Day: March 5, 2024

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HKSTP Rides LEAP 2024 Platform to Power Middle East Innovation Drive and Calls on Ecosystem Leaders to Keep Up with Global I&T Opportunities

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 March 2024 – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) has kicked off the first leg of a landmark delegation with the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) and Hong Kong Cyberport (Cyberport) to the Middle East. Together with eight Park companies and first stopping at LEAP 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, HKSTP is on a mission to rally innovators across the respective ecosystems to keep up with the global speed of disruptive innovation and technology (I&T).

The HKSTP Pavilion mimics Hong Kong’s iconic I&T landmark – the “Golden Egg”, showcasing cutting-edge innovation ranging from biotech, healthtech, logistics, AI, robotics, to new energy from eight forward-looking Park companies.

The opening of the first-ever Hong Kong Pavilion at LEAP was officiated by Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology, and Industry (SITI) of the HKSAR Government, Mr Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP and Mr Peter Yan, CEO of Cyberport. At the same occasion, HKSTP has landed a strategic MoU with Saudi Arabia’s leading technology R&D government institution, the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST). The MoU provides reciprocal soft-landing opportunities for companies in both regions, as well as commitment to collaborate on technology, industry best practices and support for startups across the two ecosystem networks.

Under the witness of Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government (second from left) and H.E. Dr. Munir M. Eldesouki, President, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (second from right), Mr Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP (first from right), and Mr Peter Yan, CEO of Cyberport (first from left), signed a MoU with Dr. Khalid A. Aldakkan, Senior Vice President for Innovation Parks, KACST (middle), to form a strategic partnership between the Hong Kong and Saudi I&T ecosystems, accelerating the growth and development of start-ups and talent.

Professor Sun Dong, SITI of the HKSAR Government, said, “I am deeply impressed by the energetic I&T culture and supportive programmes available at KACST. The strategic partnership between KACST and our I&T flagships will further deepen the I&T exchange between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia, accelerate the growth and development of our start-ups and nurture more global I&T talent.”


Mr Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said, “LEAP 2024 is a crossroads of culture and innovation that captures the boundless energy and ambition of the Middle East. It is also an electrifying opportunity for HKSTP and eight of our Park companies to showcase cutting-edge advancements and explore the mega potential of Saudi Arabia. We are proud to be part of the Hong Kong delegation. Hong Kong is ready to collaborate, nurture breakthroughs and partner, as we all leap into a new era of innovation.”

Leveraging the Saudi Vision 2030, HKSTP also orchestrated the “Hong Kong Healthtech Innovations Driving Global Transformation for Generations to Come” panel session at LEAP to ignite discussions on R&D, investment, and collaboration. Three Hong Kong biotech and healthtech innovation leaders: Prof Samuel Au, President of Cornerstone Robotics; Dr Zhu Tian, Co-Founder and CEO of GenEditBio and Mr Chi Man Lam, Founder and CEO of Applied Technology Group illuminated the prospects of healthtech and highlighted Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia’s shared visions and limitless opportunities in the industry. Hong Kong-based biotech startup, GenEditBio, has also made its mark in the region with the confirmed MoU with Anwa Biosciences, a leading Saudi genomic firm. Both companies are collaborating to use cutting-edge CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) technology to combat genetic diseases, starting with sickle cell disease.

Titled “Hong Kong Healthtech Innovations Driving Global Transformation for Generations to Come”, the HKSTP-hosted panel discussion offered unique insights from robotics expert Professor Samuel Au, President of Cornerstone Robotics (first from left); Information and Communications Technology veteran Mr Chi Man Lam, Founder and CEO of Applied Technology Group (second from right); and passionate drug hunter Dr Zhu Tian, Co-Founder and CEO of GenEditBio (second from left).

HKSTP Park companies participating in LEAP 2024 and their innovative technologies:
https://www.hkstp.org/news-room/calling-all-global-innovators-keep-up-with-the-golden-era-of-it/

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) was established in 2001 with a mission to position Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub. HKSTP has created a thriving I&T ecosystem supporting over 10 unicorns with more than 13,000 research professionals and around 1,700 technology companies from 26 countries and regions focused on healthtech, AI and robotics, fintech and smart city technologies.

We offer comprehensive support to attract and nurture talent, accelerate and commercialise innovation for technology ventures on their I&T journey. Our growing innovation ecosystem is built around our key locations of Hong Kong Science Park in Shatin, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong and three modern InnoParks in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long. The three InnoParks are realising a vision of new industrialisation for Hong Kong, where sectors including advanced manufacturing, micro-electronics and biotechnology are being reimagined.

Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch in Futian, Shenzhen, opened in September 2023 to support Hong Kong’s future development and its growing demands of the I&T industry and to strengthen cross-border exchange, attract technology companies as well as talent from around the world, helping them go global. It has both dry and wet laboratories, co-working space, conference and exhibition spaces, and more. We will focus on attracting enterprises in seven key areas: Medtech, big data and AI, robotics, new materials, microelectronics, fintech and sustainability.

Through our infrastructure, services, expertise, and network of partnerships, HKSTP will help establish I&T as a pillar of growth for Hong Kong.

More information about HKSTP is available at www.hkstp.org.

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CallTower Breaks New Ground: Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams Telephony Solution Now Unleashed Across EMEA

CallTower Sets the Stage for Revolutionary Growth in European Markets as an Elite Operator Connect Provider

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, ROCHESTER, NY, BOSTON, MA, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CallTower, a global pioneer in providing advanced cloud-based solutions for unified communications, contact centers, and collaboration, proudly announces the expansion of its Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams service to the EMEA region. Since becoming one of the select providers for Operator Connect in September 2021, CallTower has continued to extend its reach. Today marks a significant milestone as they broaden their services to include Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. This expansion builds on their established presence in the US, Canada, and the UK, further solidifying CallTower’s commitment to enhancing global communications.

CallTower is at the forefront of revolutionizing communication solutions for businesses across the EMEA region in local currencies (including the euro, the UK pound sterling and others) through the enablement of Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams. This innovative service transforms the way organizations connect by delivering PSTN voice access directly within Teams, significantly enhancing the customer experience. Operator Connect not only simplifies the integration between networks but also streamlines the provisioning and management of users. This leads to improved support models that elevate the overall quality of service. Since 2018, CallTower has been providing Microsoft Teams Voice to users in EMEA and over 70 countries globally.

CallTower’s Operator Connect for MS Teams allows for the extension of PSTN voice services to regions that are not covered by Microsoft Calling Plans. This capability is crucial for businesses aiming to maintain a global presence, providing them with a competitive edge in today’s fast-paced market. By leveraging CallTower’s expertise and support, companies can ensure a robust and reliable communication framework, essential for thriving in the digital era. This functionality enables them to effortlessly connect calling services, acquire phone numbers, and assign these components to users, ensuring a smooth operational flow. CallTower stands out by offering technical support and managing the voice network and infrastructure, relieving businesses from the complexities of these tasks.

CallTower enhances Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams, effectively addressing essential communication needs through a comprehensive suite of business integrations. This includes advanced SMS/MMS texting features, stringent compliance recording, crucial emergency services where available, and reliable one-click failover capabilities. Moreover, CallTower provides a range of innovative contact center solutions among other services, enabling businesses to significantly improve their communication frameworks.

“CallTower is thrilled to deliver on our promise of catering to customers in EMEA,” announced CallTower’s Chief Revenue Officer, William Rubio. “The launch of Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams marks the pinnacle of this commitment. It revolutionizes how our customers connect, offering a seamless transition and effortless implementation, all while broadening our coverage. By voice-enabling Teams through CallTower’s Global Network, we’re not just supporting our European clients; we’re empowering them. We provide a variety of options tailored to meet the diverse needs of their workforce, ensuring every user has exactly what they need to excel.” 

CallTower has strategically positioned itself as a leader in communication solutions by developing CallTower Connect, an innovative provisioning tool designed to streamline and simplify the management of its services. This proprietary portal is a testament to CallTower’s commitment to empowering businesses with the ability to effortlessly customize and control their communication platforms.

Through CallTower Connect, users gain access to a user-friendly interface that enables quick and efficient provisioning of a wide array of CallTower services. This includes seamless provisioning of CallTower’s Microsoft solutions, including Operator Connect, Direct Routing, GCC High Direct Routing, and Microsoft 365, among other vital communication tools. The simplicity and efficiency of CallTower Connect means that businesses can rapidly adapt their communication strategies to meet evolving needs without the need for extensive technical knowledge or support.

About CallTower

Since its inception in 2002, CallTower has evolved into a global cloud-based, enterprise-class cloud communications (unified communications, contact center and collaboration) solutions provider for growing organizations worldwide. CallTower provides, integrates and supports industry-leading solutions, including Operator Connect for Microsoft® Teams, MS Teams Direct Routing, GCC High Teams Direct Routing, Microsoft® 365, Cisco® Webex Calling / UCM, Cisco® CCP, Zoom Phone, Zoom (BYOB) and four contact center options, including Five9 for business customers.

For more information contact marketing@calltower.com

Kade Herbert
CallTower, Inc.
8003475444
marketing@calltower.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9056536

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Ministry of Social Affairs, Russian Orthodox Women’s Union sign cooperation agreement in field of social protection


Damascus, Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor signed Monday a cooperation agreement with the International public organization ‘Russian Orthodox Women’s Union’ in Russia to enhance cooperation in the field of social, humanitarian and cultural programs related to childhood and women and develop the level of awareness among families.

The agreement was signed by Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Louay al-Munjid, with the organization’s coordinator in Syria, Hassan Nasrallah.

The agreement stipulates for cooperation in social protection system projects that care about children and women’s affairs, and developing the level of awareness among families and mothers in the field of care and education.

Minister al-Munajjid stressed that the agreement comes within its natural context that enhances cooperation and convergence between Syria and Russia, especially in the face of modern liberalism and its tendencies to dismantle and distort the family and prevent the spread of this ideology.

He underlined the neces
sity of implementing programs aimed at building a healthy family in accordance with the values and rules enjoyed by the Syrian people.

For his part, Nasrallah said that this is not the first experience of the union in Syria, and that the agreement came after the reprecussions of the terrorist war, which negatively affected the family, especially childern, who are considered the foundation of society.

Source: Syrian Arab News Agency

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Jordanian field hospital Nablus 2 teams, staff with 12 aid trucks arrive in Nablus

Amman: Teams and staff from the Jordanian field hospital Nablus/2 arrived in Nablus city on Tuesday in order to fulfill their humanitarian and medical obligations to the people and brothers in Palestine.

Twelve trucks filled with medical and therapeutic supplies supported the medical teams as they worked, providing support to the hospital’s medical specialties run by highly skilled, qualified, and productive personnel.

As soon as the teams arrived, they started making the required arrangements and actions to ensure that they could carry out their humanitarian and medical duties effectively and competently.

In total, 37,694 patients were treated by the Jordanian field hospital Nablus/1, which also handled 36,612 cases, 894 procedures, and 188 hospitalizations.

The Director of Logistics welcomed the Jordanian field hospital Nablus/1 crews when they returned home earlier today after performing their duties.

Source: Jordan News Agency

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University of Jordan’s IEEE-CS Clinches Global Excellence Title

Amman: The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers – Computer Society (IEEE-CS) at the University of Jordan (UJ), has clinched the title of the “Outstanding Chapter Award”, bestowed by the IEEE.

In a groundbreaking achievement for the Middle East, the UJ’s IEEE-CS triumph stands as a testament to the remarkable capabilities and innovation within the realm of information technology, said a UJ statement on Tuesday.

As a professional society affiliated with the globally renowned IEEE, the IEEE-CS is dedicated to advancing the theory, practice, and application of information processing, computer science, and technology, while elevating the professional stature of its members.

It stands as the largest among the 39 technical societies operating under the IEEE umbrella, underscoring the excellence of UJ students and their prowess in the field.

This prestigious accolade is bestowed annually upon a single society worldwide, adhering to stringent criteria related to the nature and caliber of activities an
d programs offered to its members and volunteers, added the statement.

It highlighted that the IEEE-CS at UJ is at the forefront of providing a diverse array of workshops, courses, seminars, and events aimed at bridging the gap between academia and the industry, thus serving as a global benchmark.

Its offerings encompass a wide spectrum of activities catering to members from various specializations, ranging from hands-on workshops to scholarly seminars and engaging social events.

The quality and relevance of the activities and events hosted by the society are underscored by their alignment with the demands of the labor market, coupled with the society’s proactive engagement with leading institutions and companies in the information technology sector.

In reaffirming the university’s commitment to excellence, the statement emphasized that the IEEE-CS’s attainment of this prestigious title is a source of immense pride, reaffirming UJ’s esteemed position on the global stage.

Source: Jordan News Agency

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King receives delegation from United Arab List in Knesset

Amman: His Majesty King Abdullah II on Tuesday stressed the need to end violations by Israel and unilateral Israeli measures in Jerusalem, which impact freedom of worshippers at Al Aqsa Mosque, especially during the holy month of Ramadan.

Receiving a delegation from the United Arab List in the Knesset headed by MK Mansour Abbas, His Majesty said Jordan will continue to undertake its historical and religious role in safeguarding Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, under the Hashemite Custodianship.

The King warned of the danger of the ongoing war on Gaza and extremist settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank and Jerusalem.

His Majesty reaffirmed the importance of exerting all efforts to reach an immediate and lasting ceasefire in Gaza and ensure the protection of innocent civilians.

The King said Jordan will continue to deliver humanitarian, relief, and medical aid to Gaza using all available means.

His Majesty reiterated Jordan’s absolute rejection of attempts to forcibly displace
Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, as well as attempts to separate them.

The King stressed the need to maintain support for UNRWA in line with its UN mandate.

His Majesty reaffirmed that the only way to restore regional security and stability is to relaunch a political process to achieve just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the two-state solution, guaranteeing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The King commended the United Arab List’s support for efforts to achieve peace and create a political horizon to the Palestinian cause on the basis of the two-state solution, as well as its key role in representing the Arab voice.

The delegation included MK Waleed Taha, MK Waleed Alhwashla, MK Iman Khatib-Yasin, MK Yasir Hujeirat.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, and Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan.

Source: Jordan News Agency