PM Edition: Top 10 Business Articles on LiveNews.co.nz for October 24, 2026 – Full Text

Exploring Emerging Opportunities in AI, Smart Supply Chain Management, ESG and Sustainability

Free Admission Open for Public Registration Now

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 October 2026 – Amid the reshaping of global supply chains, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, and the rise of emerging industries such as the low-altitude economy, the logistics industry is entering a new wave of smart transformation. Organised by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and funded by the Logistics Promotion Funding Scheme (LPFS) under the Maritime and Aviation Training Fund of the Transport and Logistics Bureau of the HKSAR Government, LogTech Expo 2026 will take place on 29 October (Thursday) at the InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong. Under the theme “Smart-Driven Transformation, Leading the Future of Logistics”, the Expo will bring together more than 50 logistics, supply chain and innovation and technology enterprises, alongside logistics industry leaders and experts, to share insights through a series of forums and discussions. The event will provide a one-stop platform for the industry to stay abreast of the latest logistics technology trends and developments. Admission is free, and online registration is now open.

As one of the major annual events in Hong Kong’s logistics technology sector, the Expo will feature the latest applications and achievements in smart logistics. From AI and big data analytics, smart warehousing and robotics, and automated supply chain management systems, to cross-border e-commerce logistics, green logistics, new energy transportation and drone delivery solutions, visitors will be able to experience first-hand how technology is reshaping logistics operations and helping enterprises enhance efficiency and competitiveness.

Renowned Enterprises and Organisations Showcase the Entire Smart Logistics Value Chain
This year’s Expo will bring together renowned brands and organisations from the logistics and technology sectors, including SF Supply Chain, Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, Hongkong Post, Auto-ID Technology, HSM Industrial Solution, Tradelink, GS1 Hong Kong, ShipAny and Axis Communications, showcasing innovative solutions that support digital transformation and intelligent operations across the logistics industry. Visitors can explore the following technology zones:

• AI and Data Applications Zone: Leveraging AI, big data and automation technologies to enhance logistics planning and operational efficiency;
• Smart Warehousing and Robotics Zone: Showcasing intelligent sorting systems, automated warehousing and robotics solutions;
• Smart Supply Chain and Digital Platform Zone: Featuring WMS, TMS and digital supply chain management systems;
• Cross-border E-commerce and Delivery Zone: Showcasing innovative models in global fulfilment and smart delivery;
• ESG and Green Logistics Zone: Focusing on new energy transportation, carbon reduction technologies and sustainable logistics development;
• Low-Altitude Economy Zone: Exploring emerging applications such as drones and last-mile delivery solutions.

Visitors will not only be able to learn how innovative technologies are applied in real-world business scenarios but also engage directly with solution providers and industry experts to explore opportunities for collaboration and transformation.

10 Thematic Seminars and Sharing Sessions Focus on the Future of Logistics
In addition to the exhibition, the Expo will feature 10 thematic forums and technical sharing sessions covering key industry topics including AI, supply chain digitalisation, cross-border e-commerce, the low-altitude economy and logistics innovation.

The opening seminar, “Smart Tools for Logistics: Practical AI Applications and Insights”, will be moderated by Ryan IP, Vice President and Executive Director of the Public Policy Institute of Our Hong Kong Foundation, and feature a panel comprising Professor Kee-hung LAI, Head of the Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies and Chair Professor of Shipping and Logistics at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Sunny HO, MH, JP, FCILT, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Shippers’ Council; Keno Tai-yip CHEUNG, President of The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong; and Suki CHEUNG Shuk-ming, Chief Executive Officer of MG Ship. Together, they will discuss how AI can enhance logistics operational efficiency, drive supply chain digitalisation, and support Hong Kong’s development as a smart logistics hub.

In addition, experts from organisations including Profit Sky International Industrial, ShipAny, Tradelink, Axis Communications and GS1 Hong Kong will share real-life business cases, enabling visitors to gain deeper insights into digital twins, cross-border e-commerce, supply chain visibility and AI applications in logistics.

Promoting Cross-sector Collaboration to Shape the Future of Logistics
The Expo is supported by more than 20 industry organisations, including the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Cathay Cargo, Hong Kong Shippers’ Council, Hong Kong Logistics Association, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong, Cyberport and the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre. It serves as an effective platform for industry exchange and business matching, fostering innovative collaboration and industry upgrading.

Admission is free. Logistics practitioners, supply chain professionals, manufacturers, e-commerce businesses, technology solution providers, academics, and members of the public interested in the development of logistics technology are welcome to attend.

Event Details
LogTech Expo 2026
Date: 29 October 2026 (Thursday)
Time: 10:00 am – 5:30 pm
Venue: InnoCentre, 72 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong
Admission Fee: Free (Advance registration required)
Register Now: https://campaigns.hkpc.org/zh-hk/tc-rsvp-logtech_expo_2026
Exhibitor List: View Exhibitor List

Hashtag: #HKPC

About the Hong Kong Productivity Council

Integration gives global subscription businesses, from streaming to SaaS, a direct way to reach 40 million monthly active OPay users

CURITIBA, BRAZIL and LAGOS, NIGERIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 October 2026 — EBANX today becomes the first global payments company to go live with OPay Direct Debit, a new solution for recurring transactions within the digital wallet of OPay, the leading digital bank in Nigeria. By offering this payment option at checkout through EBANX, global subscription businesses can now reach OPay’s 40 million monthly active users, representing one in three adults in the country.

“With one of the continent’s highest mobile penetration rates and a young, fast-growing population, Nigeria is expected to remain Africa’s largest and most strategic digital market over the next decade,” said Eduardo de Abreu, Chief Product Officer (CPO) of EBANX. “Being the first global payments company to go live with recurring payments through OPay is a testament to the access EBANX has built in emerging markets.”

Nigeria is Africa’s largest e-commerce market, valued at USD 30 billion, according to World Data Lab (WDL) data analyzed by EBANX, and is expected to grow further, with the country projected to add 32 million new consumers to the consumer class by 2036.

In Nigeria, credit card ownership stands at just 5% among adults, while mobile phone penetration reaches 84%, according to the World Bank. “This difference creates a significant opportunity for global merchants to expand recurring payment coverage beyond traditional card-on-file models,” stated Abreu.

According to WDL, 95% of all online spend in Nigeria already comes from consumers without a credit card, a share expected to remain nearly unchanged for the next 10 years.

Digital wallets and bank transfers are Nigerians’ preferred way to pay, together accounting for 65% of the country’s e-commerce volume, according to Payment and Commerce Market Intelligence (PCMI) data analyzed by EBANX.

OPay lets Nigerian consumers make purchases through its digital wallet and bank transfers, as well as set up recurring payments. For these transactions, users make a one-time authorization directly in the app, enabling global merchants to collect future subscription charges without requiring customers to be present or re-enter payment details for every transaction.

“Our partnership with EBANX isn’t just processing transactions; it’s shaping the future of digital payments across the region,” said Elizabeth Wang, Chief Commercial Officer, OPay. “This will give Nigerians an easy, fast and convenient way to pay for the global digital services they love, from streaming platforms to online tools. With OPay Direct Debit, customers can enjoy a simple payment experience while staying in control of their subscriptions,” added Wang.

Scaling subscriptions in Africa and beyond

The announcement follows a similar EBANX initiative in South Africa, where Canva became the first international company to offer recurring payments through Capitec Pay’s account-to-account solution. With the integration, the SaaS merchant expanded subscription access for South African consumers via their bank accounts. EBANX’s integration of OPay Direct Debit extends this same alternative recurring strategy to Nigeria.

“Nigeria is the latest proof point on how EBANX scales operationally across emerging markets, not by replicating a single playbook, but by building the right integration for each local market,” said Marin Mignot, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of EBANX.

“The gap between how people actually pay and the payment methods merchants have historically supported is exactly where we see the most room to grow, and OPay Direct Debit is one more example of building that bridge for global merchants,” noted Mignot.

The launches in Nigeria and South Africa are also part of a broader global push. Including these two countries, EBANX offers recurring alternative payment solutions in 13 emerging markets across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, enabling global merchants to potentially reach more than 1 billion consumers* who rely on local payment methods such as digital wallets and account-to-account transfers.

*1.116 billion people use alternative payment methods (APMs) across the following 13 emerging markets, based on data from the operators of the most used APMs in each country and Statista: Nigeria (OPay), South Africa (Capitec Pay),Brazil (Pix), India (UPI), Colombia (Nequi), Peru (Yape), the Philippines (GCash), Indonesia (DANA), Malaysia (TrueMoney), Mexico, Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay (Mercado Pago).

Hashtag: #EBANX #OPay #Fintech #Payments #Africa #Nigeria

ABOUT EBANX

ABOUT OPAY

• Deputy Financial Secretary and Hong Kong Tourism Board Chairman join leaders from the financial, tourism, retail, cultural and F&B sectors to celebrate the Destination CENTRAL campaign
• Destination CENTRAL supports the HKSAR Government’s priorities for the renewal of Central

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 October 2026 – Hongkong Land Holdings Limited (“Hongkong Land” or “the Group”) today brought together financial, tourism, retail, cultural and F&B sector leaders to celebrate the new Destination CENTRAL campaign. The Honourable Michael Wong, GBS, JP, Deputy Financial Secretary, was Guest of Honour, and Dr the Hon Peter Lam, GBM, GBS, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, attended as a Distinguished Guest Speaker.

<figure data-width="100%" data-caption="Front row (from left to right) Ms Jeanne Cheng, District Officer (Central and Western); Hon Grace Chan Man-yee, Legislative Council Member and Chief Executive of The Hong Kong Council of Social Service; Hon Michael Wong Wai-lun, Deputy Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government; Mr Michael Smith, Group Chief Executive of Hongkong Land; Dr the Hon Peter Lam Kin-ngok, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board; Hon Vivian Kong Man-wai, Legislative Council Member; and Hon Carmen Kan Wai-mun, Legislative Council Member.
Back row (front left to right) Mr Alexander Li, Head of Asset Management, Hong Kong Central of Hongkong Land; Mr Craig Beattie, Chief Financial Officer of Hongkong Land; Hon Jonathan Stuart Lamport, Legislative Council Member; Mr Anthony Lau, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board; Mr Elton Chan, Chief Operations Officer of Hongkong Land; and Mr Graeme Torre, Chief Executive, Hong Kong Central, Hongkong Land.” data-caption-display=”block” data-image-width=”0″ data-image-height=”0″ class=”c8″ readability=”10.5″>

Hongkong Land

Hongkong Land is a major listed property development, investment and management group. It focuses on developing, owning and managing ultra-premium mixed-use real estate in Asian gateway cities, featuring Grade A office, luxury retail, residential and hospitality products. With over US$50 billion in assets under management, Hongkong Land’s premium and ultra-premium mixed-use real estate footprint spans over 1.82 million sq. m. lettable area in operation and 1.57 million sq. m. lettable area under development, with flagship mixed-use projects in Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai. Its properties hold industry leading green building certifications and attract the world’s foremost companies and luxury brands. Established in 1889, Hongkong Land takes a long-term view, investing significantly alongside its capital partners and concentrating its portfolio where it can create the most value for tenants, customers and investors. Hongkong Land Holdings Limited has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange, with secondary listings in Singapore and Bermuda. Hongkong Land is a member of the Jardine Matheson Group.

QashierGM works from each merchant’s own sales, payouts and menu, and gets routine work done with the owner’s approval. With Crew, Qashier’s new team chat, anyone on the team can tag @GM to get things done, and QashierGM acts only within each person’s role.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 October 2026 – Qashier, the unified merchant operating system serving more than 25,000 businesses across Southeast Asia, today launched QashierGM, an AI general manager that works with a merchant’s whole team. Available at no additional cost to all Qashier merchants in Singapore, QashierGM lives in QashierHQ, the web and mobile app (Android and iOS) merchants use to manage their sales, payouts, products and staff. Owners can ask it about sales, payouts and products in plain language. Merchants on the Qashier plan also get Crew, a new team chat where staff can bring QashierGM into any conversation by tagging @GM. Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines follow in November.

Because QashierGM works directly from each merchant’s own transactions and settlements, it can do what a general-purpose chatbot cannot: explain, line by line, why a payout is lower than the day’s sales, or show which outlet is underperforming this week. Owners get answers grounded in their actual operations, without piecing together reports.

“Most small business owners can’t afford a general manager, so they become one after closing, going through reports at midnight,” said Christopher Choo, Co-Founder and CEO of Qashier. “QashierGM is the manager they never had. It already knows the business, takes on the routine work and never makes a change without asking. With Crew, it now works alongside the whole team, not just the owner.”

The launch follows an open beta that began in September with merchants ranging from single-outlet cafés and shops to multi-outlet chains, with F&B operators the most active. Their most common questions were about sales trends, best sellers and payouts, and with the year-end festive season approaching, many are asking QashierGM to suggest festive promotions built around their most popular items.

Jun Rong, Operations Manager of Coexist Coffee Co., likens using QashierGM to talking to his store managers, only faster. “Running a café means wearing every hat, and the numbers usually wait until after closing. QashierGM already knows our sales, payouts and menu, so I just ask. When we plan a promotion, it suggests ideas based on what our customers actually buy, and nothing changes until I confirm. It feels like having a general manager who’s been with us from day one.”

QashierGM also takes routine admin off the owner’s plate. An owner can ask it to update a price, mark an item as sold out or add a new product, and QashierGM shows a card with exactly what will change and where. Nothing goes live until the owner taps confirm. Multi-outlet operators can compare stores, spot the one underperforming and push a change to every store in one request. Store managers see and change only their own store. Owners can also set alerts in their own words, such as “alert me on any unusual refunds” or “tell me when the first staff clocks in”, and QashierGM tells them when it matters.

Crew: the whole team, with QashierGM in the conversation

Crew, included in the Qashier plan and Enterprise plans, gives a merchant’s team a work chat of its own, separate from personal messaging groups where messages get lost and former staff keep the history. Owners, managers, kitchen and floor staff get private direct messages, group chats by team or department, and announcements with read receipts. Anyone can tag @GM to check a number, update an item or send a customer an invoice with a payment link. QashierGM acts only with the permissions of the person who tagged it, sends bigger changes to whoever can approve them right in the chat, and posts an update when an invoice is paid. It only sees the conversations it is tagged into.

On a typical day, a floor staff member can mark a dish sold out, a manager can approve a price change from her phone, and an owner can send an event deposit invoice and see it paid, all in the same app. Crew and QashierGM work in all major languages used across the region, including English, Mandarin Chinese, Malay and Thai.

Connectors to third party apps such as Gmail and Google Business Profile arrive in November, extending QashierGM beyond Qashier to supplier emails, customer enquiries and Google reviews. “A good general manager handles the work wherever it lands, not just inside one system,” added Choo. “This is the first step.”

Qashier processes more than US$1 billion in annualised payment volume for over 25,000 merchants across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. The company has been profitable since December 2025 and raised US$6.125 million in Series A+ financing in June 2026. QashierGM is available now to all Qashier merchants in Singapore through QashierHQ on web, Android and iOS, at no additional cost. Crew is included in the Qashier plan and Enterprise plans. Both launch in Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines in November. To learn more, visit https://qashier.com/sg/.

https://qashier.com/sg/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/qashier/
https://www.facebook.com/Qashier
https://www.instagram.com/qashier.sg/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@qashier.sg

Hashtag: #Qashier #QashierGM

Qashier Pte. Ltd.

Qashier is a unified merchant operating system that brings together payments, business software, embedded financial services and customer engagement tools on one platform. Operating across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines, Qashier supports more than 25,000 SMEs with an integrated ecosystem built for Southeast Asia’s digital economy. Qashier is licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore as a Major Payment Institution. Founded in Singapore in 2019, Qashier gives merchants an AI general manager, QashierGM, and a team chat, Crew, through QashierHQ.

New hub connects North American AI technology and demand with Southeast Asia’s expanding infrastructure ecosystem; company is building capacity across North America, Asia-Pacific and Europe

SAN FRANCISCO, US – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 October 2026 – TokenPulse, a next-generation AI inference infrastructure company headquartered in San Francisco and Singapore, today announced the opening of its Asia-Pacific Operating Hub in Singapore. The company marked the occasion with an opening ceremony attended by invited industry leaders and ecosystem partners, who gathered to discuss emerging opportunities in AI compute and global infrastructure.

Companies putting AI applications into production face rising inference costs, pressure to keep response times low, and often have to rebuild their platforms as workloads grow. Inference demand is climbing alongside: the global AI infrastructure market is projected to grow from $982 billion in 2025 to $1.98 trillion by 2027, doubling in size over the two-year period.

TokenPulse delivers high-performance, cost-efficient AI compute at global scale. By combining data-center resources, GPU infrastructure, an optimized inference engine and globally coordinated serving capabilities, the company serves foundation model companies, AI platforms, enterprises and AI-native applications.

Singapore as a Strategic Hub for a Global Infrastructure Network

TokenPulse is building its infrastructure footprint across North America, Asia-Pacific and Europe, with Singapore serving as its strategic center for APAC. The company’s regional strategy is designed to connect North America’s AI technology, customer and capital ecosystems with the expanding data-center and energy resources of Southeast Asia.

From Singapore, TokenPulse is positioned to work with partners across Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the wider region. The hub will support regional operations, infrastructure partnerships and coordination across the company’s global inference network, helping bring compute capacity closer to customers and AI workloads.

TokenPulse is taking a long-term approach to building an integrated AI infrastructure network, bringing together data-center, energy and compute resources to support growing AI inference demand across its global markets. The company is advancing multiple data-center projects with infrastructure partners across key markets, positioning itself for sustained capacity growth. Its infrastructure roadmap includes deployment of the latest-generation NVIDIA AI infrastructure, while its engineering focus remains on improving how effectively compute resources are converted into tokens and useful AI output.

“AI is undergoing a fundamental shift: compute demand is moving from training to inference. For businesses, inference is no longer a hidden cost sitting in the background. It is becoming a core competitive factor in determining whether AI products can successfully reach the market,” said Steven Zhou, CEO of TokenPulse.

“As one of the fastest-growing regions for AI applications, developers in Asia Pacific are direct about cost and performance. By making Singapore our co-headquarters and APAC operating hub, we are putting our compute and our team closest to them to deliver better performance at lower cost.”

Flexible Consumption and Deployment Options

TokenPulse offers three consumption models on a unified technology stack, allowing customers to start with smaller workloads and expand their compute capacity as their applications grow.

1. Serverless — Pay per Token: Provides unified API access for rapid deployment, model evaluation and variable workloads. It enables developers and AI-native applications to get started without committing to dedicated GPU capacity upfront.
2. On-Demand — Pay per GPU-Hour: Offers dedicated endpoints and predictable performance for customers with elastic compute requirements, supporting workload optimization as usage grows.
3. Reserved — Contracted Capacity: Provides dedicated, contracted compute capacity for sustained workloads and more customized infrastructure requirements.

TokenPulse offers three deployment options to accommodate different infrastructure, security and operational requirements:

1. TokenPulse Cloud. Managed GPU infrastructure for a streamlined path to production.
2. Private VPC. A TokenPulse-hosted environment with a dedicated network boundary and workload isolation.
3. BYOC (Bring Your Own Cloud). The TokenPulse inference engine can be deployed in a customer’s cloud or VPC, or on the customer’s own GPUs.

The company’s commercial approach is built around a simple principle: “Start small. Scale without replatforming.” Customers can begin by validating their applications through API-based access, then transition to GPU-based services or reserved capacity as demand increases. This lets businesses expand their AI workloads without having to switch providers or rebuild their platforms as their infrastructure needs change.

Optimizing Inference for Performance and Cost

TokenPulse’s competitive advantage is the combination of high-standard data center infrastructure and deep inference optimization tailored to specific industry use cases. By optimizing open-weight models for vertical workloads, TokenPulse improves compute efficiency and serving throughput so customers can process more tokens at lower cost.

Key technology capabilities include:

1. Higher cache efficiency: TokenPulse uses HiCache and a multi-tier key-value (KV) caching architecture to reduce repeated computation. Its observed cluster-level cache hit rate can reach 95%.
2. Faster response times: With context parallelism enabled, TokenPulse has achieved a 50% reduction in 90th-percentile time to first token (P90 TTFT) and a 75% reduction in 99th-percentile TTFT (P99 TTFT) compared with the same workload without context parallelism enabled.
3. Global intelligent routing: A unified routing architecture directs requests across serving regions based on factors including customer requirements, model, region and time window. Nearest-edge access, session-context reuse and redundant network paths are designed to support low latency, high availability and efficient compute utilization.

Together, these capabilities are designed to help AI businesses improve inference economics while maintaining the responsiveness and reliability required for production workloads. Actual performance gains vary by workload and operating conditions.

Leadership With Deep Infrastructure Experience

TokenPulse’s leadership and technical team bring experience spanning AI and machine learning infrastructure, cloud computing, networking, data centers and global business operations, including backgrounds at Microsoft, Google and Equinix.

CEO Steven Zhou is a serial entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience scaling businesses across the United States and Asia. Chairman Thomas Pang brings more than 30 years of experience across government, investment, infrastructure and corporate leadership. He spent more than two decades with Keppel and served as CEO of Keppel’s Data Centres & Networks Division from 2014 to 2024, overseeing the group’s global data-center and digital-connectivity businesses.

“Singapore is a natural choice for building our APAC operating hub, given its mature data center ecosystem, strong network connectivity and deep talent pool,” said Thomas Pang, Chairman of TokenPulse. “Our foundations are rooted in decades of experience across data centers, networking and cloud computing. Drawing on that experience in building and operating infrastructure at scale, we will continue investing in compute capacity and ecosystem support, delivering the best performance at the lowest cost per token.”

Hashtag: #TokenPulse

About TokenPulse

This distinction matters as AI changes how work is performed. The Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) Labour Market Report First Quarter 2026 found that 18.9% of firms reported redesigning job functions in response to AI, compared with 6.2% reporting AI-related reductions in headcount or hiring. MOM’s findings suggest that AI’s impact was more evident in changes to existing work than in widespread job displacement.

For students considering whether to study computer science or another technology degree, the decision therefore extends beyond learning to use the latest tools. It involves understanding which programme will help them develop, evaluate and apply technology in the areas that interest them.

Computing knowledge extends beyond generating code

AI-assisted coding does not remove the need to understand how software works. GitHub’s guidance on reviewing AI-generated code emphasises testing, checking whether code meets its intended requirements, and identifying security vulnerabilities or incorrect logic. These responsibilities require more than accepting a tool’s output at face value.

Singapore’s technology skills landscape also points to a range of capabilities. The Infocomm Media Development Authority’s Singapore Digital Economy Report 2025, which examines developments in 2024, reported technology workforce growth led by AI and data roles and cybersecurity. It also identified rising demand for skills involving AI, Python, SQL and cloud technologies.

Against this backdrop, students can assess a computing degree by how it develops their ability to solve problems, understand systems and check the reliability of their work, alongside the particular technologies it covers.

Different computing pathways emphasise different kinds of work

Programmes offered at SIM through its university partners illustrate the distinctions between broad computing foundations and more specialised areas of study.

The University of London’s Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science, developed by Goldsmiths, University of London, covers programming, algorithms, data structures and software development. Its published career directions include application programming, software engineering and systems analysis. For students interested in building software while exploring different computing areas, the breadth of compulsory and optional modules is an important point of comparison.

The University of London’s Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science (Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence) combines computing foundations with specialist subjects including machine learning and neural networks, natural language processing and intelligent signal processing. Its listed career directions include machine learning engineering and software engineering involving machine learning. This pathway focuses on understanding and constructing intelligent systems, rather than simply using consumer AI applications.

The University of Wollongong’s Bachelor of Computer Science (Cyber Security) focuses on protecting digital systems. Its curriculum combines programming, networks and databases with subjects such as system security and ethical hacking. Potential career directions include security analysis and penetration testing. Students comparing this pathway should therefore examine both the security specialisation and the computing knowledge that supports it.

The University of Wollongong’s Bachelor of Business Information Systems connects technology with organisational needs. Subjects include systems analysis, business process management and management information systems, alongside programming and mathematics. Its published career directions include systems analysis and IT consultancy. The programme illustrates why a business-oriented technology degree should not automatically be regarded as a non-technical alternative.

These career directions are possibilities rather than guaranteed outcomes. A useful comparison considers both the curriculum and the requirements of the roles a student hopes to pursue.

Programming and mathematics deserve early attention

Programme titles alone do not reveal the extent of technical study involved. The University of London’s computer science degree includes introductory programming, computational mathematics and discrete mathematics in its first year. The University of Wollongong’s cybersecurity and business information systems programmes both include Fundamental Programming with Python and Mathematics for Computing among their core subjects.

Students should distinguish between meeting admission requirements and being prepared for the learning ahead. Reviewing module descriptions, assessment methods and the progression from introductory to advanced subjects can help them understand the demands of a programme. For those new to coding, useful areas to investigate include the amount of independent practice expected, the role of laboratory assignments and the academic support available. For those considering an AI specialisation, the comparison should also examine how mathematical concepts are applied to developing and evaluating systems.

Practical projects should reveal how students think

Practical work provides another way to assess a degree. The University of London’s computer science programme includes a final project in which students combine their knowledge and skills to create a software system. Its machine learning and AI pathway identifies a substantial practical project involving the construction of an AI system and its application to a problem.

Rather than looking only for the phrase “hands-on learning”, prospective students can examine what a project requires them to demonstrate. Useful questions concern how problems are defined, how solutions are tested and how individual contributions are assessed in group work. For example, a recommendation-system project could be assessed not only on whether it produces suggestions, but also on whether the student can explain the data used, the evaluation method and the system’s limitations. This distinction helps separate a working demonstration from a well-understood solution.

The decision should begin with the problems students want to solve

Building software, developing machine learning systems, investigating security weaknesses and improving business processes suggest different priorities when comparing degrees. Students can begin with the work that interests them, then examine the compulsory modules, specialist options and practical assessments that support that direction. The aim is not to identify a qualification that promises protection from every technological change. It is to choose a programme whose foundations and learning demands match the student’s interests, while providing opportunities to develop and demonstrate their understanding.

References

1. Ministry of Manpower, Manpower Research and Statistics Department. Labour Market Report First Quarter 2026. – https://stats.mom.gov.sg/iMAS_PdfLibrary/mrsd-Labour-Market-Report-1Q-2026.pdf
2. Infocomm Media Development Authority. Annual Report and Singapore Digital Economy Report 2025 – https://www.imda.gov.sg/resources/press-releases-factsheets-and-speeches/ar-sgde-2025
3. GitHub. Review AI-generated code – https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/tutorials/review-ai-generated-code
4. Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science, University of London – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/programmes/programme-listing/bachelor-of-science-honours-computer-science.
5. Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science (Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence), University of London – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/programmes/programme-listing/bachelor-of-science-honours-computer-science-machine-learning-and-artificial-intelligence
6. Bachelor of Computer Science (Cyber Security), University of Wollongong – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/programmes/programme-listing/bachelor-of-computer-science-cyber-security
7. Bachelor of Business Information Systems, University of Wollongong – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/programmes/programme-listing/bachelor-of-business-information-systems
8. SIM IT and Computer Science Discipline – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/programmes/disciplines/it-computer-science

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

Hashtag: #SIMGlobalEducation #SIMGE

About SIM Global Education

The connectivity enables eligible FOMO Pay clients to transfer digital assets directly from their FOMO Pay business accounts to PantherTrade without routing through external third-party wallets. Required Travel Rule information is exchanged as part of the transaction workflow, supporting compliance requirements for eligible transfers.

The collaboration brings together FOMO Pay’s payment and digital asset infrastructure with Futu’s digital asset trading ecosystem. It expands access for a broader community of investors to Futu’s seamless service experience and diverse range of investment products, creating a more connected and intuitive pathway between digital assets and investing.

As businesses and institutions increasingly incorporate digital assets into treasury, investment and trading strategies, connectivity between regulated payment and trading platforms can help simplify transactions while supporting compliance requirements.

Leona Gan, Director of Business Development at FOMO Pay, said: “Digital assets are becoming an increasingly integrated part of the global financial system. Connecting payments, trading and financial infrastructure through trusted, compliant rails will be essential to this evolution. Our collaboration with PantherTrade is another step towards enabling more seamless digital asset transfers and a more connected financial ecosystem.”

Sherry Zhu, Global Head of Digital Assets at Futu, said: “Our collaboration with FOMO Pay marks PantherTrade’s first Travel Rule integration with an overseas licensed institution. By enabling compliant cross-border digital asset transfers, we are building a bridge to a more connected Web3 ecosystem, while keeping regulatory compliance and investor protection at the core.”

The collaboration underscores the continued development of infrastructure connecting payments and regulated digital asset markets, supporting the evolving needs of businesses and institutional participants.

ONYX Dining invites guests to discover a variety of dining experiences at Amari Bangkok and Amari Pattaya, from family meals with something for every generation and relaxed gatherings over long conversations to opportunities to discover new flavours or dine by the sea. Each offers more than a meal: “More of What You Love”

A family meal with something for everyone at the table — Prego

When dining out as a family, everyone may have a different favourite. Some may be in the mood for pizza, others may prefer pasta, while others may wish to try something new. Prego Italian Restaurant at Amari Bangkok brings a variety of Italian dishes together at one table, from wood-fired pizza, homemade pasta and Italian classics to children’s menus and gluten-free options. Highlights also include Risotto alla Montanara, one of the restaurant’s signature dishes, burrata and tiramisu, allowing everyone to choose a dish they love and make the most of their time together.

For those looking to swap the city for the seaside, Prego Pattaya Pasta Lab & Bar at Amari Pattaya welcomes guests with fresh pasta made in-house, pizza and contemporary interpretations of Italian classics, overlooking the curve of North Pattaya Beach. Meanwhile, Amaya Food Gallery offers familiar Thai and international dishes, making a seaside meal another opportunity to relax and spend time with family or someone special.

This November, Prego is set to open a new location at Amari Don Muang Airport Bangkok, offering another choice for families looking to spend time together over their favourite Italian dishes, whether in the city, by the sea or close to the airport.

A Thai meal for moments when you want the conversation to last a little longer — ChomSindh

For meals with older family members or friends of different generations, part of the appeal of Thai cuisine lies in gathering around a table to enjoy a variety of dishes, choosing, serving and sharing as the conversation flows. ChomSindh at Amari Bangkok presents Thai cuisine inspired by rivers and the sea, with dishes such as Chaiya-style Pad Thai with River Prawns, ChomSindh Rice Soup, Naree Kansaeng, Tiger Prawns Stir-fried with Herbs and Spices using a traditional recipe, and Grouper with Three-flavour Sauce. These dishes draw on recipes passed down through generations, locally sourced ingredients and traditional cooking techniques, served in a contemporary setting with an open kitchen.

ChomSindh is also bringing its flavours to Amari Johor Bahru in Malaysia through a pop-up throughout October, followed by Amari Hua Hin throughout November. These pop-ups invite guests to discover Thai cuisine inspired by rivers and the sea, while sharing good food and memorable moments with family and friends. With a selection of dishes brought together at one table, everyone can explore different flavours while talking, exchanging stories and spending time together throughout the meal, bringing the pleasure of good food together with the joy of good company.

Turn an everyday meal into a special occasion with new flavours — NILA

Celebrations need not be reserved for birthdays or anniversaries. Some good news, a new beginning or simply a desire to spend time together can be reason enough. NILA at Amari Bangkok presents a contemporary interpretation of Indian cuisine from across the country, drawing on the heritage, stories and memories behind its recipes. Its approachable flavours make it an inviting choice for couples and groups of friends keen to discover something new.

More than a meal: time spent together, another experience from ONYX Hospitality Group

From family meals where everyone can choose a favourite dish and longer conversations over Thai cuisine to exploring new flavours with friends or enjoying a change of scenery by the sea, food may be the starting point, but it is the time spent together that makes each meal memorable.

For ONYX Hospitality Group, which manages hotels, resorts, serviced apartments and luxury residences, alongside restaurants and spas across Asia Pacific, dining is another important part of the journey. The Group has therefore developed ONYX Dining to bring together its restaurants with a variety of concepts, from Italian, Thai and contemporary Indian cuisine to seaside dining, while establishing a distinctive identity for each restaurant in its destination.

This approach aligns with ONYX Hospitality Group’s More of What You Love theme, reflecting the idea of choosing to spend time on the things each person enjoys throughout their journey, from dining and relaxation to activities, discovering destinations and moments shared with the people who matter.

ONYX Rewards members can enjoy dining discounts at participating restaurants according to their membership tier, while Prego offers discounts starting from 10% and up to 30% for Platinum members, in addition to accommodation benefits, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.

Whatever the occasion, the question may be more than “What would you like to eat today?” It may also be “Who would you like to spend this meal with?”

Hashtag: #ONYXHospitalityGroup

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Source: University of Auckland (UoA)

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2026

New funding is helping researchers tackle one of New Zealand’s most common health conditions.

Researchers will be able to advance two promising projects targeting hypertension, thanks to a generous donation from the family behind Partridge Jewellers.

Up to one in three New Zealanders live with high blood pressure, dubbed the “silent killer” for its lack of symptoms, which is a major modifiable risk factor for heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases.

The Partridge family has provided additional funding through the Partridge Laureate Scheme to continue work led by Professor Julian Paton, director of Manaaki Manawa, the University of Auckland’s Centre for Heart Research, and Dr Amanda Dixon-McIver, Laboratory Director at IGENZ (Innovative Genomics), a New Zealand-owned diagnostic genomics laboratory.

The latest donation comes at a critical stage for two projects aimed at developing new ways to diagnose and treat hypertension, Paton says.

“High blood pressure remains one of New Zealand’s biggest health challenges, yet around half of patients do not achieve adequate control with existing treatments,” he says.

“This support will help us move towards more personalised care and explore an entirely new way of managing hypertension.”

One project, led by Dixon-McIver, is developing a genetic test that could help guide treatment decisions for people with hypertension.

Clinicians have limited tools to determine what is driving an individual’s high blood pressure, despite there being multiple potential causes and several classes of medication available, Paton says.

“As a result, finding the most effective treatment is not evidence-based and takes time.”

The funding will allow researchers to test the genetic approach in newly diagnosed patients for the first time.

“Getting patients onto the most effective treatment earlier could improve outcomes, reduce complications and ultimately save lives,” says Dixon-McIver.

The second project will investigate whether a medicine already approved for another condition can be repurposed to treat stress-driven increases in blood pressure. After encouraging pre-clinical results, researchers are preparing for first-in-human trials.

“We know stress can trigger dangerous spikes in blood pressure and current medicines are not designed to target this response,” says Paton.

“This approach has the potential to open up a completely new treatment pathway for hypertension with benefits that could extend well beyond New Zealand.”

Spanning six generations and more than 160 years, Partridge Jewellers is believed to be New Zealand’s oldest family-run business and among the oldest jewellers in Australasia still run by the same family.

“New Zealand has supported our family business for more than 160 years, and we’ve always wanted to give something back,” says Jack Partridge.

“What appealed to us was the opportunity to support work that could have a lasting impact on people’s health.”

Paton says philanthropic partnerships are increasingly important in translating discoveries into better patient care, and he hopes more companies will support research in a similar way.

“Research like this takes time and sustained investment, but the potential impact is enormous,” he says.

“The Partridge family’s support is helping us bring promising new treatments closer to reality and could improve and lengthen the lives of thousands of people with hypertension.”

Paton also hopes the research will raise awareness of hypertension and encourage people to get their blood pressure checked before the condition leads to a heart attack, stroke or heart arrhythmia.

“Could we finally find a way to control the silent killer?” he says.