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NorSun Plans $620M Investment in Oklahoma for U.S. Solar Wafer Manufacturing Operations

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The investment into Tulsa will create more than 320 jobs, announces the Oklahoma Department of Commerce

OKLAHOMA CITY, June 25, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Norwegian solar energy company NorSun has selected Tulsa, Oklahoma, for its first U.S.-based factory, an initial planned investment of $620 million in a new 5 GW silicon ingot and solar wafer manufacturing facility. The expansion, which was facilitated by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust, will create 320 new direct jobs and provide critically needed domestic production of ingot and wafer capacity to meet the increasing demand from U.S. solar cell and panel manufacturers, supporting the growth of the renewable energy sector.

“I’m thrilled that Oklahomans will benefit from hundreds of new jobs and a $620M capital investment. Our pro-growth policies, workforce development, and ‘more of everything’ energy approach make us an incredible state to invest in. I’m glad NorSun can be a part of it,” said Governor Kevin Stitt.

“Our business plan has an ambitious timeline, so we knew we needed a partner who can work fast and efficiently to meet the critical need for American-made energy,” said NorSun CEO Erik Løkke-Øwre. “Oklahoma impressed us even before our selection journey – its robust clean energy, manufacturing ecosystem and workforce development programs were already on our radar, and its competitive business offerings and site acceleration options solidified our decision.”

NorSun has identified a greenfield shovel-ready site of approximately 60 acres. Construction is expected to begin in late 2024, subject to approvals, necessary permits and final incentive agreements.

“I’m proud to welcome NorSun to Oklahoma, and I’m thrilled that Oklahomans will benefit from hundreds of new jobs in the Tulsa area and a $620 million capital investment,” said Governor Kevin Stitt. “Our pro-growth policies, workforce development efforts, and ‘more of everything’ energy approach make us an incredible state to invest in, and I’m glad NorSun can be a part of it.”

Production is anticipated to come online in 2026, making the Oklahoma facility among the first in the U.S. to produce high-performing silicon ingots and wafers, currently the biggest bottleneck in achieving a fully domestic solar supply chain. The Tulsa site offers an opportunity to further expand production up to 10 GW as the U.S. continues to prioritize domestic energy manufacturing.

“Year after year, Oklahoma makes massive strides in the clean energy space, with consistent investment from notable companies that are transforming the sector,” said Interim Director of Business Development for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce Tina Lindsay. “It’s a testament to our pro-business policies, robust workforce, site readiness, as well as our access to major markets. We’re thrilled to bring NorSun on board as we aim to scale U.S. solar manufacturing capacity.”

In 2023, there were a total of 88 announcements for Commerce-assisted new and expanding companies statewide with a potential investment of $3.6 billion, including Pratt & Whitney, American Airlines, Enel, Windshape and Blue Whale Materials. These projects are expected to create at least 7,000 new jobs.

“I’m thrilled to welcome a new company bringing high-quality, high-paying jobs to our community,” said U.S. Congressman Kevin Hern. “Innovation and excellence thrive in Tulsa, and so will NorSun. Thank you to Governor Stitt for working to make Oklahoma the best place to do business!”

“I want to thank NorSun for their significant investment and support in adding jobs in Tulsa and creating further opportunities for industry needs across the globe,” said Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum. “This project represents the work of so many and we are excited about the positive impact and direction this new development will have in Tulsa and the State of Oklahoma.”

About NorSun AS
NorSun has, since its startup in 2007, been the leading western producer of monocrystalline ingots and wafers for ultra-high efficiency solar cells. Wafer production at the NorSun factory in the village of Årdal, Norway, is based on hydroelectric power, and the company is widely recognized for its high-performance products with minimal CO2 footprint and with the highest standards in corporate environmental and social responsibility. NorSun’s strategy is to capitalize on the extreme growth in the PV industry and capture a leading market share in the ingot and wafer part of the PV value chain. The company is headquartered in Oslo with production facilities in Årdal on the western coast of Norway and employs around 200 employees. NorSun is privately held. http://www.norsun.no.

Media Contact

Claudia Velasquez, Violet PR, 8627039202, claudia@violetpr.com

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SOURCE Violet PR

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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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