideas, Big Impact” campaign spotlights SMU’s focus on creating meaningful, measurable impact through education, research and partnerships

SINGAPORE, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Singapore Management University (SMU) has launched a new brand campaign, “Bold Ideas, Big Impact”, anchored on its SMU2030 Strategic Plan and aimed at sharpening how the university communicates its ambitions and impact in Singapore, across Asia and beyond.


Singapore Management University (SMU). What begins here changes lives; what we do here changes the world. As Asia’s premier global city university, SMU drives innovation, transcends boundaries and transforms lives. From shaping graduates who think critically, act decisively, and lead with purpose, to advancing research that addresses societal challenges, and building partnerships around the world, SMU turns insight into action and bold ideas into transformative impact.

The campaign reflects SMU’s push to translate its strategic priorities into clearer public expression as it builds on its position as Asia’s premier global city university. It is centred on the university’s focus on creating meaningful impact through education, research and partnerships, while strengthening how that impact is understood, measured and demonstrated.

At the heart of the campaign is the idea that bold ideas should not remain confined to the classroom, research paper or boardroom, but lead to action and outcomes that improve lives and address real-world challenges.

The campaign launches with a new brand video and tagline, “Bold Ideas, Big Impact”, which captures SMU’s intent to connect insights with practical impact — from nurturing graduates who can think critically and lead with purpose, to advancing research that informs policy and practice, and forging partnerships that scale solutions across sectors and borders.

A series of print, digital and out-of-home advertisements will also be rolled out as part of the campaign, each focused on one of SMU’s core pillars:

Education
Highlighting SMU’s approach to learning beyond the classroom and its commitment to developing graduates who think critically, act decisively and lead with purpose.

Research
Highlighting SMU’s purpose-led research and its contribution to shaping policy, influencing industries and improving lives.

Partnerships
Highlighting SMU’s collaboration with industry, government and communities to co-create solutions and scale impact across borders.

“At SMU, we are entering a new chapter — one that calls on us to be more intentional about the impact we create, and more ambitious about the future we want to help shape. As we deepen our role as Asia’s premier global city university, this new brand campaign gives expression to that ambition. It provides a clear and compelling platform to communicate who we are, what we stand for, and the difference we seek to make through education, research and partnerships. Because bold ideas matter most when they move beyond the page, the classroom or the lab, and into people’s lives,” said Christopher Chew, Vice President, Office of Corporate Communications and Marketing at the Singapore Management University.

The campaign marks an important step in how SMU presents its identity and ambitions to external audiences. As the University advances its SMU2030 priorities, “Bold Ideas, Big Impact” will serve as a platform to communicate how SMU intends to deepen its relevance, broaden its reach and strengthen its contribution to society through meaningful and measurable impact.

About SMU

A premier university in Asia, SMU is internationally recognised for its world-class research and distinguished teaching. Established in 2000, SMU’s mission is to generate leading-edge research with global impact and to produce broad-based, creative, and entrepreneurial leaders for the knowledge-based economy. SMU’s education is known for its highly interactive, collaborative, and project-based approach to learning.

Home to over 13,000 students across undergraduate, postgraduate professional and postgraduate research programmes, SMU comprises eight schools: School of Accountancy, Lee Kong Chian School of Business, School of Economics, School of Computing and Information Systems, Yong Pung How School of Law, School of Social Sciences, College of Integrative Studies, and College of Graduate Research Studies. SMU offers a wide range of bachelors’, masters’, and PhD degree programmes in the disciplinary areas associated with its schools, as well as in multidisciplinary combinations of these areas.

SMU emphasises rigorous, high-impact, multi- and interdisciplinary research that addresses Asian issues of global relevance. SMU faculty members collaborate with leading international researchers and universities around the world, as well as with partners in the business community and public sector. SMU’s city campus is a modern facility located in the heart of downtown Singapore, fostering strategic linkages with business, government, and the wider community. www.smu.edu.sg 

 

 

This ad highlights SMU’s approach to learning beyond the classroom and its commitment to developing graduates who think critically, act decisively and lead with purpose.
This ad highlights SMU’s approach to learning beyond the classroom and its commitment to developing graduates who think critically, act decisively and lead with purpose.

This ad highlights SMU’s purpose-led research and its contribution to shaping policy, influencing industries and improving lives.
This ad highlights SMU’s purpose-led research and its contribution to shaping policy, influencing industries and improving lives.

This ad highlights SMU’s collaboration with industry, government and communities to co-create solutions and scale impact across borders.
This ad highlights SMU’s collaboration with industry, government and communities to co-create solutions and scale impact across borders.

ASTRI Triumphs at Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions

Winning solutions range from energy, smart production, construction, education, and healthcare

HONG KONG, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) has achieved remarkable success at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, winning a total of 10 prestigious accolades. These include five Gold Medals and five Bronze Medals, underscoring ASTRI’s strength in innovative research and development (R&D). The award-winning solutions integrate artificial intelligence with various cutting-edge technologies, addressing key areas such as energy, smart production, construction, education, and healthcare.

Ir Prof Sunny Lee, Board Chairman of ASTRI, extended heartfelt congratulations to the research teams. He expressed confidence that, following ASTRI’s merger with the Nano and Advanced Materials Institute next month, ASTRI will achieve even greater success on the global stage.

At this year’s International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, NAMI has also achieved significant recognition, securing two Gold Medals with Congratulations of the Jury and two Gold Medals, along with three Silver and one Bronze Medals, underscoring its leading position in advanced materials applied research.

“ASTRI will emerge as Hong Kong’s largest government-funded R&D institute. By combining the strengths of ASTRI and NAMI, and merging diverse technologies and innovations, we can deliver more comprehensive solutions for enhancing industry competitiveness. We will accelerate the process of R&D outcomes from the lab to the market, driving advanced technology transfer and commercialisation. By harnessing I&T, we aim to generate economic benefits and contribute to our country’s 15th Five-Year Plan,” Lee said.

Ir Dr Ted Suen, Chief Executive Officer of ASTRI, highlighted the exhibition as an excellent platform for the institute’s research teams to engage with global experts, broadening their international perspectives.

“Our strong R&D capabilities and commitment to innovation have resulted in solutions that are highly regarded by the industry, which is immensely gratifying. Post-merger, ASTRI will continue to strengthen collaboration across the upstream, midstream, and downstream segments of the I&T ecosystem. We aim to transform research outcomes into practical applications, benefiting society and the greater good, whilst building a smart city with a more sustainable future,” Suen added.

The International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious innovation galas. Held from 11 to 15 March in Geneva, Switzerland, this year’s edition featured more than 1,000 inventions from 35 countries and regions, presented and evaluated by a professional jury.

ASTRI’s full list of awards and project descriptions is tabulated below:

Award

Winning Invention and Description

Gold

Energy storage safeguard system with multiple fail-safe active protection mechanisms for AI data centres and low-carbon buildings

Pioneering battery safeguard detects early failures with a gas-thermal sensor array, isolating faults and stabilising power to ensure uninterrupted output, minimise downtime, and maximise reliability for AI data centers and green buildings. 

Gold

CAPE: Copyright-aware optimization for multimodal image generation

CAPE is a framework that ensures copyright compliance for image generators, preserving creative intent and visual fidelity. It delivers ethical, high-quality outputs efficiently without retraining. 

Gold

AI-powered predictive network fault detection in 5G fully connected factories

Leveraging AI-driven diagnostics, this technology predicts and analyses network faults in 5G smart factories. It reduces network disruptions, ensures smooth device communication, and lowers operational costs, boosting manufacturing efficiency.

Gold

Method for 5G phones to instantly connect to satellites

This invention improves handset-to-satellite connectivity via novel phase estimation/compensation, achieving >99% first access message detection success. It cuts delay from seconds to milliseconds for instant 5G-satellite links vital in emergencies.

Gold

Co-aperture multi-spectral imaging optical zoom system

Using an innovative inverted Galilean afocal lens design, this system captures high-quality images of Visible, SWIR and LWIR light through a single optical path. Ideal for all-weather surveillance, it enables real-time object recognition and tracking.

Bronze

Secret sharing-based fast training for federated learning systems

This secure federated learning method allows users secret sharing for efficient matrix multiplication. It achieves faster training speeds while maintaining robust security, avoiding the complexity of homomorphic encryption.

Bronze

Multi-functional eye health device for regular monitoring and early screening

An eye health monitor offering corneal tomography, 3D OCT imaging, axial length measurement, fundus imaging, pupillometry and more. Designed for tele-ophthalmology and mass screening, it ensures efficient, early detection of eye conditions.

Bronze

Multi-reflectional and multi-spectral immersion ultrasonic sensing

This advanced ultrasonic system analyses immersed samples using multi-surface acoustic waves. It delivers precise, non-destructive testing for industrial and underwater applications, offering unparalleled accuracy and comprehensive analysis.

Bronze

Apparatus and method for sensing integrated display

This compact HMD design integrates sensing and display systems using a unique coupling prism, enables the simultaneous capture of multiple optical views with a single sensor. This approach reduces costs & complexity, while enhancing user experience.

Bronze

A lightweight apparatus and fast method for children’s learning difficulties screening

This user-friendly system collects multi-modal data, analysed by AI fine-tuned with therapeutic insights. It generates detailed reports, offering an efficient, accessible solution for early identification of learning difficulties.

 

ASTRI and NAMI have won a total of 18 awards at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva.
ASTRI and NAMI have won a total of 18 awards at the 51st International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva.

ASTRI’s award-winning solutions integrate artificial intelligence with various cutting-edge technologies, addressing key areas such as energy, smart production, construction, education, and healthcare.
ASTRI’s award-winning solutions integrate artificial intelligence with various cutting-edge technologies, addressing key areas such as energy, smart production, construction, education, and healthcare.

Photos Download: https://bit.ly/4rU9xtd  

 

About ASTRI

Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) was founded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2000 with the mission of enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness through applied research. ASTRI’s core R&D competence in various areas is grouped under five Technology Divisions: Advanced Electronic Components and Systems; Artificial Intelligence and Trust Technologies; Communications Technologies; IoT Sensing and AI Technologies, and Intelligent Perception and Control Technologies. It is applied across six core areas which are Smart City, Financial Technologies, New Industrialisation and Intelligent Manufacturing, Digital Health, Application Specific Integrated Circuits and Metaverse.

Over the years, ASTRI has nurtured a pool of research, I&T talents and received numerous international awards for its pioneering innovations as well as outstanding business and community contributions. ASTRI has transferred about 1,600 technologies to the industry and has been granted close to 1,200 patents in the Chinese Mainland, the United States, and other countries. For further information, please visit www.astri.org.

Festival of Marketing Makes Landmark Asian Debut in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

First geographic expansion of the UK’s leading marketing festival brings Asia’s most ambitious marketers together for an intimate, high-impact one-day experience

HONG KONG, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Haymarket Media Asia, publisher of Campaign, today announces the launch of Festival of Marketing Asia (FoM Asia), taking place on 3 September 2026 at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Kuala Lumpur.

Festival of Marketing Asia 2026
Festival of Marketing Asia 2026

The launch marks the first geographical expansion of the UK’s renowned Festival of Marketing since Haymarket acquired the business from Centaur Media in 2025.

Building on its success in the UK, where Festival of Marketing convenes more than 1,000 marketers annually, the Festival now expands into Asia, bringing together the region’s marketing ecosystem in one place to explore what it takes to be a modern marketer in an era of rapid transformation.

The Festival’s mission is to empower ambitious marketers to build stronger brands by equipping them with the knowledge, insights, and practical tools needed to drive meaningful change and tackle the industry’s most pressing challenges.

Designed as a curated, high-impact gathering for mid-level to senior marketing leaders, FoM Asia aims to become one of the region’s most influential platforms for bold thinking, measurable growth, and peer-to-peer exchange. The FoM Asia Advisory Board, comprising carefully selected senior leaders from both B2C and B2B sectors, plays a central role in shaping the agenda to ensure it reflects the realities and priorities of Asia’s diverse marketing landscape.

The FoM Asia Advisory Board includes:

  • Kaveri Khullar, SVP, Consumer Marketing & Sponsorships, APAC, Mastercard
  • Chin Mei Lee, CMO, McDonald’s Malaysia
  • Abdul Sani Abdul Murad, Group CMO, RHB Banking Group
  • Lauren Minkyong Kal, Director – Brand & Customer Experience, Global Marketing International Operations, Schneider Electric
  • Melissa Lim, Global Head of Marketing Corporate & Investment Banking & SC Ventures, Standard Chartered Bank
  • Mohamed Elsharkawy (Sharky), Global Brand VP, CLEAR & CMO Hair China, Unilever

In its inaugural year, FoM Asia will adopt a single-day format carefully designed to balance inspiration and practicality, combining visionary main-stage discussions, specialised content tracks, interactive workshops, experiential showcases, and curated networking opportunities.

The programme is tailored specifically to Asia’s fast-evolving markets, ensuring each session delivers practical relevance and strategic insight.

Programme Highlights:

  • Main Stage: “The Big Picture”
    Strategic debates and analysis on the forces reshaping marketing across Asia.
  • Focused Stages:
    • Creating Customer Value – Built for customer-centric leaders, this content explores how to collect, interpret, and activate data to power meaningful engagement and high-impact campaigns.
    • Excellence in B2B – Challenging traditional approaches to B2B marketing and setting new benchmarks for sector excellence
  • Knowledge Lounge
    Informal, small-group sessions where delegates can explore practical tools, actionable insights, and real-world case studies they can apply immediately.
  • CMO / Chief Strategy Officer Boardrooms
    Exclusive, closed-door sessions for senior decision-makers, held in partnership with leading industry councils, enabling candid peer-to-peer discussions and strategic knowledge sharing.

FoM Asia will bring together brand marketers, MarTech leaders, media owners, and agency partners, creating a platform for meaningful collaboration across the marketing value chain.

“Festival of Marketing has helped define what ambitious marketing looks like in the UK, and we are excited to bring that same energy and ambition to Asia for the very first time,” said Atifa Silk, Managing Director, Haymarket Media Asia.

“FoM Asia is intentionally designed as a high-value gathering where meaningful connections happen naturally. Our focus is on bringing together senior decision-makers and ambitious marketers in a setting that prioritises quality of engagement over scale. Kuala Lumpur is a dynamic, connected hub for regional leaders, and FoM Asia will give them a dedicated space to share bold ideas, challenge convention, and build relationships that power real business impact.”

“From day one, we designed Festival of Marketing Asia as a focused, one-day experience that respects how busy senior marketers are while still delivering exceptional value,” added Jaime Ng, Events Director, Festival of Marketing Asia.

“Delegates can expect sharp main-stage keynotes, deep-dive sessions across customer value, B2B excellence and inclusive marketing, alongside C-suite boardroom discussions and curated networking. Our goal is simple: every marketer should leave with actionable ideas and a stronger regional network.”

Express Your Interest to Attend: Marketing leaders are invited to register their interest in Festival of Marketing Asia 2026 to receive priority updates, event announcements, and early access to tickets once registration opens.

For more information and to register your interest, visit: https://bit.ly/4sAUmoF

Festival of Marketing Asia is pleased to announce PR Newswire as the official media partner for the 2026 event.

About Festival of Marketing

Festival of Marketing is one of the world’s leading events for brand marketers, blending inspiration and practical application through keynotes, multi–track content, workshops, and curated networking. Launched in 2013 in the UK, the Festival brings together thousands of marketers from across industries every year to explore the ideas, technologies, and strategies that drive real business impact.
www.festivalofmarketingasia.com/

About Campaign Asia-Pacific

Campaign Asia-Pacific provides unparalleled insights into the ideas, work, and personalities shaping the marketing-communications industry. By fostering open, honest dialogue and showcasing game-changing innovations, the platform has become an indispensable resource for marketing professionals across the globe. 
www.campaignasia.com 

About Haymarket Media Limited

With more than 70 market-leading brands and a presence in key markets such as the UK, US, Hong Kong SAR, Singapore, and India, Haymarket Media Group, the parent company of Campaign Asia-Pacific, is dedicated to delivering specialist content and experiences that connect people and communities worldwide.
www.haymarket.com 

Manulife Announces Exclusive Partnership with Guardant Health to Bring the Shield Multi-Cancer Detection Test to Customers Across Asia

First insurer in Asia to bring the innovative blood-based multicancer screening solution to Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Philippines

TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC     SEHK: 945

HONG KONG, SINGAPORE, and MANILA, Philippines, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Manulife today announced an exclusive partnership with Guardant Health, Inc. (Nasdaq: GH), a leading precision oncology company, becoming the first insurer in Asia to offer Guardant Health’s Shield Multi-Cancer Detection (MCD) test to customers in Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Singapore. Under the partnership, Manulife’s customers will have exclusive access to the Shield MCD test in these three launch markets in 2026, marking the first introduction of this innovative test in Asia to Manulife customers. This collaboration underscores both companies’ shared commitment to expanding access to innovative and proven health solutions that address real, unmet health needs.

“By being the first insurer in Asia to offer the Shield MCD test, we’re empowering our customers with a credible and valued service that encourages proactive health management”, said Steve Finch, President and CEO of Manulife Asia. “This exclusive partnership demonstrates our commitment to offering innovative and differentiated solutions to improve the health outcomes of our customers.”

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in Asia1. With just a blood draw, the Shield MCD test screens for 10 of the most common cancers, many of which have high mortality rates in Asia. The test received Breakthrough Device Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in June 2025.

This collaboration builds on the two companies’ existing relationship in Singapore to offer eligible customers access to the Guardant360 liquid biopsy test for advanced solid tumors and represents a shared vision of bringing new and advanced health solutions and expanding access to preventive care to more markets across Asia.

________________________________

1 The Cancer Atlas, “Cancer in Southern, Eastern, and Southeast Asia,” produced by the American Cancer Society and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).

“We are excited to partner with Manulife to introduce the Shield MCD test to Asia for the first time,” said Simranjit Singh, CEO of Guardant Health AMEA. “Shield MCD has the potential to significantly lift screening rates across the region for the most prevalent cancers. This could significantly alleviate the burden of cancer across Asia by expanding access to cancer detection with just a blood draw. We look forward to the impact that this collaboration with Manulife will make in bringing this latest innovation in cancer screening to the Asian market.”

The Shield MCD test will be available to eligible Manulife customers beginning April 2026.

As part of this new partnership, Manulife is committed to providing underserved communities with access to the Shield MCD test. “This commitment underscores our dedication to prioritizing health and wellbeing so people can unlock life’s potential and live fuller, more prosperous lives at any age,” said Harshal Shah, Chief Marketing Officer of Manulife Asia. “Empowering health, wealth, and longevity is central to Manulife’s ambition. Through our partnership with Guardant Health, we look forward to advancing this mission for our customers and the communities we serve.”

These efforts align with the Manulife Longevity Institute, a global research, thought leadership, innovation, advocacy, and community investment platform that aims to advance action on helping people live longer, healthier, more financially secure lives.

Manulife has announced an exclusive partnership with Guardant Health to bring the innovative, blood-based Shield multi‑cancer detection test to customers in Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Singapore—marking the test’s first introduction in Asia and driving improved health outcomes across the region. Pictured are Harshal Shah, Chief Marketing Officer of Manulife Asia (left), and Simranjit Singh, CEO of Guardant Health AMEA (right).
Manulife has announced an exclusive partnership with Guardant Health to bring the innovative, blood-based Shield multi‑cancer detection test to customers in Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Singapore—marking the test’s first introduction in Asia and driving improved health outcomes across the region. Pictured are Harshal Shah, Chief Marketing Officer of Manulife Asia (left), and Simranjit Singh, CEO of Guardant Health AMEA (right).

 

* The FDA Breakthrough Device designation referenced includes eight cancer types—bladder, colorectal, esophageal, gastric, liver, lung, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer—in individuals aged 45 or older who are at typical average risk for cancer, as defined by the agency at the time of designation. This designation does not imply FDA approval, clearance, or endorsement of the deviceʼs safety or effectiveness1.

1 Guardant Health. FDA Grants Breakthrough Device Designation to Guardant Healthʼs Shield™ Multi-Cancer Detection (MCD) Test. Published June 3, 2025. https://investors.guardanthealth.com/press-releases/press-releases/2025/FDA-GrantsBreakthrough-Device-Designation-to-Guardant-Healths-Shield-Multi-Cancer-Detection-MCD-Test/default.aspx

About Manulife  

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Anchored in our ambition to be the number one choice for customers, we operate as Manulife across Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice, insurance and health solutions for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment solutions, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2025, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 106,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 37 million customers with operations across 25 markets globally. We trade as ‘MFC’ on the Toronto, New York, and Philippine stock exchanges, and under ‘945’ on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions.

For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

About Manulife Longevity Institute

The Manulife Longevity Institute is a global research, thought leadership, advocacy, and community investment platform to drive action that can help people live longer, healthier, and more financially secure lives. Underpinned by a $350 million signature commitment, its focus is on helping people extend their healthy years, promoting greater financial resilience for all. As a global insurer, retirement plan provider, and asset manager, Manulife is uniquely placed to help lead this change. The Institute’s work will support Manulife’s Impact Agenda strategy by investing in organizations that are growing the longevity economy, convening research collaborations with leading academic institutions and think tanks, and producing thought leadership to advance awareness and action on the issues impacting populations as they age. The Institute will be known as the John Hancock Longevity Institute in the United States. The actions of the Institute will be guided by a Steering Committee of members of Manulife’s Executive and Global Leadership Teams and in partnership with a robust ecosystem of partners and experts who champion longevity across Canada, Asia, and the US.

For more information, please visit Manulife.com/Longevity

Media Contacts 

Manulife Asia
Alice Li
Chief Communications Officer, Hong Kong & Macau
Email: Alice_SM_Li@manulife.com

 

Cloudstaff Strengthens North American Leadership with Appointment of Macon Albertson as General Manager

Seasoned staffing executive to lead aggressive US growth, with expanded operations in Colombia and growing support for EMEA markets

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cloudstaff, a global leader in virtual staffing solutions, announces the appointment of Macon Albertson as General Manager, North America. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, he will head Cloudstaff’s North America operations, driving strategy and building long-term client partnerships across the region.

Cloudstaff Appoints Macon Albertson as General Manager, North America
Cloudstaff Appoints Macon Albertson as General Manager, North America

Macon brings over 25 years of experience in the staffing and workforce solutions industry. His career includes nearly a decade at Randstad Professionals as Executive Vice President, followed by his tenure as President and CEO at Tatum, a Randstad company. Most recently, he provided advisory consulting to multiple staffing and professional services firms. His track record is defined by building scalable, high-performance organizations and delivering the strategic clarity that helps businesses grow predictably and profitably.

“North American businesses are under real pressure to build the right teams, quickly and sustainably,” Macon said. “What Cloudstaff has built, combining enterprise-grade technology with genuinely invested talent across global delivery centers, gives clients something most providers can’t offer: a team that feels like their own. That’s what I’m here to help more businesses experience.”

Cloudstaff is in an active phase of US growth, supported by its recent expansion in Colombia, which strengthens its ability to serve clients across multiple geographies. Together with delivery centers in the Philippines, India, and soon Kenya, Cloudstaff’s global infrastructure gives North American clients access to specialized professionals across more than 150 roles, drawn from a talent pool of nearly one million professionals.

Macon’s background leading large-scale staffing operations, combined with his instinct for building trusted client partnerships, makes him exactly the right person to lead our North American expansion,” said Lloyd Ernst, CEO and Founder of Cloudstaff.

About Cloudstaff

Cloudstaff is pioneering virtual staffing solutions that combine ethical outsourcing with enterprise-grade people tech. They connect businesses embarking on remarkable growth with the world’s top talent from their pool of nearly one million professionals. With delivery centers across the Philippines, India, Colombia, and Kenya, and client operations in the US, Australia, and UK, Cloudstaff helps businesses around the globe find staff for over 150 roles. Businesses looking for remote staff can discover why 1000+ companies choose Cloudstaff at www.cloudstaff.com.

Media Contact:
Beth Woods
VP-Marketing, Cloudstaff
+1 800 730 8615
marketing-notices@cloudstaff.com
www.cloudstaff.com

Xinjiang Today: How one researcher brings the ancient murals of Xinjiang’s Kizil Caves back to life

BEIJING, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Kizil Caves, located in Baicheng County, Aksu Prefecture in west-central Xinjiang, are among the earliest Buddhist cave complexes in China. Over a thousand years ago, Buddhism was introduced from ancient India to the western part of China. The earliest center of Buddhism in the Western Regions (now Xinjiang) was the ancient kingdom of Qiuci, today’s Kuche (Kuqa).

Renowned for their exquisite murals, the Kizil Caves house a central collection of murals representative of the ancient Qiuci State’s Buddhist art. Of the 349 caves, 107 contain murals spanning nearly 5,000 square meters. The Kizil Caves are one of the Four Great Grottes of China, along with the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes in the northwest, the Yungang Grottoes in the north and the Longmen Grottoes in central China, and were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014.

Zhao Li, a research fellow at the Kizil Caves Research Institute, in an interview with Xinjiang Today in Baicheng County, Aksu Prefecture, on January 1 (YIMURANJIANG MAIWULANJIANG)
Zhao Li, a research fellow at the Kizil Caves Research Institute, in an interview with Xinjiang Today in Baicheng County, Aksu Prefecture, on January 1 (YIMURANJIANG MAIWULANJIANG)

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many of the murals were plundered by foreign expeditioners and scattered across the world. Zhao Li, a research fellow at the Kizil Caves Research Institute in Xinjiang, has dedicated her life to restoring them, traveling overseas to retrieve lost fragments and recreating them digitally.

Zhao spoke to Xinjiang Today about the evolution of research on the murals of Kizil Caves and international collaboration to preserve them. This is an edited excerpt of the interview:

Xinjiang Today: How did you get started on researching the murals at Kizil Caves? How has international research on them developed over the past three decades?

I started research on this back in 1998, publishing papers and securing research projects from the National Cultural Heritage Administration. I also had exchanges with international experts in the area.

Foreign scholars have conducted extensive research on the cultural relics and murals of Kizil Caves taken away by expedition teams in the early 20th century. The last such team was the German expedition team that arrived in around 1913, and they took away many murals, as well as some statues and books. They published some reports in the 1920s and their publications remain essential references for us.

In the late 1970s, Su Bai, a professor with Peking University, went to the Kizil Caves with four students. They stayed in the area for three months, dating and periodizing the caves, and Chinese scholars gradually took the lead in the research.

By the 1990s, local experts such as Huo Xuchu, a senior researcher at the Kizil Caves Research Institute, and Jia Yingyi, a research fellow at the Xinjiang Museum, also became involved in the research.

I was a visiting scholar at the Museum of Asian Art in Berlin, Germany, from 2012 to 2013. I also visited the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and the Guimet Museum in Paris, France. I feel our research is backed by stronger support and more resources by our own country.

What work have you done in cultural relic surveys and in-situ verification? What challenges did you encounter?

There are 486 Kizil Cave mural fragments overseas, according to our investigation. We have conducted in-situ verification at the caves to determine which cave and specific location each mural originally was taken away from.

The verification is a laborious process. We need to determine which cluster the mural belonged to, and then pinpoint the exact cave. Large murals are easy to identify, but the location of smaller ones, especially fragments, are difficult to pinpoint. The numbering system used by the German expedition team for the caves was unscientific, and many cave records were incorrect.

For example, the German team recorded a famous mural, The Royal Couple, as from Cave 13. However, we could not find its position in Cave 13. Then based on the black-and-white photos taken by foreign expeditioners, we later found that it was actually from Cave 171 in the eastern section.

Many cave walls were dilapidated when the foreign expeditions arrived. After they removed the murals, the walls collapsed, making it hard for (later) researchers to locate their original positions.

However, some caves are intact. Despite frequent earthquakes, the central pillars in the caves are quite stable. Without this architectural design, many caves might have collapsed, and we would not have been able to see them today. By 2020, we had identified the original positions of over 420 murals and restored them (by reproducing them via digital technology and then putting them back to their original locations). The original position of about 40 fragments still cannot be identified.

What has been your experience collaborating with foreign museums and scholars on surveys and research?

The Museum of Asian Art in Berlin has the largest collection of Qiuci murals, followed by the Hermitage Museum. Eleven institutions in the United States also house several Kizil Cave murals.

Huo Xuchu, my mentor, guided me in researching overseas murals. To conduct research, you have to be thoroughly familiar with the caves. While searching for the original position of a mural, I would think about it even during meals or while sleeping. I memorized exactly which murals were removed, which have been located, and which gaps remain unfilled.

In 2022, Huo and I attended international conferences in Germany and viewed many murals collected in the museum. That strengthened my resolve to go to Berlin again for research.

It took me 10 years to gain the opportunity to study in Berlin. While I was doing mural research at the Museum of Asian Art as a visiting scholar, I helped correct errors in the recorded original positions of some murals.

The collaboration was a mutual effort for resource sharing. The curator of the Museum of Asian Art first visited the Kizil Caves in 1998. Besides mutual visits, we shared the results of digital scans. They provided us with materials we lacked, and we launched projects for their references. In 2020, my book A Study on the Restoration of the Kizil Grotto Murals was published, thanks to the exchanges.

How is digital restoration conducted? What challenges have you faced?

I once felt I had completed my work after publishing the book. But I later found that many murals were heavily damaged. Some were destroyed during the long-distance transportation back to China. Moreover, due to change of religions (from Buddhism to Islam) in Xinjiang, the Buddhist monasteries in the Kizil Caves were left unmanaged and some of the Buddha figures collapsed.

This inspired us to pursue digital restoration. The original murals were resplendent, and we wanted to restore them to their former glory. We applied for a project with the regional authorities, focusing on restoring Cave 38. Most of the cave has now been restored.

Last year, we collaborated with China’s tech giant Tencent, and they introduced the Tanyuan Plan, an initiative for cultural preservation through digital solutions. We used AI to restore the patterns in Cave 38, such as triangular hanging tent patterns and aquatic animals. The patterns are repetitive, which makes manual restoration tedious and time-consuming, whereas AI is excellent for this task.

However, AI restoration also presents challenges. Since the patterns are consistent, the AI model can restore the unclear parts drawing inference from the clear parts. However, this approach does not work for human figures, as each figure’s expression is unique. Also, when we attempted to restore the scenes in Cave 38, the results were unsatisfactory, as the restored images looked too new.

Before manual restoration, we created a small dataset for training the AI model. In 2025, I applied for a project to create a dataset for rhombus-patterned murals, laying the groundwork for model recognition.

How do you balance tourism development and cultural relic protection?

While overdevelopment of tourist sites may compromise preservation, the very purpose of protecting cultural heritage is to make it accessible to the public. Our approach seeks to balance conservation with public access. Currently, only six of the caves are open to visitors, with each guided group restricted to no more than 10 people and a total daily visitor capacity of 1,340.

We are constructing a 9,800-square-meter digital exhibition center to showcase our digital restoration work, with the primary aim of safeguarding the physical relics while enhancing visitor understanding. By offering an immersive digital experience, it will help alleviate pressure on the actual caves, addressing frequent challenges of overcrowding and ensuring long-term preservation.

Since many visitors struggle to understand the murals, digital exhibitions enable them to see the original caves and help them comprehend. This would not prevent visitors from visiting the caves. Instead, after seeing the digital exhibition, they would be even more eager to visit the caves.

We are now working on digital restoration and planning exhibitions, including overseas tours. We are organizing an exhibition that we hope to premiere in Beijing next year and later tour internationally. We are also developing digital cultural products and websites for overseas audiences.

To attract international tourists and foster cooperation, the most important thing is to let them experience it firsthand. I organized an international conference last year, before which many foreign experts asked if Xinjiang was safe. I told them Xinjiang is now one of the safest regions in the world. After they came, they saw the real Xinjiang for themselves. 

Comments to lixiaoyang@cicgamericas.com

ZDR Investments Acquires €70 million in Austrian Retail Parks, Expanding Portfolio to €580 million

SINGAPORE, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ZDR Investments, a Czech real estate investment firm specializing in grocery-anchored retail parks across Europe, reported a net return of 8.22% in 2025 for the EUR Growth Class of its ZDR Master Fund, available to Southeast Asian investors through the Singapore-based ZDR Investments SG VCC feeder fund.

Last year, the fund completed three acquisitions, including its largest retail property in the Czech Republic, Aventin Shopping Jihlava (26,555 sqm; €51.6 million), as well as two retail parks in Austria — EUCO Wolfsberg and Eugendorf. Active lease management led to lease extensions across the portfolio, increasing the fund’s WALE to 7.5 years. Grocery retailers, which account for about one third of lettable area, have an even longer WALE of 12.2 years.

Aventin Shopping Jihlava in the Czech Republic
Aventin Shopping Jihlava in the Czech Republic

New acquisitions

Building on a record year in the funds eight-year history, ZDR Investments has entered 2026 with strong momentum, announcing the acquisition of two additional retail parks in Austria valued at approximately €70 million.

The acquisitions of Amstetten West Retail Park and the PRO Shopping Centre in Linz expand the fund’s portfolio to 46 properties valued at approximately €580 million. Over the next 12 to 18 months, ZDR Investments expects to complete more than €130 million in acquisitions, with Austria remaining a key expansion market.

Access for investors in Singapore

Through its Singapore-domiciled feeder fund structure, ZDR Investments SG VCC, managed by Euro Asia Asset Management since 2023, accredited investors in Singapore can gain exposure to the firm’s European retail park strategy and access a diversified real estate portfolio with a track record of stable returns.

“Retail parks anchored by grocery retailers and essential services have consistently demonstrated resilience during periods of inflation and economic volatility, as demand for everyday goods tends to remain stable,” said David Čubr, CEO of ZDR Investments.

Unlike multi-storey shopping malls, retail parks are typically single-storey, open-air formats with convenient highway access and free parking. Anchored by grocery retailers and other essential tenants, they benefit from steady footfall and predictable consumer demand, supporting stable occupancy and long-term rental income even during economic downturns.

“Interest is also growing from healthcare providers, fitness operators, EV charging stations and click-and-collect services,” Čubr added. “These tenants are helping transform retail parks into convenient neighbourhood hubs serving the daily needs of suburban households.”

Sustainability initiatives

As part of its 2026 operational priorities, ZDR Investments will continue advancing sustainability initiatives across its portfolio by installing photovoltaic (PV) systems, expanding EV charging infrastructure, and increasing the number of BREEAM-certified properties to improve energy efficiency and support on-site renewable energy generation.

For enquiries
Website: https://www.zdrinvestments.sg  
Email: contact@zdrinvestments.sg

BRISBANE AGENCIES MERGE AS URBAINE ACQUIRES FRONT COMMUNICATIONS

BRISBANE, Australia, March 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Specialist public relations, stakeholder engagement and communications consultancy Urbaine has announced the acquisition of Front Communications in a merger that cements its position as the agency of choice for Australia’s property and infrastructure sectors.

Brisbane-based Urbaine, led by Managing Partners Sarah Dixon and Anita Kharbanda, has won numerous awards since it was founded in 2019 and counts some of Australia’s largest developers and asset owners as long-term clients.

Sarah Dixon said the strategic merger formed part of the agency’s long-term growth plans.

“Over the past six years Urbaine has transitioned from a boutique to mid-size agency supporting more than $20 billion in new property and infrastructure projects across Australia’s residential, commercial, health and industrial markets,” she said.

“Greg Bourke and his team at Front Communications are highly respected in our sector and bring additional bench strength to areas of the business we’d already identified as part of our growth.

“At a cultural level, their values, skills and experience complement our own and they bring blue-chip clients and decades of trusted experience to the fold.”

Anita Kharbanda said the carefully curated merger has seen the successful transition of people and clients to Urbaine.

“Urbaine operates at the heart of the industries building Australia and we support major developments and community infrastructure throughout the planning and delivery phases to strengthen reputation and relationships, and de-risk commercial objectives,” Ms Kharbanda said.

“The combined expertise of our people spans strategic advisory, stakeholder engagement, public relations and issues management, and the merger is a game changer for our clients, and our business.

“The timing couldn’t be more impactful, with the property and infrastructure sectors delivering at scale and pace across sport, health, residential, commercial and essential services – and we’re right in the thick of it.”

Front Communications founder Greg Bourke said the decision to merge with Urbaine reflected a maturing of his agency’s workbook and the desire to access a strengthened resource base. 

“This is an exciting step for us, enabling clients to draw on a larger team and expanded service offering,” Mr Bourke said.

“It’s rare to align so closely with another agency, both in terms of our specialist focus and our values, and I’m excited about the strength of our collective expertise.”

The acquisition of Front Communications caps off a busy Q1 for Urbaine, which has also seen the appointment of six new staff members including new Group Director Linda O’Sullivan, who joins the agency after more than two years as AECOM’s Transport Strategy and Growth Lead for the ANZ region.

(L-R) Greg Bourke, Anita Kharbanda and Sarah Dixon.
(L-R) Greg Bourke, Anita Kharbanda and Sarah Dixon.

About Urbaine

Urbaine is a multi-award-winning communications and engagement agency specialising in the property, infrastructure and corporate sectors. Founded in 2019, Urbaine’s services span strategic advisory, stakeholder engagement, public relations and issues management, with a focus on residential, commercial, health, sport and industrial markets. The agency won CPRA’s Boutique Agency of the Year Award in 2023 and 2024 and received a Highly Commended at the 2024 Comms Con Awards for its advocacy work with the Property Council of Australia (QLD). For more information visit www.urbaine.au

About Front Communications

Front Communications is a boutique agency specialising strategic advisory and stakeholder engagement in the property, energy, aviation, education, transport infrastructure, construction, defence, tourism, and sport and recreation sectors. Headquartered in Brisbane, our team has delivered projects across urban and regional Australia, NZ, Asia, and the UK. Front Communications was acquired by multi-award-winning communications and engagement agency Urbaine in February 2026.