Latest news with #English-speaking
The Star
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
It's great fun going offline
Just one more round...: Visitors playing at the many booths during the ABGF at 1st Avenue Mall in George Town. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star GEORGE TOWN: Imagine having to tear yourself away from the phone. Gasp! But that's precisely what participants of the Asian Board Games Festival (ABGF) 2025 did for at least two hours as they familiarised themselves with the rules, devised strategies and tried to outdo each other in a friendly competition billed as the largest English-speaking board game convention in Asia. 'Nowadays, because of life and work, you tend to be glued to your phone. It was nice to be able to put it aside and just have fun,' said media lecturer Intan Amalina Mohd Ali, 34. To her, the offline games were refreshing. She said many people assumed board games were just for children. 'But some are actually for adults. They are really complex and make you think,' said Intan Amalina, who was among those who stopped by the three-day festival in 1st Avenue Penang, which ended on Sunday. The event, which featured rows of tables filled with colourful cards and wooden tokens, drew in families, friends and curious onlookers. Players drifted from one table to the next, and many stayed for hours. Hospitality student Wong Jia Chuen, 23, went looking for new games to add to his growing collection. 'I have two younger siblings. We try to play on weekends when we're free,' he said. 'We like those with local themes. Some games make us feel like we are running a kopitiam or selling durians.' ABGF began in Singapore in 2019 and came to Malaysia last year under a collaboration with creative studio Luma as part of the George Town Festival. Luma founder Goh Choon Ean said more people sat down to play the games this year. 'We even had visitors from other states and countries,' she said. 'It was nice to see families and people of all ages laughing and playing without looking at their phones.'
Time Business News
7 hours ago
- Business
- Time Business News
Real Estate Laws in Thailand – What You Need to Know
Thailand has their own laws regarding foreign real estate ownership and the main aspect is that foreigners are prohibited from owning land. This law was passed in the 1920s to prevent Japanese investors from buying up large tracts of land in Bangkok, although there are a few exceptions. If, for example, you are prepared to invest 40 million baht, you can own up to 1 rai of land for residential purposes. Talk to a Thai lawyer for further information on the restrictions with land ownership, then you can make an informed decision. Condominium ownership A foreigner can purchase condo units, provided that foreign ownership does not exceed 49% and many expats go down this road. One luxury development is The River by Raimon Land, which sits on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and if you would like to buy a unit, be quick as they are very much sought after due to the premium location. You will have to produce evidence that the funds came from outside of Thailand and the real estate agent would help you with the paperwork. Land lease This is the most popular way to build your dream home; lease the land for 30 years with a further option of another 30 years, which allows you to build. Any structure on leased land can be legally owned by a foreigner, they just cannot own the land the house sits on. Always have an English-speaking lawyer look at any lease before you sign it. Leasing land is not cheap, you would probably pay the same as a freehold purchase. Is home ownership out of reach? Click here to find out. Setting up a limited company Registering a limited company allows you to buy land and real estate in the company name, but be aware that if a limited company has been set up solely for the purpose of real estate acquisition, the Thai government has the right to seize the assets of said company. Simply put, the company must be a trading entity that pays tax, then you have nothing to worry about. Hire an English-speaking Thai lawyer Regardless of which avenue you pursue, you should enlist the services of an experienced English-speaking Thai lawyer to ensure that all is above board. Most retirees do not require a huge living space, and a 2-bedroom condo by the sea is more than enough. All luxury condo developments have a private swimming pool, a weight training room and many other amenities. Renting property Many expats are unsure as to how long they will stay in Thailand, therefore, they prefer to rent rather than buy. Renting is pretty straightforward, check the rental agreement and walk around with the landlord when you move in to check the condition of the property, inside and out. We hope that this article helps you to gain a better understanding of the real estate laws in Thailand. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Al Etihad
10 hours ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Heading overseas for university? Here's what Emirati students need to know about UAE's higher education standards
16 July 2025 01:12 MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)To elevate the quality of higher education and better align academic outcomes with national goals, the UAE Government has a robust framework in place for Emirati students wishing to pursue studies abroad. Decision No. (5) of 2025, issued by the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council (EHCD), has introduced a defined set of standards for academic institutions and programmes. The decision, already in effect, governs the enrollment of UAE nationals in diploma, bachelor's, master's, doctorate, and equivalent degree programmes at international universities. Why These Criteria Matter The framework was established not only to protect students and their families from investing in non-accredited or low-ranked institutions, but also to align international education with the UAE's economic goals and future skill setting clear thresholds for university rankings, the EHCD seeks to empower students to make informed decisions and avoid the risk of their qualifications being rejected for purposes such as government employment, promotion, or scholarship Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) is the central authority students must consult before enrolling abroad, with formal procedures in place to verify whether a university or academic programme meets official standards. What Are the Criteria?All Emirati students, whether self-funded or supported by government scholarships, must ensure that the chosen institution meets the ministry's approved global ranking requirements. The institution must be ranked among the top 50 universities worldwide in the intended field of study. If studying in the US or Australia, the institution must rank in the top 100 in the chosen field and top 100 studying in any other English-speaking country, the university must fall within the top 200 globally, both in the specific academic field and overall. In non-English-speaking countries, the institution must be ranked among the top 300 in the field and to meet these standards may result in non-recognition of the qualification, jeopardising employment, further studies, and professional entitlements in the UAE. How Students Can Check Their OptionsMoHESR offers a free service to support students in navigating these academic criteria. Students can access these services by navigating to the 'Information Service about Academic Programmes Abroad for UAE Nationals' page on the ministry's official website, clicking 'Start New Application', then selecting 'Inquiry About Academic Programme'. Lastly, they need to enter the details of the university and academic programme they wish to enquire about. After uploading necessary documents (such as Emirates ID and passport copy) through the digital portal, students will receive an official response within 1–5 business days confirming the accreditation status. Enquiries and exemption requests can be addressed to
Local Germany
17 hours ago
- Business
- Local Germany
'Don't lose hope': How to navigate Germany's painful job market
It's well documented that Germany is suffering from a shortage of workers across a wide range of jobs and industries. But despite labour shortages in sectors ranging from tech and IT to healthcare and hospitality, people looking for a job in Germany are quickly made painfully aware that it's a tough market out there. Many large employers in the country have recently put freezes on hiring, and others have even announced layoffs. As the German economy has failed to climb out of a slump month after month for years, more recently unemployment figures have slowly began ticking upward . Meanwhile job-seekers, especially non-German job-seekers, complain that decent opportunities are hard to come by and getting an interview is even harder. So what exactly can you do, as a foreigner in Germany to improve your odds of finding and securing a good job? In a recent survey, we asked our readers about their experiences job-hunting in the country. Asked how they found their last job, responses were varied: readers cited Indeed, LinkedIn, recruiters, personal connections and even in-person visits to businesses. A couple sentiments that were shared by nearly all of our respondents were that 1) job-hunting is very difficult right now, especially for non-German speakers, but that 2) there are opportunities to be found if you are thorough, focused and persistent in your search. Not what you know, but who you know Reading through the responses to the survey, it quickly becomes clear that foreign workers in Germany are struggling less with a lack of open roles, and more with a complex web of invisible obstacles that combine to filter out foreigners, regardless of their qualifications. One respondent, a research assistant based in Berlin, who identified himself as John Doe said that nepotism is a particular problem: 'I believe the hiring process here is more focussed on who you know than on your actual technical skills and credentials." "I've seen people in management positions in technology who…aren't from the field and only got hired because they knew someone," he added. READ ALSO: Five hard truths foreign job seekers in Germany need to know Advertisement Lisa Quatmann, a senior engineering manager from the US, saw a similar problem in the German startup scene. "Most of the startups I interviewed with were all run by white German men who went to university together and had no real work experience, let alone founder experience,' she said. It's a language thing Mastery of German, even for English-speaking or multinational workplaces, remains the single most frequently cited challenge. 'Even international companies who use English every day ask for good German skills,' said Komal Vaghamshi, who added that he's job hunting in Germany on a Chancenkarte . Sourav Dey, a software product manager in Berlin, referred to it as 'the language filter.' Roshni Dlomen from Mumbai added that part of the problem is the number of employers who are unwilling to invest in foreign employees. "Managers don't have patience for 'work-in-progress' employees. They want someone already fluent in German and with relevant work experience," he said. And when employers are willing to take on foreign staff, it seems these relationships are more likely to become exploitative. Victorina Francis Walter, who comes from Mumbai and works in hospitality at Frankfurt airport, described poor working conditions for herself and her non-German colleagues. 'We are pushed to work overtime of my Asian colleagues are threatened with job loss if they don't work extra days. German and European colleagues are not treated in this way, regardless of whether the managers are Germans or immigrants,' she told The Local. In addition to the language barrier are bureaucratic barriers. Even in sectors facing acute labour shortages, many foreign job seekers in Germany need to have foreign qualifications recognised in the country. "As I'm in education, which is a highly regulated sector in Germany. Getting my diplomas recognized took a while," said Cansu from Turkey, who lives in Leipzig. Advertisement The secrets of success Look for jobs online, but try and attend networking events in person as well. Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash Respondents to our survey did offer some cause for hope, however, agreeing on a range of measures that can improve foreign jobseekers' chances of finding gainful employment. Do tap into your network Multiple respondents talked about the importance of networking in person wherever possible. 'Network network network!' said Lisa Quatmann. 'Not just on LinkedIn. Show up at meetups and conferences, volunteer, speak, coach, meet people, tell them what you're looking for and keep in managers tend to interview referrals first, so try to be one of them." "Many lasting, meaningful jobs come through honest networking," agreed Stephen Nock, an American coach and teamwork facilitator who has been living in Berlin since 2017. She added that "weak ties", or "people you know but not super well, can often be the most valuable relationships.' REVEALED: The jobs and skills growing in demand across Germany Taking advantage of online networking services can also be helpful. The most useful tools mentioned by respondents to our survey include: LinkedIn, Xing, Indeed, Stepstone, and Respondents also noted the importance of moving quickly when good opportunities appear. Stefano Piccinelli, a hiring manager based in Düsseldorf, said he receives more than 70 applications for every position advertised. "I have time to go through the first 20, usually those which arrive in the first week," Piccinelli said. Advertisement Sarah in Stuttgart, who works in HR, adds that however much you network and however fast you move, you still have to produce an appropriate CV. 'The CV should be meaningful and suitable for the offered position, as recruiters take a special look at that,' she said. Speaking of CVs, when applying to German companies, it may be help to adopt a German CV format, including a photo . Be clear about what you want to do While it's vital to try and take advantage of a wide variety of potential opportunities, respondents agreed on the importance of being goal orientated. "Know what you want to do. Really narrowing your goals if it's more frustrating to search for fewer jobs," said Kelly, a project manager from Sweden. READ ALSO: German unemployment hovers under 3 million as economy stagnates Victorina Francis Walter advises applicants to do their own 'deep research' rather than relying on what other people say, however well-intentioned. 'Most people don't know what they're talking about,' she added. She and Roshni Dlomen both encouraged applicants to drop CVs off in person where possible. Harini, who lives in Siegen, also said he found his last job by making a direct approach. Advertisement It takes patience and persistence 'Don't lose hope,' said Minna from Finland, who lives in northern Germany, 'even when the process lasts a long time.' Patience is particularly important because of how difficult it can be for newcomers in Germany to learn how to strike the right balance between "standing out" and "fitting in", Stephen Nock explained. 'For many expats, including myself and the job-seeking clients I coach, the hardest part is balancing how to stand out while still 'fitting in.' You want to get noticed in the stack of applications, but you also want to be seen as a fit, possibly in a German company. It's not always clear how much German is required or whether they're open to transferable skillsets, and navigating those grey areas can be tricky.'
First Post
a day ago
- General
- First Post
Applying for a student visa? Don't make these 10 mistakes
Lack of English proficiency Inadequate IELTS, TOEFL or other language scores can indicate you won't cope with lectures or coursework in English-speaking countries, which can lead to refusal of your student visa.
