
Concordia Shanghai Breaks Ground on Visionary New Rittmann Center
SHANGHAI, June 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Concordia International School Shanghai is set to break ground on a major redevelopment of the Rittmann Center, expanding the iconic facility into a modern, 13,710-square-meter multi-purpose hub designed to support student excellence in academics, the arts, athletics, and wellness.
Named after former Head of School Dr. David Rittmann, the Rittmann Center was first completed in December 2007, with a purpose to enhance the school's creative arts education.
More than five times the size of the current building, the new Rittmann Center marks one of the largest facility investments in the school's history. Designed to serve students across all divisions, it embodies Concordia's commitment to innovation, sustainability, and holistic education.
The new center will house:
Architects from Ennead have worked closely with the school to shape a building that's not only functional but inspiring, incorporating advanced acoustic treatments, energy-efficient HVAC systems, and student-centered design principles to support 21st-century learning and performance.
"The Rittmann Center has long been a space where students shine," said Dr. Eric Semler, Head of School. "This new facility will take that to the next level—empowering students to explore their passions, build confidence, and thrive in a community that celebrates their talents."
Construction will begin after the end of the 2024–25 school year and is expected to be completed by July 2027. To minimize disruption to learning, the school has implemented:
"This is more than a building project - it's an investment in our students' future. It's about creating an environment where future generations can learn, perform, and grow," added Dr. Semler.
Founded in 1998, Concordia International School Shanghai is a co-educational day school that offers a comprehensive American-style education to students from Preschool through High School. Located in Jinqiao, an international community in Shanghai's Pudong New Area, we are dedicated to cultivating the unique gifts of our students in any areas they are passionate about. Our approach focuses on nurturing every student through a journey of personal and academic growth, offering innovative academic programs, enriching extracurricular activities, and instilling strong character and values.
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Korea Herald
6 minutes ago
- Korea Herald
From ashes of war to arsenal of world: South Korea's defense industry boom
As top 10 arms exporter, Seoul's modern weapons soar globally, but guarding tech, talent remains challenge It was 72 years ago that the bloody 1950–53 Korean War ended with an armistice. Today, the once-war-ravaged nation stands among the world's leading arms exporters, its factories turning out advanced tanks, artillery systems and fighter jets destined for battlefields far beyond the Korean Peninsula. South Korea's arms industry is riding a wave of global demand, but the current geopolitical climate brings both opportunity and risk. Its weapons are in high demand for their advanced technology and fast delivery, yet the country must tread carefully, as shifting alliances and regional tensions complicate the path forward. Turning crisis into opportunity South Korea, in recent years, has often been listed among the world's top 10 arms exporters, in the ranks with the United States, Russia and China. It was No. 10 among global arms exporters, with a 2.2 percent share of the market in the 2020-2024 period, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. The South Korean government is now setting its sights on breaking into the ranks of the world's top four arms exporters. 'South Korea has rapidly matured into one of the world's leading arms exporters, backed by a highly capable manufacturing base, proven platforms and a track record of delivering on time and at scale,' Yu Ji-hoon, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, told The Korea Herald. Yet it took decades of sustained effort to get this far. In 1971, the United States began withdrawing troops from South Korea, reducing the number of American soldiers stationed there, even as tensions with North Korea persisted in the decades after the Korean War. The withdrawal was carried out under the Richard Nixon administration, which pushed for allied nations to strengthen their own self-defense capabilities. This prompted South Korea to concentrate its efforts on developing and producing advanced weaponry to achieve self-reliance in defense. In 1973, the government launched a full-scale initiative to promote the heavy and chemical industries, a critical component in manufacturing weapons, according to the Korea Development Institute. The Russian arms repayment project, a unique post-Cold War arms-for-debt arrangement between Seoul and Moscow, which started in the late 1980s, was another driving force behind the South's defense industry. Instead of cash repayments, Russia repaid part of the debt with military equipment and related technology. Until the mid-2010s, South Korea's arms exports were largely concentrated in ammunition, naval vessels and some aerospace components. But its export portfolio has since started to diversify and expand. Provider of world-class weapons In South Korea's expanding arms export portfolio, the K2 tank, dubbed "Black Panther' and built by Hyundai Rotem, has been a flagship item. It first entered service with the military here in 2014. The K2 is South Korea's most advanced main battle tank, designed for speed, precision and adaptability on the mountainous Korean Peninsula. In recent years, it has drawn major international orders, most notably from Poland, as militaries seek modern armor to replace aging Cold War units. It is central to South Korea's largest-ever defense export deals, including the one with Poland, signed in 2022,in which Warsaw ordered 180 K2 Black Panther tanks from Hyundai Rotem in a $3.37 billion agreement. Deliveries began within months, far faster than European or American suppliers could offer. 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Experts say South Korea's growing appeal lies in its weapons' balance of cost and capability — and in its ability to offer buyers comprehensive, tailor-made packages. 'South Korean-manufactured weapons, including the K9 self-propelled howitzer, offer proven performance, interoperability with Western systems and cost-effectiveness,' explained Yu, who is also a former professor of military strategy at the South Korea's Naval Academy. 'More importantly, Seoul has demonstrated willingness to localize production, transfer technology and support customers' domestic capability development.' South Korean arms-makers are increasingly structuring export deals to include technology transfers and licensed local production, allowing buyer nations to build part — or in some cases most — of the weapons on their soil. This approach not only sweetens contracts in competitive bidding, but it also aligns with many countries' desire to develop their domestic defense industries. This is reflected in Hyundai Rotem's Poland deal, as well as Hanwha Aerospace will establish joint production lines for the K9 howitzer and Chunmoo rocket system, with Romania and Poland, respectively. 'It's a key all-in-one package deal strategy played out by South Korean arms manufacturers — providing technology transfer, customized weapons and factories for the buyers,' Choi Gi-il, a professor of military studies at Sangji University, said via phone. Rosy future, lingering risks South Korea's arms exports fell to $9.5 billion last year after hitting a record high of $17.3 billion in 2022 and sliding to $13.5 billion in 2023, according to its arms procurement agency, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration. DAPA is cautiously eyeing a $23 billion goal for this year. The agency's ambitions may get a lift this year from favorable geopolitical winds, according to an expert. NATO allies have recently agreed to more than double their defense spending target from 2 percent of gross domestic product to 5 percent by 2035, creating a surge of demand for new equipment. Adding to the momentum, Seoul's latest cooperation with Washington in the shipbuilding sector, under a joint initiative known as 'Make American Shipbuilding Great Again,' is expected to further bolster South Korea's defense export prospects. Seoul has put forward sweeping proposals for joint shipbuilding projects with the US, a move that was reportedly pivotal in securing a tariff agreement with the administration of US President Donald Trump earlier this month. 'Overall, South Korea's defense industry is likely to get a lift this year from NATO's increase in defense spending target and Seoul's role in building American ships, as well as cooperation on maintenance, repair and overhaul projects for the sector,' Choi of Sangji University said. Choi added that South Korea's existing top clients are likely to continue to make steady purchases. 'Looking at global arms exports by region, the most prominent markets include Eastern European countries facing wartime conditions and Middle Eastern nations, where unstable security situations are driving demand,' he noted. However, the new momentum carries its own risks. 'The global trend right now resembles Trump's reshoring policy, aimed at bringing manufacturing and supply chains — particularly in strategic industries — back to the US,' said Choi. 'For South Korea, that could mean a new battle to protect its hard-won edge, guarding against the loss of technology and skilled personnel as it undertakes certain projects.' mkjung@


Korea Herald
4 hours ago
- Korea Herald
AgriS Agro Day 2025 - Comprehensive Synergy: The Alliance of Five Stakeholders Driving Breakthroughs for Vietnam's Agriculture
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A Strategic Forum for Hi-tech, Circular Agriculture The strong global agricultural transformation presents not only challenges but also opportunities for Vietnam to define its own development path - modern, sustainable, and globally integrated. In this journey, Tay Ninh – one of the most dynamic agricultural economic centers in the South – has been affirming its role with clear vision, policies, and strategic orientation. In his opening remarks, Mr. Nguyen Minh Lam, Member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Tay Ninh Province, emphasized: "Today's conference marks a new milestone, affirming Tay Ninh's determination to lead in implementing the Party and State's Resolutions on 'Innovation – Application of Science and Technology – Digital Transformation' in modern agriculture, toward green, sustainable development and deep international integration." The four key Resolutions issued by Vietnam's Politburo for the 2024–2025 period (No. 57, 59, 66, 68) form a unified framework of strategic thinking and action for national development in the era of transformation. AgriS Agro Day 2025 opened with the keynote "Potential and Vision for Vietnam's Agriculture, Breakthrough Policies in Agricultural Technology, and the Role of the Private Sector," in which Prof. Dr. People's Teacher Tran Duc Vien, Chairman of the Vietnam National University of Agriculture, called for sector-wide restructuring, stronger R&D, greater private investment, and an innovative, globally competitive ecosystem. That afternoon, three thematic panels built on this vision with practical, long-term solutions to enhance the value of Vietnamese agricultural products and strengthen Vietnam's leadership in the global value chain, featuring experts from government agencies, international organizations, leading universities, and major enterprises. The Agtech Panel highlighted that digital transformation and standardized data are prerequisites for rebuilding a sustainable agricultural value chain. The Foodtech Panel emphasized that processing technology and standardization are key tools to transform Vietnamese agricultural products from "raw materials" into "high-value-added products" for international markets. The Fintech Panel explored how to design data-based financial infrastructure, chain credit scoring, and green capital products to channel funds to the right place at the right time, creating economic leverage for a circular agricultural economy. Linking Theory to Practice – A Call for Comprehensive Synergy Among the Five Stakeholders As co-host and co-organizer of the Hi-tech Agriculture Summit – AgriS Agro Day 2025, AgriS, a leading Vietnamese hi-tech agriculture enterprise, with its 56-year journey, takes pride in being a pioneer in building a circular agricultural ecosystem integrating Agtech, Foodtech, and Fintech with ESG standards. Demonstrating its commitment to working alongside the Government, the scientific community, partners, and international organizations to advance a Green Economy, Digital Technology, and Sustainable Development, Ms. Dang Huynh Uc My – Chairlady of AgriS – presented the Project: Modernization and Digitalization of Agriculture based on ESG and Datafication for 2025–2030. With two main focuses - Digitalizing and modernizing agricultural production through the AgriBrain and DigiFarm systems; and building a National Agricultural Data Framework - AgriS aims to create a hi-tech, transparent, and standardized agricultural sector. The site visit to the Demo Farm Ninh Dien, the Agricultural Research Institute, and the TTCS factory operated by AgriS, along with the interactive Agtech – Foodtech – Fintech exhibition, showcased an innovative agricultural practice model, consistently operated under ESG standards that AgriS has implemented for many years. More than half of a century of development, AgriS has partnered with the "Five Stakeholders" through practical projects, creating a strong foundation for new commitments. This year's Summit saw the signing of MOUs with strategic partners, including the Vietnam Institute of Advanced Technology, K-Best Research Group (Korea), Farmacist and Mort&Co (Australia), the Ho Chi Minh City Food and Foodstuff Association, and the Vietnam Coconut Association. These agreements reinforce the "Five Stakeholders" cooperation model – the "golden key" to driving breakthroughs in Vietnam's hi-tech agriculture through shared responsibility, work, benefits, and growth. In her closing remarks, Ms. Dang Huynh Uc My called: "AgriS does not walk alone. We are expanding our journey with the synergy of the 'Five Stakeholders,' built on the three pillars of Agtech, Foodtech, and Fintech, and an ESG foundation, to create a circular, multi-value agricultural ecosystem rooted in technology and ensuring fair and shared benefits." AgriS Agro Day 2025 has successfully established a strategic platform and clear action roadmap. An agriculture sector that deeply applies technology, closely links all stakeholders, and places farmers at the center of transformation is the path for Vietnam to rise strongly – from a "supplier of raw materials" to a "creator of value" on the global agricultural map. With over 56 years of sustainable development, AgriS (Stock code: SBT) is a leading high-tech agricultural enterprise in the region, holding 46% of Vietnam's sugar market share and exporting to over 69 international markets. The company manages a total cultivation area of 71,797 hectares across Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Australia, and offers a diverse portfolio ranging from sugarcane, coconut, banana, rice and pineapple to natural nutritional food products. Guided by its mission to build a green and modern agriculture, AgriS continuously innovates and optimizes its commercial value chain under the AgriS Circular Commercial Value Chain model. The company is committed to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2035.


Korea Herald
4 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Seoul's MASGA initiative weighs anchor ahead of Lee-Trump summit
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