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AI startup founder blasts ex-managers for biased reference checks: ‘Many treat exits like betrayal'; netizens react
AI startup founder blasts ex-managers for biased reference checks: ‘Many treat exits like betrayal'; netizens react

Mint

timean hour ago

  • Business
  • Mint

AI startup founder blasts ex-managers for biased reference checks: ‘Many treat exits like betrayal'; netizens react

A founder from AI startup ecosystem has sparked a heated conversation after slamming the reference check culture in Indian companies, especially within the SaaS sector. He said many treat the departure as 'betrayal'. The post has stirred discussion on Linkedin about ego, power dynamics, and fairness in corporate culture. Sudhir P. took to the platform and said, 'I don't do reference checks. Especially not in Indian companies", adding, "Indian work culture has a serious problem with handling exits. Too many folks treat exits like betrayal.' He argued that reference checks, rather than providing objective feedback, are often tainted by personal grudges. According to him, ex-managers frequently let their egos get in the way when an employee chooses to leave. 'I've seen too many good folks get dragged down because a previous boss took their departure personally,' Sudhir said, pointing to how even high-performing employees can be unfairly discredited. He shared about his ordeal of being sabotaged by ex-managers. 'One CEO blocked me on every single platform the day I resigned (still not sure why). Another gave me a slanderous reference… even though we parted on a handshake, after 3 rounds of polite negotiations,' the founder recalled. His takeaway? 'Guess it's high time we gotta start trusting people for who they are today, not who someone else claims they were.' Rejecting the tradition of checking with former managers, he concluded, 'I don't care what your ex-manager thinks cause I don't need their bruised ego dressed up as feedback. Especially in the Indian SaaS ecosystem — it's rotten beyond repair.' AI Startup founder's post One of the users said, 'Even with ref checks in place, Indian companies have a critical problem with just asking people what happened in those orgs that gave them bad references. Guess it's a crowd mindset problem that we have left unchecked for a long time.' Another commented, 'Glad this is finally being talked about! The exit stage is where the chaos really shines!!' "Only SAAS ??? Entire system across Industries is rotten. Courtesy "Office Politics"," wrote the third user. 'This is so true! The funny part is that if you ask recruiters why the last person left the role, or why it's been open for a long while, they get defensive,' remarked the fourth.

Zambry's visit to Japan boost strategic cooperation
Zambry's visit to Japan boost strategic cooperation

New Straits Times

time31-07-2025

  • Business
  • New Straits Times

Zambry's visit to Japan boost strategic cooperation

PUTRAJAYA: The recent working visit by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir to Tokyo and Osaka reflects Malaysia's commitment to further explore strategic cooperation with advanced nations like Japan in driving excellence in higher education. In a statement today, the Higher Education Ministry (MOHE) said the initiative is aligned with the development of the Malaysian Higher Education Plan 2025–2035, which is currently being formulated. The ministry said emphasis on technological entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence (AI), and high-impact technical, vocational and engineering education and training (TVET) is among the key pillars to ensure Malaysian students are prepared to thrive in a future innovation-driven economy. Zambry's working visit, at the invitation of the Economic Research Institute for Asean and East Asia (ERIA) from July 28 to 30, aimed to strengthen Malaysia–Japan strategic cooperation in higher education, research, innovation and technology. MOHE said key components of the visit included a bilateral meeting with Koichi Hagiuda, Chairman of the Policy Research Council of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and former Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The meeting discussed various strategic issues related to the challenges faced by modern universities and the potential for collaboration in the fields of innovation and the creative economy (orange economy). It said Zambry also visited the University of Tokyo, where he was briefed on the AI Startup programme developed specifically for undergraduate and postgraduate students. It said the programme has produced many students who successfully established AI-based startups generating high incomes in their respective fields. The initiative is driven by Matsuo Lab Startup, which provides mentorship, a startup ecosystem, and access to the latest technologies. "The minister said that this is a model worth exploring and adapting for implementation in Malaysia to empower students as value creators in the future economy,"the statement read. Zambry also visited the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), which provided the MOHE team with the opportunity to observe the latest technologies in semiconductors, AI and quantum computing. The visit also highlighted the potential for collaboration between AIST and Malaysian research institutions such as Mimos, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). The ministry said Zambry met with the President of the University of Tsukuba, Prof Kyosuke Nagata, with discussions focusing on strengthening the university's branch campus in Malaysia and expanding its programmes to a higher level, including collaboration in the field of High-TVET. In addition, MOHE said that Zambry's preliminary discussion with Prof Ichiro Sugimoto, Dean of the Centre for Malaysian Studies at Soka University, opened new opportunities to expand the centre and explore research in comparative religion, as well as foster research collaboration between Soka University and Malaysian institutions. The ministry said Zambry also visited the Kaneka Osaka Plant, a high-tech research and production centre involved in the development of advanced chemical and biotechnological materials. Discussions were held on potential researcher and student exchanges between Malaysia and Japan to support talent growth in high-tech sectors. Zambry also visited the Malaysia Pavilion at Expo Osaka and met with Malaysian postgraduate students in Tokyo, reaffirming the ministry's continued commitment to the welfare and support of Malaysian students abroad. MOHE said the Higher Education Week concluded on July 26, 2025, at Expo Osaka with the theme "Study in Malaysia", attracting 100,000 visitors over six days, a clear indication of the overwhelming response to Malaysia's participation on the international stage.

Zambry's visit to japan boosts strategic cooperation, says Higher Education Ministry
Zambry's visit to japan boosts strategic cooperation, says Higher Education Ministry

The Star

time31-07-2025

  • Business
  • The Star

Zambry's visit to japan boosts strategic cooperation, says Higher Education Ministry

PUTRAJAYA: The recent working visit by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir to Tokyo and Osaka reflects Malaysia's commitment to further explore strategic cooperation with advanced nations like Japan in driving excellence in higher education. In a statement on Thursday (July 31), the Higher Education Ministry said the initiative is aligned with the development of the Malaysian Higher Education Plan 2025-2035, which is currently being formulated. According to the ministry, emphasis on technological entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence (AI), and high-impact technical, vocational and engineering education and training (TVET) is among the key pillars to ensure Malaysian students are ready to participate in a future innovation-driven economy. Zambry's working visit, at the invitation of the Economic Research Institute for Asean and East Asia (Eria) from July 28 to 30, aimed to strengthen Malaysia-Japan strategic cooperation in higher education, research, innovation and technology. The ministry said key components of the visit included a bilateral meeting with Koichi Hagiuda, Chairman of the Policy Research Council of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and former Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The meeting discussed various strategic issues related to the challenges faced by modern universities and the potential for collaboration in the fields of innovation and the creative economy (orange economy). The Higher Education Ministry stated that Zambry also visited the University of Tokyo, where he was briefed on the AI Startup programme developed specifically for undergraduate and postgraduate students. According to the statement, the programme has produced many students who successfully established AI-based startups generating high incomes in their respective fields. The initiative is driven by Matsuo Lab Startup, which provides mentorship, a startup ecosystem, and access to the latest technologies. "The minister said that this is a model worth exploring and adapting for implementation in Malaysia to empower students as value creators in the future economy," the statement read. Zambry also visited the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), which provided the Higher Education Ministry team with the opportunity to observe the latest technologies in semiconductors, AI and quantum computing. The visit also highlighted the potential for collaboration between AIST and Malaysian research institutions such as Mimos, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). The Higher Education Ministry reported that Zambry met with the President of the University of Tsukuba, Prof Kyosuke Nagata, with discussions focusing on strengthening the university's branch campus in Malaysia and expanding its programmes to a higher level, including collaboration in the field of High-TVET. In addition, the ministry said that Zambry's preliminary discussion with Prof Ichiro Sugimoto, Dean of the Centre for Malaysian Studies at Soka University, opened new opportunities to expand the centre and explore research in comparative religion, as well as foster research collaboration between Soka University and Malaysian institutions. According to the statement, Zambry also visited the Kaneka Osaka Plant, a high-tech research and production centre involved in the development of advanced chemical and biotechnological materials. Discussions were held on potential researcher and student exchanges between Malaysia and Japan to support talent growth in high-tech sectors. Zambry also visited the Malaysia Pavilion at Expo Osaka and met with Malaysian postgraduate students in Tokyo, reaffirming the ministry's continued commitment to the welfare and support of Malaysian students abroad. The statement added that the Higher Education Week concluded on July 26, 2025, at Expo Osaka with the theme "Study in Malaysia', attracting 100,000 visitors over six days - a clear indication of the overwhelming response to Malaysia's participation on the international stage. Expo Osaka is held every five years and features participation from 158 countries, drawing millions of visitors from around the world. - Bernama

Zambry's Visit To Japan Boosts Strategic Cooperation
Zambry's Visit To Japan Boosts Strategic Cooperation

Barnama

time31-07-2025

  • Business
  • Barnama

Zambry's Visit To Japan Boosts Strategic Cooperation

PUTRAJAYA, July 31 (Bernama) – The recent working visit by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir to Tokyo and Osaka reflects Malaysia's commitment to further explore strategic cooperation with advanced nations like Japan in driving excellence in higher education. In a statement today, the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) said the initiative is aligned with the development of the Malaysian Higher Education Plan 2025-2035, which is currently being formulated. According to the ministry, emphasis on technological entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence (AI), and high-impact technical, vocational and engineering education and training (TVET) is among the key pillars to ensure Malaysian students are ready to participate in a future innovation-driven economy. Zambry's working visit, at the invitation of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) from July 28 to 30, aimed to strengthen Malaysia-Japan strategic cooperation in higher education, research, innovation and technology. MOHE said key components of the visit included a bilateral meeting with Koichi Hagiuda, Chairman of the Policy Research Council of Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and former Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. The meeting discussed various strategic issues related to the challenges faced by modern universities and the potential for collaboration in the fields of innovation and the creative economy (orange economy). MOHE stated that Zambry also visited the University of Tokyo, where he was briefed on the AI Startup programme developed specifically for undergraduate and postgraduate students. According to the statement, the programme has produced many students who successfully established AI-based startups generating high incomes in their respective fields. The initiative is driven by Matsuo Lab Startup, which provides mentorship, a startup ecosystem, and access to the latest technologies. "The minister said that this is a model worth exploring and adapting for implementation in Malaysia to empower students as value creators in the future economy,'the statement read.

Inside Israel's Defense Forces Unit 8200
Inside Israel's Defense Forces Unit 8200

Daily Mail​

time23-06-2025

  • Politics
  • Daily Mail​

Inside Israel's Defense Forces Unit 8200

Israel has an equivalent of the United States National Security Agency that carries out cyber warfare and other types of clandestine operations, but with one notable difference: It's staffed largely by teenagers. The soldiers of Israel Defense Forces Unit 8200 - most living with their parents and working for peanuts as part of the country's compulsory military service - located the Iranian uranium enrichment sites Israel has been trying to destroy for the past week. They produced the anti-Ayatollah video with which they interrupted Iran 's state-run news broadcast on Wednesday. And they pinpointed the Iranian leaders and nuclear scientists on Israel's hit list. A unit veteran, now in his early 30s and running an artificial intelligence start-up in Southern California , calls its 18 to 21-year-old active-duty soldiers 'the most nerdy of nerds.' 'These are the hackers, the chess players, the eggheads you knew in high school, but to the Nth degree,' he says, insisting on anonymity for fear, he claims, that 'anyone who's done intelligence in Israel isn't safe' these days, even in the US. It is a mark of the perceived threat that the Iranian missiles that hit southern Israel Thursday morning may have been aimed at a site in the area where Unit 8200 soldiers have been working, not at the civilian hospital on which the Israeli government and Western news outlets have focused. Iranian state media said the primary target of its attack that damaged Soroka University Medical Center in Beersheba was a nearby Israeli military intelligence site. Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi posted on X that Iran's military 'accurately' eliminated that site, as well as 'another vital target,' but didn't identify their locations. Israel hasn't responded to those claims, or whether Unit 8200 soldiers were hit. Instead, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday pointed to the 71 people injured at the hospital, accusing Iran of deliberately targeting civilians - even though his own military has been bombing civilian hospitals throughout Gaza since the deadly, Hamas-led terror attacks in October 2023. Unit 8200, known in Israel as Shmone Matayim, is IDF's largest unit, believed to have about 5,000 active-duty soldiers ages 18 to 21, with older veterans on reserve. Soldiers in the elite intelligence corps typically are recruited right out of high school based on the speed of their learning and ability to solve complex problems. Many attended after-school feeder programs that trained them in computer coding and hacking, and some had private coaching to prepare for the unit's highly competitive entrance exams and interviews. Sources tell the Daily Mail that families go all out to boost their kids' chances of being among the one percent of all applicants accepted into the unit seen as a pathway to lucrative high-tech jobs. After completing their service, veterans of 8200 have gone on to found and lead information technology, artificial intelligence and cyber security startups in Israel and internationally. Unit 8200 has its roots in codebreaking and intelligence units formed upon Israel's establishment in 1948. Those units were made up largely of native Arabic speakers born in the countries Israel was either at war with or spying on. In the early years, soldiers used primitive listening devices that are now displayed in Glilot, its headquarters north of Tel Aviv. The long hours they spent listening to Israel's enemies preserved not only their language fluency but also their familiarity with the mindsets of their country's enemies. Over the decades, the unit turned into somewhat of a tech incubator. Its culture is said to be relaxed and encourages creativity and independent thought, much like a startup. Some of its soldiers can be recognized by their wrinkled uniforms, disheveled hair or long earrings - things frowned upon in IDF's regular rank and file. Some conservative, rural and religious Jewish Israelis complained that the unit was dominated by highly educated, atheist and liberal Tel Avivians whose views on politics and the military aren't necessarily shared throughout the country. IDF has taken steps to diversify 8200's soldiers under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition, the most far-right in Israel's history. Although its operations are classified, the unit has been reported to have launched the computer virus that disabled Iranian nuclear centrifuges from 2005 to 2010, cyber-attacked Lebanon's state telecom company in 2017, and helped thwart a 2018 ISIS attack on a civilian airline traveling to the United Arab Emirates from Australia. Subunits of 8200 are said to have been involved in the development and testing of the pagers and walkie-talkies that Israel engineered to explode in the hands of Hezbollah militants in Lebanon last September. Closer to home, the unit has been surveilling Palestinians for decades, and in 2014 was denounced by a group of reservists for what they deemed to be unethical breaches of privacy on Palestinians not involved in violence. Such criticisms have grown internationally since Israel has been at war in Gaza, where IDF uses artificial intelligence derived from the unit to target Gazans suspected of involvement with Hamas. News investigations have revealed deadly ways inaccurate data used by the unit and faulty algorithms can go wrong. Within Israel, Unit 8200's reputation for gathering complete and accurate intelligence came under question after it failed to prevent the Hamas-led terror attacks on October 7, 2023. Those attacks killed 1,200 people across southern Israel and led to 251 others being taken hostage. They also prompted the now 20-month-long war in Gaza during which Israel has killed 55,637 Palestinians and injured 129,880, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. The unit's commander resigned over criticisms that 8200's researchers had identified signs of the Hamas attack several months before it happened, but that he didn't press hard enough on Israel's most senior military and political leaders to prevent it. Defenders of the unit have countered that it shouldn't be blamed for higher-ups' inaction. The unit is based mainly in a set of nondescript office buildings near the headquarters of Mossad, Israel's spy agency, in Glilot, north of Tel Aviv. The complex was targeted by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah last fall after the notorious pager and walkie-talking attacks. Iran, for its part, has other reasons to target the unit. Its soldiers — or at least its veterans — are believed to have taken some part in two cyberattacks on Iran in the past week, both carried out by a collective of pro-Israel hackers calling itself 'Predatory Sparrow.' On Tuesday, the group claimed to have destroyed data at Iran's state-owned Bank Sepah. And on Wednesday, it took credit for wiping out $90 million from one of Iran's largest cryptocurrency exchanges which allegedly helps the Iranian government avoid sanctions and fund its nuclear program and other secret operations. In years past, soldiers with Unit 8200 are also believed to have blocked usage of ATM and gas pumps in Iran and hacked into the nation's digital highway sign system, posting messages critical of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Persian speakers within the unit also are said to have fomented fear and paranoia among Iran's Revolutionary Guard soldiers and nuclear scientists by leveraging compromising personal information against them to squeeze out state secrets. Iran hit the Glilot area with ballistic missiles on Tuesday morning. In a statement, its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) wrote that 'Despite the presence of highly advanced defense systems,' it 'struck the Zionist regime's military intelligence center… and the center for planning terror operations and evils of the Zionist regime…' 'This center is currently burning,' the IRGC wrote later that day. It is unclear if the buildings damaged were on or off the base and whether, either before or after Tuesday's missile barrage, IDF relocated Unit 8200 soldiers 75 miles south to Beersheba near the site of Thursday's attack. 'I'm worried about those guys,' says the unit veteran in California, who has a cousin currently serving in 8200. 'They've made a ton of trouble for Iran and probably have serious targets on their backs.'

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