Tag: EDU

Health Care

IKEA Foundation Contributes US$31.5 Million to UNICEF to Help Advance Children’s Rights

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NEW YORK and LEIDEN, Nov. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — To mark the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, IKEA Foundation is boosting its commitment to children with six new grants to UNICEF, amounting to US$31.5 million (€24.9 million).

The new grants will focus on reaching the most marginalized and disadvantaged children living in poor communities and in strengthening UNICEF’s response in emergency and conflict situations.

Five of the IKEA Foundation grants will support UNICEF programmes in Afghanistan, China, India, Pakistan, and Rwanda. The new grants will focus on early childhood development, child protection, education, and helping adolescents to improve their lives and strengthen their communities.

A sixth grant will enable UNICEF to develop information management tools to strengthen emergency response and monitoring.

“UNICEF’s partnership with IKEA Foundation has helped advance the rights and improve the lives of children growing up in some of the world’s most difficult places,” said UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake. “We are grateful to the Foundation and look forward to continuing our work together to reach the children we have not yet reached, and to put equity and children’s rights at the centre of an agenda of action for all children.” 

Since the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted in 1989, there has been tremendous progress for children. A baby born in 2014 has a much better chance of surviving beyond the age of five. Children today are far likelier to go to primary school than they were in 1989. The number of children aged 5-17 involved in child labour has declined by almost one third since 2000. Yet too many children have not benefitted from this progress.

IKEA Foundation CEO Per Heggenes said, “We are very proud of our longstanding partnership with UNICEF, helping to develop new approaches leading to improved lives for millions of vulnerable children around the world. These new grants will ensure this work continues, helping even more young adolescents, children and families enjoy their basic rights.”

IKEA Foundation is UNICEF’s largest private sector donor. Over the last decade, this partnership has helped promote the rights of millions of children to survival, education and protection in Africa and Asia.

IKEA Foundation’s six grants to UNICEF are:

  • Empowering thousands of adolescents in Afghanistan, India and Pakistan (US$16.1 million or €12.9 million) to take responsibility over decisions impacting their lives and their societies
  • Investing in family- and community-centred services in Rwanda to provide better care for children (nearly US$5.5 million or €4.6 million)
  • Providing thousands of vulnerable children with early childhood development and education in China (US$3.75 million or €3 million)
  • Protecting children from violence, abuse, exploitation and unnecessary family separation in Jammu/Kashmir, India (US$ 2.5 million or €2 million)
  • Improving the welfare of orphans and other vulnerable children in rural communities of China (US$1.87 million or €1.5 million)
  • Strengthening UNICEF’s humanitarian response and monitoring through better data collection, sharing, analysis, management and reporting (US$1.11 million or €886,402).

About UNICEF

UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child, in everything we do. Together with our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. For more information about UNICEF and its work visit: www.unicef.org.

About the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
The Convention on the Rights of the Child explicitly recognizes the universal rights of all children. It is the most rapidly and widely ratified international human rights treaty in history and has inspired changes in laws and practice that have improved the lives of millions of children in every region of the world.

About IKEA Foundation

The IKEA Foundation aims to improve opportunities for children and youth in the world’s poorest communities by funding holistic, long-term programmes that can create substantial, lasting change. The Foundation works with strong strategic partners applying innovative approaches to achieve large-scale results in four fundamental areas of a child’s life: a place to call home; a healthy start in life; a quality education; and sustainable family income. Currently funded programmes will benefit an estimated 100 million children by 2015. Learn more at www.IKEAfoundation.org and www.facebook.com/IKEAfoundation.

Visit our official website: www.unicef.cn

Follow us: Sina Weibo http://weibo.com/unicefchina Tecent Weibo http://t.qq.com/unicef

Health Care

EXCEMED Launches New Go-to Clinical Resource in Thyroid Disease

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General practitioners, specialist endocrinologists and internists have a brand new reference point to support their daily clinical treatment and management of patients with thyroid dysfunction.

ROME, Nov. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Manage Thyroid Online (http://www.managethyroidonline.org), an initiative of EXCEMED, is a definitive resource to help healthcare professionals recognise the implications of diagnosing and treating different thyroid disorders such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, autoimmune disease and nodular disease (including thyroid carcinoma).

“EXCEMED is proud to present this new tool to the healthcare community with particular acknowledgement to the truly global nature of what we are offering – the Scientific Committee for this project draws top experts in thyroid disorder from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America,” says Roberta Cenci, Head of Educational Strategy for EXCEMED.

These top experts are Prof. Ali S. Alzahrani, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Prof. Gabriela Brenta, Cesar Milstein Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina, Prof. George J. Kahaly, Johannes Gutenberg University Medical Center, Mainz, Germany and Prof. Nemencio A. Nicodemus Jr, UP-Philippine General Hospital, Manila, Philippines.

“The most current, international and evidence-based standards in thyroid practice are being employed on this website,” says Prof. Kahaly. “As the site evolves, we will deliver up-to-date content on a variety of conditions including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, goiter and nodular diseases, cardiovascular implications of thyroid dysfunction and special topics such as differentiated thyroid cancers, pregnancy – and age-related thyroid issues.”

Healthcare practitioners will be able to select from practical and in-depth approaches to thyroid disease in formats such as expert editorials, slide presentations, video lectures and key conference summaries and CME-accredited e-learning courses.

About EXCEMED

EXCEMED – Excellence in Medical Education is an independent, non-profit continuing medical education (CME) provider based in Geneva, Switzerland. The Foundation has delivered top CME to thousands of healthcare professionals for over four decades, convening over 1500 international scientific congresses with over 500 proceedings published in leading international medical journals. EXCEMED has pioneered online CME courses since 2000 and offers e-learning activities including video lectures, CME-accredited online courses and symposia. EXCEMED changed its name from Serono Symposia International Foundation (SSIF) in April 2014. http://www.excemed.org

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140509/685679

Health Care PUB WRK

UBM Asia Commissioned X-Venture to Run ‘Safe Management at International Events’ Course in China

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HONG KONG, Nov. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — UBM Asia has commissioned X-Venture to run the IOSH-accredited ‘Safe Management at International Events’ course in China in Chinese for the first time this month.

Based on the g-Guide, a downloadable document that sets out minimally accepted safety standards for the global exhibition and event market, the two-day course will be run twice in Shanghai from 17 – 20 November.

The course came about after Simon Garrett, managing director of X-Venture Global Risk Solutions and author of the g-Guide, joined forces with UBM Asia, to translate the relevant course materials into Chinese.

Sponsored by UBM China and UBM Sinoexpo, UBM Asia’s companies based in Shanghai, the two-day course will be run by two Hong Kong trainers and safety consultants that are both chartered IOSH members.

Michael Duck, Executive Vice President of UBM Asia, remarked: “UBM Asia is very proud to have been instrumental in bringing X-Venture, a global leader in safety at exhibitions to China.  Many years’ experience will be imparted to Chinese exhibition practitioners in their own language for the first time. This will definitely enhance the safety of all working and operating in trade shows. It’s imperative that people in the exhibition industry know how to exercise extreme vigilance when it comes to human safety.”

“The rapidly growing trade exhibition market in China is challenging even for leading event organisers like UBM especially when it comes to health and safety,” said Mr. Garrett. “This is part of a package of measures to improve health and safety and facilitate further growth on a sustainable basis. I am delighted that we have been given this opportunity by UBM.”

Notes to Editors

1. About UBM Asia (www.ubmasia.com)

Owned by UBM plc listed on the London Stock Exchange, UBM Asia is Asia’s leading exhibition organiser and the biggest commercial organiser in mainland China, India and Malaysia. Established with its headquarters in Hong Kong and subsidiary companies across Asia and in the US, UBM Asia has a strong global presence in 24 major cities with 30 offices and 1,300 staff.

With a track record spanning over 30 years, UBM Asia operates in 20 market sectors with 230 dynamic face-to-face exhibitions and high-level professional conferences, 23 targeted trade publications, 20 round-the-clock online products for over 1,000,000 quality exhibitors, visitors, conference delegates, advertisers and subscribers from all over the world. We provide a one-stop diversified global service for high-value business matching, quality market news and online trading networks.

UBM Asia has extensive office networks in China, Southeast Asia and India, three of the world’s fastest growing B2B events markets. UBM China has 11 offices in the major cities in mainland China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Guzhen and Shenzhen, where we organise 90 exhibitions and conferences. In ASEAN, UBM Asia operates from its offices in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines with over 40 events in this region. UBM India teams in Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai organise 40 exhibitions and conferences every year across the country.

2.   About UBM plc (www.ubm.com)

UBM plc is a leading global events-led marketing services and communications company. We help businesses do business, bringing the world’s buyers and sellers together at events, online and in print. Our 5,000 staff in more than 20 countries are organised into specialist teams which serve commercial and professional communities, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently.

For more information, go to www.ubm.com; for UBM corporate news, follow us on Twitter at @UBM_plc and go to http://media.ubm.com/social for more UBM social media options.

For press enquiries, please contact:
Jennifer Law, Director of Corporate Marketing & Communications
UBM Asia
Tel: +852-2516-1691
Fax: +852-3749-7342
Email: Jennifer.Law@ubm.com

Christy Chan, Corporate Marketing & Communications Executive
UBM Asia
Tel: +852-2516-1679
Fax: +852-3749-7342
Email: Christy.Chan@ubm.com

Logo – http://www.prnasia.com/sa/2010/04/19/20100419602891.jpg

Health Care

VolitionRx Announces Prostate Cancer Collaboration with the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

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Study will assess ability of VolitionRx NuQ？ to distinguish between aggressive anaplastic prostate cancer and typical castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC)

NAMUR, Belgium, October 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ —VolitionRx Limited (OTCQB: VNRX), a life sciences company focused on developing blood-based diagnostic tests for different types of cancer, today announced a study collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Department of Genitourinary Medical Oncology. The study will examine the competency of VolitionRx NuQ® assays to distinguish anaplastic prostate cancer, a particularly aggressive form of the disease, from typical castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), a less aggressive form.

Anaplastic prostate cancers are a clinically defined subset of prostate cancers that behave like small cell prostate carcinomas. Small cell prostate carcinoma is a morphological variant of prostate cancer that is rare at initial diagnosis but often emerges during the castration-resistant progression of the disease and is associated with a distinct, aggressive, clinical behaviour and resistance to standard prostate cancer therapies. The anaplastic prostate carcinomas are quick spreading and, unlike many CRPC cases, require early chemotherapy. They are estimated to represent 20-30% of the lethal prostate cancers. An objective, non-invasive molecular marker that can be monitored to identify the anaplastic prostate carcinomas early is needed. MD Anderson will assess if VolitionRx’s NuQ® assays can identify the anaplastic form of the disease.

The retrospective study will include samples obtained from two previous clinical trials, one that selected men with CRPC who met one of seven anaplastic clinical criteria, and a second that included unselected men with non-anaplastic CRPC. The samples will be assessed using VolitionRx’s assays for specific histone modifications of circulating nucleosomes. Patterns and changes in histone modifications are used to indicate certain cancers and this method will assess the competency of VolitionRx’s assays to identify anaplastic CRPC.

“Partnering with MD Anderson, which is consistently rated in U.S. News & World Report’s ”Best Hospitals” survey as the leading US hospital for cancer care, is a unique and significant opportunity,” comments Dr. Jason Terrell MD, Chief Medical Officer at VolitionRx. “If our NuQ® tests can identify objective molecular markers for anaplastic prostate carcinomas, there could be exciting potential for the tests to advance our understanding of the disease process and improve patient outcomes. This is another clear milestone for our company, as we continue to make solid progress on executing our strategy of broadening our trials beyond colorectal cancer.”

Dr. Ana Aparicio MD, Associate Professor at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and a key collaborator in the partnership, comments, “Previous studies of VolitionRx’s NuQ® assays have produced promising results in detecting and differentiating various cancers. We hope to build on this by demonstrating that VolitionRx’s NuQ tests can distinguish anaplastic prostate cancer from castration-resistant prostate cancer.”

In addition to this planned study, VolitionRx is carrying out several clinical trials on the effectiveness of the NuQ® assays as a cancer diagnostic tool:

  • A 4,800 patient retrospective study and a 14,000 patient prospective study into colorectal cancer at Hvidovre Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • A 4,000 patient prospective study that involves patients with the 20 most prevalent cancers at University Hospital in Bonn, Germany.
  • A 250 patient study into colorectal cancer at CHU-UCL Mont Godinne Hospital, Belgium.

Information on prostate cancer taken from:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3072185/

About the Study Samples

Archived serum samples obtained from patients participating in two prospective clinical trials will be used for these studies:

  1. Phase II Study of Carboplatin plus Docetaxel in Patients with Anaplastic Prostate Carcinoma (Aparicio et al. Clin Cancer Res. 2013 Jul 1;19(13):3621-30).
  2. A Prospective Randomized Phase III Trial Comparing Consolidation Therapy With or Without Strontium-89 Following Induction Chemotherapy in Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer (Non-anaplastic-NCT00024167). To be eligible for this study, men with typical metastatic CRPC had to have osteoblastic bone metastases and were excluded if they had predominant visceral metastases to liver, lungs or brain, symptomatic lymphadenopathy, significant local invasive disease or SCPC.

About VolitionRx

VolitionRx is a life sciences company focused on developing blood-based diagnostic tests for different types of cancer. The tests are based on the science of Nucleosomics which is the practice of identifying and measuring nucleosomes in the bloodstream – an indication that cancer is present.

VolitionRx’s goal is to make the tests as common and simple to use, for both patients and doctors, as existing diabetic and cholesterol blood tests. VolitionRx’s research and development activities are currently centred in Belgium as the company focuses on bringing its diagnostic products to market first in Europe, then in the US and ultimately, worldwide.

Visit VolitionRx’s website (www.volitionrx.com) or connect with us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook or YouTube.

Media Contacts:

Charlotte Reynolds, VolitionRx
Charlotte.Reynolds@volitionrx.com
Telephone: +44 (0) 795 217 7498

Kirsten Thomas, The Ruth Group
kthomas@theruthgroup.com
Telephone: +1 (646) 536-7014

Investor Contacts:

Scott Powell, VolitionRx
S.Powell@volitionrx.com
Telephone: +1 (917) 721-9480

Lee Roth, The Ruth Group
lroth@theruthgroup.com
Telephone: +1 (646) 536-7012

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements in this press release may be “forward-looking statements”. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “optimizing,” “potential,” “goal,” and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, its business or management, identify forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the Company’s business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may, and probably will, differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements due to numerous factors, including those described above and those risks discussed from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Health Care

3D Systems Introduces New Simbionix™ Virtual Reality Surgical Simulation Training Module

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ROCK HILL, S.C., Sept. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ —

  • New Simbionix training module launched for the practice of transvaginal ultrasound exams
  • Demonstrations of the new module can be seen at the upcoming International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology

3D Systems (NYSE: DDD) announced today the addition of a new Simbionix™ ultrasound training module for the practice of transvaginal ultrasound exams (GYN TVS) at the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG) exhibition in Barcelona, Spain.

Transvaginal ultrasound is a commonly used exam in many Obstetrics and Gynecology practices, and as such, the ability to both perform and interpret ultrasounds has always been an important part of the curriculum in clinical training programs. Unlike ultrasound exams that are performed externally, practicing pelvic ultrasound poses more of a challenge to both learners and educators.

The company also plans to add its Bespoke Modeling™, a cloud-based, easy-to-use, affordable service that allows medical professionals to quickly create, view, share and 3D print full-color 3D anatomical models directly from DICOM data. When used with Simbionix simulators, Bespoke Modeling gives medical professionals the power to diagnose and communicate more effectively, simplify medical imaging and improve medical learning and training. Bespoke Modeling makes it easy to view patient-specific 3D data, bookmark views, add annotations, explore specific anatomical structures and then order color 3D cloud-printed models or print on-site.

The U/S Mentor simulator provides a true-to-life training environment in which physicians and sonographers of different experience levels may practice ultrasound procedures. The new GYN TVS training module was developed based on the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) standards and guidelines for the accreditation of ultrasound practices. Training is performed on a dedicated mannequin combined with simulated anatomies and pathologies. Virtual patient cases include normal anatomical variations, early IUP, ectopic pregnancy, fibroids, ovarian malignancies, hydrosalpynx and more. The comprehensive training incorporates didactics, real time guidance and captured metrics for objective assessment.

Pelvic ultrasound simulation training using the U/S Mentor simulator provides a safe and low stress environment in comparison with the traditional method of training on live patients.  

“The U/S Mentor has been very well accepted, with customers especially impressed with the realistic imaging and training options that it offers,” said Gary Zamler, Vice President and General Manager, Simbionix Products, 3DS. “Our well-established advanced ultrasound simulation technology, which has been developed over the last 10 years, allows us to rapidly enhance the product and provide a variety of unique training packages in correspondence with our client’s needs.”

The module will be available for hands-on experience at Simbionix booth #33 at the ISUOG exhibition in Barcelona, Spain, September 14-17.

3D Systems offers a full array of Simbionix medical training simulators, PROcedure Rehearsal Studio™ for case rehearsal and planning and MentorLearn™ Simulator Training Management to advance clinical performance and optimize procedural outcomes through education and collaboration. More information on Simbionix products can be found on http://www.simbionix.com.

Learn more about 3DS’ commitment to manufacturing the future today at http://www.3dsystems.com.

About 3D Systems  

3D Systems is pioneering 3D printing for everyone. 3DS provides the most advanced and comprehensive 3D design-to-manufacturing solutions including 3D printers, print materials and cloud sourced custom parts. Its powerful digital thread empowers professionals and consumers everywhere to bring their ideas to life in material choices including plastics, metals, ceramics and edibles. 3DS’ leading healthcare solutions include integrated 3D planning and printing for personalized surgery and patient specific medical and dental devices. Its democratized 3D design and inspection products embody the latest perceptual, capture and touch technology. Its products and services replace and complement traditional methods with improved results and reduced time to outcomes. These solutions are used to rapidly design, create, communicate, plan, guide, prototype or produce functional parts, devices and assemblies, empowering customers to manufacture the future.

Leadership Through Innovation and Technology 

  • 3DS invented 3D printing with its Stereolithography (SLA) printer and was the first to commercialize it in 1989.
  • 3DS invented Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) printing and was the first to commercialize it in 1992.
  • 3DS invented the Color-Jet-Printing (CJP) class of 3D printers and was the first to commercialize 3D powder-based systems in 1994.
  • 3DS invented Multi-Jet-Printing (MJP) printers and was the first to commercialize it in 1996.
  • 3DS Medical Modeling pioneered virtual surgical planning (VSP) and its services are world-leading, helping many thousands of patients on an annual basis.

Today its comprehensive range of 3D printers is the industry’s benchmark for production-grade manufacturing in aerospace, automotive, patient specific medical device and a variety of consumer, electronic and fashion accessories.

More information on the company is available at http://www.3DSystems.com.

Investor Contact:
Stacey Witten
Stacey.Witten@3dsystems.com

Media Contact:
Alyssa Hoyt
Press@3dsystems.com

ENT Fashion

Stars of Science Returns to Showcase Young Arab Innovators in its Upcoming Sixth Season on MBC4

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DOHA, Qatar, Sept. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Qatar Foundation’s “edutainment reality” TV program Stars of Science is returning for a sixth season on MBC4, with a competitive new format. The program bolsters interest in science and technology as well as accelerates the development of the region’s next generation of Innovators.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/72762523-stars-of-science-sixth-season-MBC4/ 

For its sixth season, Stars of Science will debut a new format aimed at increasing competition, pitting small groups of innovators against each other for the chance to turn their ideas into reality. Following a competitive selection process, twelve candidates aged 18 to 30 from across the Arab world are selected to come to Doha, where they are mentored by engineering and design specialists from across the globe.  The innovators’ resilience, ingenuity and teamwork are tested in challenges throughout the program as they develop their potential products from concept to working prototype with the ultimate goal of winning a share of the $600,000 prize money. A jury comprised of prominent tech experts and industry leaders examine candidates’ projects and determine who progresses to the next stage.

Thousands of applicants are considered during a six-country casting tour aimed at identifying the candidates with the best ideas.  In the first four episodes of Stars of Science, viewers will witness the casting sessions where 12 candidates will eventually be selected from across the Arab world.

“Stars of Science searches the region for the most promising young innovators and connects them with world-class experts in order to bring their ideas to life,” said His Excellency, Sheikh Abdulla bin Ali Al-Thani, Ph.D., President of Hamad bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation. “The program is stimulating a passion for science and technology among Arab youth, and is contributing to educational attainment and economic development in the Arab world.”

Through its six seasons, more than 28,000 young Arab inventors have submitted their ideas to Stars of Science. 

Stars of Science candidates have established an enduring legacy of giving back to their communities.  Around the Arab world, Stars of Science alumni are actively mentoring other innovators, speaking publicly and supporting local startups. Alumni have also presented at TEDx events, the White House, international forums and toured schools to speak about the importance of STEM education.  The 80 candidates who have been featured on Stars of Science have gone on to file 62 patents and found 16 regionally-based companies.

“The overwhelming interest from young Arabs aspiring to participate in Stars of Science is indicative of a renewed enthusiasm for science and technology throughout the region,” said Youssif Abdulrahman Saleh, perennial juror and General Manager of Qatar Shell Research and Technology Centre in QSTP. “The high number of quality applications from talented, inspired people has made the selection process very difficult.  I have no doubt that the top 12 candidates ultimately chosen will be our best innovators thus far.”

This season, Stars of Science has launched a new website that allows fans to enrich their viewing experience. The website is an interactive hub for technology-related discussion and helps Arab innovators connect with resources and each other and will include a discussion forum and live chat option before, during & after episode airings where Jury members, experts and candidates themselves will be able to respond to questions by the general public.

Season 6 of Stars of Science is hosted by Khaled Al Jumaily who is joined by the co-host Haneen Al Naqdi for the first time. The program will premiere on MBC4 on 13 September, at 9 PM KSA / 6 PM GMT 2014. Candidates will confront challenges, race against the clock and compete with each other in 10 prime time episodes. Further insights into the candidates can also be seen in the accompanying daily episodes that start airing on Sunday 5th October at 4pm KSA/1pm GMT on MBC4.  Season 6 will culminate in a live final in which voting from the public and jury deliberation will determine the final outcome. 

For further information, please contact:
Taylor Bossung or Hanane Rougani, T: + 974-44364385

For more information please visit:
Website – http://www.starsofscience.com 
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/StarsofScienceTV 
Twitter – https://twitter.com/starsofscience 
Youtube- http://www.youtube.com/user/Starsofsciencetv 
Instagram- starsofsciencetv

Fashion

A Heritage Inspirational Exchange UNESCO-Awarded Tai O Heritage Hotel Hosted the Second International Children Painting Competition 2013/2014

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HONG KONG, Sept. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Initiated and operated as a non-profit social enterprise by Hong Kong Heritage Conservation Foundation Limited (HCF), UNESCO-awarded Tai O Heritage Hotel is committed to promote heritage conservation and the appreciation of historic sites. The award-winning hotel is also an art and culture-oriented Living Hotel Museum, providing an open platform for artistic exposure and shaping Tai O as a destination with distinctive cultural values.

90 young artists from Hong Kong and 17 countries and regions sketched the Tai O fishing village and the UNESCO-awarded Tai O Heritage Hotel, bringing them a joyous memory

90 young artists from Hong Kong and 17 countries and regions sketched the Tai O fishing village and the UNESCO-awarded Tai O Heritage Hotel, bringing them a joyous memory

 

Demonstrating its commitment to supporting artistic creations, Tai O Heritage Hotel has sponsored ‘Brushstrokes Over Hong Kong: International Children Painting Competition in Hong Kong 2013/14′ (ICPC), the international painting competition in Hong Kong, for two consecutive years, as part of its effort to encourage artistic and cultural exchange between Hong Kong and other parts of the world, and to promote Hong Kong as an international art hub that nurtures local young talents.

ICPC 2013/14 selected representative heritage sites and scenic locations where a total of 90 young artists aged 13 to 18, from Hong Kong and 17 countries and regions conducted on-site sketching during 25 to 29 August 2014. Tai O Heritage Hotel and Hong Kong Gold Coast along the coast of Castle Peak are among the selected sketching sites.

Henry Lau, Committee Member of Promotion of Young Artists Foundation, said, “We would like to express our gratitude towards Hong Kong Heritage Conservation Foundation for its sponsorship and support from which our young artists visited the award-winning Tai O Heritage Hotel, and to sketch this 112-year-old, colonial-style architecture, and also the historic and culture-rich Tai O fishing village. We aim to promote an international youth cultural exchange in art through a calendar of on-site painting activities at scenic and historic sites in Hong Kong.”

On 25 August 2014, 90 young artists visited Hong Kong Gold Coast as their first destination. The holistic coast is comprised of Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel, Gold Coast Yacht and Country Club, Hong Kong Gold Coast Residences and Gold Coast Piazza. With its idyllic coastline and landscape exuding the European and Mediterranean romance, Hong Kong Gold Coast is a perfect location for sketching and photo shooting and has inspired and stimulated all young talents’ creativity.

The following day, the young artists arrived at the tranquil Tai O fishing village and Tai O Heritage Hotel. Perched on the western-most tip of Lantau Island, Tai O Heritage Hotel, graded as a Grade II historic building by the Hong Kong Antiquities Advisory Board, was revitalised from the former Tai O Police Station. With the cultural and human richness of the century-old village at its doorstep and the artefacts from the police station days including the cannons, searchlight and guard towers, the hotel enjoys a panoramic view of the South China Sea, presented all young artists inspirational sketching themes.

11 judges including Mr Kosta Hadji Antonovski from Macedonia, Mr Jose Peres Pacheco De Faria from Portugal, Mr Jerome Sterbecq from France, and the others from Russia, Slovenia, United Kingdom and China formed the panel of judges and chose four paintings by young artists from Ukraine, Russia and Hong Kong as “Best of the Day” for their full-day sketching in Tai O. Hong Kong Heritage Conservation Foundation also presented six merit certificates to the talents from Hong Kong, Malaysia and Thailand.

International Children Painting Competition in Hong Kong 2013/14 Grand Finale Dinner and Award Presentation Ceremony was held at YUE, Hong Kong Gold Coast Hotel on 30 August 2014. 60 outstanding sketches were displayed in a lush green garden for viewing. The Honourable Mr Paul Chan, MH, JP, Secretary for Development, Hong Kong SAR Government Development Bureau, Sir David Akers-Jones, Patron of Promotion of Young Artists Foundation and Ms Nikki Ng, Director of Hong Kong Heritage Conservation Foundation attended the occasion. Chiu Man Yan and Ashley Chung Hoi Lam from Hong Kong garnered the first and third prizes and Anna Parygina of Moscow took home the second prize of the week-long competition.

Award List:

Grand Prize, International Children Painting Competition in Hong Kong 2013/14

Russia (Secondary Art School N1188)

 

International Best Young Artist, International Children Painting Competition in Hong Kong 2013/14

 

First Prize: Chiu Man Yan (Hong Kong)
Second Prize: Anna Parygina (Russia)
Third Prize: Ashley Chung Hoi Lam (Hong Kong)

About Tai O Heritage Hotel (www.taioheritagehotel.com)

Tai O Heritage Hotel, graded as a Grade II historic building by the Antiquities Advisory Board, was revitalised from the old Tai O Police Station, a history-steeped building that dates back to 1902. It is now home to nine colonial-style rooms, a Heritage Interpretation Centre and a glass-roofed open view restaurant Tai O Lookout. As a non-profit social enterprise, Tai O Heritage Hotel is committed to engaging the public in bolstering Tai O’s local economy, achieving synergy with local communities, and promoting heritage conservation, tourism and green living.

About Hong Kong Heritage Conservation Foundation Limited (www.hkheritage.org)

The Hong Kong Heritage Conservation Foundation is a non-profit organisation set up by the Ng Teng Fong family in March 2008. The primary objectives of the company are to revitalise and maintain heritage buildings, as well as to promote the conservation and appreciation of heritage and historic places and their importance in community life. The organisation’s management team has solid experience in heritage revitalisation and has previously participated in a number of heritage projects in Singapore, including The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, The Fullerton Waterboat House, Clifford Pier and Far East Square.

Tai O Heritage Hotel

Address: Shek Tsai Po Street, Tai O, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Telephone: +852 2985 8383 Fax: +852 2985 8881
Email: info@taioheritagehotel.com Website: www.taioheritagehotel.com
Facebook: taioheritagehotel

Photo – http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20140901/8521404937
Logo – http://www.prnasia.com/sa/2013/09/05/20130905173330875115.jpg

ECP Information

Honeywell Promotes Science and Technology Education in Partnership with Government Schools

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More than 1,200 students and 12 teachers will benefit from experiential learning science kits program; Honeywell Engineers volunteer to promote technology careers to students

JAKARTA, Indonesia, Aug. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced today that it is helping more than 1,200 local students learn about science and technology through a partnership with local schools in Batam and Bintan in Riau Islands province.

Under the Honeywell Science Kits program, four schools will receive science kits supporting the national curriculum. These comprehensive tools will allow students to experience science and technology concepts in an innovative way. As part of the program, 12 teachers from these four schools will be trained with hands-on teaching techniques, enabling them to better engage their students in the classroom. In addition to that, 12 engineers from local Honeywell facility are volunteering to promote technology careers at these local schools.

The program is part of Honeywell’s ongoing commitment to promote science and technology education in Indonesia which includes sponsoring middle school math and science teachers to attend its international programs such as Honeywell Educators @ Space Academy and Green Boot Camp to learn advanced teaching techniques. This new science kits program is sponsored by Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company’s global citizenship initiative.

“Honeywell provides students and teachers opportunities in science and technology education in Indonesia, through a series of unique programs designed to inspire the next generation of innovators,” said Alex Pollack, President of Honeywell Indonesia. “This exciting program affords students an opportunity to learn concepts in a more engaging manner and gain valuable access to information about potential careers in science and engineering from Honeywell’s top engineers.”

According to National Science Foundation, 80 percent of the jobs in the next 10 years will require Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) skills and capabilities. “We aim to provide the best education to our students and these advanced teaching techniques will be highly beneficial both for our students as well as our teachers. We welcome such initiatives and are delighted to have Honeywell engineers volunteer to encourage our students,” said Zurnalis, Principal of SMPN 9, Batam.

Honeywell Science Kits program is being run in partnership with SMP II Lukman Hakim and SMP Negeri 9 in Batam as well as in SMP Negeri 11 and SMPN 13 in Bintan.

About Honeywell

Honeywell (www.honeywell.com) is a Fortune 100 diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; turbochargers; and performance materials. Based in Morris Township, N.J., Honeywell’s shares are traded on the New York, London, and Chicago Stock Exchanges. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywellnow.com.

About Honeywell, Indonesia

Honeywell’s products and systems have been distributed and installed in Indonesia since 1974. In 1992, Honeywell established our Indonesian representative office, which maintains a network of local distribution companies. Today, three of Honeywell’s businesses, Automation and Control Solutions, Aerospace, and Performance Materials and Technologies, employ over 1,500 employees in cities across the country, including Jakarta, Surabaya, Purwakarta, Batam and Bintan.

About Honeywell Hometown Solutions

Honeywell Hometown Solutions, the company’s corporate citizenship initiative, which focuses on five areas of vital importance: Science & Math Education, Family Safety & Security, Housing & Shelter, Habitat & Conservation, and Humanitarian Relief. Together with leading public and non-profit institutions, Honeywell has developed powerful programs to address these needs in the communities it serves. For more information, please visit http://citizenship.honeywell.com/.