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Linguaskill hits 1 million milestone

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SINGAPORE, April 17, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — One million Linguaskill English tests have been taken around the world since Cambridge launched the test in 2018. The test, developed by experts at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, is a quick online English test powered by cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) and adaptive algorithms.

Since Cambridge launched Linguaskill, the demand for the test has gone from strength to strength. It is used by HR professionals to make important decisions on recruitment, staff development and training. It’s also used by schools and universities to check English language levels for course placement, progress measurement and graduation.

The multi-level test is designed to check the English levels of individuals and groups of candidates. It covers all four language skills – speaking, reading, writing and listening – and provides accurate results within 48 hours. Results are aligned to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), the international standard for describing language ability.

Growing recognition

The test is officially recognised by more than 1,300 organisations around the world including higher education institutions, government ministries and the corporate sector. This includes big names such as University of Barcelona (Spain), and TAP Air (Portugal). Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

In Asia, these include MEXT Japan (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology), the Ministry of Higher Education and the Department of Private Education in Malaysia, the Thai Ministry of Education, the Vietnamese Ministry of Education, and the Service Institution of Higher Education, regional DKI Jakarta.

In terms of corporate organisations, Linguaskill has been adopted by more than 40 reputable organisations in Asia for staff recruitment, training and development. These organisations include Japan Airlines, DHL Asia Pacific, Le Meridien Hotel Jakarta, Tokyo Olympics, PT Kino Indonesia TBK, PT Sinar Sosro, PT Mayora Indah TBK, Malaysian Dietary Supplement Association, Prince Court Medical Center Malaysia, to name a few.

 

Test your employees’ English communication skills with Linguaskill – YouTube

Convenient and reliable language testing

Linguaskill can be easily administered and invigilated at organisations’ own venues with only the need for a computer, an internet connection, a microphone and a set of headphones. It can also be taken by individuals at home using an online invigilation service. This flexibility allowed Linguaskill to be run at scale throughout the global pandemic. In fact, there has not been a single day in the last four years, when a Linguaskill test has not been taken.

Francesca Woodward, global managing director for English at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, said:
“Linguaskill has proved to be a fantastic online test for measuring English language ability and we’re delighted to be celebrating such a landmark achievement. Our experts have designed the test so it uses the latest AI technology and adaptive algorithms to give a really accurate measure of English language ability quickly and economically. It has given tens of thousands of people around the world access to a broader range of education and employment opportunities.”

Cutting-edge technology

Linguaskill is powered by cutting-edge adaptive algorithms which mean that each test is tailored to each candidate. The technology that drives the reading and listening modules of the test quickly home in on the candidate’s true ability, becoming easier or more difficult depending on the individual’s responses. This feature enables Linguaskill to award reliable and accurate results using a single short test which spans multiple CEFR levels.

The Speaking and Writing modules use a high-tech, AI auto-marking feature as part of the hybrid marking approach. This hybrid, or ‘human-in-the-loop’, marking model in which an auto-marker is used in live assessment, but with the involvement of human examiners, is about using trained human examiner expertise to support and further develop the auto-marker. This advanced marking system enables fast, reliable results to be awarded within 48-hours.

This video introduces Linguaskill and explains the benefits of using the test.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yd4NPeOZI-c&list=PLpmCHL8PnXq80tX9zLSK937RxpSwmIMdL&index=2

Visit the website of Cambridge English for additional information.

https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/exams-and-tests/linguaskill/ 
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/my/exams-and-tests/linguaskill/ 
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/jp/exams-and-tests/linguaskill/ 
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/vn/exams-and-tests/linguaskill/
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/id/
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/th/
https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/kr/ 

About Cambridge University Press & Assessment

To learn English is to enjoy and experience a language that opens up opportunities across the world.

Together with teachers and our partners, we’re here to engage and inspire millions of people throughout their entire English language learning journey, helping them confidently prove their skills to the world.

As part of a university with global reputation for academic excellence, we create insights derived from deep research, expertise and experiences. This ensures our unique approach meets the real-life needs of learners through inclusive and accessible products and services.

As a global language, English unlocks a lifetime of experiences, and – because language is at the heart of being human – we help people everywhere connect, communicate and come closer together.

Where your world grows.

************************************************************

Cambridge English is the producer and proud co-owner of IELTS, the world’s leading English test for migration and higher education. We help millions of people learn English and prove their skills to the world.

Part of the University of Cambridge, we provide the world’s leading range of qualifications and tests for learners and teachers of English. For us, learning English is more than just exams and grades. It’s about having the confidence to communicate and access a lifetime of enriching experiences and opportunities.

Whether you’re planning to live, work or study in your own country or abroad, we can give you the English language skills to succeed. We provide the world’s leading range of qualifications and tests for learners and teachers of English. Globally recognised by more than 25,000 leading universities, employers and governments, our research-based assessments are a mark of excellence that open doors.

English is spoken in every corner of the globe: from cafés to campuses, markets to meeting rooms and everywhere in between. We deliver exams in over 130 countries to over 5.5 million people every year. We offer comprehensive preparation, support materials and resources for learning and teaching English. Through years of research, we have gained in-depth understanding of how people learn languages. This enables us to design assessments that help learners acquire the right skills based on how people use English today.

Our work is supported around the world by a network of 2,800 exam centres, over 50,000 schools and tens of thousands of examiners, teachers, education experts and publishers. Working together, we inspire learners to go further.

With the right support, learning a language is an exhilarating journey. We’re with you every step of the way.

*************************************************************

What we believe – To learn English is to enjoy and experience a language that opens up opportunities across the world.

What we offer – Together with teachers and our partners, we’re here to engage and inspire millions of people throughout their entire English language learning journey, helping them confidently prove their skills to the world.

How we do things and the impact we have – As part of a university with global reputation for academic excellence, we create insights derived from deep research, expertise and experiences. This ensures our unique approach meets the real-life needs of learners through inclusive and accessible products and services.

The global role of English – As a global language, English unlocks a lifetime of experiences, and – because language is at the heart of being human – we help people everywhere connect, communicate and come closer together.

What we promise – Where your world grows.

– END –

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SOURCE Cambridge University Press & Assessment

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China Southern Power Grid: Powering Asia-Pacific Prosperity Through Energy Cooperation

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SHENZHEN, China, Sept. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The following is a news report from Xinhuanet:

The Asia-Pacific Media Forum opened in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, on September 5 under the theme “Building a Path to Shared Prosperity for the Asia-Pacific Community: Media Consensus and Action.” Qian Chaoyang, Chairman and Party Secretary of China Southern Power Grid Co., Ltd. (CSG), attended the forum and delivered remarks.

The Asia-Pacific region is a major engine of global economic growth, and clean, low-carbon, secure and efficient energy is essential to keeping that engine running smoothly. The region accounts for a significant share of global energy consumption. Its countries vary widely in their energy resources but have strong potential to complement one another, creating substantial opportunities for greater regional energy connectivity. CSG has consistently supported efforts to build an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future and has worked to become an important force in advancing energy connectivity across the region.

CSG highlighted progress in six areas across the Greater Bay Area: power supply, grid reliability, clean-energy integration, transmission technology, artificial intelligence and regional cooperation. Total electricity consumption across the Greater Bay Area exceeded 700 TWh, ranking ahead of the world’s other major bay areas; a stronger power grid, with average annual outage time per customer of less than 30 minutes and power supply reliability maintained at a world-class level; cleaner power, with approximately 180 billion kWh of clean electricity transmitted to the Greater Bay Area annually through the West-to-East Electricity Transmission project, installed renewable energy capacity exceeding 93 GW, and clean energy accounting for more than half of total installed capacity; more active innovation, with world-leading expertise in areas including complex large-scale power grid operations and flexible ultra-high-voltage direct-current (UHVDC) transmission; a smarter power system, with CSG’s proprietary power-sector foundation model, “Big Watt • Yudian,” receiving the top award at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference; and more open collaboration, with CSG launching and regularly convening the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Power Enterprise Summit and establishing the Greater Bay Area Power Development Cooperation Organization to advance open, mutually beneficial regional power cooperation.   

CSG is also contributing to the development of an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future by sharing its experience in building, operating and governing the “electricity-powered Greater Bay Area,” as well as its experience in regional cooperation. The company has built 17 high-voltage power transmission links with Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar and is exploring the development of a regional electricity market in the Lancang-Mekong region. More than 84 TWh of electricity has already been exchanged across national borders, with clean energy accounting for more than 90% of the total.

Pluz Energía Perú, operated by CSG, ranks first in its local market for power supply reliability, while power outages in three demonstration zones established in partnership with Laos have declined by 70%. CSG has also hosted the Global South Power Partnership Development Forum and signed more than 50 partnership agreements. The company has trained nearly 2,000 energy professionals from partner countries and implemented a number of small-scale, high-impact community projects, including the Vinh Tan Light initiative in Vietnam and the Dok Champa project in Laos.

Looking ahead, CSG said it plans to work with regional partners to capitalize on complementary energy resources and expand cross-border energy cooperation across the Asia-Pacific.

The forum brought together more than 400 representatives from over 40 countries and regions, as well as United Nations agencies and international organizations.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/china-southern-power-grid-powering-asia-pacific-prosperity-through-energy-cooperation-302871476.html

SOURCE Xinhuanet

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Frost & Sullivan Appoints Janesh Janardhanan as Global Partner and Head of Subscriptions

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Janardhanan to lead the strategic direction, commercial growth and global expansion of Frost & Sullivan’s analytics, subscription and Growth Generator platforms

SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 7, 2026 /CNW/ — Frost & Sullivan, the global analytics and growth advisory firm, today announced the appointment of Janesh Janardhanan as Global Partner and Head of its Subscriptions business. In this role, Janardhanan assumes P&L leadership of the company’s global subscription portfolio, encompassing its analytics business, its subscriptions platform, and its Growth Generator data platform.

The appointment reflects Frost & Sullivan’s continued investment in its recurring-revenue subscription offerings, which provide clients worldwide with continuous access to intelligence, growth opportunity analytics, and decision-support tools. Janardhanan will be responsible for driving the strategic direction, commercial performance, and global expansion of these platforms.

“I am honored to take on the leadership of Frost & Sullivan’s Subscriptions business at such a pivotal moment,” said Janesh Janardhanan, Global Partner and Head of Subscriptions, Frost & Sullivan. “Our analytics, data, and Growth Generator platforms sit at the heart of how clients identify and act on their next opportunities for growth. My focus will be on deepening the value we deliver, scaling our platforms globally, and ensuring our subscribers stay ahead of the transformations reshaping their industries.”

Janardhanan brings extensive experience in commercial leadership, analytics, and growth strategy to the role. He is a graduate of Harvard Business School (GMP) and holds an MBA and a Bachelor of Engineering from the National University of Singapore.

Under his leadership, Frost & Sullivan’s Subscriptions business will continue to expand its coverage, enrich its content and data assets, and strengthen the technology platforms that power insight and growth for organizations across the globe.

About Frost & Sullivan

For more than six decades, Frost & Sullivan has helped clients accelerate growth and achieve best-in-class positions in growth, innovation, and leadership. The company’s Growth Pipeline as a Service provides corporate leadership teams and their growth strategy partners with continuous research, insight, and analytics that drive transformational growth strategies. For more information, visit www.frost.com.

Your Transformational Growth Journey Starts Here: Schedule Your Growth Pipeline Dialog™ with the Frost & Sullivan team.

Media Contact:

Kristina Menzefricke
Marketing & Communications
Global Customer Experience, Frost & Sullivan
kristina.menzefricke@frost.com

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SOURCE Frost & Sullivan

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Sony Electronics and Hello Kitty Team Up for Limited-Edition Headphone Collection

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Sony Store-exclusive bundles pair select Sony headphones with custom Hello Kitty accessories featuring thoughtful, character-inspired design details

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Electronics Inc. today announced a limited-edition collaboration with Hello Kitty, one of Sanrio’s most beloved and recognizable characters. Available only through the Sony Store, the collection pairs select Sony headphones with exclusive Hello Kitty collaboration merchandise, bringing together Sony’s premium audio experience and Hello Kitty’s iconic charm. Pre-orders begin later this holiday season1.

The limited-edition collaboration is available with the following Sony headphones:

WH-1000XM6 Wireless Noise Canceling HeadphonesWH-CH730N Wireless Noise Canceling HeadphonesWH-CH530 Wireless Headphones

Available with select pink/sand pink and black colorways of the WH-1000XM6, WH-CH730N, and WH-CH530 headphones, each collaboration bundle includes a Sony Store exclusive Hello Kitty carrying case and tote bag2. Designed to hold headphones and added space for everyday essentials, the carrying case blends Hello Kitty’s signature charm with Sony’s premium, minimalist design aesthetic. Thoughtful details throughout the collaboration celebrate Hello Kitty’s world and her connection to music, entertainment, and everyday creativity, while each headphone model is paired with its own uniquely designed tote bag for everyday use.

Bringing together Sony’s audio expertise and Hello Kitty’s timeless appeal, the limited-edition collection celebrates self-expression, entertainment, and personal style. The exclusive accessories allow fans to enjoy Hello Kitty’s iconic world not only while listening to music, but also as part of their everyday routine at home and on the go.

To receive updates on this collaboration bundle, please visit https://cloud.email.sel.sony.com/HelloKittyxSony 

About Sony Electronics Inc.

Sony Electronics is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America and an affiliate of Sony Group Corporation, one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world, with a portfolio that encompasses electronics, music, motion pictures, mobile, gaming, robotics and financial services. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Sony Electronics is a leader in electronics for the consumer and professional markets. Operations include research and development, engineering, sales, marketing, distribution, and customer service. Sony Electronics creates products that innovate and inspire generations, such as the award-winning Alpha Interchangeable Lens Cameras and revolutionary high-resolution audio products. Sony is also a leading manufacturer of end-to-end solutions from 4K professional broadcast and A/V equipment. Visit http://www.sony.com/news for more information.

About Sanrio

Sanrio is the global lifestyle brand best known for Hello Kitty, who was created in 1974, and home to many other beloved character brands such as My Melody, Kuromi, LittleTwinStars, Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin, gudetama, Aggretsuko, Chococat, Badtz-maru and Keroppi. Sanrio was founded on the philosophy that a small gift can bring happiness and friendship to people of all ages. Since 1960, this philosophy has served as the inspiration to offer quality products, services, and activities that promote communication and inspire unique consumer experiences across the world. Today, Sanrio’s business extends into the entertainment industry with several content series, gaming offerings, and theme parks. Sanrio boasts an extensive product lineup that is available in over 130 countries. Sanrio hopes to bring smiles to everyone’s faces with their vision of “One World, Connecting Smiles.” To learn more about Sanrio, please visit www.sanrio.com and follow @sanrio and @hellokitty on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Pinterest, and subscribe to the Hello Kitty and Friends YouTube Channel.

1 The collaboration will be available in limited quantities in select countries and regions. Available headphone models will vary by market and may include the WH-1000XM6, WH-CH730N and WH-CH530
2 Availability of collaboration bundles and headphone models varies by country/region.

 

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SOURCE Sony Electronics, Inc.

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