By Nitya Chakraborty INDIA Bloc, the anti-BJP front of the opposition parties will be meeting at Hyderabad shortly to review the national situation since its last meeting on June 8 in New Delhi. In the last two months, there have been major positive developments for INDIA Bloc which have helped in rejuvenating the anti-BJP opposition. […]
Disneyland Abu Dhabi is set to receive fresh global exposure through Disney Worldbuilders, a feature documentary examining how the entertainment group turns screen stories into physical destinations and offering glimpses of projects still being developed. The film, directed by Academy Award and Emmy-nominated filmmaker Leslie Iwerks, will receive its debut screening at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, California, on August 16. It is scheduled […]
A Bitcoin wallet untouched since 2011 has moved 50 BTC worth about $3.2 million to a new address with transaction links to FalconX, reviving scrutiny of cryptocurrency holdings dating from the network’s earliest years. The 50 BTC remained in the receiving address on Friday, providing no direct evidence that the coins had been deposited with FalconX or sold. However, the destination wallet has previously transferred Bitcoin to […]
Tether is expanding its asset-tokenisation business into Saudi Arabia, beginning with institutional real estate as the stablecoin group deepens its move into blockchain-based financial infrastructure beyond its core USDT franchise. The company’s Hadron platform will provide the technology needed to issue and manage tokenised property assets for institutional investors. Riyadh-based First Data will serve as issuer and market operator, while fintech company BKN301 will connect the system […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Gold prices strengthened on Friday, putting the precious metal on course for its biggest weekly gain since January as easing energy costs reduced inflation concerns and investors awaited US employment data that could reshape expectations for Federal Reserve policy. Spot gold rose 0.6% to about $4,262 an ounce during Asian trading, after touching its highest level in seven weeks. Prices have gained more […]
Bitcoin miners are facing an intensifying profitability crisis as the average cost of producing one coin approaches $78,000, leaving about one-fifth of the global mining fleet operating at a loss. Bitcoin was trading near $64,500 on Thursday, roughly 17% below the estimated industry-wide production cost. The gap has persisted for several months, forcing operators to shut down older machines, sell cryptocurrency reserves and redirect capital towards artificial […]
Anchored by the TIGER framework, CUHK leaps toward new heights of academic excellence and global impact
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 August 2026 – The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) today (6 August) unveiled its new five-year strategic plan, titled “CUHK 2026–2030: Leaping to Greatness” (the “CUHK 2026-2030“), outlining the University’s development priorities and strategic direction for the next five years. With the ambition to create greater impact on humanity and global communities, CUHK adheres to its vision of becoming a first-class comprehensive research university whose scholarly output, bilingual and multicultural education, and community contributions consistently meet global standards of excellence. As a publicly funded university, CUHK will leverage its strengths in talent cultivation, knowledge innovation and global engagement to contribute to the development of China and the Hong Kong SAR in alignment with priorities in the national 15th Five-Year Plan and the city’s first five-year planning.
CUHK hosts a media luncheon to launch its five-year strategic plan. (From left) Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming and Professor John Chai Yat-chiu
The “TIGER” action framework of CUHK 2026–2030 forms five interconnected strategic directions. It reflects a united, well-coordinated and actionable commitment from the entire University to progressively realise our vision of “Leaping to Greatness” that symbolises CUHK’s continued evolution to pursue purpose-driven excellence, impact-oriented outcomes and lasting societal contributions with innovation, rigour and responsibility.
The five interconnected strategic pillars in CUHK 2026–2030 include:
T – Talent Attraction and Development
I – Institutional Development
G – Global and Alumni Engagement
E – Education and Student Experience
R – Research and Innovation
Embracing the new vision with agility characterised in the spirit of a tiger
In his remarks, Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, said: “The five key areas of the Strategic Plan form the ‘TIGER’ action framework that embodies courage, agility and drive, underscoring CUHK’s development vision which will be realised through precise planning and rigorous execution. CUHK will continue to drive breakthroughs in life and health sciences, artificial intelligence (AI), quantum science and other frontier fields, and participate in national scientific research initiatives, leveraging Hong Kong’s unique advantages and position as China’s most international city, with an aim of cultivating world-class talent and new knowledge that benefit the world.”
Aligning with the strategic planning of China and the Hong Kong SAR
Professor Lo said: “CUHK 2026–2030is the first five-year strategic plan formulated since I assumed office in 2025. It marks a major milestone in the University’s development in timely alignment with the five-year planning of China and the Hong Kong SAR. At a time of profound global transformation, technological advances are reshaping the world and redefining the role of universities in society. CUHK has joined the world’s top 20 for the first time in the latest Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, rising to the 18th place. This is a testament to the University’s progress in the past 63 years signifying our global academic influence.”
ProfessorJohn Chai Yat-chiu, Chairman of the CUHK Council; Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, Professor Isabella Poon Wai-yin, Provost of CUHK, Professor Anthony Chan Tak-cheung, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Alumni / Community Engagement & Institutional Advancement), Professor Jiang Liwen, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research & External Affairs) and Mr Albert Chow Hing-pong, Vice-President (Administration), together with other members of the University’s senior management, attended the media luncheon today to mark the official launch.
Creating value to benefit humanity
Professor Isabella Poon Wai-yin, Provost of CUHK, introduced the University’s priority areas and said: “In face of global challenges such as the AI revolution, sustainable development and climate change, universities carry an unprecedentedly vital mission. A truly impactful university does not merely respond to the present needs of the era, but will also actively shape the direction of our future. Through interdisciplinary, cross-regional and cross-sector collaborations, we aim to translate CUHK’s deep academic foundation, unique collegiate system and global network into a driving force for social progress and innovation.”
Team spirit of CUHK leadership in co-creating the development blueprint
The formulation of CUHK 2026–2030 was a year-long collaborative effort overseen by the Strategic Plan Steering Committee chaired by Professor Lo with support from the senior management team and consultation from the broad CUHK community, from conceptualisation, drafting to visual design. This multi-faceted collaboration fully demonstrates the team spirit of the CUHK community in propelling the University toward a new chapter. The visual design of the Strategic Plan agenda features circular lines and patterns representing the letters “C” and “U” for CUHK. The concentric-circle motif also symbolises CUHK members coming together like concentric circles, uniting their strengths to work towards common goals. The visual palette centres on the university colours of purple and gold, representing passion and loyalty (purple), alongside perseverance and resolve (gold). For details of the Strategic Plan, please refer to https://www.cuhk2030.cuhk.edu.hk.
The visual design of the Strategic Plan agenda features circular lines and patterns representing the letters
Key Initiatives
Establishing the 10th College for postgraduates
CUHK will establish a postgraduate college as its 10th college. This initiative will extend the University’s long-standing collegiate system to the postgraduate community, creating a vibrant, international environment for cross-disciplinary dialogue, holistic development and lifelong networking.
In addition, CUHK will develop flagship international undergraduate programmes and signature schemes embedding innovation, entrepreneurship and concepts of sustainability into the curriculum. It will also strengthen industry-academia collaboration and knowledge transfer to attract and nurture outstanding local and international innovative talents. CUHK will also revitalise its General Education curriculum with national and global perspectives. Moreover, the University will strengthen collaboration with CUHK-Shenzhen and other institutions in the GBA and expand opportunities for exchange and internships abroad to support students’ holistic development and lifelong learning.
Attracting global talent and expanding international impact
CUHK will leverage its strengths as an international research university to attract outstanding students, scholars and researchers from around the world, fostering a diverse and inclusive academic community. Currently, approximately 56% of CUHK’s professors come from outside Hong Kong while the University achieved a perfect score in the QS international faculty ratio indicator, demonstrating its success in attracting top academic talent globally.
This year, applications from non-local students increased by about 20% compared with last year. Applications from regions outside the Chinese Mainland rose even more significantly, by 75%, with most applicants coming from Southeast Asia and the Middle East, reflecting CUHK’s growing international appeal. To attract exceptional students, CUHK launched the Fenghuang Scholarship this year. The scholarship offers outstanding students who achieve excellent results in local and overseas public examinations financial support, together with overseas exchange opportunities. Through this initiative, the University aims to attract high-calibre young talent and nurture future leaders with a global vision, innovative capabilities and a strong sense of social responsibility.
Driving interdisciplinary research to address global challenges
CUHK will seize opportunities arising from the Northern Metropolis, the Hetao Cooperation Zone and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, while focusing on frontier fields including life and health technologies, AI, quantum science and green technology. The University will further integrate into the national research and innovation ecosystem and actively participate in major scientific initiatives spanning space, polar research and deep-sea studies, fostering comprehensive development from Antarctic expeditions and space missions to the translation of world-class innovations.
In recent years, CUHK has been actively demonstrating its research excellence. Notable achievements include the successful launch of CUHK Sat-1, the world’s first AI satellite dedicated to urban sustainable development, and leading the development of the laser heterodyne spectrometer selected for the nation’s Tianwen-3 Mars exploration mission. These accomplishments underscore the University’s pivotal role in supporting national strategic science and technology development. Furthermore, the Hong Kong Centre for Logistics Robotics, an InnoHK centre established by CUHK, founded Hong Kong’s first full-stack embodied intelligence laboratory in 2026 to drive frontier technologies in embodied AI and robotics, further consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an international innovation and technology hub.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Founded in 1963, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a leading comprehensive research university with a global reputation and world-leading rankings. Located in the heart of Asia, CUHK has a vision and a mission to combine tradition with modernity, and to bring together China and the West. Under the University’s unique collegiate system, the programmes and activities offered by its nine colleges complement the formal curricula by delivering whole-person education and pastoral care. The University has eight faculties: Arts, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Science, and Social Science. Together with the Graduate School, the University offers over 300 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. All faculties are actively engaged in research in a wide range of disciplines, with an array of research institutes and research centres specialising in interdisciplinary research of the highest quality.
Moonlighter is available free to keep on Steam until 9 August, giving players permanent access to the shopkeeping dungeon crawler once it has been added to their accounts. The limited-time offer marks a 100% reduction on the action role-playing game, which normally sells as a paid title. Players need only sign into Steam, visit the Moonlighter store page and select “Add to Account” before the promotion expires. […]
Dubai has ranked second worldwide in Boston Consulting Group’s inaugural Intelligent Cities Index, placing behind London and ahead of New York, Washington and Amsterdam. The benchmark assessed 61 major cities across 39 countries on how effectively they use artificial intelligence and digital technology to serve residents and businesses. Dubai received an overall score of 80, compared with London’s 85, and was classified among the five cities demonstrating […]
Google is concentrating more of its artificial intelligence leadership and development work at its Mountain View headquarters as it seeks faster decisions, tighter product integration and a stronger response to Anthropic and OpenAI. The shift places Koray Kavukcuoglu, Alphabet’s chief AI architect, at the centre of the company’s effort to turn advanced research into widely used products. Kavukcuoglu has moved full-time from London to California after previously […]
Gold prices surged above $4,200 an ounce on Wednesday as weaker US employment data, a softer dollar and falling Treasury yields drove investors towards the precious metal, although claims that bullion gained 4.5% during the day appeared to overstate the move recorded by leading benchmarks. Spot gold climbed more than 3% to about $4,200 an ounce, its highest level since late June. US gold futures advanced roughly […]
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi will open to the public on 11 December 2026, bringing one of the world’s longest-awaited cultural projects to Saadiyat Island after two decades of planning, redesigns and construction delays. The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi confirmed the date as preparations accelerate for the launch of the largest museum in the Guggenheim network. The institution will focus on global modern and contemporary […]
Chainlink’s LINK token is being withdrawn from centralised cryptocurrency exchanges at its fastest pace in more than a month, signalling that a growing number of holders may be moving assets into private wallets rather than preparing to sell them. About 1.26 million LINK left known exchange addresses during the 24 hours to August 4, the largest daily net outflow since June 29. The transfer was worth roughly […]
The UAE’s non-oil private sector expanded at its strongest pace in four months during July, supported by a revival in customer demand, improving exports and smoother regional trade flows. The seasonally adjusted S&P Global UAE Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 52.7 from 50.8 in June, moving further above the 50-point threshold that separates expansion from contraction. The increase marked a sharp recovery from June, when business conditions […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Iran and Oman are discussing a temporary central shipping corridor through the Strait of Hormuz as negotiators seek to restore safer commercial passage across one of the world’s most important energy routes. The proposal would reopen the strait’s so-called middle passage, a route largely avoided by vessels since fighting disrupted maritime traffic in late February. Ships have instead relied on northern waters closer […]
Iran is considering allowing European countries to clear naval mines from the Strait of Hormuz, signalling a possible compromise that could help restore commercial shipping and advance negotiations to halt the wider conflict. The proposal would mark a shift from Tehran’s opposition to any foreign military presence in the waterway. France, Belgium and the Netherlands are among the European countries with specialist mine-countermeasure vessels and trained crews […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai The global oil market has lost more than 2.6 billion barrels since the US-Israeli war with Iran began on February 28, Saudi Aramco chief executive Amin Nasser has said, warning that depleted inventories will take more than a year to rebuild. The cumulative loss is equivalent to nearly one month of worldwide oil consumption and reflects the prolonged disruption of shipping through the […]
HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 August 2026 – The World Council on City Data (WCCD) has officially awarded Vinhomes Green Paradise – Can Gio the InterimCustom ISO 37122Smart CityCertification. This milestone marks another significant step in Vinhomes Green Paradise’s journey toward becoming the first mega urban development in Vietnam to achieve an internationally recognized smart city certification, setting new benchmarks for sustainable urban development on a global scale.
The certification recognizes the substantial progress Vinhomes Green Paradise has made in advancing its smart city development in alignment with international standards. WCCD acknowledged that the project has achieved remarkable progress in its design, planning, and development strategy. This WCCD Certification serves as an important foundation for the project as it advances toward Full Certification upon commencement of operations.
The award of the WCCD Interim Custom ISO 37122 Smart City Certification follows a comprehensive assessment conducted by the WCCD and based upon the customized indicators framework WCCD specifically developed for greenfield development projects. The framework incorporates the core principles of ISO 37122, one of the world’s most respected international standards for measuring and evaluating smart city performance.
Dr. Patricia McCarney, President & CEO of the World Council on City Data (WCCD) and Director of Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM), stated: “This WCCD InterimCustom ISO 37122 Smart City Certification recognizes Vinhomes’ long-term vision and commitment to developing a smart, sustainable, and future-ready urban model. The Vinhomes Green Paradise – Can Gio urban development project is now equipped with a powerful baseline of data designed to propel success, providing a strong foundation for year-over-year monitoring of development goals in smart urban governance, infrastructure development, technology adoption and sustainability, ensuring Full ISO 37122 Certification once operations commence. We congratulate Vinhomes on this important certification milestone, a global first, setting a new precedent for greenfield developments in cities worldwide.“
Mr. Chulse Oh, Head of AX Group at Korea Management Association Consultants (KMAC), commented: “The award of the WCCD Interim Custom ISO 37122 Smart City Certification marks an important milestone in realizing the vision of a world-class smart city in Vietnam. KMAC will continue to support the project in developing smart city solutions and implementation strategies and refining the criteria for a comprehensive smart city model during the operational phase.”
In March 2026, Vinhomes Green Paradise officially launched its Smart City Certification Project in partnership with WCCD, SUM, and KMAC. Under the agreed roadmap, the Interim Custom Certification represents the first major milestone in the process of assessing and refining the criteria for a comprehensive smart city model aligned with international standards.
Vinhomes Green Paradise benefits from a unique geographical setting, overlooking the Can Gio Sea and adjacent to the UNESCO-recognized Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, which spans over 75,000 hectares. The development features a total area of 2,870 hectares, and a construction density of only 16%. Vinhomes is pioneering the project under its enhanced ESG++ model, structured around five pillars: Environment, Social, Governance, Regeneration, and Climate Adaptation.
Upon full operation, the entire urban management system will be greened, with the goal of utilizing 100% clean electricity generated from renewable energy sources and achieving 100% net-zero emission transportation. In addition to strict compliance with environmental protection standards, the project places a strong emphasis on biodiversity conservation and ecosystem regeneration, aligned with Ho Chi Minh City’s climate adaptation strategy.
To support these efforts, a Forest Regeneration and Climate Adaptation Fund will be established to finance research, restoration, and long-term resilience initiatives. A key focus of the fund is the regeneration of the Can Gio mangrove ecosystem, helping to create a protective green belt for the entire development.
With its pioneering ESG++ vision, Vinhomes Green Paradise has become the first Official Participant in the “7 Wonders of the Future Cities” campaign initiated by New7Wonders.
The award of the WCCD Interim Custom ISO 37122 Smart City Certification further reinforces Vinhomes Green Paradise’s pioneering vision in advancing a smart and sustainable urban model that meets international standards, while progressing toward becoming a benchmark future city for the region and the world.
Hashtag: #Vinhomes
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Vinhomes
Vinhomes is Vietnam’s leading real estate investment, development, and management company. It currently operates 32 urban developments while expanding its portfolio of flagship projects across strategically important provinces and cities nationwide. By integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles with modern, highly connected infrastructure, Vinhomes is creating world-class integrated townships and megacities that are redefining Vietnam’s real estate market, driving sustainable development, and elevating the country’s urban landscape to international standards.
About the World Council on City Data (WCCD):
Established in Canada in 2014, the World Council on City Data (WCCD) is committed to helping cities and communities of all sizes globally embrace ISO standardized, independently verified, and globally comparable city data. The organization facilitates data-driven decision-making processes in management, planning, and investment, enabling cities to become more sustainable, safe, resilient, prosperous, inclusive, and smart.
The WCCD team of professionals spearheaded the development and implementation of three international standards on city data, which have been published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in Geneva. These standards, referred to as the WCCD ISO 37120 Series on City Data, encompass ISO 37120 (Indicators for Sustainable Cities), ISO 37122 (Indicators for Smart Cities), and ISO 37123 (Indicators for Resilient Cities).
Since its inception, the WCCD has been expanding its global network of cities dedicated to high-caliber data. The WCCD collaborates with more than 125 cities across 40 different countries.
About Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM):
Cities worldwide are taking centre stage in the drive toward sustainable development and the prosperity of nations. Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM) is designed to build on the strengths of its rapidly expanding global network of city leaders, senior levels of government officials, private capital market professionals and key international organizations and industry innovators dedicated to securing a better future for cities.
SUM’s service provision spans services connected to the ISO 37120 Series (ISO 37120 – Indicators for City Services and Quality of Life, ISO 37122 – Indicators for Smart Cities and ISO 37123 – Indicators for Resilient Cities) in partnership with the World Council on City Data (WCCD). The SUM team work with city leaders and private developers to customize these ISO certifications for new greenfield developments – new cities, new business districts and new communities.
SUM houses a new global first – the ISO 37125 International Standard on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Indicators for Cities and Regions. The SUM ISO 37125 certification protocol supports cities to report ESG city level data in conformity with the ISO globally standardized definitions and methodologies. SUM’s third-party verification process ensures the highest calibre data for cities across the globe. This Standard provides city leaders, governments, and the private sector with a robust, data-driven framework to guide ESG initiatives, drive infrastructure investment, attract investment, create and implement strategic planning decisions, propel innovation, and ensure socially inclusive planning and management. SUM is welcoming cities to join an exciting global cohort of World Premiere Cities – the first ISO 37125-certified cities.
SUM establishes a global hub for innovative learning partnerships among leaders of cities and private capital markets. Together, SUM and its partners foster innovation, imagine alternative futures, and create more livable cities. Certification by SUM underscores a collective commitment to a sustainable and prosperous future for cities and regions.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Patricia McCarney President & CEO, World Council on City Data (WCCD) and Director, Standardized Urban Metrics (SUM) patricia.mccarney@globalcities.ca
About KMAC
Korea Management Association Consultants (KMAC) is one of Asia’s leading management consulting firms, delivering end-to-end capabilities from strategy formulation and transformation design to operational implementation and performance improvement. For decades, KMAC has served as a trusted innovation partner to the Korean government, public institutions, and leading private-sector enterprises, helping shape and execute initiatives that strengthen national competitiveness, modernize industries, and advance digital and AI transformation, sustainability, and organizational excellence. By combining deep sector expertise, rigorous strategic insight, and proven execution capabilities with an extensive regional network, KMAC enables clients to convert ambitious visions into actionable roadmaps, measurable operational outcomes, and sustainable growth across Asia and global markets.
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Young Hwan Park Team Lead of Asia Business Center, Korea Management Association Consultants (KMAC) Davidpark819@kmac.co.kr
Etihad Rail will open passenger stations in Dubai and Al Dhaid on September 30 as the UAE’s national railway operator accelerates a phased expansion supported by strong early demand.The two openings will mark the formal launch of the wider passenger network, three months after introductory services began between Mohamed bin Zayed City in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah on June 30. More than 70,000 tickets have been sold […]
Singapore’s government has defended plans to develop housing at Maju Forest and Gillman Barracks while assuring lawmakers that the proposed layouts remain open to changes aimed at protecting greenery, wildlife corridors and heritage buildings.
The debate in Parliament on Tuesday followed public opposition to proposals that could involve clearing about 15 hectares of Maju Forest at Sunset Way and at least 10 hectares of forest around Gillman Barracks. Eighteen parliamentary questions were raised, with lawmakers pressing the government on alternative sites, ecological damage, public consultation and whether development could be abandoned.
Minister of State for National Development Alvin Tan said the two areas would proceed towards housing development because they had been designated for residential use and were needed to meet demand over the next decade. He said, however, that environmental and heritage studies were part of the process of shaping the projects rather than exercises designed to justify predetermined plans.
“The question before us is not whether housing, greenery or heritage matters. They all do,” Tan told Parliament. “The challenge is how we balance these needs responsibly within our limited space.”
The formal period for public comments on the environmental and heritage assessments closes on August 6, but government agencies will continue discussions with residents, nature groups and other stakeholders. Feedback could result in changes to construction footprints, development density, ecological corridors and the number of heritage structures retained.
Maju Forest covers about 23 hectares beside Sunset Way in Clementi. The land has largely been zoned for residential development since the 1980 Master Plan, although decades of natural regeneration have created secondary forest containing streams, native vegetation and threatened wildlife.
Housing authorities have proposed retaining about eight hectares, including a freshwater stream and surrounding buffer zone, as a refuge for wildlife and a corridor connecting neighbouring green areas. The remaining land would accommodate public housing, although the number and mix of flats have not been finalised.
Environmental surveys recorded several species of conservation importance, including the critically endangered straw-headed bulbul. Earlier studies connected with the Cross Island Line also identified the Sunda pangolin in the wider forest area.
Nature groups have argued that narrowing the habitat could displace animals, increase roadkill risks and weaken connections between Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Clementi Forest, the Rail Corridor and the Southern Ridges. They have also warned that secondary forests cannot be quickly replaced because mature ecological systems take decades to regenerate.
Christopher de Souza, a lawmaker from Holland-Bukit Timah, urged the government to examine other land near Maju Forest, including a construction site being used for the Cross Island Line. He cited changes made to earlier plans for Dover Forest, where part of the forest was preserved after alternative housing arrangements were considered.
Tan said the Cross Island Line site could be assessed for homes once railway construction was completed, but it was not available to satisfy near-term demand. Authorities were already prioritising vacant and previously developed land where practical, he added.
Gillman Barracks presents a different planning challenge because the area contains both forest and buildings associated with Singapore’s military and cultural history. Established as a British garrison in 1935, it was converted into an arts precinct in 2012 and now accommodates galleries, restaurants and lifestyle businesses.
The environmental and heritage studies covered 47 hectares, including an estimated 40-hectare development zone and a seven-hectare green area north of Telok Blangah Heights. The wider study area contains about 21.8 hectares of forest and 10 hectares of urban vegetation, scrubland and grassland.
Authorities are considering retaining most of the native-dominated secondary forest and creating ecological routes linking Telok Blangah Hill Park, HortPark, Berlayer Creek and Labrador Nature Reserve. Proposed corridors would be at least 30 metres wide to support the movement of birds and other wildlife.
Gillman Barracks has 86 buildings, with preliminary plans indicating that 25 could be retained. Officials are studying the preservation of all structures assessed as having exceptional heritage value and most buildings considered highly significant.
Rachel Ong, who represents the area, questioned whether alternative housing sites had been evaluated and called for continued dialogue with residents, conservation groups and heritage specialists.
Workers’ Party representatives also challenged the government on whether cancelling the projects remained possible. Tan said the developments would proceed because of national housing requirements, but the design, scale and conservation measures remained under review.
The government’s position places the two projects within a broader effort to maintain an adequate housing supply while controlling prices and meeting demand from new households. Singapore has also been converting previously developed sites, including the former Old Police Academy at Mount Pleasant and land occupied by golf courses, into residential districts.
Chemically defined medium removes animal serum and human platelet supplements as Malaysia and Singapore strengthen advanced therapy capabilities
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 August 2026 –Singapore is estimated to record approximately 19,290 new cancer cases in 2024, underscoring the growing demand for advanced treatment options and the manufacturing systems needed to produce them consistently. As cell therapies move from research towards clinical use, the reliability of every raw material used in production becomes increasingly important.
AuctuCel Pte Ltd, a Singapore biotechnology company specialising in AI-powered bioprocess technologies, today announced the launch of AuctuPrime, a next-generation chemically defined cell culture medium developed in collaboration with Sperikon. The formulation is designed to remove dependence on both animal serum and donor-derived human platelet supplements during cell therapy manufacturing.
The launch comes as both markets continue to deepen their advanced therapy ecosystems. The Singapore Economic Development Board reported that the country saw a fourfold increase in locally incorporated biotechnology companies since 2015. In Malaysia, the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency issued updated cell and gene therapy product guidance in September 2025, including revised Good Manufacturing Practice requirements. As more research moves towards clinical translation, the reliability and traceability of manufacturing inputs are receiving greater attention.
A less visible bottleneck in cell therapy
Cell therapies are advancing across cancer, autoimmune disease and regenerative medicine, but manufacturing remains one of the major barriers to wider clinical and commercial adoption. Many conventional culture processes still use animal serum or platelet-derived supplements from human donors. These biological materials can vary between batches and may introduce additional sourcing, testing and documentation requirements.
AuctuPrime replaces these supplements with a fully chemically defined formulation. By giving researchers and manufacturers clearer control over what enters the process, it is intended to provide a more reproducible foundation for scale-up from laboratory research to clinical and commercial manufacturing.
The formulation is designed to support:
* Elimination of animal serum and human platelet supplements
* Reduced batch-to-batch variability in the culture process
* Lower dependence on donor-derived biological raw materials
* Greater supply chain resilience through chemically defined inputs
* More consistent scale-up and technology transfer across manufacturing stages
* A xeno-free approach for regenerative medicine and cell therapy workflowsWhy the manufacturing medium matters to patients
“Culture medium is not the therapy itself, but it can influence how reliably cells are produced. By removing animal serum and human platelet supplements, AuctuPrime gives researchers and manufacturers greater control over the process, helping to reduce variability and prepare for larger-scale production.” said Dr Zach Pang, Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of AuctuCel.
Supporting Singapore’s advanced therapy ecosystem
Singapore is strengthening its position as a regional hub for advanced therapies, supported by its universities, hospitals, research institutions and biotechnology companies. These organisations are building capabilities that connect early-stage research with regulated manufacturing and future clinical applications. Chemically defined media can support this progress by reducing reliance on variable biological inputs and enabling processes to be reproduced more consistently across local research and manufacturing facilities.
“Singapore’s continued progress in regenerative medicine will depend not only on scientific breakthroughs, but also on the ability to manufacture therapies safely, consistently and at scale. AuctuPrime represents an important step towards building a more reproducible manufacturing platform and can support local research and industry teams as they prepare for future clinical and commercial demand,” said Dr Chee Wai Fhu, Chief Executive Officer of AuctuCel.
For the wider region, stronger manufacturing foundations also matter for healthcare resilience. Cell therapies are complex products with demanding quality requirements, and the ability to manufacture them consistently will shape how quickly promising research can progress towards clinical use.
“The future of regenerative medicine depends not only on scientific breakthroughs, but on our ability to manufacture these therapies safely, consistently and at scale,” said Dr Chee Wai Fhu, Chief Executive Officer of AuctuCel. “AuctuPrime is an important step towards a more reproducible manufacturing platform. By removing dependence on animal serum and human platelet supplements, we hope to help researchers and manufacturers build processes that are better prepared for future clinical and commercial demand.”
Regional collaboration behind the launch
AuctuPrime was developed through a collaboration between AuctuCel and Sperikon, combining AuctuCel’s bioprocess and culture media expertise with Sperikon’s experience in regenerative medicine and cell therapy development.
Behind every cell therapy breakthrough is a production process that must work repeatedly, not only once. Improving that process is one of the practical steps needed to bring the next generation of therapies closer to the patients who may benefit from them.
Notes to editors
A chemically defined medium is a formulation in which the components and their concentrations are known and controlled. In this context, xeno-free means the formulation does not rely on animal-derived materials. AuctuPrime is a manufacturing input used during cell culture and is not itself a cell therapy product.
Hashtag: #AuctuCel
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About AuctuCel
AuctuCel is a Singapore-based biotechnology company spun out of A*STAR’s Bioprocessing Technology Institute. The company develops AI-powered bioprocess technologies and ready-to-use culture media solutions that help biotechnology and cell therapy companies improve manufacturing consistency, productivity and scalability. By combining advanced modelling, scientific expertise and bioprocess innovation, AuctuCel supports the translation of research into commercially viable biomanufacturing. The company has active operations and partnerships across Singapore, Malaysia and the wider Asian region.
About Sperikon
Sperikon is a biotechnology company focused on regenerative medicine, cell culture technologies and translational research. The company works with academic institutions and industry partners to develop scalable solutions that support the clinical and commercial adoption of advanced cell therapies. Through its collaboration with AuctuCel, Sperikon contributes to the development of next-generation chemically defined manufacturing platforms.
Microsoft has warned travellers and organisations about a Russian state-linked cyberespionage campaign that manipulates hotel and venue Wi-Fi networks to steal credentials, compromise cloud accounts and install surveillance malware. The operation, named CaptiveCrunch, has been active since early May and is attributed to Storm-2945, an operational subgroup of Midnight Blizzard. The wider hacking organisation, also known as APT29 and Cozy Bear, has been linked by the United […]
Bitcoin’s largest holders have accumulated 19,610 coins since July 29, widening a sharp divide with smaller investors who reduced their exposure after a major security failure involving Coldcard hardware wallets. Wallets holding between 10 and 10,000 Bitcoin increased their combined balances by 0.14 per cent over the period. Addresses containing less than 0.01 Bitcoin cut their holdings by 0.55 per cent, indicating that retail investors were more […]
By Nantoo Banerjee The U.S. President Donald Trump seems to be desperately looking for a graceful exit fast at least to save the U.S. partnership with the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and also the massive financial cost of war. The financial cost of the Iran war already reached approximately $37.5 billion in direct Pentagon […]