News In Brief

Welcome to our ‘News In Brief’ column in which we digest all the news releases for you in no more than five paragraphs. Below are snippets of all the media releases that we received from Nov 1 till 7. Please check back throughout the week for more updates.

Heriot-Watt Academics In Stanford List

Putrajaya, Nov 1: Two of Heriot-Watt University Malaysia academics made it into the two percent scientists in the acclaimed Stanford List.
Professor Ir. Denny Ng, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences Associate Head, and Professor Sarat Dass, School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences are among a total of over 100,000 scientists, whose published research papers have accelerated progress in their respective fields.

The Stanford List, created by analysing a group of over 100,000 scientists classified under 22 scientific fields and 176 subfields, features the most cited scientists across a large range of disciplines. 
Professor Ir. Denny Ng, has been recognised twice under the Stanford list is listed under the field of Engineering and the subfields of Chemical Engineering and Energy, while Professor Dr Sarat Dass is listed under the field of Information and Communications Technology and the subfields of Artificial Intelligence and Image Processing and Statistics and Probability. 

Cryoviva Singapore Gets AABB Accreditation

Singapore, Nov 2: Family cord blood bank Cryoviva Singapore is pleased to announce that it has now been accredited by the Association of the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB), formerly known as the American Association of Blood Banks, for both cord blood and somatic cells’ banking services.
Cryoviva is the first family cord blood bank in Singapore to get accredited by AABB for Somatic Cells’ processing, storage, and distribution.
“Cord tissue storage- in addition to cord blood banking- is a significant step in this regard, which we believe will benefit a lot more families.
“We will continue to invest in the right technologies, processes and people to ensure we offer the very best service to our valued customers,” Rajesh Nair, CEO of Cryoviva Singapore said.
The company had already been accredited by AABB previously for Cord blood collection, storage, processing and distribution, an accreditation that has been successfully extended until September 30, 2023.

Indigenous ARC project hopes to reverse decline of Sydney rock oyster

Sydney, Nov 3: A UNSW scientist has received a $541,352 Discovery Indigenous grant from the Australian Research Council [ARC] to help the Sydney rock oyster acclimatise to climate change in the hope of preventing future declines in the species’ production.
The multi-university research project, led by Indigenous Scientia Senior Lecturer and ARC DAATSIA Fellow, Dr Laura Parker from the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, hopes to provide the oyster industry with the knowledge needed to breed oysters that are better adapted to ocean warming and acidification.
“We are in an age of rapid climate change, where the need to understand the adaptive potential of marine organisms in warmer, more acidified oceans is increasingly urgent,” Dr Parker said.
The project team includes Professor Pauline Ross from the University of Sydney, Dr Wayne O’Connor from the NSW Department of Primary Industries, A/Prof Steven Roberts from the University of Washington and A/Prof Thiyagarajan Vengatesen from the University of Hong Kong.
The project will be conducted at the NSW DPI Port Stephens Fisheries Institute and the Sydney Institute of Marine Science.
The oyster project was one of nine new research projects awarded 2022 funding through the Discovery Indigenous scheme.
ARC Chief Executive Officer, Professor Sue Thomas, says the outcomes of research projects will provide economic, commercial, environmental, social and cultural benefits for Australia and the world.

ARCHIDEX Goes Online

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 3: The International Architecture, Interior Design & Building Exhibition (ARCHIDEX) launched ARCHIDEX Online, an immersive virtual platform built upon ARCHIDEX’s 21 years of strong physical presence.
The platform was created to meet the evolving needs of their customers, in line with the radical shift into digitalisation which has affected everyone across the globe as a result of the pandemic.
Jointly organised by the Malaysian Institute of Architects (better known as Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia, or PAM) and C.I.S, ARCHIDEX Online is an event of the Kuala Lumpur Architecture Festival.
For more information on ARCHIDEX and ARCHIDEX Online log here.

MR. DOLLAR Opens 50th Store At Sunway Pyramid

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 3:  MR. DOLLAR, a subsidiary of MR D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad announced the opening of its 50th store at Sunway Pyramid, Selangor, bringing the total number of its stores in the country to 50. 
Malaysians from all walks of life can shop for their favourite food brands such as Maggi, Oreo and Coca Cola, to name a few. 
The brand currently offers a wide range of products across 10 categories — chocolates and sweets, snacks and biscuits; cooking ingredients, groceries, drinks, bakery products, chilled and frozen food, household, hardware; and stationery, toys and sports — all priced at either RM2 or RM5. 
In conjunction with the grand opening of the new store in Sunway Pyramid, MR. DOLLAR is offering an exciting “You Shop, We Pay!” promotion between November 5 – 7 during which the retailer will fully sponsor the purchases of every 50th customer. 
MR. DOLLAR is also organising the “50th Store Celebration Special Deal”, with an exciting range of more than 40  products ranging from groceries to household products, and personal protective equipment (PPEs) at a fixed price of RM2 and RM5, while stocks last.  

Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd Recorded Revenue Growth For FY2021 Amidst COVID-19

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 3: Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd has recorded a revenue of RM896.3 million for its fourth quarter ended 30 September 2021 (Q4 2021), reflecting a 6 per cent decline from last year against a backdrop of COVID-19 lockdown in both Malaysia and Thailand.
In Malaysia, out-of-home consumption was adversely affected by the dining-in prohibition at Food and Beverages outlets and restricted operating hours for convenience stores.
F&B Malaysia revenue for the quarter declined by 7.5 per cent to RM457.9 million (Q4 FY2020: RM495.1 million), partially offset by higher exports and contribution from Food business.
While the lockdown in Thailand also impacted domestic sales, F&B Thailand was able to sustain marginal growth of 0.6 per cent in revenue (in Thai Baht terms), contributed by high double-digit growth in exports due to new customers and higher orders.
However, unfavourable MYR/THB translation led to lower revenue in MYR terms, which declined by 4.8 per cent to RM436.2 million (Q4 FY2020: RM458.0 million). 

Spark Insights Now Part Of Concirrus

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 3: Market leading insurtech, Concirrus has completed the acquisition of Spark Insights, a leader in providing decision analytics to the insurance market.
The acquisition brings together two companies with a shared vision of using AI, machine learning and data analytics for better risk selection, more efficient claims processes, and insurance product innovation.
“Spark Insights is a fantastic company with an amazing product and a very talented team,” Andrew Yeoman, CEO of Concirrus said.
“The synergies with Spark Insights made this a compelling opportunity – both parties gain product distribution capacity and adding property and catastrophe response is a natural extension to our current markets,” Yeoman added.
Ira Scharf, AI and insurtech expert with advanced degrees from MIT and Harvard, founded Spark Insights in 2018 out of a passion to deliver unparalleled predictive analytics to the insurance industry.

Regional Insurtech Igloo Named Among ‘2021 Inclusive Fintech 50’

Singapore, Nov 3: Regional insurtech, Igloo, was named as one of the winners of the 2021 Inclusive Fintech 50 (IF50) competition, an annual competition hosted by The Center for Financial Inclusion.
In its 3rd year, IF50 recognises early-stage Fintechs that are helping low-income customers and micro and small enterprises who are affected by the pandemic and help them rebound, rebuild and recover.
“Understanding the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has exerted on the industries, business models, and people’s lives, we at Igloo have accelerated technology and digital transformation to help bring support and peace of mind to people during these uncertain times,” ” Igloo Chief Commercial Officer Raunak Mehta said.
“This achievement is also a validation of our mission to make insurance more accessible in Southeast Asia,
Igloo’s partnerships with foodpanda in Singapore and Thailand reflect this – in the midst of the COVID-19, Igloo and foodpanda saw a need to provide food delivery riders and their families with a peace of mind as they travel the roads to meet heightened demand from COVID-19 dining restrictions.

Olympians And Paralympians Helping Kids To Be Mentally Fit

Sydney, Nov 4: Our Australian athletes overcame unprecedented challenges to succeed at the Tokyo Games, now 20 athletes from 16 sports will help children with their own mental health and resilience strategies as part of a national program between the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and the Black Dog Institute.
Designed to help young people aged between 12 and 16, the AIS Black Dog Mental Fitness Program will be delivered by current and former high performance athletes in schools and community sport organisations around the country.
Following the success of the inaugural program launched in 2020, the new group of ambassadors includes Paralympic gold medal winning cyclist Paige Greco and Olympic silver medallist and Kookaburra Josh Beltz.
Federal Sports Minister Richard Colbeck said the Australian Government was proud to invest in AIS wellbeing and community engagement programs.
Schools and community sport organisations interested in a free AIS Black Dog Mental Fitness Presentation from one of the athlete presenters can submit a request via the AIS website.

Tracer and Verofax Launches Blockchain-based Management Platform

Dubai, Nov 5: Tracer Tech, headquartered in Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park (SRTIP), UAE, is set to launch its new food safety and traceability application, powered by leading asset management provider Verofax.
Tracer’s food safety solution enables CPGs (consumer packaged goods) and retailers to engage with consumers directly by making products that are digitally enabled and verifiable.
Built on top of Verofax’s blockchain-based traceability platform, the Tracer App empowers consumers to choose food items based on their personal preferences such as freshness, sustainability and ethical sourcing, in a differentiated interface that drives satisfaction and loyalty. 
Seventy percent of shoppers value traceability according to a recent survey, and are willing to pay a premium for brands that offer such functionality. In partnership with Verofax, Tracer is helping the industry realise a new vision of a digital and verifiable food marketplace built on Blockchain, empowering customers with validation.

One More Proton Iriz Left To Be Announced!

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 5: Besides getting to watch the best and most exciting sporting events globally, Astro Sports Pack customers are rewarded with special promotions and contests.
The station’s latest contest, Astro Sports Pack Bonanza offers the Grand Prize of three Proton Iriz to be won.
Astro Sports Pack Bonanza contest started from August 14 until November 5,, with just a few more hours to participate.
The prizes worth RM650,000 include 3x Proton Iriz as the Grand Prize, 156x Philips 50-inch Smart UHD TVs, 60x Segway Ninebot Electric Scooters and 1,200x RM50 Go Shop vouchers. Astro Sports Pack customers have ONE LAST CHANCE to win one more Proton Iriz by participating at promotions.astro.com.my/details/sportspackbonanza.