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Borneo Post
14 hours ago
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sabah poised to become leading MICE tourism hub
Liew (centre) with Dr Rosmawati (right) and SICC Assistant Director of Corporate Communications, Clara Lim (left) displaying their promotional material. KOTA KINABALU (July 31): Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Christina Liew is confident that Sabah will fully unleash its potential as a leading destination for Business Events (BE) or Meeting, Incentive, Convention & Exhibition (MICE) tourism. She said going by the relentless efforts made by the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Sabah is on the right track towards reaching this milestone in the not too distant future. 'We (Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment) fully support the SICC-organised BIGSABAH Sale 2025 from October 31 to November 2, given its role in driving domestic tourism, empowering local entrepreneurs, and elevating Sabah's profile in the regional economic landscape. 'I understand that the event will feature 500 booths, up from 300 in 2024, and is expected to attract 50,000 visitors,' Liew said after a courtesy call by the Chief Executive Officer of SICC, Datuk Dr Hajah Rosmawati Haji Lasuki on Tuesday. The minister also noted that Sabah through the SICC is strengthening regional ties ahead of the event with expanded international participation. In her briefing, Dr Rosmawati, who is the event organising chairman, stressed that BIGSABAH Sale 2025 aims to further strengthen Sabah's positioning as the gateway to East ASEAN and the Asia Pacific region. Towards this end, for the first time, a curated B2B component will also be introduced for participants to create meaningful trade connections and unlock regional opportunities, she said. 'Which is why we are focusing on the 80 million population of the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area) region. Sabah can serve as a platform for these countries and other regions to promote their products and services. 'In this respect, we are stimulating growing international interest by extending invitations to other countries, including China, the Philippines, Singapore, and Taiwan, to take part in this year's event. 'We are pleased to confirm that Thailand is committed to participating with 20 booths,' the organising chairman said, while enlightening the minister on the momentum gained from her recent promotional visits to Brunei and Indonesia, along with outreach efforts across Penang, Kedah, Perlis, Selangor and Kuala Lumpur, to build regional participation and connect businesses to Sabah's growing marketplace. To be spread across two themed zones, Gourmet & Home Living and Decor (Level 2) and Fashion & Lifestyle (Level 4), BIGSABAH Sale 2025 promises an immersive showcase of culture, commerce, cuisine, fashion, and collaboration, Dr Rosmawati added.
TECHx
14 hours ago
- Business
- TECHx
UAE, Malaysia, Rwanda Expand C4IR AI Fellowship Program
Home » Emerging technologies » Artificial Intelligence » UAE, Malaysia, Rwanda Expand C4IR AI Fellowship Program The UAE, Malaysia, and Rwanda have signed a strategic partnership to strengthen coordination in promoting artificial intelligence (AI) adoption across the Global South. The announcement was made under the framework of the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) global network. The collaboration aims to boost responsible AI governance and ethical deployment in emerging economies. The agreement expands the C4IR AI Fellowship Program, initially signed by the UAE and Rwanda at the 2024 World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos. Malaysia has now joined the initiative through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The expanded program will drive knowledge exchange, talent mobility, and joint AI development projects. It also strengthens the C4IR network's global impact. The UAE, Malaysia, and Rwanda will collaborate on responsible AI frameworks. The partnership supports AI-led sustainable development in the Global South. His Excellency Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and His Excellency Gobind Singh Deo, Malaysia's Minister of Digital, witnessed the signing. Gobind Singh Deo stated that Malaysia is proud to join forces with the UAE and Rwanda to accelerate digital transformation for a more inclusive future. He added that the C4IR Network AI Fellowship Program will serve as a vital bridge connecting AI experts across continents. Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation (DFF), said the partnership would unlock greater value from AI and Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies. Aytug Goksu from the World Economic Forum noted that the MoU marks a milestone in uniting AI practitioners for sustainable progress. Crystal Rugege, Managing Director of Rwanda's C4IR, highlighted the importance of strengthening responsible AI governance and supporting initiatives like the AI Innovation Lab and Global AI Summit on Africa. The UAE C4IR, launched in 2019 by the UAE Government and WEF, plays a key role in global tech collaboration. It has built several impactful partnerships over the years. The Global C4IR Network promotes multistakeholder engagement to maximize the benefits of emerging technologies while addressing associated risks.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Azalina calls on Umno to boost digital capabilities ahead of elections
KUANTAN: Umno must recognise the need to strengthen its digital capabilities to counter slander and disseminate facts through social media and smartphones, particularly in preparation for the upcoming general election. Umno information chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said that with these capabilities, Umno must rise to close the gap in public perception regarding the party's image. "In addition, I also reminded (party members) that the unity government or coalition government model is one that has been used by Umno since the days of the Alliance, and subsequently with the establishment of Barisan Nasional. "Therefore, our position in the current government is not a foreign model. "Even though Umno is not the leading party, it remains a stabilising factor," she said in a Facebook post after officiating the Temerloh Umno Division Delegates' Meeting today. She said that in the Madani government, Barisan Nasional continues to stand firm in defending the fundamentals of the Federal Constitution, namely Islam as the religion of the Federation, the position of the Malay Rulers, Malay as the national language, and the special rights of the Malays and Bumiputera. "Alhamdulillah, after nearly three years of the Madani government's administration, there has never been a moment when our partners in the current coalition have questioned these matters, which is also the main reason this government remains stable," she said. – Bernama
Malaysian Reserve
22-07-2025
- Health
- Malaysian Reserve
METiS Technologies Showcases AI-Powered Nanodelivery Platform at the 2025 Controlled Release Society Annual Meeting
HANGZHOU, BEIJING, China and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — METiS Technologies, a global leader in AI-driven nanodelivery innovation, today announced the presentation of its latest research findings at the poster session of the 2025 Controlled Release Society (CRS) Annual Meeting. The company demonstrated that its proprietary AiLNP platform enables the rapid design of tissue-targeted lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), which exhibit high delivery efficiency, strong tissue specificity, and excellent translatability in non-human primates (NHPs). Founded in 1978, the Controlled Release Society is the world's foremost nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to advanced drug delivery. At this year's meeting, METiS Technologies stood out as the only Chinese biotechnology company participating with a featured poster presentation. Dr. Hongming Chen, Co-founder and Chief R&D Officer of METiS and a Member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, together with Dr. Andong Liu, Vice President of METiS, presented the poster titled: 'AI-Empowered LNP Discovery for Organ-Targeted RNA Delivery.' The AiLNP platform is METiS' proprietary AI-driven system for nucleic acid delivery design. It integrates a de novo lipid generation foundation model, a high-throughput microfluidics-based LNP assembly and screening system, and a large-scale, proprietary lipid library. Collectively, these innovations expand the design space of nanomaterials by over 1,000-fold compared to conventional approaches—effectively overcoming long-standing discovery bottlenecks in the field. By combining predictive AI models with molecular dynamics simulations, the AiLNP platform provides mechanistic insights into lipid behavior and enables prediction of more than 10 physicochemical parameters. It further allows for rational design and optimization of LNP components and ratios to construct customized, high-performance delivery systems. Key findings from the poster highlight the platform's ability to accelerate LNP design cycles while significantly improving discovery speed and quality across multiple tissue targets: Liver-targeted LNPs developed through AiLNP demonstrated best-in-class performance for gene editing, achieving high efficiency and safety in NHPs. Using CRISPR-Cas9-mediated TTR knockdown as a model, LNP developed by AiLNP achieved ~90% reduction in serum TTR levels with only a transient, mild elevation in liver enzymes. Lung-targeted LNPs exhibited high delivery efficiency and specificity in rodents, with successful translation to NHPs. At the cellular level, these LNPs transfected a broad range of pulmonary cell types in NHPs—including stem-like cells, alveolar type II cells (>30%), and airway basal cells (>10%) at 1 mg/kg—supporting their potential for durable genetic correction. METiS' Musle-targeted LNPs also enabled successful in vivo delivery and gene editing in multiple types of muscle cells in mice. 'This year's CRS theme, 'Next-Generation Delivery Innovation', reflects the rapid evolution in drug delivery technologies. Among the 410 accepted posters across 12 research tracks, more than 200 focused on nanomedicine, nanodelivery, and gene editing—demonstrating these as the most active areas of exploration,' said Dr. Hongming Chen, Co-founder and Chief R&D Officer of METiS Technologies. 'We're pleased to present our findings at the world's premier scientific forum for drug delivery and remain committed to pushing the boundaries of LNP discovery.' Dr. Chris Lai, Co-founder and CEO of METiS, added: 'Since day one, METiS has been positioning at the global forefront of AI-powered nanomaterial innovation. We believe nanodelivery is the critical enabler of the next generation of programmable medicines—and that AI will be the key catalyst driving this transformation.' AI Nanodelivery for a Healthier Future. METiS Technologies is a pioneering TechBio company at the intersection of artificial intelligence and nanomaterial science, focused on transforming the delivery and application of active agents across life forms. Founded by a team of MIT-trained scientists with deep expertise in AI, quantum mechanics, nanomaterials, and advanced drug delivery, the company has developed three proprietary platform technologies, AiLNP – AI platform for nucleic acid delivery system design; AiRNA – AI platform for mRNA sequence optimization; and AiTEM – AI platform for small molecule formulation design. METiS' platforms simulate, predict, and interpret nanoscale interactions to enable rational design, optimization, and validation of next-generation nanomaterials and their payloads. By advancing AI-enabled nanotechnology, METiS strives to unlock new therapeutic possibilities across a wide range of diseases, including cancer, metabolic and autoimmune disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions, and improve the health of lives.
Business Recorder
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Dar terms US, Israeli strikes on Iran unacceptable for SCO states
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan seeks a relationship of peace and stability with all its neighbours. Islamabad remains steadfast in its commitment to the ceasefire and the cultivation of a stable regional equilibrium. However, we cannot accept that the arbitrary use of force is normalised. 'We believe that disputes and differences are resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, instead of conflict and coercion. In that backdrop, initiation of a comprehensive and structured dialogue can meaningfully address the full spectrum of issues that have long bedevilled the peace and security in South Asia. Strict adherence to bilateral agreements would be equally important in this regard.' Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated this while addressing the Meeting of SCO Council of Foreign Ministers 15 July 2025–Tianjin, China on Tuesday. Iran has right to defend itself, Dar tells OIC However, he said the last three months witnessed extremely disturbing developments in South Asia. It is most unfortunate that the attribution of the Pahalgam attack to Pakistan – without a credible investigation or verifiable evidence –brought the two nuclear-armed states to the brink of a major conflict. In the wake of mounting tensions, Dar pointed out Pakistan's restrained and responsible approach was met with legal transgressions, rhetorical belligerence, and strategic recklessness. The events unfolding since 22 April 2025 also reaffirm a central truth of South Asian geopolitics: the peaceful settlement of the longstanding unresolved disputes is imperative for an enduring peace in the region, Dar added. Dar said Pakistan appreciates China's deep-rooted commitment to multilateralism and its role in strengthening SCO as the Chair this year. In our pursuit to peace and security, he highlighted we believe in non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs; non-use of force or threat of its use in international relations, as well as seeking no unilateral military superiority in the region. We emphasize on resolution of longstanding disputes through peaceful means, dialogue, diplomacy and according to the principles of international law, justice and fairness. We are seriously concerned at the trends of using aggression as a tool of policy. We have strongly condemned the unjustified and illegitimate aggression by Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran and the US strikes on its nuclear facilities. Such illegal actions directed against SCO member states are unacceptable. Israel has shown a reckless disregard for international norms and humanity through its relentless and disproportionate use of force in Gaza resulting in the death of tens of thousands of civilians causing the worst humanitarian crisis in Gaza. We call for immediate halt to Israel's atrocities. The only viable remedy to Palestine dispute is the realization of two-State solution which includes the establishment of Palestine as a viable, secure and contiguous State on the basis of pre-1967 borders with Al Quds as its capital. Unilateral and illegal measures to change the status of disputed territories in violation of UN Security Council resolutions must be strongly condemned and opposed by all. Enduring peace and stability in Afghanistan constitute a cornerstone of our shared aspiration. In this context, the revival of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group could serve as a valuable platform for pragmatic and results-oriented cooperation, he asserted. As the permanent chair of the SCO's Special Working Group dedicated to combating poverty, Pakistan is fully committed to providing the necessary momentum to our collaborative endeavours to address poverty. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
