Category: Education

32nd HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair attracts 850,000 visitors

Three major exhibitions are a big success, more events to come

The 32nd HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair, 5th HKTDC Sports and Leisure Expo and 2nd HKTDC World of Snacks, all organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded successfully today. As the first large-scale event in 2022, the seven-day Book Fair and associated events brought together more than 700 exhibitors offering a diverse experience for shoppers that included books, sports and leisure products, and snacks. The three events drew 850,000 visitors, with average per capita spending of HK$879. The huge success of the concurrent fairs augurs well for the HKTDC’s upcoming exhibition series.

The Hong Kong Book Fair drew to a successful close today. The seven-day event attracted 850,000 visitors.
Exhibitors presented books related to theme of the year – “History and City Literature”.
Visitors show great interest in buying books written by the celebrated late novelist Ni Kuang.

Keen participation in diverse range of cultural activities and seminars
This year’s Book Fair is one of the events celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Sophia Chong, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “We are very grateful to all our exhibitors and visitors for their support for the Book Fair, the Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks. Some visitors even brought their whole family along! Under the theme of the year, ‘History and City Literature’, visitors showed great interest in related books, particularly cultural topics such as the history of the Forbidden City. Visitors also participated in various cultural events, seminars and recreational experiences. The HKTDC will continue to work with our Cultural Events Advisory Panel to bring even more diversity to the Book Fair in order to promote reading and cultural exchange more comprehensively. We look forward to our twin jewellery shows and Simply Shopping Fest, opening on 29 July, which will boost local consumption and introduce more business opportunities for exhibitors.”

Echoing the comments by Ms Chong, Book Fair exhibitors said that books related to this year’s theme were among the best-selling genres at the event, including books on topics such as the history of the Forbidden City that enabled readers to get a better understanding of China’s past. Meanwhile, books related to health and self-improvement and children’s books were also popular and drew good business.

Fiction, literature, comics, travel and children’s book revealed as most popular genres
More than 800 visitors to the Book Fair were interviewed by a research institute commissioned by the HKTDC to get an insight into their spending and reading habits. The survey showed that the average spending at this year’s fair was HK$879 – recording an increase from last year (spending in 2021 was HK$817) and accounting for 71% of respondents’ average annual expenditure on printed books (HK$1,238). This demonstrates that the Book Fair remains an important platform for local people to get access to quality reading materials. The majority of respondents (82%) attended the Book Fair to seek out new releases while 41% came for book discounts, 17% visited for the diverse cultural activities, and 15% intended to buy children’s books.

The survey also revealed the reading habits and preferences of attendees, with 95% of respondents saying they had read printed books in the past month with an average reading time of 19 hours. The most popular genres were fiction (57%), literature (25%), comics (21%), travel (18%) and children’s books (17%). Other popular genres were language books, supplementary exercises, self-improvement, history and biographies. The survey found that more than 65% of respondents had read e-books in the past month, also spending an average of 19 hours reading.

57% of respondents use electronic payment methods
Reflecting the influence of the pandemic, 57% of respondents settled payment using non-cash methods, including Octopus cards and credit cards, showing a rise from 49% last year. Visitors also rated the crowd control measures at the fairs positively, with 89% saying they were satisfied with the crowd control measures, and 90% expressing satisfaction with the new Octopus payment admission arrangements. To safeguard the health and safety of exhibitors and visitors, preventive measures were implemented, including temperature checkpoints and hand-sanitising facilities, which were acknowledged by 89% of the survey respondents. The measures implemented by the HKTDC made visitors feel more at ease when visiting the fairs.

Exhibitions, seminars and more to continue in Cultural July
This year, the HKTDC organised more than 600 seminars and cultural activities, including the theme of the year “Reading the World: Stories of Hong Kong” seminar series, “History and City Literature”, “Renowned Writers”, “English and International Reading”, “World of Knowledge”, “Children and Youth Reading”, “Lifestyle”, “Hong Kong Cultural and Historical”, and “Personal Development and Spiritual Growth”. Together with the “Cultural July – Summer of Reading” campaign held in various districts since late June, the estimated number of participants for the various activities exceeded 320,000. Some of the seminars in the “Renowned Writers” seminar series were broadcast online in collaboration with Sina Weibo, allowing book lovers outside Hong Kong to participate virtually.

Recordings of selected seminars are available online. Readers can revisit them through the Book Fair website or via the HKTDC’s online video channels. The Cultural July citywide campaign continues until the end of this month with a broad range of activities including art and cultural tours, exhibitions and seminars. For details, please visit the Cultural July website at http://www.hkbookfair.hktdc.com/CulturalJuly

Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks were well received
Offering a broad selection of sports and leisure products and services along with more than 1,200 tasty treats and snack workshops, the Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks also concluded today. The former featured various trials and interactive experiences while the latter offered visitors a chance to buy treats from around the world and make their own snacks. Both events saw keen participation and exhibitors reported excellent sales.

Following these three exhibitions, the HKTDC will organise a series of events in the summer, including Simply Shopping Fest (29 July to 1 Aug), the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show (29 July to 2 Aug), Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem and Pearl Show (29 July to 2 Aug), Food Expo (11 to 15 Aug), Beauty & Wellness Expo (11 to 15 Aug), Home Delights Expo (11 to 15 Aug), and the Hong Kong International Tea Fair (11 to 13 Aug). These events will cater to the varying needs of the public while helping businesses expand their local retail market and provide a boost to Hong Kong’s economy at the same time.

Photo download: https://bit.ly/3oqdKWs

About HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

Media enquiries
Hong Kong Book Fair
HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Clementine Cheung, Tel: +852 2584 4514, Email: clementine.hm.cheung@hktdc.org
Sunny Ng, Tel: +852 2584 4357, Email: sunny.sl.ng@hktdc.org
Sam Ho, Tel: +852 2584 4569, Email: sam.sy.ho@hktdc.org

Yuan Tung Financial Relations:
Agnes Yiu, Tel: +852 3428 5690, Email: ayiu@yuantung.com.hk
Fung Wong, Tel: +852 3428 3122, Email: hfwong@yuantung.com.hk

Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo, World of Snacks
HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Frankie Leung, Tel: +852 2584 4298, Email: frankie.cy.leung@hktdc.org

Yuan Tung Financial Relations:
Tiffany Leung, Tel: +852 3428 2361, Email: tleung@yuantung.com.hk

Thousands of educators, policymakers & technology leaders assemble to discuss the future of education in Indonesia

On 3-4 August 2022, EDUtech Indonesia will once again bring together the entire Indonesian education ecosystem to discuss new strategies, pedagogies, and innovations to bring inspiration in education to all.

Over the two days, over 100 expert speakers from K-12 Schools and higher education institutions across Indonesia and beyond will be addressing key themes such as Digital Leadership, Hybrid Learning, and Next-Gen Tools and Pedagogy in both English and Bahasa Indonesia.

Headlining the festival agenda are Anindito Aditomo, Head of Agency for Standardization, Curriculum, and Assessment in Education, Ministry Of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, Republic Of Indonesia and Solehuddin Muhammad, Rector, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia. Anindito Aditomo will be opening the conference on the morning of 3rd August, while Solehuddin Muhammad, will evaluate the challenges and opportunity for Higher Education in Indonesia and the pandemic.

Additional featured speakers at EDUtech Indonesia include:

  • Widyawan, Director of Information & Systems, Universitas Gajah Mada
  • Raden Arief Setyawan, Head of System and Information Technology Unit and Faculty Member of Electrical Engineering, Brawijaya University
  • Agus W. Soehadi, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, Universitas Prasetiya Mulia
  • Dr Teddy Mantoro, Director of Media-Tech Lab, Sampoerna University
  • Dr Ivan Butar, Chair of Education, Monash University Indonesia Campus
  • Anthea Calista, Vice Principal of Curriculum, PENABUR Secondary Kelapa Gading
  • Lilin I. Rahardjo, Head of Foundation, Merlion School
  • Sudeep Palekar, Vice Principal Curriculum & Cambridge Exam Officer, Global Sevilla
  • Mario Himawan, Indonesian Principal and Head of IT, Beacon Academy
  • Eric Budiyono, Principal, Temasek Independent School

Running alongside the conference is a virtual exhibition hall showcasing the latest education technologies by edtech leaders including Lenovo, Google for Education, Amazon Web Services, Zoom, Canvas by Instructure, Coursera for Campus and more.

The two-day free-to-attend conference and exhibition is expected to gather over 2,000 education stakeholders from Indonesia and beyond.

About EDUtech Indonesia 2022

Date: 3-4 August 2022, LIVE ONLINE
Conference & Exhibition opening hours: 08:30 am WIB

Website: https://www.terrapinn.com/virtual/edutech-indonesia/index.stm

Register: https://secure.terrapinn.com/V5/step1.aspx?E=10576

About Terrapinn

Terrapinn is a business media company. Its products are trade exhibitions, conferences, training solutions and electronic and print publications. For more information, please visit www.terrapinn.com.

Note: Press registration for the conference is compulsory and advance scheduling for speaker/ sponsor interviews is recommended. Press passes are strictly reserved for reporters, journalists, editors only. Final issuance of press passes is subjected to Terrapinn’s discretion. For your complimentary press pass, please contact the following:

Jessica FoongMarketing
Terrapinn Pte Ltd
Jessica.foong@terrapinn.com

31st HKTDC Education & Careers Expo opens today

Four Education & Careers theme days Empower youth to embrace the new future

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the 31st HKTDC Education & Careers Expo opened today and runs until 24 July (Sunday) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). The expo runs in parallel with the HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair, Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks. Open to the public free of charge, the expo features two major sections – Education and Careers – to provide comprehensive information on education and job opportunities.

Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, officiated at the opening ceremony for the 31st edition of the HKTDC Education & Careers Expo.
The Careers section of the expo provides information on various industries. The Hong Kong Vocational Training Council (HKVTC) will introduce new technologies and skills during the seminars to help students better prepare for the future.

Secretary for Labour and Welfare of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Chris Sun officiated at the opening ceremony this morning. Margaret Fong, HKTDC Executive Director, said in her welcoming remarks: “Entering its 31st edition, the Education and Careers Expo serves as a platform for jobseekers and students looking to connect with employers and institutions, helping them to get valuable advice on career options and education opportunities. This year, we are delighted to welcome over 780 organisations, including educational institutions, government departments, professional associations and private companies representing 18 countries and regions.”

Four education-themed zones present local and overseas studying opportunities
Four educational zones have been set up to help students explore different options for further education. The Local Education Zone gathers various universities and community colleges, providing the latest information of a range of popular courses. The event also sees new exhibitors, such as consulate general offices of Japan, Ireland, Finland and Switzerland in the Overseas & Mainland China Education Zone, while on further study in mainland China, the Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College (UIC) and the Heung To College of Professional Studies provide practical consultation service.

In the Continuing Education Zone, exhibitors, such as the Hong Kong Mediation Centre and Tak On Driving School, provide a variety of courses for continuous learning. Youth Square will set up a summer job and internship zone. Being new to the expo, St. James’ Settlement – Career Sparkle offers various activities to help teenagers explore their personal interests and abilities. The Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE) graduates should take the opportunity to explore more possibilities at the Expo.

The expo’s education-themed days focus on further education in the European Union (21 July), Japan (22 July), France (23 July) and Germany (24 July), with representatives from consulate general offices to introduce the prerequisites for admission, application procedures, information on campus life and more. Visitors can also meet with various officially recognised bodies to get first-hand information on studying abroad. Talks will be held by different institutions: the Ontario eSchool Asia Limited will give advice on studying in Canada, whereas Synchro Overseas Study and Career will focus on medical-related education in the United Kingdom and Australia.

Four careers theme days address talent demand in various industries
Four careers-themed days during the expo highlight the latest trends in different industries. On the theme day Skilling for the Future: New Technology and New Talents (21 July), held by the Vocational Training Council (VTC), new technologies and skills, such as geospatial data, Chinese medicine research and art technologies, will be introduced via talks and seminars. The Electrical & Mechanical Engineering theme day (22 July), co-organised with the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department and the Hong Kong Electrical and Mechanical Trade Promotion Working Group, will invite industry professionals to speak on the current and future prospects in areas such as railway, autombile and the electrical and mechanical engineering industry.

On the third day of the expo, the brand-new themed day Professional Development for the Future (23 July), supported by The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG), will address hot topics, such as gerontechnology application and digital marketing. On the last day, the Exploring Construction Industry theme day (24 July), in collaboration with the Hong Kong Institute of Construction (HKIC), will invite construction professionals to share on Building Information Modeling, metal works and welding courses.

Two career-themed zones offer 2700+ job opportunities
There are two career zones, among which the very popular Careers Zone will involve different organisations and provide analysis of the prospects in different industries. The Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) will share the pathways and tips to join the innovation and technology industry. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), a new exhibitor this year, will introduce the job nature of different positions and application requirements.

Meanwhile, this year’s Recruitment Square gathers various recruitment platforms, public organisations and private companies offering more than 2,700 job opportunities and on-the-spot recruitment, including Cathay Pacific, QB house, Tai Hing Group and Asia Airfreight Terminal. Visitors can bring their CV along to the expo to apply for interested posts.

The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Office of the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau will cover the opportunities for education, employment, and entrepreneurship in the Greater Bay Area. Y.Elites Association Limited has invited Qianhai International Liaison Services Limited to introduce Qianhai’s preferential policies for Hong Kong citizens on housing, starting a business, financial, innovation and technology backing, and household registration. For those with the intention to tap into GBA for education, career and business opportunities should not miss the events. In addition, representatives from consulate offices of Hungary, France, and Germany will share more information on Working Holidays Scheme, allowing young people to explore different opportunities around the world.

90+ inspiring events with experts and celebrities sharing their success stories
More than 90 inspiring events will be held during the expo, including a performance by Correctional Services Dog Unit, seminars on higher education and sharing on different careers by celebrities and education experts. Today, Kandy Lui, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Institute of Human Resource Management addressed the new normal in workplaces under the pandemic and offered tips for enhancing personal capabilities. The following day, Tsang Yip-kiu (Siu Mai), a contestant on television talent show King Maker IV, will share valuable experiences in pursuing her dream. On the same day, Wong Kim-fung, founder of threezero and Chairman of the Hong Kong Brand Toy Association, and two vice chairmen, Howard Chan (founder of Hot Toys) and Kenny Wong (designer of brand toy “Molly” and creative director of Kennyswork), will discuss how people can turn their passion into career and offer tips on joining the brand toy industry.

On 23 July, Samuel Chan, a specialist in British education, will go into detail about the British educational system and strategies for applying for schools in the UK. Education expert and one of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons, Principal Chu Tsz-wing, will touch on how he brought experiential learning in Hong Kong and offer students advice on career planning for students. On the last day of the expo (24 July), Pinky Cheng and Tammy Lo, members of the construction industry key opinion leaders “Dream Girls” will disclose their interesting work experiences and how they joined the construction industry. In addition, Patrick Sir, TV host, actor and founder of an education centre and international kindergarten, will talk about his career shift from the education field to the television industry, encouraging young people to further explore their potential in both their careers and personal lives.

Enhanced on-site hygiene measures for participants’ safety
Public safety is a top priority for the HKTDC, and various measures have been implemented throughout these concurrent events to protect the health of participants. All staff members, exhibitors and visitors are required to wear masks in the venue and use the LeaveHomeSafe mobile app and show their COVID-19 vaccination record before entering the HKCEC in accordance with the HKSAR Government’s COVID-19 protocols. Except for designated food and beverage areas, no food, drinks or food tasting are allowed inside the venue, including at the booths. Other onsite safety measures include temperature-screening stations, the provision of hand sanitisers and disinfection items at multiple locations around the HKCEC, as well as enhanced cleaning and disinfection at the venue.

Expo website: https://event.hktdc.com/fair/hkeducationexpo-en/
Activity schedule: https://hkeducationexpo.hktdc.com/pdf/2022/events/ECE2022JulyDailyProgram.pdf
Photo download: https://bit.ly/3IVcwMv

Photo Caption:
Officiating at this morning’s opening ceremony were (from left) Gladys Yam, Deputy Executive Director of Vocational Training Council, Stefan Bredohl, Deputy Consul General of German Consulate General Hong Kong, Thomas Gnocchi, Head of office of the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao, Margaret Fong, HKTDC Executive Director, Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Okada Kenichi, Consul General of Consulate General of Japan in Hong Kong, Marc Lamy, Acting Consul General of Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau and Albert Cheng, Executive Director of Construction Industry Council. https://www.acnnewswire.com/topimg/Low_HKTDC202207212.jpg

About HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

Media enquiries
Please contact Impact Communications Company:
Kristi Yim, Tel: +852 9559 9651, Email: kristi.yim@impact-cc.com
Cindy Chung, Tel: +852 9166 0827, Email: cindy.chung@impact-cc.com

HKTDC’s Corporate Communication Department:
Snowy Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4525, Email: snowy.sn.chan@hktdc.org
Sam Ho, Tel: +852 2584 4569, Email: sam.sy.ho@hktdc.org

32nd HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair, 5th Sports and Leisure Expo and 2nd World of Snacks open to the public today

City gets ready for a feast of reading and recreation

The 32nd HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), begins today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and runs until 26 July. Running in tandem with the Book Fair are the 5th HKTDC Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo and 2nd HKTDC World of Snacks. Together, they are host to more than 700 exhibitors. Officiating at today’s opening ceremony for the three events was John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), along with Dr Peter K N Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC, and Margaret Fong, Executive Director of the HKTDC.

John Lee (front row, centre), Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, officiated at today’s opening ceremony for the 2022 HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair along with Dr Peter K N Lam (front row, R), Chairman of the HKTDC, and Margaret Fong (front row, L), Executive Director of the HKTDC.
Hong Kong’s literature lovers eagerly awaited the opening of the Book Fair in the hope of buying their favourite books and discovering new reading adventures.
The second edition of World of Snacks presents a global selection of tasty treats.

As one of the events celebrating the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR, this year’s Book Fair, under the theme “History and City Literature” and with the tagline “Reading the World: Stories of Hong Kong”, has gathered numerous acclaimed writers and will host more than 600 seminars and cultural activities at the HKCEC and across the city to celebrate the joy of reading.

Dr Peter K N Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC, said: “As the first large-scale public event this year, we hope the Book Fair can help bring positive energy to the community. This year’s theme is ‘History & City Literature’. The fair’s Art Gallery features five ‘History Writers’ and 25 books from the ‘City Literature’ category chosen to mark the 25th Anniversary of the HKSAR. We hope the public can discover and be inspired by the city’s historical development.”

Thematic exhibitions highlight Hong Kong’s culture and history
In keeping with this year’s Book Fair theme, four exhibitions are being staged at the Art Gallery in the HKCEC Hall 3 Concourse. The “History Writers” exhibition features the works of five outstanding writers, namely (in no particular order) Ting Sun-pao, Lui Tai-lok, Elizabeth Sinn Yuk-yee, the late Yeh Ling-feng and Cheng Po-hung. A selection of their books, out-of-print works, manuscripts and precious memorabilia is on display to help readers understand the philosophy and inspiration behind their lives and works.

Ting Sun-pao will share his experiences delving into the past in a seminar titled “My Journey on Historical Research” this Friday (22 July), while Lui Tai-lok will analyse the historical context of Hong Kong from multiple perspectives in the seminar “Hong Kong Society’s Social Landscape: Description” (23 July). Elizabeth Sinn Yuk-yee will discuss the ups and downs experienced in her historical research in the seminar “Hardships and Joys in 40 years” (24 July). Yeh Zhong-min, attending the Book Fair on behalf of her late father, Yeh Ling-feng, will speak about his research into Hong Kong’s literature and history in the seminar “Hong Kong – My Second Home” (25 July). Meanwhile, Cheng Po-hung discusses the city’s culinary delights and entertainment development in two seminars, “A Century of Hong Kong Food and Delicacies” (20 July) and “A Century of Hong Kong’s Entertainment” (25 July).

“City Literature” features 25 literary works about Hong Kong by renowned local writers, including Xiao Si, Xi Xi, Eileen Chang, Shu Xiang-cheng, and Liu Yi-chang. There is an interactive exhibition that takes readers on a tour of the city from multiple perspectives through words and texts.

The two other thematic exhibitions are “Tastes of Hong Kong” and “Hong Kong Architecture”. Working in collaboration with Cheng Po-hung, Lau Tsz-chun, James Ng, Ng Gui-long, the Chinese Culinary Institute, Tao Heung Museum of Food Culture and Yung Kee Restaurant, “Tastes of Hong Kong” presents the evolution of Hong Kong’s culinary culture through valuable artefacts. The “Hong Kong Architecture” exhibition is run in partnership with Urban Sketchers Hong Kong and National Geographic, showcasing paintings and photographs by artists depicting Hong Kong’s historical sites and city landscapes.

“Eight Seminar Series” connects writers with booklovers
The “Eight Seminar Series” continues to be a major highlight at the Book Fair. The topics this year cover a wide spectrum of literary interests, including “Stories of Hong Kong”, “Renowned Writers”, “English and International Reading”, “World of Knowledge”, “Children and Youth Reading”, “Lifestyle”, “Hong Kong Culture and History”, and “Personal Development and Spiritual Growth”. Authors and booklovers are able to interact and exchange ideas at the seminars.

Partnering with Ming Pao and Yazhou Zhoukan, the HKTDC has again organised the “Renowned Writers Seminar Series”, inviting leading authors to share their creative journey and insights. Documentary photographer Liu Heung-shing shared his insights on capturing the visual history of the city in person today (20 July). Art curator Li Pi will describe how the M+ Museum has made Hong Kong a cultural capital in the region (21 July), while Hong Kong writer Shum Sai-shing will reminisce about the late Ni Kuang in the seminar “Recalling Our Literary Giant – Ni Kuang” (23 July).

The “English and International Reading Series” supported by Book Depository, an international online bookstore, has invited a number of famous English- and foreign-language writers to host virtual and in-person seminars, helping readers learn more about foreign cultures. Two British writers, Clare Mackintosh and Gillian McAllister, met reading enthusiasts virtually today (20 July). Clare Mackintosh described the way she moved from being a police officer to an accomplished crime writer, while Gillian McAllister shared her creative journey and the sources of her ideas.

This year’s fair also continues with the “Storytelling by Celebrities” events, inviting former Chinese champion diver Guo Jing-jing, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council Gilly Wong and Hong Kong Museum of Art Chief Curator Mok Ka-wing to tell their inspirational stories to children. For seminars registration and authors line-up at the Book Fair, please visit: https://hkbookfair.hktdc.com/en/Events/Event-Schedule.html

Thematic zones present diverse cultures
The Book Fair features numerous thematic zones, including General Books Pavilion, English Avenue, University Press Square, Spirituality Zone, Children’s Paradise and more. The International Cultural Village is attended by representatives of various consulates in Hong Kong to promote their own cultures and publications. The Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau will present French culture through classic works of art in the seminar “Uncovering the Smile of the Mona Lisa”, while the Consulate General of Switzerland in Hong Kong and Macau will introduce the attractions of Switzerland in the seminar “Exploring Switzerland through Train Rides”. The Virtual Classroom zone continues to cater to the new normal in teaching. For instance, a Hong Kong start-up highlights its research and development into cloud-based interactive virtual classrooms, providing artificial intelligence and programming certificate courses and assisting schools to promote science and technology education.

Cultural July in hybrid mode
Alongside the Book Fair, the HKTDC is collaborating with numerous partners, including the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, publishers, cultural and educational institutions, shopping malls and cafes, to organise a series of more than 300 cultural events in the 18 districts of Hong Kong as part of the “Cultural July” campaign. This year, a set of four exquisite Chocolate Rain stickers has been designed for the event. Participants can redeem gifts at the Book Fair after collecting a full set of four stickers. For further details, please visit: https://hkbookfair.hktdc.com/CulturalJuly

Exciting experiences at Sports and Leisure Expo
This year’s Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo features eight thematic zones – Sports Hub, Outdoor Adventure, Health & Fitness, Fun & Learn, Board Games, Photography World, Japan Pavilion and Handicraft Market – presenting a variety of sports and leisure brands, products and experiences.

A range of fun activities is offered in the Sports Hub zone for visitors to enjoy free of charge, including an e-sports racing competition and simulator trials, lacrosse demonstrations and mini-games. Exhibitors from the Health & Fitness zone are offering free massages and a massage-chair experience while Fun & Learn promotes boules and petanque along with a 3D printing workshop. Hong Kong racing driver Darryl O’Young and members of the Hong Kong Baseball Association have also been invited to join the sharing sessions at the expo.

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) and nine Japanese prefectures and cities have once again joined the Japan Pavilion to showcase the country’s attractions and cultural characteristics. JNTO’s experience hall has set up a Japanese hotspot map to display the featured attractions and delicacies of many counties and cities. Visitors can choose their own Japanese tour route from the map according to their preferences. Meanwhile, Kadokawa Corporation, among the top four publishing houses in Japan, has collaborated with Tottori Prefecture to introduce local cultural highlights and bestselling books and magazines from Japan. There will also be sessions on traditional Japanese dance, strategies for travelling in Japan and more to showcase the charm of Japanese culture.

In addition, Photography World and Board Games showcase a variety of products, including the world’s first F2 aperture mirrorless camera with a high-magnification zoom lens, Kodak cameras, and fascinating table games with Hong Kong themes.

World of Snacks returns with global selection of tasty treats
Following the success of last year’s debut event, World of Snacks returns to feature six thematic zones – Travel Delights, Chocolate and Sweet Factory, Oldie Snacks, Yummy & Healthy, Party Time and Snack Bar – bringing together more than 1,200 popular treats from across the globe.

Public safety is a top priority for the HKTDC, and various measures have been implemented throughout these concurrent events to protect the health of the participants. All staff members, exhibitors and visitors are required to wear masks in the venue, use the LeaveHomeSafe mobile app and show their COVID-19 vaccination record before entering the HKCEC in accordance with the HKSAR Government’s COVID-19 protocols. Other onsite safety measures include temperature-screening stations, the provision of hand sanitisers and disinfection items at multiple locations around the HKCEC, as well as enhanced cleaning and disinfection provision at the venue. Visitors are encouraged to make purchases using e-payment, which is accepted by about 85% of the exhibitors.

To ensure a more even flow of visitors throughout the day, the HKTDC has introduced morning admission tickets, night admission tickets as well as a special re-entry promotion. There are no physical ticket sales at the fairground in order to avoid the use of cash and minimise contact. Visitors can pay with their Octopus cards at the entrance’s toll booths. More details of the ticketing arrangements can be found below.

The HKTDC Education & Careers Expo will be held at the HKCEC from tomorrow (21 July) to 24 July, running in parallel with the Book Fair and other events. Youngsters and jobseekers can access the latest information on education and career opportunities at this one-stop event. Admission is free of charge.

Websites:

About HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly SMEs, in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

Media enquiries
Hong Kong Book Fair
HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Clementine Cheung, Tel: +852 2584 4514, Email: clementine.hm.cheung@hktdc.org
Sunny Ng, Tel: +852 2584 4357, Email: sunny.sl.ng@hktdc.org
Sam Ho, Tel: +852 2584 4569, Email: sam.sy.ho@hktdc.org

Yuan Tung Financial Relations:
Agnes Yiu, Tel: +852 3428 5690, Email: ayiu@yuantung.com.hk
Hing-Fung Wong, Tel: +852 3428 3122, Email: hfwong@yuantung.com.hk

Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo, World of Snacks

HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Frankie Leung, Tel: +852 2584 4298, Email: frankie.cy.leung@hktdc.org

Yuan Tung Financial Relations:
Tiffany Leung, Tel: +852 3428 2361, Email: tleung@yuantung.com.hk

BayWa r.e. wins big at Huawei APAC Digital Innovation Congress 2022

Global renewable energy developer, service provider and distributor, BayWa r.e. was the big winner at the Huawei APAC Digital Innovation Congress 2022 held in Singapore on May 19 and 20.

Mr Junrhey Castro, Managing Director, BayWa r.e. Solar Trade SEA, receives the Excellent Marketing Award from Mr Kevin Lin, Marketing Director, Huawei APAC Digital Power Business at the Huawei APAC Digital Innovation Congress 2022.

Topics of the Huawei APAC Digital Innovation Congress included ongoing advancements in ICT and speeding up digital transformation across industries, as well as green and low-carbon development.

Besides winning the Instructor Gold Award 2022, recognised for best in technical and after-sales support, BayWa r.e. also swept awards in the “20-Million Revenue”, “Top Seller” and “Excellent Marketing” categories.

Junrhey Castro, Managing Director, BayWa r.e. Solar Systems Corporation said, “These awards are not possible without the support and trust of BayWa r.e.’s customer base, and bear testament to the great work that our team have done. A customer-centric approach to business, coupled with the hard work and dedication of the local teams, have led us to being successful thus far and this will continue to spur BayWa r.e. on to greater heights.”

“Advancement of solar technology and innovations within the industry to match with the adoption of digitalization will accelerate solar industry growth in APAC and globally. Digitalization drives development and decarbonization ensures that this development is sustainable”, Castro added.

BayWa r.e. has been Huawei’s partner in sales, distribution, and a Certified Service Partner in Thailand since 2019, providing premium solar products and solutions, with the company seeing an exponential growth in the Thai market by 30%.

“BayWa r.e. has been an integral partner for our growth in the Thai market, with a promising outlook for our partnership in the Philippines and Vietnam. Their awards are much deserved, and we look forward to taking our future cooperation to the next new level”, Victor Sheng, Director of Huawei Digital Power Partner and Ecosystem Development, said.

Thailand has clear ambitions to further advance renewable energy adoption in order to meet the country’s target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) to 20.8% below business-as-usual levels by 2030. Advanced solar technology with reliable and efficient service is vital to ensuring increased uptake of solar installations. BayWa r.e.’s partnership with Huawei aims to support this renewable energy growth in Thailand.

BayWa r.e. AG (BayWa r.e.)
At BayWa r.e. we r.e. think energy – how it is produced, stored and can be best used to enable the global renewable energy transition that is essential to the future of our planet.

We are a leading global developer, service supplier, distributor and solutions provider and have brought over 4.5 GW of energy online and manage over 10 GW of assets. We are also an Independent Power Producer with an expanding energy trading business.

BayWa r.e. has one of the most experienced renewable energy teams in Asia Pacific with close to 200 employees working in the region across offices in Tokyo, Perth, Melbourne, Ho Chi Minh City, Cyberjaya, Seoul, Manila and our regional headquarter in Bangkok, Thailand.

BayWa r.e. works with businesses worldwide to provide tailored renewable solutions. Operating 100% carbon neutral, we are also committed to our own sustainability journey.

Every day, we are working hard to actively shape the future of energy in a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace.

Our shareholders are BayWa AG, a EUR19.8 billion global business, and Energy Infrastructure Partners, a leader in energy infrastructure investment. Visit https://www.baywa-re.com/en/.

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd
Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. We have more than 194,000 employees, and we operate in more than 170 countries and regions, serving more than three billion people around the world. We are committed to bringing digital to every person, home and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world. To this end, we will: Drive ubiquitous connectivity and promote equal access to networks; Provide the ultimate computing power to deliver ubiquitous cloud and pervasive intelligence; Build digital platforms to help all industries and organizations become more agile, efficient, and dynamic; Redefine user experience with AI, making it more personalized for people across all scenarios, whether they’re at home, in the office, or on the go.

Contact Information
PRecious Communications for BayWa r.e. AG
Daniel Tan
Tel: +65 6303 0567
E-mail: baywa-re@preciouscomms.com

BayWa r.e. AG
Salim Pathan
Marketing Manager, APAC
Tel: +66 62 698 7162
Email: salim.pathan@baywa-re.com

Mark Cooper
Corporate Communications
Tel: +49 89 383932 3611
E-mail: mark.cooper@baywa-re.com

Brawijaya Student Start-up makes Forbes 30 Under 30 List

  • Chickin Indonesia agricultural start-up by students from Brawijaya University

An agricultural start-up initiated by three students from Malang’s Brawijaya University whose app, Chickin, has been downloaded by a thousand farmers across Indonesia, has made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. According to the founders, the application uses Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the productivity of farmers by up to 25 percent.

Universitas Brawijaya (UB) in Malang, East Java, Indonesia (ANTARA/ HO/ Universitas Brawijaya)
Chickin, hatched at UB/U.Brawijaya by founders Ashab, Tubagus and Ahmad (Chicken.ID Website / Malang, Indonesia)

The app was developed by agrotechnology student Ashab Alkahfi, who is serving as the President of Chickin, Tubagus Syailendra from international relations, who is serving as CEO/Chief Executive Officer, and Ahmad Syaifullah from information systems, serving as the CTO/Chief Technology Officer.

“Based on initial research, we developed the app in Klaten, Central Java. We built poultry coops as farmers and began our poultry business where we found a number of challenges faced by local farmers. From there, we tried to solve these challenges by means of technology,” Alkahfi explained.

The application allows farmers to control the micro-climate inside chicken coops from a distance. Through the technology, farmers can input data, including daily, sales, and production data, to enhance performance and make it more measurable and at the same time, minimize risks through preventive measures.

The app also offers a number of features for management of the poultry farm, including data and IoT configuration adaptable to climate, temperature and humidity, as well as recording the age of each poultry. Aside from partnering with 14 poultry farms, Chickin has established cooperation with 100 poultry suppliers in the food industry.

Alkahfi said he hopes the app will bring ease to farmers and have a positive impact on them, adding that the farming modernization technology was developed free of charge under Brawijaya University’s Entrepreneur Incubator.

Chickin has seen 22-fold growth in the last 10 months and closed a funding round of Rp35 billion with three global investors. The company is targeting to increase revenue to Rp500 billion by the end of 2022.

So far, Chickin Indonesia is not only assiting one thousand farmers across the nation, but the company is committed to developing the technology to minimize the use of antibiotics for organic chicken through coop micro-climate control and providing training to poultry farmers free of charge to modernize Indonesian poultry farms.

For more information, Chickin Indonesia is online at https://chickin.id/.
Written by: Aria Cindyara, Editor: Rahmad Nasution (c) ANTARA 2022

Value Research Center (VRC) authors Value Model integrating ESG and Sustainability Measures

The Value Research Center (VRC) launched an integrated Value Model of ESG and Sustainability measures in a new white paper issued today. With the shift from short term, profit-focused thinking towards long-term, sustainable, value-focused thinking, businesses globally need to answer a fundamental question: “What value are you providing our collective future?”

A Value Model for Responsible Business: The new Value Research Center (VRC) white paper was officially released today. The VRC initiative is aimed at improving company performance and social impact.

The VRC at Doshisha University was established in November 2021 to develop a Value Model that could guide any company to answer this question, so ensuring a more sustainable future. The VRC published its initial white paper, “Valuing Value”, in June 2021, integrating 357 impact measurements from 15 of the world’s top ESG and sustainability frameworks and developing a 7-stakeholder, 27-theme, 80-goal model to help businesses objectively and transparently measure and manage the value impacts that they have on their key stakeholders.

The VRC’s new white paper entitled “A Value Model for Responsible Business”, integrates an additional 346 impact measurements from 6 new frameworks into the initial model. These 6 frameworks include the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) Prototype Climate-related disclosures; Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure (TCFD) guidance on metrics, targets and transition plans; Stockholm Resilience Center’s Planetary Boundaries; United Nations Development Program (UNDP) SDG Impact Standards for Enterprises; International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards; and Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) climate disclosures.

Professor Philip Sugai, Director of the VRC, says “Our team analyzed hundreds of existing impact measurements and organized these into 27 common themes, with 81 goals that any company, regardless of their size, industry or location can use to measure, manage and use to consistently increase the value they create for their stakeholders. Unlike existing ESG or sustainability reporting models, the VRC Value Model offers companies the ability to track their actual stakeholder impacts, using this data to create forward-looking strategies aimed at further increasing the value they create for and with these stakeholders.”

Masato Yamazaki, Professor Emeritus of Economics at Aquinas College, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and VRC operating council member, said “The Value Model that our VRC research team offers is a more advanced approach than any other sustainability model or approach in existence today, since it can automatically help identify the root causes of the problems companies face via well-developed assessment tools.”

“What is needed in sustainability efforts today goes beyond simple reporting,” says Dr. Kumar Iyer, Mentor for Value Creation and VRC operating council member. “The VRC Value Model is based on objective metrics and quantifiable indicators which can be independently verified. This is uniquely different from any other sustainability reporting approach as it is directly linked to creating social impact.”

The white paper is available for download at the VRC website:
https://www.valueresearchcenter.com/2022whitepaper

About the Value Research Center (VRC)
The Value Research Center (VRC) was officially established at Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan in November 2021. The VRC aims to research and develop an open, accessible and transparent system for measuring, monitoring, assessing and reporting on value creation (destruction) impacts that organizations of any size make on the 7 stakeholder groups including (1) the organization itself, (2) shareholders or owners, (3) customers, (4) employees, (5) partners, (6) the society within which it operates, and (7) the planet.

Learn more about the VRC and its projects at https://www.valueresearchcenter.com, or email Philip Sugai at
info@valueresearchcenter.com

* Webinar, March 25 – IAFOR discusses the white paper with VRC Director Philip Sugai
Dr. Joseph Haldane, Chairman & CEO of the International Academic Forum (IAFOR) will discuss the contents of this new white paper with VRC Director Prof. Philip Sugai in a Webinar on Friday, March 25, 5:00 – 6:00 pm JST, in collaboration with the new ESG-IREC Research Center at Osaka University. This webinar will be free to attend, and reservations can be made at: https://tinyurl.com/IRC-VRC-20220325

About the IAFOR Research Center (IRC)
IRC aims to provide a research centre to nurture various international and interdisciplinary research policies that use the extensive networks of both Osaka University and IAFOR. https://iafor.org/.

About the ESG-IREC Research Center
The Osaka University Graduate School of International Public Policy – ESG Integration Research and Education Center (ESG-IREC) conducts research on practically implemented “ESG integration” models in corporate business activities for the creation of a more sustainable future. https://www.osipp.osaka-u.ac.jp/en/.

BayWa r.e. Reaffirms Continued Commitment to the Community of Lang Son Province with Improved Sanitation Facilities for Elementary Schools

Global renewable energy developer, service provider and distributor BayWa r.e. announced the successful completion and handover of new sanitary facilities for Khuoi Lay Elementary School and Suoi Long Elementary School in Lang Son Province, Vietnam. This forms part of BayWa r.e.’s longstanding commitment to meaningfully contribute to communities in which it operates, and reaffirms the company’s continued dedication to drive sustainable growth for the people of Lang Son province.

(L-R) Mr Vi Van Tho, Education Department of Loc Binh District, Lang Son Province; Mr Vi Hong Troi, Principal, Khuoi Lay Elementary School; Mr Loi Dang Van, Project Developer, Wind, BayWa r.e. Vietnam Co., Ltd; Mr Nguyen Hong Quynh, Director, Hung Dung LS Ltd, Mr Nguyen Van Uyen, Vice Chairman of Huu Lan Commune People Committee, Loc Binh District, Lang Son Province; Mr Nam Le, Senior Project Developer, Wind, BayWa r.e. Vietnam Co., Ltd
Khuoi Lay Elementary School

Gender-segregated washroom facilities were built for both elementary schools, benefiting more than 40 students and staff members. These washrooms come equipped with water tanks and electrical wiring systems, and utilise a standalone septic tank that is easier to maintain while also being environmentally friendly. The recipient schools were identified in close collaboration with provincial authorities, as well as the Education Department of Lang Son province and Loc Binh district. Both schools were selected as priority targets due to a lack of modern sanitation facilities as well as their proximity to BayWa r.e.’s wind farms.

Brian Barry, Head of Wind Asia, BayWa r.e. said “At BayWa r.e., we believe strongly in giving back to the community in which we operate. It is our privilege to be able to contribute meaningfully to the population of Lang Son Province, a region that has been instrumental to our growth in Vietnam.”

“We became aware of the sanitary challenges experienced by the Khuoi Lay and Suoi Long elementary schools during our greenfield development of the wind farms. With the support provided by provincial and district authorities, we were able to swiftly secure the necessary approvals, delivering the completed facilities in as little as three months from construction. Moving ahead, we hope to be able to extend this initiative to other schools across the province, facilitating the symbiotic growth of local communities alongside the expansion of our renewable energy footprint in Vietnam,” he added.

The official handover of the completed facilities took place physically in November 2021 for Suoi Long Elementary School, and virtually in December 2021 for Khuoi Lay Elementary School.

Mr Pham Hung Truong, Chief of Staff, Lang Son People Committee shared “BayWa r.e. is one of the first foreign investors explored and allowed to deploy survey for potential development and investment of wind farms in Lang Son. To date, more than 10 local and foreign investors have proposed to the provincial People Committee to invest in about 30 wind farms projects. Develop wind power, use renewable energy in the province is in line with the national strategy on power development towards 2030, with vision towards 2045, which encourages and prioritizes complete and effective usage of new, clean, and renewable energy resources. Lang Son province always supports and creates the best conditions for investors, at the meantime highly appreciates their contributions to the communities. BayWa r.e. contribution to the Khuoi Lay and Suoi Long elementary schools is very meaningful, helping pupils in remote areas improve their health and hygiene conditions. Hopefully, BayWa r.e. will continue partnering with local authorities, not only in its development and investment in wind business, but also helping the local community improve conditions in education, transportation and promote socio-economic development of Lang Son province.”

BayWa r.e. has been active in developing large scale wind energy developments in Vietnam, viewing the technology as a key enabler in the country’s renewable energy push. The company currently has a 300MW pipeline of wind energy across sites in northern Vietnam, and is fully committed to facilitating Vietnam’s ambition of becoming net-zero by 2050.

BayWa r.e. AG (BayWa r.e.):
At BayWa r.e. we r.e.think energy – how it is produced, stored and can be best used to enable the global renewable energy transition that is essential to the future of our planet.

We are a leading global developer, service supplier, distributor and solutions provider and have brought over 4GW of energy online and manage over 10GW of assets. We are also an Independent Power Producer with an expanding energy trading business.

BayWa r.e. works with businesses worldwide to provide tailored renewable solutions. Operating 100% carbon neutral, we are also committed to our own sustainability journey.

Every day, we are working hard to actively shape the future of energy in a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace.

Our shareholders are BayWa AG, a EUR 17.2 billion global business, and Energy Infrastructure Partners, a leader in energy infrastructure investment.

Contact information:
BayWa r.e. AG
Salim Pathan
Marketing Manager, APAC
Tel: +66 62 698 7162
Email: salim.pathan@baywa-re.com

Mark Cooper
Corporate Communications
Tel: +49 89 383932 3611
E-mail: mark.cooper@baywa-re.com

PRecious Communications for BayWa r.e. AG
Tan Yanchang / Foo En Jing
Tel: +65 6303 0567
E-mail: baywa-re@preciouscomms.com

Top Ministerial Leaders, Policymakers, Educators, and Technology Leaders Assemble to Address the Future of Education in Malaysia

On 9-10 March 2022, the 2nd annual EDUtech Malaysia 2022 (bit.ly/3teZhyD) will once again bring together the entire education ecosystem in Malaysia to discuss new strategies, pedagogies and innovations transforming education.

The past two years have shown just how important technology in education truly is, and how being up to date on technology strategy, digital pedagogy and tools is crucial to the delivery of quality education in a hybrid environment. With that in mind, EDUtech Malaysia has created a program tailored to the needs of an increasingly technology-driven education community.

Gracing the event is the Guest of Honour, Datin Sri Hajah Nor Zamani binti Abdol Hamid, Director General of Education, Ministry of Education, Malaysia who will open the event through a keynote address at 9am on 9 March, sharing the future blueprint of K-12 education in Malaysia and how the transformation roadmap will be achieved through innovation and technology.

Building on this, Varinderjit Singh, General Manager, Lenovo Malaysia will address how they are enabling digital transformation via smart tech ecosystem while Marc Woo, Managing Director, Google Malaysia will share how their team is expanding learning for everyone, everywhere.

On Day Two, Prof Dr. Wan Zuhainis binti Saad, Director of Academic Excellence Division, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia and Nik Naharudin Mohd Nasir, Head, Digital Talent, Digital Industry Development, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation Sdn Bhd (MDEC) will also be delivering keynotes about developing the workforce of the future with 21st century skills and the importance of having strong industry partnerships and collaborations to achieve it. Suaid Ishak, Education Accounts Lead, Amazon Web Services and Michael Chian, Co-Founder & Chairman, BeED will also be sharing their innovations and solutions to help empower future leaders.

In addition to the visionary keynotes, there will be a series of K-12 and Higher Education fireside chats and panel discussions (bit.ly/3pjf7H9) by 100+ expert speakers (bit.ly/36GrrLb) on digital leadership, learning and teaching technologies, digital pedagogies digital schools and campuses and more.

Additional featured speakers at EDUtech Malaysia include:
– Abd Karim Alias, Director of the Centre for Development of Academic Excellence, Universiti Sains Malaysia
– Iskandar Rizal, Chairman, Cempaka Schools
– Gurpardeep Singh, Chief Operating Officer, Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation
– Stella Lau, Chief Executive Officer, SEGi Group of Colleges
– Hairul Azhar Abdul-Rashid, Vice President (Research, Industrial Collaborations & Engagement), Multimedia University
– Sharma Doray, Chief Operations Officer, The International School of Penang (Uplands)
– Joseph Lee, Vice Chancellor, INTI International University
– Wing Lam, Provost and Chief Executive Officer, University of Reading Malaysia
– TNarish Tamilarasan, Director of Digital Learning, Sri KDU International School Klang
– Wong Kin Tung, Chief Operating Officer, UCSI Schools Springhill Campus
– Amira Firdaus, Deputy Director, Academic Enhancement & Leadership Development Centre (ADeC), University of Malaya
– Matthew Sansom, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education), Sunway University
– Chong Aik Lee, Vice President, Academic Affairs, UCSI College
– Umihannie Tukimin, Principal, Malaysian National School (Secondary), Asia Pacific Schools
– Zaliza Alias, Founder and Managing Director, GAINS Education Group

Besides the conference, the exhibition will feature a showcase of the latest education technologies by Google for Education, Lenovo, Amazon Web Services, Gupshup, CloudSwift and more.

The two-day free-to-attend conference and exhibition is expected to gather thousands of education stakeholders from Malaysia and beyond.

About EDUtech Malaysia 2022
Date: 9-10 March 2022 | Virtual
Website: www.terrapinn.com/JoinEDUtechMsia-22
Admission is free for all
Register for a free pass here: www.terrapinn.com/JoinEDUtechMsia-22

About Terrapinn

Terrapinn is a business media company. Its products are trade exhibitions, conferences, training solutions and electronic and print publications. For more information, please visit www.terrapinn.com.

Note: Press registration for the conference is compulsory and advance scheduling for speaker/ sponsor interviews is recommended. Press passes are strictly reserved for reporters, journalists, editors only. Final issuance of press passes is subjected to Terrapinn’s discretion. For your complimentary press pass, please contact the following:

Jessica Foong
Terrapinn Pte Ltd
Jessica.foong@terrapinn.com

Explore with Xplr Me

Xplr Me (Explore Me) is a digital platform that connects students to tutors, life coaches, and mentors from anywhere in the world, while they are sitting in the comfort of their living room! Pick up a new hobby, learn a new skill, or just plain understand themselves better with the assortment of classes and courses on offer!

Xplr Me goes beyond academics, and is for all age groups and life stages, putting students in touch with educators and coaches from all around the world, who will guide them to success. With life coaches teaching students how to set goals and meet them, to career coaches who will help nail the perfect resume, Xplr Me is not an average enrichment site! Be constantly enriched with continuous guidance and mentorship that will set students up for success!

THE BIRTH OF XPLR ME

Founded by founder Nirali Mehta in 2021, Xplr Me was born from the frustration of having to find teachers and mentors for herself and her two kids. Traditional classes and teachers were bound by distance and location, and by logistics, especially with the limitations brought by the global pandemic. There was always that feeling of compromise between the best teacher and mentor, and what was on offer and convenient.

Xplr Me completely eradicated this pain point by bringing educational providers and professionals together on to one platform from across the globe. Now, with Xplr Me, anyone on the hunt for classes, mentorship or guidance can visit the website, find a course that best fits their needs, at a time slot that is convenient to them. Imagine, learning a whole new language from a native speaker to the basics of photography with a professional photographer.

Nirali, Founder of Xplr Me says, “Learning has always been a passion of mine and it has always been a source of frustration when I am unable to sign up for the classes I want. When I became a mom to two kids, I also began to juggle their schedules with mine, and in finding classes that balanced their learning, between academics and life skills. This experience really opened my eyes to how it’s really difficult to find the right person to teach you what you need to learn at your convenience. That was the starting point for Xplr Me. After all, learning should be part of our life’s journey, but struggling to learn need not be.”

EXPLORE WITH EASE

Xplr Me features a wide variety of classes from academics to alternative healing, mentorship, counseling, photography, and anything else under the sun. Enthusiasts could pick from an Ayurveda course one day to a Crochet class the next.

With the classes happening completely online, students and teachers don’t even have to be in the same country! This gives students the opportunity to learn from people all around the world, and not have to settle with what is closest to them.

On the tech front, Xplr Me uses virtual tools integrated within the platform, and a custom-built calendar and appointment function to empower students to pick and choose timings, class options and tutors. Students can also pick from pre-recorded sessions to live private one-on-one classes, and group classes.

Nirali adds, “The emphasis on non-academic topics was a very mindful one. Life and social skills are just as important, and I wanted to offer that to enhance learning. Furthermore, for adults, especially, it is so difficult to pick up a new hobby with either the stressors of time, work or family coming into play. Xplr Me removes all that so adults can explore and get excited about learning new things, or picking up old hobbies again! Because Xplr Me is so flexible, there really is a whole world to explore and it all starts on Xplr Me!”

Nirali’s goal for Xplr Me is to be a platform that will empower not only students but everyone to be able to come home and learn a new hobby, a new experience or a new learning opportunity without feeling constrained by geographical locations.

About Xplr Me

Founded by Nirali X in Nov 2021, Xplr Me (Explore Me) is an unconventional online learning platform that brings a diverse range of academic and non-academic courses to anyone in the comfort of their own homes. Xplr Me goes beyond academics and is for all age groups and life stages, putting students in touch with educators and coaches from all around the world. With courses from life coaches, guitar players, tour guides, and counselors, Xplr Me is not an average enrichment site.

For more information, please contact:
Danielle Chow +65 9727 7766 danielle@madhat.asia
Krisha Ramos +65 9181 8408 krisha@madhat.asia