by Ferry Bayu | Apr 15, 2024 | Business
Don’t miss out on “Toward Plastic Circularity: Good Practices from Singapore” webinar. E-certificate is provided for all participants! Register now via bit.ly/8thPSP
ERIA’s Regional Knowledge Centre
for Marine Plastic Debris invites you to a webinar titled “Toward Plastic
Circularity: Good Practices from Singapore”. Save the date:
Date: April 18th, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:15 PM (GMT+8)
The event will feature presentations from leading
Singaporean private companies pioneering in plastic circularity and waste
reduction:
Opening
Remarks:
·
Mr Reo Kawamura, Director of ERIA’s Regional
Knowledge Centre for Marine Plastic Debris
·
Mr Santhosh Manivannan, Director, Policy
Division, National Environment Agency, Singapore
Panelists:
·
Mr Michikazu Kojima, Senior Research Fellow at
ERIA
·
Mr Roy Andy Panjaitan, Economic Cooperation and
Private Sector Development Advisor at GIZ Indonesia
·
Mr Jeryl Yep, Co-Founder and Innovation Lead of
Semula Pte Ltd
·
Mr Jerid Soo, Assistant General Manager at
Pacific International Lines (PTE)
·
Ms Huileng Tan, Executive Director at Zero Waste
SG
·
Ms Yee Shien Su, Partnerships Manager at Zero
Waste SG
E-certificate is
provided for all participants! Register now via bit.ly/8thPSP
by Ferry Bayu | Apr 15, 2024 | Business
Manila, April 15, 2024 – VRITIMES, a leading media technology company, announced today a strategic partnership with Naunsa, a prominent Philippine news website. This collaboration aims to empower businesses and organizations to amplify their press releases and reach a wider audience across the Philippines.
VRITIMES is renowned for its innovative press release distribution services, offering a user-friendly platform for crafting, distributing, and analyzing press release performance. Naunsa, on the other hand, is a trusted source for daily news, features, and insightful content, making it a perfect partner to deliver impactful press releases to a broad spectrum of Filipino readers.
“We are thrilled to join forces with Naunsa, a platform that shares our commitment to delivering valuable information to the public,” said Ferry Bayu, Co-Founder and CEO of VRITIMES. “This partnership will provide our clients with unparalleled access to Naunsa’s extensive reach, ensuring their press releases gain maximum exposure throughout the Philippines.”
Through this collaboration, VRITIMES will distribute press releases to Naunsa, enabling businesses and organizations to share their news with Naunsa’s audience. This will allow Naunsa to stay updated on the latest developments from various industries, keeping their readers informed about pressing issues and emerging trends.
The partners believe this collaboration will empower the readers with access to a wider range of informative press releases, fostering a more knowledgeable and engaged citizenry.
by Ferry Bayu | Apr 11, 2024 | Business
It is not every day we see a classroom turn into a tech startup hub.
But for FEU Institute of Technology, their FEU TECH Innovation Center (FTIC) is the next generation of university learning that goes beyond conventional classrooms, offering a transformative learning environment.
In 2019, FEU TECH took a more aggressive approach to support entrepreneurship and innovation through its output-based programs. The center provides a space where people can interact with fellow innovators and collaborate on game-changing solutions. FEU TECH aspiring entrepreneurs, whether they are students, faculty, or faculty researchers currently working on their startup ideas, can meet to connect and leverage on the center’s resources to help develop their ideas.
“FEU TECH Innovation Center’s design is a purposeful blend of aesthetics and functionality,” Gianina Napo, FEU TECH Innovation Center Director for Innovation Programs says. “Our goal is to inspire and support the next generation of changemakers who can shape the future of the Philippines and the world. To support this vision, FEU TECH is creating programs, resources, and support mechanisms to cultivate innovative ideas and facilitate the growth of entrepreneurial prospects from the FEU TECH community.”
A first within the university belt, the 1,170 square meter hub is situated on the 5th floor of the FEU Engineering Building along Nicanor Reyes Street. It houses specialized function rooms, a shared lounge that doubles as an event space, and a Fabrication Laboratory. The whole center is designed to encourage interaction and idea exchange where students, faculty, and external ecosystem players such as entrepreneurs, researchers, and experts are invited for learning sessions and events organized and hosted by FEU TECH Innovation Center.
An Innovative Startup Academy
In 2020, FEU TECH Innovation Center introduced an innovative internship track for students who aspire to be startup founders. The FEU TECH Innovation Center Startup Academy was designed to equip them with the basics of innovation and building a startup through a structured program while receiving coaching and mentorship. Over 700 aspiring student startup founders were under the program which served as a sandbox for innovation ideas that still follow a structured, industry-standard manner.
“From the past six cohorts, we have seen a range of diverse startup ideas from our FEU Alabang, FEU Diliman, and FEU TECH students who went through the program. This begins with an application period where students with innovative business ideas apply. Once selected, the incubated student startups are exposed to specialized training sessions and workshops. These learning sessions are facilitated by mentors who provide guidance, share insights, and offer practical advice to help students refine their business ideas,” Napo explains.
An upcoming enhanced incubation and acceleration program will be launched to support tech-enabled pre- and early- stage startups from market validation to commercial success. The program will also grant students access to co-working spaces, prototyping facilities, and collaboration tools for business development. Networking activities and industry meetups will expose them to more entrepreneurs and professionals, culminating in a demo day for potential funding and support.
FEU TECH actively partners with key innovation enablers from both the government and private sectors to expand their network. This provides FEU TECH access to resource persons, experts, and even funding for research projects and startups. These external collaborations enhance their ecosystem and offer students and associates valuable connections in the broader entrepreneurial landscape. Their notable collaborations include startup enablers like the Asian Institute of Management- Dado Banatao Incubator (AIM-DBI), QBO Innovation Hub, and PHILDEV Foundation.
Success beyond Classrooms with Student Startups
DWARM Technologies
DWARM Technologies was tapped to develop their artificial intelligence (AI) powered drone to support the COVID response of the government during the initial days of the pandemic. Supported by a grant from the Philippine Department of Science and Technology and support funding from FEU TECH via the FEU TECH Innovation Center, the AI drone which was primarily developed to improve the government’s search and rescue efforts during calamities was redesigned and used to manage the COVID situation.
Espasyo
Espasyo is a team formed after FEU TECH Innovation Center called for student startups to apply for funding opportunities from the Accenture Innovation Grant. It is an all-in-one system for warehouse spaces for e-commerce businesses that helps users find vacant spaces, reserve, pay and rent them as their storage spaces. It will be using Internet of Things technology (IoT) in managing these warehouse spaces.
Vehic
Vehic is another student startup team that went through the FEU TECH Innovation Center Startup Academy. Vehic is a 360 solution for the auto care industry that envisions making a one-stop solution for any services related to vehicles. With Vehic’s mobile application, you can order or schedule a car wash anytime, anywhere. Its founder, Mr. Amir Anan, was chosen to be part of the Manila Ventures Program, an accelerator program backed by Kaya Ventures.
WePyro Tech
WePyro Tech developed a small-scale incinerator that generates energy from the electricity and heat processed during the incineration resulting in waste to energy or energy from waste. It has been hailed as one of the top 10 teams of Ways4Waste Innovation Challenge organized by Villgro Philippines and The Incubation Network.
Shaping Future Technopreneurs
Embracing the challenges of Industry 4.0 and beyond is FEU TECH’s driving force.
The FEU TECH Innovation Center is simply the start of the institution’s efforts in creating future-ready and entrepreneurial lifelong learners.
As the FEU TECH Innovation Center continues to innovate its immersive spaces and startup incubation programs, it creates a legacy that extends beyond classrooms—a legacy of future leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs poised to navigate and thrive in the dynamic landscape of the digital era.
by Ferry Bayu | Apr 9, 2024 | Business
In an initiative to spur the employment of persons with disabilities (PwDs) in Singapore, SPD has launched a compelling video campaign.
Singapore, 09 April 2024 – In an initiative to spur the employment of persons with disabilities (PwDs)
in Singapore, SPD has launched a compelling video campaign.
Employment is not only a means to financial independence for PwDs, but it also empowers them with
the dignity they derive from their economic contributions. With fast changing business environments,
there is a risk that PwDs may be left behind. Hence, the need to address misconceptions and create
meaningful employment opportunities for PwDs has never been more pressing.
About SPD Contact Centre
Set up in 2022, the SPD Contact Centre provides training and employment opportunities for PwDs in
the contact centre industry. Clients can outsource administrative work, including call management,
e-mail management, live chat support, telesurvey and telemarketing, data entry, and more. Over 800
such inquiries are tended to annually.
The centre is managed by industry veterans who are passionate about imparting knowledge and
mentoring PwDs under their charge. Each staff with disabilities receives up to 60 hours of training
before taking on the job, with ongoing refresher courses to continuously enhance and update
their skills.
By extending opportunities to this untapped reservoir of talent, SPD Contact Centre strives to dispel
preconceived notions surrounding employees with physical or cognitive limitations.
Breaking Away from the Norm
In a twist on the status quo, the campaign video turned the usual societal dynamic on its head by
conferring authority to the employee. “So do you ever regret hiring me?” Athirah, an employee at the
SPD Contact Centre, playfully asks.
The light-hearted conversation surrounding a controversial topic displayed the customer service
associate’s skilled eloquence, while VITAL (Ministry of Finance) Chief Executive Dennis Lui, offered
truthful insights from the perspective of an employer.
“I think many employers focus on what the PwDs cannot do, rather than what they can do. But in
reality, all of us are unique individuals with great talents and we can bring a lot to the table,”
Mr Lui explained.
Excellence Personified
Athirah is an example of one such talent discovered at SPD Contact Centre. Born with low vision due
to Retinitis Pigmentosa, she plays a pivotal role in supporting e-mail queries from stakeholders across
over 100 ministries, as part of the VITAL pilot project.
To complete daily to-do lists, Athirah leverages alternative methods and assistive technology to
perform tasks with precision and efficiency.
“I feel happy because this [campaign video] gives the opportunity to educate people, to show that
persons with disabilities can also work in the customer service industry, and at the same time shows
how we can overcome our challenges when we are doing our day-to-day jobs,” Athirah expressed.
“This year we were awarded the Enabling Mark platinum label, which is a really, really important
recognition for VITAL. And that is something we want to continue into the new year and continue to
amplify this message of inclusive hiring and hopefully encourage other organisations as well,” added
Ms Jacyn Kang, Senior Manager, Corporate Planning (Corporate Communications) at VITAL.
For more information about the campaign, members of the public can visit the website:
https://www.spd.org.sg/spd-contact-centre/.
Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6te-XriYLw.
###
SPD Contact Centre is located at Enabling Village, 20 Lengkok Bahru, Singapore 159053.
For more information, please visit:
Instagram: @spdsingapore
Facebook: @SPDSingapore
Website: https://www.spd.org.sg/.
by Ferry Bayu | Apr 9, 2024 | Business
JAKARTA, Indonesia, April 9, 2024 – Indonesia has marked significant strides in adopting crypto assets and blockchain technology in the ever-evolving digital era. The country has showcased remarkable growth in the crypto asset industry.
According to data from the Commodity Futures Trading Regulatory Agency (Bappebti), in February 2024, there were 19.18 million crypto asset investors in Indonesia, with an average increase in registered customers of 427.2 thousand customers per month since this data was reported in February 2021. The value of crypto trading transactions in February 2024 amounted to more than US$2,1 billion (up 56.22% from the previous month). The total transaction value for January-February 2024 was more than US$3,4 billion, or an increase of 113.05% compared to the same period in 2023, amounting to US$1,8 billion (yoy), indicating the strong economic potential of the industry.
Asian countries fiercely compete to become hubs for crypto technology development, with Indonesia not lagging in this race. The Indonesian government has proactively created policies supporting the growth of the crypto ecosystem, including regulations facilitating innovation and increasing public awareness of the investment potential in crypto assets.
As a leading #ExchangeIndonesia, Tokocrypto is fully committed to shaping the future of the country’s blockchain and digital asset industry. This statement reinforces Tokocrypto’s role as a key player in Indonesia’s crypto-asset sector, demonstrating its commitment to supporting inclusive and sustainable digital economic growth.
“We at Tokocrypto are proud to be part of this digital transformation and to lead in its initiation. The steps taken by Bappebti, along with full support from the government, provide a solid foundation for the growth of the crypto industry in Indonesia,” said the CEO of Tokocrypto, Yudhono Rawis.
Yudho added that the regulation and supervision of crypto assets, previously under Bappebti, will officially transfer to the Financial Services Authority (OJK) in January 2025, building stronger regulations to maintain market integrity and protect consumers. The transition of crypto asset supervision to OJK marks a new chapter in digital financial regulation in Indonesia. With collaboration between regulators and industry players, Indonesia is on the right path to harness the full potential of digital financial assets, including crypto assets, to support national economic growth.
Sustaining Growth
In early 2024, Tokocrypto recorded significant achievements, dominating about 43% of the market based on CoinMarketCap data, with over 4 million users and an average daily transaction exceeding US$30 million. This comprises more than 400 types of tokens and coins traded on the platform, positioning Tokocrypto as a critical indicator in Indonesia’s progression within the crypto industry.
The outstanding performance in early 2024 was supported by various positive developments in the crypto world, including optimism towards Bitcoin spot ETFs and anticipation of the Bitcoin halving. Yudhono shared exciting plans for 2024, such as increasing the trading transaction volume to reach US$12 billion (approximately Rp 189 trillion) and doubling its users to 6 million people in 2024.
“The user growth at Tokocrypto reflects a global trend showing increasing interest in crypto investments. Additionally, the increasing adaptation of Indonesian investors indicates that the crypto market continues to grow and become more inclusive for various segments of society,” explained Yudho.
Tokocrypto has also significantly contributed to tax revenue from crypto asset transactions in Indonesia during 2024. According to the Directorate General of Taxes of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia, as of February 2024, tax revenue from crypto transactions has reached US$4.5 million. Tokocrypto has contributed approximately US$1.8 million, equivalent to about 40%.
Toko Token (TKO)
To support innovation, Tokocrypto has made significant changes to Toko Token (TKO), Tokocrypto’s original utility crypto token, aimed at advancing blockchain technology adoption in Indonesia. The TKO Foundation, a separate independent entity from Tokocrypto, will manage TKO.
“This will ensure the sustainability of TKO and provide new utilities that would not be possible if TKO were just a simple exchange token,” explained Yudho.
The main focus of the TKO Foundation is to develop the TKO token. The TKO Foundation has released a whitepaper introducing a roadmap and a new management team determined to advance this local crypto asset project further. The market capitalisation of TKO tokens has reached US$52 million, making it the most prominent local token.
Since the release of White Paper V4.0 on January 31, 2024, TKO has achieved remarkable success in February 2024, entering the Top Gainers list, according to CryptoRank. TKO’s performance has significantly improved, marking a historic milestone and boosting investor confidence.
According to TKO’s Monthly Return (USD) data, TKO’s performance experienced a significant increase of 68.8% during February 2024. This marks an important milestone in TKO’s history, demonstrating the potential of this crypto asset project and its considerable development.
For more details about the V4.0 TKO whitepaper, please refer to the official Tkotoken website. Additionally, you can track TKO’s price performance on platforms like CoinMarketCap and CryptoRank.
JAKARTA, Indonesia, April 9, 2024 – Indonesia has marked significant strides in adopting crypto assets and blockchain technology in the ever-evolving digital era. The country has showcased remarkable growth in the crypto asset industry.
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