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Associated Press
29-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Chun Wo Innovation Student Awards 2024 Successfully Concluded Four Outstanding Projects Showcase the Future of Engineering Innovation
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 29 July 2025 - Organised by Chun Wo Development Holdings Limited ('Chun Wo'), the Chun Wo Innovation Student Awards 2024 ('CWISA') concluded successfully with an award presentation ceremony celebrating a new generation of engineering talent and their innovative solutions. Themed 'Engineers: Overcoming World's Challenges', this year's competition attracted over 40 teams from 18 higher education institutions and universities across Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. By using cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, and Augmented/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) to develop engineering solutions for 'Climate Action', 'Sustainable Cities and Communities', and 'Innovative Architecture and Infrastructure'. The award ceremony was attended by government officials, industry leaders, and academic representatives. A total of HKD 200,000 in cash prize was presented across the Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Merit Awards. Chun Wo will assist winning teams to execute their innovative ideas by providing appropriate resources or investments. Sr Stephen LEE, Chairman of Chun Wo Construction Holdings Company Limited remarks, 'It is inspiring to witness the rise of future talents in engineering and innovation from Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. By leveraging innovation and technology to address challenges like infrastructure and climate change, the students have shown immense potential. We hope the award-winning students will continue to explore new possibilities and work together to create a better future for society.' Ir Michael FONG, JP, Director of the Civil Engineering and Development remarks, 'Having served as a judge for two consecutive years, I am deeply impressed by the level of innovation showcased in this year's entries — it not only demonstrates the students' growing ambition in their creations but also reflects the younger generation's spirit of breaking conventions and pioneering new possibilities.' The Gold Award of CWISA 2024 was presented to a team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University for their project 'Renewable Material Coagulant', which uses industrial by-products to develop a low-carbon solidifying agent as a replacement for traditional cement in ground stabilisation. The project achieves more than 80% carbon emission reduction and offers a revolutionary alternative for green construction and land rehabilitation. The Silver Award went to a cross-institutional team from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Their project 'RiceFort' upcycles discarded rice husks into eco-friendly fibreboards for use in furniture and construction. The project demonstrates high performance, low cost, and recyclability, and also won the Best Social Impact Award for its green entrepreneurship potential and community value. The Bronze Award was awarded to a team from City University of Hong Kong for their project 'AI-Driven Self-cleaning Air-to-Hydrogen System', which combines air-to-water extraction, solar photocatalysis, and AI-powered self-cleaning to produce hydrogen with zero carbon emissions and no external water consumption. The solution is especially suitable for arid and remote areas, and also won the Best Sustainable Solution Award. In addition, a joint team from The University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University won the Best Business Potential Award for their project 'Generation Alpha Building Emergency System', which features an AIoT-powered fire detection system with high accuracy and low false alarm rates, offering an advanced fire safety solution for older buildings and high-density urban environments. Chun Wo aims to continuously inspire the creativity and sense of social responsibility among young engineers through the CWISA platform. The company will continue working with academia, industry, and government partners to promote the implementation of innovative technologies and nurture more engineering talent with global vision and a commitment to sustainability, contributing to a smarter and greener future. Download High-Resolution Photos HERE Photo Captions: Hashtag: #ChunWoDevelopment The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Chun Wo Innovation Student Awards The Chun Wo Innovation Student Awards ('CWISA') is a biennial competition established in 2018 by Chun Wo Development Holdings Limited. It aims to inspire young innovators to develop creative engineering solutions that strengthen urban connectivity and promote sustainable city development. Since its inception, CWISA has attracted over 650 students from more than 20 tertiary institutions and universities across Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. The fourth CWISA is themed 'Engineers Overcoming the World's Challenges,' motivates students to propose innovative engineering solutions in response to climate action, sustainable cities and communities, and innovative architecture and infrastructure. By leveraging emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR), students are encouraged to help shape a better future for society and the environment. The Awards recognise outstanding ideas with Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Merit Awards. The Gold Award winner will receive a cash prize of HK$100,000, with a total cash prize of approximately HK$200,000 for all winners. For more information, please visit: About Chun Wo Development Holdings Limited Chun Wo Development Holdings Limited ('Chun Wo') was founded in 1968 and is a key subsidiary of Asia Allied Infrastructure Holdings Limited (stock code: The Company is principally engaged in the core construction and property development businesses with the professional capability to undertake large integrated construction projects. Recent examples of large infrastructure projects which the Company has undertaken works include the Tseung Kwan O – Lam Tin Tunnel Tseung Kwan O Interchange, the Central-Wan Chai Bypass, the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Infrastructure, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Passenger Clearance Building, the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (Hong Kong Section), the MTR Shatin to Central Link and the Redevelopment of Kwong Wah Hospital (Phase 2) etc. About Asia Allied Infrastructure Holdings Limited (Stock Code: Asia Allied Infrastructure Holdings Limited ('Asia Allied Infrastructure', 'the Group') is listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under stock code 00711. The Group operates businesses such as construction engineering and management, property development and assets leasing, security and facility management, tunnel management, non-franchised bus services, as well as medical technology and healthcare. Its subsidiary 'Chun Wo' is a renowned construction contractor and property developer in Hong Kong. Chun Wo's solid construction experience and professional capabilities have enabled the Group to seize suitable development opportunities, allowing the Group to enhance its overall profitability and investment value.
Zawya
29-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Chun Wo Innovation Student Awards 2024 Successfully Concluded Four Outstanding Projects Showcase the Future of Engineering Innovation
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 29 July 2025 - Organised by Chun Wo Development Holdings Limited ("Chun Wo"), the Chun Wo Innovation Student Awards 2024 ("CWISA") concluded successfully with an award presentation ceremony celebrating a new generation of engineering talent and their innovative solutions. Themed"Engineers: Overcoming World's Challenges", this year's competition attracted over 40 teams from 18 higher education institutions and universities across Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. By using cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, and Augmented/Virtual Reality (AR/VR) to develop engineering solutions for "Climate Action", "Sustainable Cities and Communities", and "Innovative Architecture and Infrastructure". The award ceremony was attended by government officials, industry leaders, and academic representatives. A total of HKD 200,000 in cash prize was presented across the Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Merit Awards. Chun Wo will assist winning teams to execute their innovative ideas by providing appropriate resources or investments. Sr Stephen LEE, Chairman of Chun Wo Construction Holdings Company Limited remarks, "It is inspiring to witness the rise of future talents in engineering and innovation from Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. By leveraging innovation and technology to address challenges like infrastructure and climate change, the students have shown immense potential. We hope the award-winning students will continue to explore new possibilities and work together to create a better future for society." Ir Michael FONG, JP, Director of the Civil Engineering and Development remarks, "Having served as a judge for two consecutive years, I am deeply impressed by the level of innovation showcased in this year's entries — it not only demonstrates the students' growing ambition in their creations but also reflects the younger generation's spirit of breaking conventions and pioneering new possibilities." The Gold Award of CWISA 2024 was presented to a team from The Hong Kong Polytechnic University for their project "Renewable Material Coagulant", which uses industrial by-products to develop a low-carbon solidifying agent as a replacement for traditional cement in ground stabilisation. The project achieves more than 80% carbon emission reduction and offers a revolutionary alternative for green construction and land rehabilitation. The Silver Award went to a cross-institutional team from The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Their project "RiceFort" upcycles discarded rice husks into eco-friendly fibreboards for use in furniture and construction. The project demonstrates high performance, low cost, and recyclability, and also won the Best Social Impact Award for its green entrepreneurship potential and community value. The Bronze Award was awarded to a team from City University of Hong Kong for their project "AI-Driven Self-cleaning Air-to-Hydrogen System", which combines air-to-water extraction, solar photocatalysis, and AI-powered self-cleaning to produce hydrogen with zero carbon emissions and no external water consumption. The solution is especially suitable for arid and remote areas, and also won the Best Sustainable Solution Award. In addition, a joint team from The University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University won the Best Business Potential Award for their project "Generation Alpha Building Emergency System", which features an AIoT-powered fire detection system with high accuracy and low false alarm rates, offering an advanced fire safety solution for older buildings and high-density urban environments. Chun Wo aims to continuously inspire the creativity and sense of social responsibility among young engineers through the CWISA platform. The company will continue working with academia, industry, and government partners to promote the implementation of innovative technologies and nurture more engineering talent with global vision and a commitment to sustainability, contributing to a smarter and greener future. Download High-Resolution Photos HERE Photo Captions: Photo 1: The Chun Wo Innovation Student Awards 2024 concluded successfully. Photo 2: Members of the jury panel and award presenters of CWISA 2024. Photo 3: Ir Michael FONG, JP, Director of the Civil Engineering and Development presents the Gold Award to the team from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University for "Renewable Material Coagulant". Photo 4: Mr Steve TAM, Director of Chun Wo Construction Holdings Company Limited presents the Silver Award to the cross-institutional team (CUHK, HKU, HKUST & PolyU) for "RiceFort". Photo 5: Ir Dr Stewart WAN, Assistant Director of Training of the Hong Kong Institute of Construction presents the Bronze Award to the team from City University of Hong Kong for " AI-Driven Self-cleaning Air-to-Hydrogen System". Photo 6: Mr Jason LEUNG, Head of Land & Housing of Our Hong Kong Foundation presents the Best Social Impact Award to the cross-institutional team (CUHK, HKU, HKUST & PolyU) for "RiceFort". Photo 7: Prof Michael YAM, Head of Department of Building and Real Estate of Hong Kong Polytechnic University presents the Best Sustainable Solution Award to the team from City University of Hong Kong for "AI-Driven Self-cleaning Air-to-Hydrogen System". Photo 8: Mr Peter LI, Director of Commercial Business of Microsoft (HK) presents the Best Business Potential Award to the cross-institutional team (CityU, HKU& PolyU) for "Generation Alpha Building Emergency System". Hashtag: #ChunWoDevelopment The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Chun Wo Innovation Student Awards The Chun Wo Innovation Student Awards ("CWISA") is a biennial competition established in 2018 by Chun Wo Development Holdings Limited. It aims to inspire young innovators to develop creative engineering solutions that strengthen urban connectivity and promote sustainable city development. Since its inception, CWISA has attracted over 650 students from more than 20 tertiary institutions and universities across Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. The fourth CWISA is themed "Engineers Overcoming the World's Challenges," motivates students to propose innovative engineering solutions in response to climate action, sustainable cities and communities, and innovative architecture and infrastructure. By leveraging emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and augmented/virtual reality (AR/VR), students are encouraged to help shape a better future for society and the environment. The Awards recognise outstanding ideas with Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Merit Awards. The Gold Award winner will receive a cash prize of HK$100,000, with a total cash prize of approximately HK$200,000 for all winners. For more information, please visit: About Chun Wo Development Holdings Limited Chun Wo Development Holdings Limited ("Chun Wo") was founded in 1968 and is a key subsidiary of Asia Allied Infrastructure Holdings Limited (stock code: The Company is principally engaged in the core construction and property development businesses with the professional capability to undertake large integrated construction projects. Recent examples of large infrastructure projects which the Company has undertaken works include the Tseung Kwan O – Lam Tin Tunnel Tseung Kwan O Interchange, the Central-Wan Chai Bypass, the Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Infrastructure, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Passenger Clearance Building, the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (Hong Kong Section), the MTR Shatin to Central Link and the Redevelopment of Kwong Wah Hospital (Phase 2) etc. About Asia Allied Infrastructure Holdings Limited (Stock Code: Asia Allied Infrastructure Holdings Limited ("Asia Allied Infrastructure", "the Group") is listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under stock code 00711. The Group operates businesses such as construction engineering and management, property development and assets leasing, security and facility management, tunnel management, non-franchised bus services, as well as medical technology and healthcare. Its subsidiary "Chun Wo" is a renowned construction contractor and property developer in Hong Kong. Chun Wo's solid construction experience and professional capabilities have enabled the Group to seize suitable development opportunities, allowing the Group to enhance its overall profitability and investment value. Chun Wo
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Epicore Biosystems Secures $1.2M AFWERX Phase II Contract to Enhance Military Hydration Readiness
Award will help accelerate deployment of Epicore's Connected Hydration® platform to support Air Force operations and training CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Epicore Biosystems (Epicore) announces it has been selected by AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Department of Air Force, for an SBIR Phase II in the amount of $1.2M focused on its Connected Hydration1 wearable platform to address the personalized hydration management and recovery needs of personnel in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018, which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded. Last month, in June 2025, Epicore Biosystems began its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America. "This AFWERX collaboration enables Epicore to deploy our Connected Hydration platform in high-risk, mission-critical environments where human performance and thermoregulation are paramount," said Stephen Lee, CTO and Co-Founder of Epicore Biosystems. "Our product roadmap, which is rooted in smart wearables, hydration data analytics, and real-time haptic feedback and recovery, will now help support the evolving needs of airmen, guardians, and military medics operating under extreme conditions." "The AFWERX contract is a significant milestone in our mission to protect those operating in harsh environments, from industrial worksites to national defense operations," said Roozbeh Ghaffari, CEO and Co-Founder of Epicore Biosystems. "This partnership with the DAF reinforces our commitment to real-time hydration and well-being management for operational readiness, resilience, and safety. We're honored to deploy Epicore's latest in smart wearable technology to support our military personnel." "The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government." About Epicore BiosystemsEpicore Biosystems is a digital health company spun out of Northwestern University's Querrey Simpson Institute for Bioelectronics and the John Rogers Laboratory. Epicore has developed advanced sweat-sensing wearables that provide real-time personalized health insights. Their clinically validated smart wearable solutions and cloud analytics are deployed globally and licensed by leading Fortune 500 companies and the Department of Defense. To learn more, visit: Follow Epicore on LinkedIn. 1 About AFRLThe Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace forces. With a workforce spanning across nine technology areas and 40 other operations around the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit About AFWERX As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employs approximately 370 military, civilian and contractor personnel at four hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has awarded over 10,400 contracts worth more than $7.24 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Epicore Biosystems, Inc. Sign in to access your portfolio
Forbes
23-07-2025
- Forbes
Why You Should Consider 'Town-Sizing' When Planning Your Next Holiday
Souris Lighthouse on the Northumberland Strait, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Built in 1880 and located on Knight Point. getty Town-sizing is a cheeky way of saying opting for smaller towns and cities when traveling rather than heading to the famous big cities. The social media trend is driving a new way for travelers to think about and plan travel. 'Town-sizing is all about choosing quaint towns over bustling cities,' explained Stephen Lee, European travel specialist at Unforgettable Travel Company. 'Think walkable streets, local cafes, plenty of green space, and interacting with the locals, in an effort to focus on authenticity, relaxation, and charm.' If you've been considering hitting lesser-known and smaller destinations over the biggest tourist landmarks and cities, here is what travel experts are saying about the benefits of 'town-sizing' your next holiday: 'The major benefit of town-sizing is that it allows travelers to get away from the crowds, particularly in locations where over-tourism is a current concern, such as Barcelona,' explained Lee. 'By planning trips to smaller, perhaps lesser-known destinations, travelers are also able to discover more of a taste of everyday life, rather than following a popular or heavily-recommended itinerary,' added Lee. 'Even when traveling in a major city, it is wise to consider and/or experience town-sizing whilst in the destination, as it helps to harness the balance between the big, must-see attractions and the lesser-known provinces and villages where authenticity thrives.' 'Choosing small towns over big cities often means better value for money,' added Chris Wood, director, Escape The Past LTD. 'Accommodation, food, and activities tend to be more affordable, allowing travellers to stretch their budgets further. This makes town-sizing an attractive option for those looking to enjoy longer trips or more frequent breaks without overspending.' Boost the local economy At the same time, local businesses in smaller communities benefit from increased spending, which can help boost the local economy in a meaningful way. 'Town-sizing supports more sustainable tourism by distributing visitor spending beyond the usual hotspots, helping to reduce overcrowding and environmental pressure in major cities,' said Wood. Allow yourself to be surprised 'You book a ticket to a place or city that no other tourist has thought of, and then it's just you and your destination,' pointed out Stacie Vinson, travel advisor at Travel Taste Discover. 'On the return journey after my first town-sizing trip, I kept thinking about what made this short and sweet trip so special for me, and then it clicked. We came with no expectations, and that is why we were surprised by the modesty and charm of the town.'
Channel Post MEA
16-07-2025
- Business
- Channel Post MEA
Palo Alto Networks And Okta Join Hands For AI Identity Security
Okta and Palo Alto Networks have announced an expanded partnership with new integrations to deliver a unified security architecture, enabling customers to automate threat response, secure application access on any device, and reduce security attacks grow more sophisticated and demand real-time response, verifying who accesses data and from what device has become essential to protecting it. The native integration between Okta Workforce Identity and Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access Browser creates a new conditional access method to restrict access to SSO apps by using only the secure browser. A second integration between Identity Threat Protection with Okta AI and Palo Alto Networks AI-driven Cortex SecOps platform provides organizations with a unified view of identity-related risks across their entire attack surface. This integration extends to Cortex XSIAM® and Cortex XDR®, creating a comprehensive response to the most advanced attacks. 'AI is supercharging attacks on user credentials, requiring a 'fight AI with AI' approach that brings identity directly into an organization's security infrastructure for a real-time and unified response,' said Stephen Lee, VP of Technology Partnerships at Okta. 'With Palo Alto Networks, Okta is proud to enhance the interoperability of our AI-powered platforms to prevent risks of siloed tools, providing nearly 2000 joint customers with a comprehensive view of their security posture, context-aware access controls, and secure authentication to stay ahead of today's threats.' 'Identity plays a critical role in cybersecurity,' said Pam Cyr, VP of Technical Partnerships at Palo Alto Networks. 'Our deep integrations with Okta ensure that our solutions are engineered to work together, making it easier for our customers to achieve higher levels of security and user experience. These new integrations, from securing application access with Prisma Access Browser to providing unified protection against identity threats through our Cortex platform, empower organizations with comprehensive, AI-driven defense.' These two new integrations help provide a clear, integrated path for joint customers to confidently secure their operations while reducing costs and complexity: Securing Access on Any Device: With Okta Workforce Identity and Prisma Access Browser, enterprises now have a critical layer of defense for web-based activity. Employees can now securely access corporate web applications and data from managed or unmanaged devices without compromising enterprise security. Users will benefit from a secure, consistent, seamless, and fast browsing experience, while security teams gain enhanced visibility and control over SaaS and web application usage. With Okta Workforce Identity and Prisma Access Browser, enterprises now have a critical layer of defense for web-based activity. Employees can now securely access corporate web applications and data from managed or unmanaged devices without compromising enterprise security. Users will benefit from a secure, consistent, seamless, and fast browsing experience, while security teams gain enhanced visibility and control over SaaS and web application usage. Unified Identity Threat Detection and Automated Response: The integration of Okta's Identity Threat Protection solution with Cortex XSIAM and Cortex XDR enables dynamic enforcement of additional authentication for risky access and user activity. It triggers immediate, automated responses to threats such as revoking user access, ending active sessions, and quarantining endpoints. 'CISOs are clear: to move at pace with the threat landscape, security teams need integrated platforms, not just more solutions. With the rapid adoption of cloud services, SaaS applications, remote work, and now the advent of AI, organizations are being challenged by added complexity and gaps in security tools,' said Maxine Holt, Vice President, Enterprise & Channel Research at Omdia. 'By unifying their offerings, Okta and Palo Alto Networks are helping customers streamline operations, reduce complexity, and improve coverage of the attack surface.'
