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Independent Reserve partners golfer Shannon Tan and Extra•Ordinary People for “Better Together” community initiative

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Community responsibility initiative “Better Together” supports the dreams and aspirations of everyday SingaporeansSigns partnerships with rising Singaporean golfer Shannon Tan and local charity Extra•Ordinary People to commemorate eleven years of excellence in cryptoPart of the exchange’s broader corporate citizenry towards community betterment

SINGAPORE, June 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — To commemorate its 11th anniversary, Independent Reserve (IR) – the first licensed cryptocurrency exchange for all investors in Singapore – is proud to unveil its new corporate responsibility initiative, “Better Together”.

Drawing on the power of partnership for greater societal good, IR will support the dreams and aspirations of everyday Singaporeans through meaningful collaboration. To kick off its efforts this year, IR has partnered with accomplished Singaporean golfer Shannon Tan and adopted Extra•Ordinary People as its Singaporean charity of choice.

Lasanka Perera, CEO of Independent Reserve Singapore said: “With 11 years in the market, Independent Reserve has grown to become a trusted name in the crypto industry. We are deeply committed to Singapore and see it as our civic duty to contribute to community.

“‘Better Together’ is a new chapter for us, where we’ll support causes that resonate with our core values of respect, integrity, inclusion and collaboration.”

Better support for local talent, raising education and awareness around golf

IR is delighted to sponsor Shannon Tan, a pioneer in golf for Singapore and the region.

At just 20 years of age, Shannon has had a remarkable rise in the game. She became the first ever Singaporean to secure a full Ladies European Tour (LET) card in December 2023, and went on to achieve the rare feat of winning a tournament on her LET debut, when she triumphed in the season-opening Magical Kenya Ladies Open in February 2024.

Shannon’s achievements have continued apace, with an impressive T3 at the Ladies Italian Open earlier this month. Her strong performances so far this season have contributed towards a high placing well within the top 60 of the Women’s Olympics Golf Rankings, with the field for the Paris Games due to be confirmed next week. Her overall attitude and performances embody the spirit of perseverance and excellence that IR seeks to support.

Through this important partnership, Shannon will work with a brand that supports her development and growth as a player, while also aligning with her strong beliefs on nurturing the local grassroots golfing community in Singapore and promoting the growth of the game across the wider region.

Shannon said: “It is a genuine honour to partner Independent Reserve in their ‘Better Together’ initiative. One of my long-term goals is to generate interest in golf among the next generation of grassroots golfers in Singapore and the wider region. This ambition has always felt important to me, and through this collaboration, we can promote the sport and inspire others to pursue their dreams on and off the golf course.”

Better inclusion & diversity by supporting special needs individuals

IR has also committed to supporting better inclusion and diversity by adopting Extra•Ordinary People – a local charity dedicated to empowering individuals with special needs and fostering an inclusive society where everyone can thrive.

Marking its second year partnering with Extra•Ordinary People, the exchange will work to raise awareness and support for individuals with special needs. Longer-term efforts will include fundraising events and more educational campaigns aimed at driving greater awareness and uplifting local communities.

“We are delighted to join forces with Independent Reserve for their ‘Better Together’ initiative,” said Ivan Chin, CEO of Extra•Ordinary People. “Their dedication to supporting individuals with special needs aligns with our mission to create an inclusive society, and we are excited about the positive impact this partnership will have.”

On the partnerships, Perera said: “We’re extremely proud to support Shannon on her golfing journey. We see many shared synergies in working together – our disciplined and calculated approach to risk as a business mirrors Shannon’s level-headedness on the course and her mindset towards her play. The collaboration also reflects IR’s long-standing heritage and culture of sportsmanship. which encourages mateship, fair play, and resilience. We hope to inspire many more young Singaporeans to embrace golf as an accessible, healthy sport.”

“Extra•Ordinary People’s dedication to empowering individuals with unique challenges aligns perfectly with our values of respect, inclusivity and social responsibility. We believe in the power of community and the importance of supporting organizations that make a tangible difference in people’s lives. Together, we can set an example and help create a society where everyone has the chance to succeed and contribute meaningfully,” Perera added.

Corporate citizenry at Independent Reserve’s core

IR has always strived to play its part as a corporate citizen to local communities, in line with its beliefs of creating a supportive environment for all to thrive. In Singapore, IR worked with the World Corporate Golf Challenge team to raise funds for Community Chest – the philanthropy and engagement arm of the National Council of Social Service.

Since 2019, IR has committed to help offset carbon emissions through various initiatives as a corporate partner of the Trillion Tree Foundation, as well as with Climeworks, a Swiss-based firm which captures CO2 from the air with its cutting-edge technology.

In Australia, IR is the Official Cryptocurrency Exchange Partner of The Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife and its Tokens for Humanity non-fungible tokens (NFT) project. Under which, the Ethereum community can purchase NFTs that plant real-life trees in fire and flood-damaged areas to conserve habitats.

“Celebrating our 11th anniversary with the launch of ‘Better Together’ is a testament to our commitment to excellence, not only in the crypto space but also in our community,” said Perera. “We look forward to making a meaningful impact through these partnerships.”

About Independent Reserve
Founded in 2013, Independent Reserve is Singapore’s trusted cryptocurrency exchange. Independent Reserve is the first exchange licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore to provide a secure platform for trading and investing in Bitcoin and other digital assets. With a focus on trust and safety, the exchange serves discerning traders and investors by offering competitive fees, advanced trading tools, and comprehensive educational resources. Adhering to the highest standards of governance, compliance, and security, Independent Reserve empowers institutions and individuals in Singapore to confidently navigate the world of cryptocurrencies.

About Shannon Tan
Shannon Tan is a professional Singaporean golfer on the Ladies European Tour (LET). Having embarked on her golfing journey since she was 5 years old, Shannon went on to compete in many prestigious international amateur golf tournaments throughout her junior days. She represented Singapore at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship, Queen Sirikit Cup and also represented APAC at the Patsy Hankins Trophy. Her talent and dedication led to a full ride-scholarship at Texas Tech University where she achieved a T-4 finish at the NCAA Division I golf regionals. She also won the 2023 Singapore Ladies Masters, a professional event on the China LPGA Tour, as an amateur.

Shannon made history as the first Singaporean to secure a full LET card, earning it by finishing tied-8th at Q-School in December 2023. Shannon turned professional in January 2024 and finished second at the Webex Players Series Murray River in her professional debut. She then went on to win on her LET debut at the Magical Kenya Ladies Open in February 2024.

Passionate about inspiring the next generation, the 20-year-old aspires to become a role model for aspiring athletes, encouraging them to pursue their dreams on and off the course.

About Extra•Ordinary People
Extra•Ordinary People was established in July 2017 as a registered charity with IPC (Institute of Public Character) status. Our core mission is to champion inclusivity and support persons with special needs through community-driven initiatives. From early childhood to adulthood, we journey alongside individuals and their families, fostering independence and actively working towards a more inclusive society. We call ourselves Extra•Ordinary People because we are all ordinary people who make the conscious decision to go the extra mile.

CONTACT: Sheena Poh, sheena.poh@independentreserve.com 

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SOURCE Independent Reserve Singapore

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iSOFT Contributes Intelligent Driving OS as AUTOSAR CAPI Global Code Baseline

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SHANGHAI, June 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At the 17th AUTOSAR Open Conference (AOC) in Shanghai, iSOFT (iSOFT Infrastructure Software Co., Ltd.) contributed its self-developed intelligent driving operating system as the global code baseline for AUTOSAR’s Common Adaptive Platform Implementation (CAPI) – a notable milestone in the evolution of the global smart vehicle industry.

“This is a paradigm shift from ‘standard-first’ to ‘code-first,’ responding to new industrial demands of the intelligent connected era,” said Liu Hongqian, General Manager of iSOFT. “Open source enables collaboration but must meet automotive-grade safety and performance requirements. iSOFT was the first to open-source EasyXMen, and CAPI reinforces our commitment. As the first international code standard baseline from a Chinese enterprise, this is Chinese wisdom going global. CAPI lets global enterprises develop on one codebase, significantly reducing adaptation costs.”

Joachim Langenwalter, AUTOSAR spokesperson, underscored China’s lead: “China is the world’s largest automotive market at 30 million vehicles annually. Other countries are keeping a close eye on Chinese-developed technology. iSOFT leveraged ‘China speed’ to establish CAPI’s foundation, allowing specifications and code to evolve in lockstep with shortened feedback cycles. AUTOSAR transcends geopolitical boundaries; this unified codebase will be used worldwide.”

Patrick Will, Head of SW Product Marketing & Management at Infineon, noted the accelerating transformation: “The open-source shift is accelerating and automotive mindsets are changing. iSOFT and Infineon are aligned in a shared vision: to streamline software development processes. Our DRIVECORE platform integrates iSOFT middleware with Infineon software and hardware layers, enabling customers to kick off their projects swiftly without encountering licensing barriers. ‘China-for-China’ development is increasingly essential, yet global collaboration matters — walls make no sense.”

Yu Peng, XPENG Motors Technical Center GM, explained CAPI’s value: “It delivers three key benefits for OEMs: reduced redundant costs, enhanced supply chain security, and accelerated ecosystem collaboration. CAPI solves the structural tension where foundational software moves too slowly while upper layers iterate in weeks. It provides a ‘common foundation’ for chip vendors, software suppliers, and automakers to co-develop on the same baseline. China’s mass-production practices now feed back into global standards while global standards better serve China.”

With 25 million-plus units deployed across 300-plus vehicle models, iSOFT’s OS brings production-proven middleware to the global stage through CAPI’s open, collaborative framework for the software-defined vehicle era.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/isoft-contributes-intelligent-driving-os-as-autosar-capi-global-code-baseline-302801042.html

SOURCE iSOFT

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METI-Supported Global South-Japan Tech Talent Internship Opens Applications for 2026 Program

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Program connects STEM students from the Global South with leading Japanese companies through on-site and online internships

TOKYO, June 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Applications are now open for the Global South-Japan Tech Talent Internship (GS-JTI), a program sponsored by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), with Deloitte Tohmatsu Venture Support Co., Ltd., serving as the Program Secretariat. The program aims to connect talented students and recent graduates from the Global South with Japanese companies in advanced technology fields, creating opportunities for cross-border learning, skills development, and future career growth.

The GS-JTI program is designed for students and recent graduates in STEM fields, including IT, AI, and semiconductors, who are interested in gaining real-world experience with Japanese industry. Through the program, selected participants will have the opportunity to work on meaningful projects, learn from industry mentors, and experience Japanese workplace culture.

In addition to practical work experience, the program offers various forms of participant support. These may include travel and accommodation support, visa application assistance, and 24/7 support during the internship period, in accordance with program conditions.

The program offers both on-site internships in Japan and online internship opportunities. On-site internships are scheduled for approximately 1.5 months between September 2026 and February 2027, while online internships are scheduled for approximately one month during the same period, subject to host company conditions.

Applicants must satisfy the program’s eligibility requirements. Eligible candidates include individuals who:

are majoring in STEM-related fields, including IT, AI, and semiconductors.are currently enrolled at a university or have graduated within the last three years.possess working proficiency in English.are citizens of countries listed on the OECD DAC List (excluding the People’s Republic of China); andreside outside Japan at the time of application.

Past program feedback indicates strong participant interest in future engagement with Japanese employers. According to program materials, 94% of previous interns expressed interest in working for Japanese companies after completing the internship.

The GS-JTI program seeks to contribute to skills development, cross-cultural exchange, and longer-term collaboration between Japan and future technology professionals from the Global South.

For additional information about the program, please visit:
** https://gs-jti.go.jp/foreign-talent/**

To register and apply, please visit:
** https://hub.techjapan.work/register**

Contact
Global South – Japan Tech Talent Internship (GS-JTI) Program Secretariat
(Contractor: Deloitte Tohmatsu Venture Support Co., Ltd.)
Email address: gs_hr_exchange_support@tohmatsu.co.jp

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/meti-supported-global-south-japan-tech-talent-internship-opens-applications-for-2026-program-302797841.html

SOURCE DELOITTE TOHMATSU VENTURE SUPPORT CO., LTD.

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U.S. News Unveils 2026-2027 Best Global Universities Rankings

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Universities in more than 100 countries are evaluated in the newest edition.

WASHINGTON, June 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in education rankings and consumer advice, today published the 2026-2027 Best Global Universities rankings, which evaluate more than 2,250 schools on academic research and reputation.

The latest edition includes universities from more than 100 countries. The following countries have the most schools in the overall rankings:

China: 409United States: 275India: 123United Kingdom: 93Japan: 86

“For students seeking universities with strong academic excellence and global recognition, the Best Global Universities rankings offer an essential comparative resource,” said LaMont Jones, Ed.D., managing editor for Education at U.S. News. “Our methodology focuses on a school’s research mission and scholarly impact, helping students identify institutions that are truly at the forefront of global knowledge creation.”

Of the 51 subject rankings, four will have more schools ranked this year, including: water resources; chemical engineering; energy and fuels; and clinical medicine.

Powered by data and metrics from the Web of Science Core Collection and InCites Benchmarking & Analytics provided by Clarivate, a leading global provider of transformative intelligence, the Best Global Universities methodology weighs factors that measure a university’s global and regional research reputation and academic research performance.

For the overall ranking, this includes bibliometric indicators such as publications, citations and international collaboration. Each of the 51 subject rankings has its own weighting based on academic research performance in that specific area.

2026-2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities
*See the full rankings here.

Overall Best Global Universities – Top 10

Harvard UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)Stanford UniversityUniversity of OxfordUniversity of CambridgeTsinghua UniversityUniversity of California BerkeleyYale UniversityUniversity College LondonColumbia University

Africa – Top 3

University of Cape Town (South Africa)Cairo University (Egypt)University of Witwatersrand (South Africa)

Asia – Top 3

Tsinghua University (China)National University of Singapore (Singapore)Peking University (China)

Australia/New Zealand – Top 3

University of Melbourne (Australia)University of Sydney (Australia)University of New South Wales Sydney (Australia)

Europe – Top 3

University of Oxford (United Kingdom)University of Cambridge (United Kingdom)University College London (United Kingdom)

Latin America – Top 3

Universidade de Sao Paulo (Brazil)Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile (Chile)University of Buenos Aires (Argentina)

The Best Global Universities rankings serve the broader U.S. News mission of providing trusted information and rankings – such as Best High Schools, Best Colleges and Best Online Programs – to empower all students in making informed choices about their education.

For more information on the Best Global Universities, visit X, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram using #BestGlobal.

About U.S. News & World Report

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader for journalism that empowers consumers, citizens, business leaders and policy officials to make confident decisions in all aspects of their lives and communities. A multifaceted media company, U.S. News provides unbiased rankings, independent reporting and analysis, and consumer advice to millions of people on USNews.com each month. A pillar in Washington for more than 90 years, U.S. News is the trusted home for in-depth and exclusive insights on education, health, politics, the economy, insurance, personal finance, travel, automobiles, real estate, careers and consumer products and services.

About Clarivate

Clarivate is a leading global provider of transformative intelligence. We offer enriched data, insights & analytics, workflow solutions and expert services in the areas of Academia & Government, Intellectual Property and Life Sciences & Healthcare. For more information, please visit www.clarivate.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-news-unveils-2026-2027-best-global-universities-rankings-302800745.html

SOURCE U.S. News & World Report, L.P.

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