The Company has reduced carbon emissions intensity by 47% since 2020 and strengthened environmental monitoring, renewable energy use and conservation initiatives

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 October 2026 – As Brazil marks National Day for Industrial Pollution Control in August, Bracell is highlighting its continued efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its industrial operations while advancing operational efficiency and sustainable development in Bahia.

Between 2020 and 2025, Bracell reduced its carbon emissions intensity by 47% per ton of pulp produced, reaching 0.257 tons of CO₂ equivalent per ton of product (tCO₂e/adt) across its operations in Bahia, São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul.

The progress is part of Bracell 2030, the company’s long-term sustainability strategy, which is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The strategy comprises 14 targets across four pillars: Climate Action, Sustainable Landscapes and Biodiversity, Sustainable Growth, and Empowering Lives.

Under its Climate Action pillar, Bracell aims to achieve a 75% reduction in carbon emissions per ton of product by 2030, reaching 0.122 tCO₂e/adt. At Bracell’s industrial unit in Camaçari, one of the key advances has been the modernisation of a pulp production line. A new cooking line, which began operating in October 2025, has improved process efficiency by reducing the amount of steam required during pulp manufacturing.

“As part of our goals, we seek to increase operational efficiency through continuous investments in innovation and technology in our processes, making us more sustainable, competitive, and aligned with our commitment to reducing carbon emissions,” said Angela Ribeiro, Sustainability Manager at Bracell Bahia.

Bracell also conducts an annual corporate inventory of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals. In 2025, the inventory covered the company’s pulp and paper value chain, including industrial operations in Bahia and São Paulo, forestry activities in Bahia, São Paulo and Mato Grosso do Sul, and logistics operations.

Environmental controls at Bracell’s Camaçari industrial unit include continuous and isokinetic monitoring of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), particulate matter and reduced sulfur compounds (RSCs). According to the company, monitoring results consistently remain below applicable legal emission limits.

“Environmental control includes continuous and isokinetic monitoring of parameters such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), particulate matter, and reduced sulfur compounds (RSCs). The results consistently remain below legal emission limits, reinforcing the efficiency of the environmental control systems implemented at the factory,” said Angela.

The monitoring is conducted in accordance with Brazilian environmental legislation and forms part of the company’s broader approach to continuous environmental management. Bracell’s work in measuring, managing and transparently disclosing GHG emissions has also been recognised with the Gold Seal of the Brazilian GHG Protocol Program for four consecutive years. The programme is developed by the Centre for Sustainability Studies at Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) and the World Resources Institute (WRI), in partnership with institutions including Brazil’s Ministry of the Environment and the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development.

Bracell also participates in the Air Quality Monitoring Program of the Camaçari Industrial Complex, conducted by Cetrel. The Air Monitoring Network has operated continuously since May 1994 and is nationally recognised for the quality and technical reliability of the data generated.

Beyond reducing emissions from its industrial operations, Bracell has set a target to remove 25 million tons of CO₂ equivalent from the atmosphere between 2020 and 2030. Over the first five years of the programme, the company removed approximately 6 million tons of CO₂ equivalent. In 2025 alone, 3.4 million tCO₂e were removed, including 1.8 million tons from planted forests and 1.6 million tons from preserved native vegetation.

The results reflect the balance between emissions from operations, carbon sequestration in eucalyptus plantations and the conservation of native vegetation managed by the company, as well as areas conserved in partnership with governments in the states where Bracell operates.

“One of the most relevant milestones in our sustainability agenda is the progress of the One for One Commitment, through which we support the conservation of one hectare of native forest for every hectare of eucalyptus planted,” said Meryellen Baldim, Environment and Certifications Manager at Bracell Bahia.

By 2025, Bracell, a member of the RGE group of companies founded by Sukanto Tanoto, had contributed to the protection of approximately 301,000 hectares of native vegetation across the states where it operates, achieving its established goal ahead of schedule.

In Bahia, the company owns four Private Natural Heritage Reserves (RPPNs). One of these is Lontra, located on the North Coast, which protects 1,377 hectares of Atlantic Forest, a biome of strategic importance for water and climate security. The reserve is recognised as an Advanced Post of the Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve (RBMA) by UNESCO.

Bracell’s climate strategy also focuses on increasing the efficiency of its industrial operations and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. At its industrial unit, approximately 90% of the energy consumed comes from renewable sources, supporting the company’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and the environmental impacts associated with industrial activity.

Together, investments in process efficiency, emissions monitoring, renewable energy, carbon removal and native vegetation conservation form part of Bracell’s broader commitment to developing more sustainable industrial practices while contributing to economic development and environmental responsibility.

https://www.bracell.com

Hashtag: #RGE #Bracell #Bracell2030 #Sustainability #Carbon #Environment #Renewable #Emissions

Century-old Sauce Brand Continues Drive Toward Sustainable Packaging

HONG KONG, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 September 2026 – Lee Kum Kee Sauce (“Lee Kum Kee”), the century-old sauce brand, has been honoured with the Gold Award in the inaugural Packaging Reduction Charter by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Recognised for outstanding performance in driving packaging reduction and sustainable development, Lee Kum Kee was among the first signatories to the Charter and is one of the first cohort of food manufacturers to receive the award. The honour reflects its role as a responsible corporate citizen committed to advancing sustainable packaging.

Launched by the EPD on 31 March 2025, the Packaging Reduction Charter encourages businesses to reassess and reduce packaging usage, foster a waste-reduction culture in the commercial sector, and support Hong Kong’s long-term goal of carbon neutrality. To date, over 140 companies across sectors including retail, logistics, electronics, and food & beverage have joined, with Lee Kum Kee being one of the first. Participating companies undergo an annual professional assessment for packaging reduction, recyclability, reuse/recycling, sustainability, and promotion of packaging reduction. Lee Kum Kee demonstrated multiple packaging optimisation achievements during the assessment process, ultimately earning the Gold Award.

Dodie Hung, Executive Vice President – Corporate Affairs at Lee Kum Kee Sauce, said, “This award is a significant recognition of Lee Kum Kee’s long-standing commitment to sustainable packaging transformation. Guided by our value of ‘Si Li Ji Ren’ (Considering Others’ Interests), we are committed to integrating sustainable development into every aspect of our business operations. Through innovative thinking, we continuously optimise packaging design for greater efficiency and recyclability, delivering high quality, delicious and environmentally responsible products to consumers. Moving forward, we remain dedicated to collaborating with the industry to support Hong Kong’s vision of achieving carbon neutrality.”

Lee Kum Kee continuously refines its packaging with reference to the Practical Guides on Packaging Reduction and Management published by EPD and the Golden Design Rules developed by the Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), driving packaging weight reduction while enhancing recyclability and circular value. Since 2002, Lee Kum Kee has consistently reduced the weight of its glass bottles; for example, in 2025, it cut the weight of its 32-ounce oyster sauce bottles from 410 to 390 grams, saving 10 tonnes of glass throughout the year. Additionally, the company has saved more than 200 tonnes of carton material annually through improved carton designs. Over 95% of packaging materials, by weight, are recyclable.

Lee Kum Kee’s sustainable packaging was featured in the 2026 Golden Design Rules Case Study Booklet during the CGF China Day in early September, confirming that its initiatives align with both local policy directions and international best practices.

For details on Lee Kum Kee and sustainability, please refer to the Lee Kum Kee Global Sustainability Highlights 2025: https://corporate.lkk.com/en/csr

Hashtag: #LeeKumKee #LKK

About Lee Kum Kee Sauce

NDP 2026 returned to the National Stadium for the first time since 2016 and played to a capacity crowd of about 42,000, the largest National Day Parade audience in a decade. Staged under the theme “Majulah Singapura, Go Beyond!”, the show ran across six chapters on an arrow-shaped stage measuring 162 metres long and 74 metres at its widest, served by six stage lifts and eight tunnel entrances and exits. More than 2,600 performers and 36 artistes took part alongside 32 marching contingents and 1,271 civilian participants, according to the NDP 2026 organising committee. The production carried 1,654 entertainment lighting fixtures and over 170 special effects machines, and featured NDP’s first indoor drone display, in which 300 drones flew 30 metres above a stadium floor occupied by performers.

Show-calling is the discipline that commits all of that to a single running order. Working from a cue script, the show-caller calls each segment change, performer entry, lighting state, audio cue, video roll and effect in sequence over headset to the crews and stage managers executing them. What separates a parade from a corporate show is that there is no reset. The running order cannot be paused or restarted, so a late cue does not delay the show. It puts the performers, the drones, the lighting, and the broadcast feed out of alignment with one another for as long as it takes to recover. Se7en Friday’s show-callers worked through the full rehearsal ladder, including the combined rehearsals, the two National Education shows, and the previews on 25 July and 1 August, building and testing the cue stack and the contingency calls for weather, timing overruns, and equipment faults. This same level of show control and precision underpins Se7en Friday’s work in dinner and dance event management and large-scale corporate productions.

The appreciation event that followed the parade was planned and run by the same team, covering catering, event decoration, master of ceremonies services, and the games and segments that made up the programme. Because the team producing it had worked the production from planning through to show day, the event was built by people who knew the schedule the participants had been keeping. For the organisers, it also placed a single supplier in charge of both the show-calling and the appreciation event, rather than a second vendor briefed from scratch once the parade was over.

Henry Tan, Events and Managing Director at Se7en Friday, said the engagement was decided in rehearsal.

“A show this size is not difficult because it is big, it is difficult because nothing waits. If a cue lands a second late, the performers, the drones, and every light in the building are a second out of alignment, and there is no way to take it back. So most of the work happened in the stadium in the weeks before, building the cue stack and deciding in advance what we would do if something went wrong, which meant that on the night there was nothing left to decide. The appreciation event was the other half of it. For months everybody on this project had been working to somebody else’s cue, and that was the one evening the people who built the show got to sit down and be looked after.”

The same cue scripting, stage management, and rehearsal practice apply to the company’s commercial work at a smaller scale. Se7en Friday runs conference and seminar event management, dinner and dance events, product launches and openings, family days and retreats, and livestreamed and hybrid events, using an in-house production team with its own warehousing and logistics fleet and full-time crew.

The NDP engagement is the largest application to date of the production discipline Se7en Friday applies to its corporate work. The company continues to operate from Singapore, serving government ministries, statutory boards, and corporate accounts. The direction Tan has set out is for the company to continue operating as a single production partner across the full run of an event, from cue scripting and technical delivery through to the events that follow it, rather than as a supplier engaged for one component of a programme.
https://www.se7enfriday.com/
https://www.facebook.com/teamse7enfriday#
https://www.instagram.com/se7enfriday/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt4i211XGED5FoOr-dJlz9w/videos

Hashtag: #Se7enFriday

About Se7en Friday

Founded in 2015, Se7en Friday Pte Ltd is a Singapore-based corporate event management company with more than 10 years of industry experience. The company has delivered over 5,200 events across more than 20 industries for clients including the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Singapore Civil Defence Force and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, alongside statutory boards and Fortune 500 corporations. Its services span conferences and seminars, product launches and openings, dinner and dances, family days and retreats, and livestreamed, virtual and hybrid events, supported by an in-house production team, company-owned warehousing and a logistics fleet. Se7en Friday is bizSafe Level 3 certified, a certified Safe Event SG organiser, and the exclusive carrier of L-Acoustics professional audio systems in Singapore.

Unlock US$232,420+ PhD scholarship packages—apply by 1 Dec 2026

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 September 2026 – For prospective doctoral and research postgraduate students seeking to elevate their research on a global stage, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has opened applications for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS), offering fully funded PhD opportunities for the 2027–28 academic year. Supported by competitive scholarship packages, distinguished faculty mentorship, and cutting-edge facilities, CUHK provides an ideal launchpad for high-achieving international scholars to drive global impact.

Dedicated Doctoral & Postgraduate Scholarships
Through CUHK’s enhanced HKPFS Package, successful PhD candidates receive a scholarship package valued at over US$232,420+, covering annual stipends, full tuition fee waivers, lodging awards, and conference travel allowances across their normative study period. Additionally, competitive international awards, including the Belt & Road Scholarship, are available to cover full tuition fees for eligible research postgraduate students.

World-Class Academic & Research Ecosystem
Ranked 18th globally by QS World University Rankings 2027 and 10th in Asia by Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2026, CUHK provides a top-tier environment for master’s and doctoral candidates alike. Situated on Hong Kong’s largest university campus, CUHK offers 240+ English-taught postgraduate programmes across eight faculties, featuring 20 subjects in the global top 30 and six in the top 10—including Education (#1), Gastroenterology and Hepatology (#2), Nursing (#6), Computer Science (#7), and Arts and Humanities and Artificial Intelligence (both ranked #9).

Research postgraduates at CUHK create real-world impact alongside 430+ top 2% global scientists while accessing 250+ interdisciplinary research institutes, four State Key Laboratories, and pioneering InnoHK centres. Through collaborations with leading universities worldwide, they contribute to innovations that generate tangible impact locally, nationally, and globally. Driven by this dynamic research environment, CUHK unlocked over US$324 million in annual research funding in 2024–25 alone.

Voices of International Students
The transformative impact of CUHK’s academic environment is echoed by its international doctoral students:

“The HKPFS has enabled me to advance interdisciplinary research in Blue Humanities and Pacific environmental literature,” said Ananya Roy, an HKPFS awardee pursuing a PhD in English Literary Studies from India. “Through international conference presentations and forthcoming publications, I am developing a globally engaged research agenda that bridges literary studies and environmental thought.”

Alexandra Rose McCombie, a PhD candidate in Biology from Scotland, added: “The opportunity to study science at CUHK has allowed me to pursue my passion through an intellectually challenging and thoroughly enjoyable programme in one of the world’s most vibrant cities. Researching alongside world-class academics and talented peers has been incredibly motivational and inspiring for my future career.”

Take Your Next Step Global
Applications for the 2027–28 HKPFS intake close on 1 December 2026 (11:59PM HKT).

To help prospective international applicants navigate admission requirements and scholarship applications, CUHK will host a Virtual Info Session on 15 October 2026. Attendees will connect live with professors and current students to gain key tips on admission and scholarship opportunities.

For event registration and application details, visit https://www.gs.cuhk.edu.hk/hkpfs.

https://www.gs.cuhk.edu.hk/hkpfs

Hashtag: #CUHK #HKPFS #PhD

About CUHK

Founded in 1963, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a leading comprehensive research university with a global reputation and world-leading rankings. Located in the heart of Asia, CUHK has a vision and a mission to combine tradition with modernity, and to bring together China and the West. The University has eight faculties: Arts, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Science, and Social Science. Together with the Graduate School, the University offers over 300 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. All faculties are actively engaged in research in a wide range of disciplines, with an array of research institutes and research centres specialising in interdisciplinary research of the highest quality.

INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA – Newsaktuell – 29 September 2026 – MED-EL, a global leader in hearing implant technology, today announced the launch of TICI UNICO, the world’s first and only commercially available totally invisible cochlear implant. Designed for people with severe-to-profound hearing loss, TICI UNICO enables continuous hearing 24 hours a day while remaining completely beneath the skin. It has received CE Mark approval and is being introduced in European markets.

Cochlear implants have helped hundreds of thousands of people worldwide to hear. TICI UNICO expands hearing implant options by combining continuous hearing with complete invisibility and freedom from external audio processors. Users can hear while sleeping, exercising, showering, swimming and charging the device.

“TICI UNICO is a new chapter in the history of hearing,” says Dr. Ingeborg Hochmair, co-founder and CEO of MED-EL. “For the first time, invisible hearing with a cochlear implant is possible. This is a milestone for people with hearing loss and the result of decades of research and innovation at MED-EL.”

Key benefits of TICI UNICO:
· Completely invisible
· 24/7 access to sound
· No external equipment to wear, remove, or maintain
· No concerns about losing or damaging external devices
· Hearing performance comparable to established cochlear implant solutions

Long-Held Vision becomes Reality

Capturing sound through the skin has long been one of the greatest challenges in developing a totally invisible cochlear implant. MED-EL successfully developed an innovative microphone technology designed to deliver high-quality sound while remaining completely beneath the skin.

Prof. Philippe Lefèbvre, Head of the ENT Department at CHU Liège, and Prof. Joachim Müller, Associate Professor for Otology and Cochlear Implants at LMU University Hospital Munich, highlight the significance of TICI UNICO: “Twenty-four-hour, invisible hearing opens the door to a completely new generation of hearing implants.”

For recipients, the impact extends to the freedom of hearing. Thomas, one of the first TICI UNICO recipients, says: “I wake up hearing, fall asleep hearing, and can enjoy everyday moments without having to think about my hearing device.”

TICI UNICO is intended for people with severe-to-profound sensorineural hearing loss who may benefit from a cochlear implant. More information: http://go.medel.com/tici.

The publication was officially launched today by Bishop Dr. T. Jeyakumar, Bishop of the Methodist Church in Malaysia, and Puan Siti Bahijah binti Bakhtiar, Deputy Director, Services and Multilateral Relations Sector, Private Education Division, Ministry of Education Malaysia, bringing together voices from across the Methodist education community.

At the heart of Warkah untuk Perdana Menteri is a simple idea: to give people a space to speak. Through their letters, contributors share their hopes for Malaysia, reflect on the society around them and imagine the kind of future they would like to see. Their thoughts touch on unity, integrity, compassion, identity and moral courage, while offering a personal glimpse into what these ideas mean to them.

The event was further enriched by performances from three Wesley Methodist schools: the Wesley Methodist School Ipoh Choir, Wesley Methodist School Kuala Lumpur (Private) Choral Speaking, and Wesley Methodist School Kuala Lumpur (International) Dikir Barat, bringing music, language and cultural expression into the celebration.

More than a collection of written reflections, Warkah untuk Perdana Menteri also reflects the kind of learning that happens when students are encouraged to think beyond the classroom. To question, listen, express an idea and consider how their choices affect others are all part of growing into individuals who can participate meaningfully in the world around them.

Perhaps that is what makes the voices in Warkah untuk Perdana Menteri worth hearing. They are not presented as having all the answers, but as young people learning to find their voice, understand their place and imagine what tomorrow could look like.

And in giving those voices a place to be heard, Warkah untuk Perdana Menteri reminds us that education is not only about preparing students for the future. It is also about helping them recognise that they already have a part to play in it.
https://wms.edu.my/

Hashtag: #MCOE

About Wesley Methodist School

2 in 3 Singaporeans expect recovery during their ‘health gap’ year to cost more than $200,000

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 September 2026 – Recovering from a critical illness (CI) can take far longer than many Singaporeans expect, yet few are financially prepared for the journey. A poll by Prudential Singapore (“Prudential”) found that 67 per cent of Singaporeans expect recovery from a severe-stage critical illness to take more than a year. However, only 29 per cent say their savings could cover household expenses for that long if they had no income during recovery.

The findings highlight the challenges of what Prudential terms “health gap years” – the period when individuals may be unable to work while recovering from a critical illness such as cancer, heart attack or stroke, even as ongoing household expenses, caregiving costs and financial commitments continue.

Concerns over the cost of recovery are reflected in the poll as only one in five Singaporeans (20 per cent) are confident they could cover both medical bills and everyday expenses during recovery. More than three in five (64 per cent) estimate they would need more than S$200,000 to cope with the financial impact of a severe-stage critical illness.

The findings are aligned with the Life Insurance Association (LIA) 2022 Protection Gap Study that reported a 74 per cent CI protection gap. This suggests that most people do not have sufficient protection coverage, which leaves them financially vulnerable in an unforeseen event.

Mr Manu Tandon, Chief Health & Protection Officer, Prudential Singapore, said: “Many people recognise that recovery from a critical illness can take a long time, yet they may not be financially ready when it happens. Critical illness is not merely a medical episode. It can have far-reaching emotional, financial and physical implications for patients and their families, long after they leave the hospital. This may include the patient’s loss of income, the strain of additional expenses, and greater demands on caregivers.”

These concerns are reflected in the poll where about half the respondents (46 per cent) cited medical expenses as their primary concern, while 34 per cent were worried about the loss of income and 31 per cent about burdening their family.

Critical illness can impact long-term financial goals

Beyond immediate healthcare expenses, respondents expect CI to affect their long-term financial security. If they run out of funds during recovery, they are most likely to draw on their emergency funds (53 per cent), retirement savings (40 per cent) or sell investments (33 per cent). Almost one in four (24 per cent) would even return to work earlier than planned.

Families with children may face particularly difficult trade-offs. Among respondents with children, 35 per cent identified education fees as a key expense during recovery. If they were unable to work, 24 per cent were likely to pull their children out of enrichment classes and 19 per cent would dip into education funds.

Caregiving costs represent a major blind spot

The poll also found that many Singaporeans may be underestimating the financial impact of caregiving during recovery. For most families, the financial strain will deepen when caregivers leave work to provide care. Almost 3 in 4 (72 per cent) cited financial support as the most important form of support for caregivers, but only 13 per cent believed their household would have enough savings if a caregiver stopped working to care for them.

Respondents also identified caregiving-related costs that could arise during recovery, including costly drugs and alternative treatments (71 per cent), ongoing daily living expenses linked to care needs (67 per cent) and rehabilitation and therapy (59 per cent).

Mr Tandon added: “Ultimately, being prepared for potential health gap years can make a difference between a recovery journey overshadowed by financial stress and one focused on what matters most: recovery and getting life back on track. Building a strong financial safety net to weather a critical illness event is crucial not only for the individual, but the whole family.”

Owning a critical illness (CI) plan does not mean adequate protection

Although more than half (59 per cent) of respondents own a CI plan, only 20 per cent are confident that they have adequate coverage to sustain them through recovery.

CI insurance is designed to provide a lump sum payout that will help policyholders manage income loss and additional expenses, and it supplements hospitalisation insurance that pays for medical bills incurred from hospital stays. Nearly nine in 10 respondents (88 per cent) said a lump-sum CI payout would be important in helping their families manage caregiving expenses and income loss during recovery.

Said Mr Tandon: “This indicates that consumer awareness and ownership of a CI plan do not necessarily translate into a sense of financial security. Closing the protection gap would require consumers to assess if their coverage is enough to support them and their families throughout the health gap years. Besides the sum assured, understanding the breadth of coverage and types of illnesses covered under your plan is important as there are different types of plans available. This is why it is important to do regular reviews with your financial representative to ensure your coverage continues to meet your needs through the years.”

The poll commissioned by Prudential surveyed 1,000 Singapore residents aged 18 to 55+ from June to July 2026. The study explored how prepared Singaporeans are for their potential “health gap years” and examined gaps in financial preparedness, caregiving support and understanding of CI protection.

https://www.prudential.com.sg/
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Hashtag: #PrudentialSingapore

About Prudential Assurance Company Singapore (Pte) Ltd (Prudential Singapore)

Forging new Hong Kong–Europe pathways in AI, New Industralisation and smart city innovation with German Industry and Commerce and ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 September 2026 – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), in partnership with German Industry and Commerce (GIC) and ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA, and supported by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, InvestHK and HKETO Berlin, led a delegation of eight Hong Kong Science Park companies to Germany and Austria from 21 to 25 September 2026 for a focused programme of business matching, ecosystem exchange and institutional engagement across Munich, Vienna and Graz. Bringing together government, industry, academia and innovation ecosystem partners, the mission deepened engagement with leading stakeholders, created new opportunities for cross-border collaboration and commercialisation in artificial intelligence (AI), new industralisation, and smart city, and reinforced Hong Kong’s role as a preferred platform for innovation exchange between Europe and Asia.

The delegation marked a major step forward in HKSTP’s growing engagement in Central Europe. As HKSTP’s first market-focused mission to Germany, Europe’s largest AI market and a leading enterprise technology hub, it built on earlier collaboration with ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA, including GO AUSTRIA Spring 2025 and 2026 and the renowned ViennaUP Festival, as well as more recent joint efforts with partners in Germany and Austria under Global Connect and the Global Innovation Exchange. The ongoing efforts created practical pathways for Hong Kong companies to explore partnerships, validate demand and expand into key European markets.

A key highlight was HKSTP’s participation in the Applied Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026 (AAIC) in Vienna, Austria, to connect with key industry partners and investors for potential business collaboration. Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, delivered a speech titled “AAIC-Talk: Applied AI in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area: Innovation, Industrial Transformation and Opportunities for Collaboration with Austria”at theAustria’s flagship international AI business conference.He shared Hong Kong has elevated AI into a core industry and is emerging as one of the world’s most dynamic innovation and technology (I&T) centres. He also invited Austria to partner in shaping AI’s next chapter, and highlighting opportunities for collaboration between Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and Austria. During the Conference, Professor Sun had a brief exchange with park companies from the delegation participating in the Conference to learn about their innovative solutions.

Mr Eric Or, Chief Ecosystem Development Officer of HKSTP, said, “HKSTP is committed to helping innovators scale beyond borders. Our inaugural delegation to Germany and the continuous connection with Austria highlights the value of strategic international engagement in opening doors for park companies to connect with leading industry, academic and investors in Europe. It also reflects Hong Kong’s unique role as a gateway for cross-border collaboration, underpinned by its distinct strengths as a super-connector and super value-adder. As HKSTP continues to expand its global outreach to further strengthen Hong Kong’s innovation links with global markets, and reinforce the city’s position as an international innovation and technology hub.”

The delegation began in Munich, focusing on Germany’s industrial AI and enterprise innovation ecosystem, and engaging institutions including Chamber of commerce and industry for Munich and upper Bavaria (IHK), Siemens AI Lab, and the European Union’s top Technical University of Munich (TUM). Discussions centred on industrial AI, advanced manufacturing, technology translation and cross-border collaboration. The high potential tech firms continued the week-long journey in Vienna and Graz, connected with leading Austrian research, industry and innovation organisations, including the leading Graz University of Technology (TU Graz), Austrian Institute of Technology and more.

Highlighted innovations from the delegation:

• GenAI-Powered Marketing – Amber International Holding Limited introduced MIA, its new agentic AI marketing platform designed to monitor markets, generate on-brand content and support distribution workflows with human approval.
• Let AI run enterprises. Let AI do business – Echronos AI Group, a China-based innovator in industrial-grade AI Agentic OS, leverages the HKSTP ecosystem and Hong Kong’s global connectivity as a gateway for international expansion. The company introduced its flagship JovaAI platform to European industry leaders. Powered by proprietary semantic and multi-agent orchestration technologies, JovaAI coordinates complex enterprise workflows, from inquiry-to-quote orchestration and cross-border customs planning to dynamic production rescheduling.
• End-to-end AI Talent Solution – Neufast offers corporate AI strategy consulting and technical implementation for an agentic AI platform covering candidate sourcing, performance appraisals, and leadership development. It is expanding in Europe through partnerships with SAP SuccessFactors for enterprise business transformation and TÜV Rheinland for ISO27001 certification, with the support of the Austrian government’s Go Austria Plus programme by the Global Incubator Network Austria (GIN) and Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG).

Together, these engagements in Germany and Austria deepened HKSTP’s ties with the regions’ innovation ecosystem and opened new opportunities for collaboration in applied AI, robotics, smart production and commercialisation between Hong Kong and Europe.

Appendix: List of park companies in the HKSTP’s delegation

1. Amber International Holding Limited
2. Cogniser Infotech Ltd
3. Echronos AI Group
4. Haircosys Limited
5. IGRAPH TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
6. Neufast Limited
7. Robocore Technology Limited
8. Westwell Technology (Hong Kong) Limited

Hashtag: #HKSTP

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation

The Planetarium is serving as a key venue for the 19th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA 2026), which Vietnam is hosting for the first time. The Olympiad brings together nearly 500 international delegates from 64 countries and territories, including more than 300 outstanding high-school contestants, as well as team leaders, scientists and educators.

The investment forms part of Phenikaa University’s broader strategy to strengthen STEM education by integrating learning, research, technology and hands-on scientific experience.

Designed to take science education beyond the classroom, Phenikaa Planetarium enables students to explore astronomical phenomena through immersive visualisation and observation. In addition to supporting university teaching, the facility will give high-school students access to astronomy and hands-on STEM learning, while also serving teachers and the wider community.

The Planetarium features a 16-metre-diameter dome, a projection system of 5 Sony GTZ380 projectors and SkyExplorer simulation software, enabling detailed simulation of the night sky under controlled conditions. These technical capabilities also enable the facility to host the planetarium-based observational examination of IOAA 2026.

Prof. Dr. Ho Xuan Nang, Chairman of the Phenikaa University Council, said: “This VND 80 billion commitment is ultimately an investment in the next generation of scientists and innovators. Through Phenikaa Planetarium, we want young people not only to learn about science, but to experience it first-hand, to ask bigger questions and to develop the confidence to pursue discoveries of their own.”

Building a stronger platform for STEM

Astronomy offers a naturally interdisciplinary setting for STEM education, bringing together physics, mathematics, computing, data analysis and engineering. By hosting IOAA 2026, Phenikaa University is connecting its new STEM infrastructure directly with an international community of young scientific talent.

Beyond the Olympiad, the University plans to develop Phenikaa Planetarium into a long-term platform for STEM education, astronomy outreach and academic activities, as well as for collaboration with schools and international partners.

The investment comes amid growing international recognition of Phenikaa University’s academic and institutional development.

In April, Phenikaa became the first Vietnamese university to win the “Leadership and Management Team of the Year” award at the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Asia 2026. The University was also placed in the 401–600 band globally in the THE Impact Rankings 2026, which assess universities’ contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The University currently offers more than 130 academic programmes from bachelor’s to doctoral level, including 5 ABET-accredited and 6 medical residency programmes.

Phenikaa is also one of 12 higher education institutions selected under a scheme approved by Vietnam’s Prime Minister to develop leading universities in Hanoi, with the goal of ranking among Asia’s top 150 universities by 2030. The scheme reflects broader efforts to strengthen research capacity, international engagement and the global competitiveness of higher education in the Vietnamese capital.

For Phenikaa University, the new STEM investment is intended to translate these ambitions into lasting capacity through modern infrastructure, internationally benchmarked education, stronger research and greater opportunities for young people to engage directly with science.

As IOAA 2026 brings the international astronomy community to Hanoi, Phenikaa Planetarium provides an immediate demonstration of that strategy in action and will continue to open the universe to Vietnam’s next generation of scientists.

MEDIA CONTACT
Phenikaa University | Communications & Admissions Office | truyenthong@phenikaa-uni.edu.vn

https://phenikaa-uni.edu.vn/en

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ABOUT PHENIKAA UNIVERSITY

Latest Michelin Guide distinctions span hotels and restaurants in Thailand, Japan, the Philippines, and the UAE, reflecting the breadth of Dusit’s hospitality offering

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 September 2026 -Dusit Hotels and Resorts, the hotel arm of Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, is celebrating continued Michelin recognition across its international portfolio, spanning distinctive hotel stays and dining experiences across multiple brands and markets.

Leading the latest honours is Dusit Thani Bangkok, Dusit’s reimagined flagship hotel opposite Lumpini Park in the heart of the Thai capital, which has been elevated from One to Two Michelin Keys – denoting an exceptional stay – in the Michelin Guide’s 2026 global hotel selection.

Rebuilt on the site of the original hotel, which opened in 1970 and closed for redevelopment in 2019, the 257-room property reopened in September 2024 as a key component of Dusit Central Park, a landmark mixed-use development bringing together the hotel, luxury residences, offices, retail, and an expansive rooftop park.

Conceived to set a new benchmark for the Dusit Thani brand, Dusit Thani Bangkok presents a contemporary interpretation of its predecessor’s distinctive identity, with all guest rooms offering sweeping views of Lumpini Park. The hotel reflects a broader evolution of Dusit’s luxury offering, centred on combining the group’s Thai hospitality heritage with contemporary design and highly personalised service, while shaping each property’s experiences around its destination.

This approach is reflected to award-winning effect elsewhere in Dusit’s global portfolio. Dusit Thani Kyoto in Japan and Dusit Thani Mactan Cebu Resort in the Philippines have each retained One Michelin Key – denoting a very special stay – maintaining Dusit’s Michelin Key presence across three countries while demonstrating how the brand’s Thai-inspired gracious hospitality can take distinct forms in different locations.

Beyond its Michelin Key properties, ASAI Bangkok Chinatown, ASAI Bangkok Sathorn, and ASAI Kyoto Shijo – all part of Dusit’s locally focused lifestyle brand, ASAI Hotels – are also included in the Guide’s curated hotel selection, comprising properties chosen by Michelin’s inspectors for their quality, individual character, and connection to their destinations.

Michelin recognition also extends to Dusit’s dining experiences. At Dusit Thani Bangkok, Cannubi by Umberto Bombana holds One Michelin Star in the Michelin Guide Thailand 2026 – making it the only Italian restaurant in Thailand to hold the distinction. The contemporary Italian restaurant received its first Star when the 2026 edition was announced in November 2025.

Elsewhere in Bangkok, Thien Duong, the Vietnamese restaurant at Baan Dusit Thani, retains its Michelin Bib Gourmand, recognising good-quality, good-value cooking.

In the Philippines, Benjarong, serving refined Thai cuisine, and Umu, specialising in Japanese dining, at Dusit Thani Manila are both included as Michelin Selected restaurants in the Michelin Guide Philippines 2026.

In the UAE, Namak, serving contemporary Indian cuisine at Dusit Thani Abu Dhabi, continues its run as a Michelin Selected restaurant.

Collectively, the Michelin recognition spans multiple Dusit brands, destinations, and hospitality experiences, from luxury and lifestyle hotels to a diverse range of dining concepts.

“Receiving Two Michelin Keys for Dusit Thani Bangkok is a tremendous honour, and one made even more meaningful by the wider Michelin recognition our hotels and restaurants continue to receive across several destinations,” said Chanin Donavanik, Group CEO, Dusit International. “These achievements belong first and foremost to our teams, whose skill, creativity, and care shape the experiences our guests enjoy every day. They also affirm our belief that staying true to our Thai hospitality heritage while continually evolving for the needs of today’s travellers can create experiences that resonate far beyond our home market. We are immensely proud of what our teams have achieved, and we will continue building on this foundation across our portfolio.”

High-resolution images and a short video accompanying this media release are available here: Dusit celebrates Michelin recognition

For more information about Dusit Hotels and Resorts, please visit dusit.com.

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About Dusit Hotels and Resorts

About Dusit International

The Group outlined ambitious global expansion with 20 new campuses by 2030 and next-generation student initiatives

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 September 2026 – Global Schools Group (GSG), recognised as the world’s most awarded network of K-12 schools, today officially commenced its 25th anniversary celebrations by committing S$100,000 in philanthropic donations to support community initiatives across Singapore. The announcement was made alongside strategic plans to expand its global footprint by opening 20 new international campuses by 2030, targeting high-growth education markets across Asia and the Middle East.

The flagship anniversary event was held in the presence of Guest of Honour Mr Edwin Tong, Minister of Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs, Singapore who witnessed representatives from key beneficiaries receive donation cheques from GSG. The donations will primarily enhance accessibility features in special education schools across East Coast GRC and support inclusive community spaces, including the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), President’s Challenge, and the People’s Association via the Siglap South Community Centre redevelopment.

GSG also announced new long-term community partnerships with the North East Community Development Council (CDC) and the Community Chest.

Centering on the theme “One Global Community. Shaping the Future,” the GSG event featured a student-led experiential exhibition and the official launch of a commemorative publication, unveiled by Minister Tong to mark the network’s quarter-century journey from a single local campus to a global system of 64 campuses across 11 countries.

Reflecting on the milestone, Atul Temurnikar, Chairman and Co-Founder of Global Schools Group, said: “Twenty-five years ago, we began our journey with just forty-eight students, driven by a commitment to establish an institution anchored in Singapore’s core principles of academic rigour, meritocracy, and continuous learning. Translating this home-grown educational model across sixty-four global campuses in eleven nations demonstrates the universal appeal of these foundational values. As we embark on introducing our next twenty international locations, our steadfast mission is to empower young leaders for future industries while instilling a profound sense of civic duty and social responsibility.”

Driving Academic Excellence and Real-World Innovation

GSG’s 25-year trajectory is backed by industry-leading academic achievements and global quality recognition. The network recently became the first education group globally to receive Japan’s prestigious Deming Prize for Total Quality Management, bringing its total to more than 650 international awards.

Recent academic and industry milestones across the network include:

• Top Academic Outcomes: In recent International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations, over 150 GSG students achieved top scores of 44 and 45 points, earning the “IB World Topper” designation and securing placements at institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, MIT, NUS, and NTU.
• Industry Impact: GSG alumni are actively leading advancements in critical sectors, including Kanika Gakhar, Launch Engineer for the SpaceX/NASA Falcon 9 rocket, and Samanyu Okade, Satellite Design Engineer.
• Student-Led Innovation: Current 15-year-old GSG students recently developed LumaBand, an AI-powered wearable device designed to detect and mitigate fall risks among elderly citizens.
• Next-Generation Curricula: To prepare its 45,000+ students for emerging technological shifts, GSG is establishing specialised research hubs, including the Centre for AI and Quantum Education, alongside a Silicon Valley Innovation Immersion programme for high-performing students.

Hashtag: #GlobalSchoolsGroup #OneGlobalCommunity #ShapingTheFuture

About Global Schools Group

Three-phase roadmap prioritizes photonics, power semiconductors, and sensors to advance the “Made in Thailand” chip initiative, targeting over 230,000 new jobs.

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 September 2026 – Thailand has approved its first national strategy for the semiconductor and advanced electronics industry, establishing a long-term framework to build an integrated domestic ecosystem spanning chip research and design, front-end manufacturing, conventional and advanced assembly, packaging and testing, and high-value electronics applications.

Approved on Thursday by the National Semiconductor and Advanced Electronics Policy Board, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Mr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, the strategy targets about $80 billion in cumulative investment and about $150 billion in annual industry revenue by 2050. It also aims to create more than 230,000 new jobs under Thailand’s long-term “Made in Thailand” chip initiative.

“This is Thailand’s first comprehensive national framework for building semiconductor capabilities and moving the country into higher-value activities across the global supply chain,” said Mr. Ekniti. “It gives investors a clear view of our technology priorities, infrastructure commitments and workforce-development plan through 2050.”

The roadmap will be implemented in three phases. By 2030, Thailand will reinforce its established assembly and testing base, scale advanced packaging capabilities and lay the foundations for front-end wafer production. By 2040, it will seek more anchor investors in upstream activities, including chip design, wafer fabrication and advanced-technology manufacturing, to fill gaps in the supply chain. By 2050, Thailand aims to have a complete domestic supply chain. Thai companies are expected to grow into local champions that co-develop innovation and hold key positions in the chain.

The strategy identifies three priority technology platforms aligned with Thailand’s industrial strengths and global demand: photonics for artificial intelligence, data centers and high-speed communications; power semiconductors for electric vehicles, energy-storage systems and power grids; and sensors, building on Thailand’s micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) capabilities, for connected devices, automation, automotive, smart devices and medical applications.

Implementation will be supported through five coordinated mechanisms: tax incentives, grants and low-interest financing; high-skilled workforce development with industry and academic partners; upgraded research and chip-design infrastructure and partnerships between foreign and Thai companies; investment-ready infrastructure, including cluster sites, reliable water and electricity, clean energy and disaster-resilience systems; and regulatory reform and business facilitation for foreign investors and Thai suppliers including a broader market access through FTAs.

The board also approved a workforce program under the national strategy coordinated by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation with universities, research institutes, industry and international partners. By 2030, the program aims to develop 86,600 people, including 84,900 highly skilled personnel and approximately 1,700 advanced researchers, through specialized curricula, industry placements, overseas training, and programs for faculty members, researchers and technical instructors.

The strategy builds on strong investment momentum. From 2023 through the first half of 2026, the BOI received investment-promotion applications for 879 semiconductor and advanced electronics projects worth about $27.2 billion (909 billion baht). The projects span chip production at various stages, printed circuit boards (PCBs), hard disk drives, AI servers, networking and power-management equipment, and electronic parts for vehicles and office equipment.

Infineon Technologies, the world’s largest maker of power semiconductors and automotive chips, will open its first Thai factory in Samut Prakan on Oct. 1. The facility will produce and package advanced power modules for electric vehicles, energy storage, clean energy and advanced electronics. Infineon also plans to establish an R&D center, develop joint curricula with Thai educational institutions and employ more than 5,000 people in Thailand at full operation.

Thailand’s expanding ecosystem also includes Foxsemicon Integrated Technology in semiconductor-equipment supply, Analog Devices in analog and mixed-signal chips, Zhen Ding Technology in printed circuit boards, Terahop in optical communications, and Malaysian Pacific Industries (MPI) in semiconductor assembly, packaging and testing.

“The ‘Made in Thailand’ chip initiative will bring together the country’s technology, infrastructure, investment and talent through a strong, coordinated and comprehensive national plan to turn this ambition into reality,” said Mr. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI). “For semiconductor investors, specialized talent is as critical to site selection as infrastructure and incentives. The strategy is also designed to provide a dependable workforce pipeline for faster ramp-up and long-term expansion.”

Note: Investment, revenue and job figures are strategy targets. The U.S. dollar equivalent of 909 billion baht is based on an exchange rate of approximately 33.44 baht per dollar.

https://www.boi.go.th/en/index/

Hashtag: #Thailandboardofinvestment #BOI #FDI #Investment

Thailand Board of Investment (BOI)

Economists interviewed for the series said that, as a key gateway to the world’s second-largest single market, ASEAN businesses cannot afford to overlook the historic opportunity to enter the Chinese market through Hainan. Chen Bo, Senior Research Fellow at the East Asian Institute of the National University of Singapore, said that with multiple policy incentives taking effect, the next decade represents a golden opportunity for Hainan. Xiao Saizi, a professor at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, noted that in the six months since the launch of special customs operations, the number of foreign trade companies registered in Hainan has grown rapidly. High-end manufacturing and processing industries—including chip packaging and testing, premium food processing, aviation maintenance, green energy, medical devices, and biopharmaceuticals—are among the sectors most likely to benefit.

Located at the southernmost tip of China, Hainan is within a four-hour flight of 21 Asia-Pacific countries. This natural geographic advantage makes it an important springboard for ASEAN businesses seeking to enter the Chinese market. Xiao said that Hainan received 106 million domestic and international tourist visits in 2025, making it an ideal testing ground where foreign investors can test the market at relatively low cost.

Previous surveys have shown that foreign exchange settlement is one of the key concerns for foreign investors. By the end of 2025, 11 banks in Hainan had launched EF accounts, enabling cross-border fund flows with 91 countries and regions, with total transaction volume equivalent to CNY 350.9 billion.

Several economists advised ASEAN businesses to conduct thorough internal assessments before making investment decisions. If they determine that the Chinese market will form part of their future growth strategy, they should consider entering Hainan early while the benefits of the Free Trade Port’s policies continue to unfold.

Hashtag: #FreeTradePort