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NATIONAL ENERGY AWARDS 2024 SHOWCASES MALAYSIA’S COMMITMENT TO ENERGY MANAGEMENT, ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS

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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Sept. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The National Energy Awards (NEA) 2024 uphold its tradition of honouring industry leaders and organisations for their commitment to adopting energy efficiency, renewable energy, technologies and practices. This year, 25 recipients are honoured for their significant contributions to optimising energy management, improving energy efficiency, and advancing renewable energy.

Spearheaded by the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), the NEA supports Malaysia’s goal of reducing reliance on carbon-based fuels and promoting sustainable energy practices across all sectors, advancing the nation toward net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.

This year’s National Energy Awards (NEA) received 134 submissions from various sectors, including healthcare, government bodies, and private sectors. These efforts collectively saved 315.37 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of energy usage annually, which is equivalent to about RM 45 million in reduced energy bills per annum at current tariffs, and generated over 283.71 GWh annually from renewable energy sources. The healthcare sector, particularly government hospitals, stood out with more than 65 submissions, showcasing strong leadership in energy efficiency and setting a positive example for others. This high level of participation underscores the sector’s commitment to sustainability and the country’s energy-saving goals.

“I am inspired by the progress made by various sectors in advancing our country’s energy transition agenda. The commitment to sustainable energy development and practices will drive Malaysia’s future growth. Congratulations to the National Energy Awards (NEA) 2024 winners! Your contributions to energy sustainability highlight Malaysia’s leadership in energy management, renewable energy and energy efficiency.” said Dato` Sri Haji Fadillah bin Haji Yusof the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA).

These energy savings are crucial in advancing the nation’s environmental goals, contributing to an annual reduction of 238,504.41 metric tons of carbon emissions, equivalent to planting 5,962,610 trees. This demonstrates Malaysia’s continued dedication to a just and sustainable energy transition, in line with the country’s pathway to achieving net zero by 2050.

Leading the way among the winning submissions is Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), which achieved the highest score, placing them in first place in Category 1 for Energy Management in Large Buildings. The university exceeded its annual energy reduction target of 3% per annum by achieving reductions of 17.8%, 18.5%, and 19.3% for the years 2021 to 2023.

The NEA also recognized outstanding achievements in Category 2 for Green Residential, where the Hydroponic House set a high standard with its central courtyard, natural lighting, and a 6-kW solar PV system that meets over 34% of its electricity needs. Additionally, under the Tropical Building sub-category, the PETRONAS Leadership Centre in Bangi was celebrated for its extensive greenery and eco-friendly design, including a man-made lake and solar energy integration that seamlessly blend with the landscape.

YAB Minister Fadillah Yusof emphasized that these achievements demonstrate Malaysia’s commitment to sustainability and net-zero emissions. As energy demand grows, integrating renewable sources and improved grid management will be crucial in driving the transition to a sustainable energy future.

The National Energy Awards continue to invite submissions from all sectors, recognizing that sustainability can emerge from anywhere. The 2025 edition of the NEA will open for submissions in October, providing another opportunity for Malaysian organizations to showcase their contributions to the nation’s energy goals.

For more information on the National Energy Awards and to learn more about the 2024 winners, please visit the official website: https://www.nationalenergyawards.com.my.

About National Energy Awards:

Spearheaded by the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), the National Energy Award (NEA) recognises the adoption of sustainable energy practices by Malaysia’s business organisations across all industries and sectors.

The NEA initiative, which supports Malaysia’s ambition to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050, encourages adopting sustainable energy practices and sharing knowledge of activities that adhere to sustainable energy standards. This is aligned with Malaysia’s aspiration to be net-zero GHG emissions by 2050.

About Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC)

MGTC is an agency under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability mandated to accelerate green growth, advance climate action and inculcate green lifestyle.

Guided by the National Green Technology Policy (NGTP), the National Policy on Climate Change (NCCP), the Green Technology Master Plan 2017-2030 (GTMP) and the Twelfth Malaysia Plan, MGTC carries out programmes and initiatives to support stakeholders at all levels.

By 2030, through its various programs and initiatives, MGTC aims to facilitate RM100 billion in green investments, create 230,000 green jobs and help Malaysia achieve its net-zero GHG emissions as early as 2050 target.

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SOURCE Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC)

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ScienceOra Demonstrates AI-Assisted Hydrogen-Production Catalyst Design Workflow at Tencent Global Digital Ecosystem Summit

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The workflow spans literature analysis, candidate design, experimental planning and industrial decision support, extending AI4S into materials research

SHENZHEN, China, Oct. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Wenge AI demonstrated an AI-assisted hydrogen-production catalyst design workflow supported by ScienceOra at the 2026 Tencent Global Digital Ecosystem Summit. The demonstration showed how AI for Science (AI4S) can connect literature analysis, catalyst candidate design, experimental planning and industrial decision support, helping materials researchers translate scientific evidence into actionable research plans.

ScienceOra is Wenge AI’s intelligent research decision platform, built on the ScienceOne Scientific Foundation Model. For specialist research tasks such as materials development, the platform brings together scientific models, professional literature, research data and tools to support information access, research-plan development and scientific decision-making.

From literature analysis to catalyst candidate design

The demonstration focused on the design of a high-entropy alloy catalyst for the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction. To address the need for high activity and durability, ScienceOra searched professional literature and drew on published research methods and elemental properties to support the development of candidate designs. It also cross-checked optimization proposals against relevant literature, providing researchers with references that could be reviewed and verified.

Rather than simply generating material formulations, the workflow connects documentary evidence, materials knowledge and specific design objectives to support more targeted analysis of candidate solutions. Researchers remain responsible for assessing scientific validity and determining subsequent research directions.

From experimental planning to industrial decision support

For experimental planning, ScienceOra can assist in developing research protocols around candidate designs, helping researchers organize experimental variables and producing testing standard operating procedures (SOPs) and related reference information for subsequent validation.

For industrial applications, the platform can also support comparative analysis across dimensions such as the feasibility of scaled hydrogen production, performance at industrially relevant current densities, durability, raw-material availability and compatibility with mass-production synthesis processes. It can then assist in establishing decision priorities, screening criteria and process-improvement recommendations.

Candidate designs, experimental plans, process recommendations and references can be consolidated into a structured research report, helping R&D teams assess scientific evidence alongside engineering constraints. AI provides analytical and decision support, while experimental testing and scientific validation remain essential parts of materials research.

Previously disclosed collaboration reports design efficiency and activity improvements

In a previously disclosed industry–research collaboration on hydrogen-production catalyst design, ScienceOra supported literature analysis and research-plan development. The collaboration reported a 38% improvement in catalyst activity and reduced the design stage from several months to 30 minutes. The case illustrates the potential of domain-specific AI to connect scientific literature, research design and engineering requirements.

ScienceOra was recently made available on Tencent WorkBuddy, with an initial offering of more than 30 research expert agents and skills covering literature analysis, research hypotheses, plan design, modeling and simulation, validation analysis and research communication. The conference demonstration further illustrated how ScienceOra can be applied to specialist materials research, as AI4S moves beyond general information processing toward support for research workflows and industrial R&D decision-making.

For more information, visit https://www.scienceone.ai/portal/.

About Wenge AI

Wenge AI (1956.HK) is a provider of artificial intelligence technology and service platform products for enterprises. With self-developed large models as its core, the company helps enterprises build practical intelligent platforms and applications. Founded by a team of AI scientists from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wenge AI has deep technological expertise in large models, cognitive intelligence and complex-system modeling, and is committed to advancing AI from technological capabilities to enterprise-level applications.

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SOURCE Wenge AI

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Cake Digital Bank Wins Gold at Qorus-Infosys Finacle Banking Innovation Awards 2026

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ROME, Oct. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cake Digital Bank, a digital-only bank from Vietnam, has won Gold at the Qorus-Infosys Finacle Banking Innovation Awards 2026 for its initiative, “Reinventing Financial Experiences Through an AI-First Banking Model.” Cake was the only financial institution from Vietnam recognized at this year’s awards.

The winners were celebrated in Rome, Italy, during Infosys Finacle Conclave 2026. The 13th edition of the awards attracted 538 submissions from 206 financial institutions across 68 countries, with 37 institutions recognized across ten award categories. The selection process combined voting by industry peers with evaluation by an expert jury of 81 senior banking executives.

The award-winning institutions included leading international banking names such as Santander, Commonwealth Bank, DBS, Maybank, and CaixaBank, reflecting the global scope and competitive landscape of the awards.

John Berry, Chairman of Qorus, observed that the banking industry is entering a new era in which AI is becoming integral to innovation, transforming initiatives and expanding the possibilities of financial services.

Building an AI-First Banking Model from the Ground Up

As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly central to banking innovation, financial institutions face a growing challenge: translating technological capabilities into better customer experiences, greater operational efficiency, and sustainable business performance.

Cake’s AI-first approach reflects this industry shift while taking a different starting point. Rather than integrating AI into established banking processes, Cake was built as a digital-only bank from the outset, embedding AI, data, and automation into its technology architecture, operating model, and customer journeys.

This greenfield foundation has enabled Cake to develop an integrated AI-first banking model, where technology supports how the bank makes decisions, manages operations, and delivers financial services at scale.

Supported by its independently developed core banking and card management systems, Cake applies AI across the banking value chain, from customer onboarding, credit assessment, and fraud prevention to risk management, customer service, and personalized financial recommendations.

Beyond operational efficiency, Cake has also invested in localized AI capabilities designed specifically for Vietnamese users, enabling more accessible, responsive, and personalized financial experiences.

Scaling Growth with Efficiency and Sustainable Business Performance

Nearly six years since its launch, Cake has grown to serve more than 8 million customers, demonstrating the scalability of its branchless digital banking model.

Cake achieved positive EBITDA in Q3 2024, just 3.5 years after launch, marking a significant milestone in demonstrating the viability of its digital-only banking model. The bank subsequently recorded 173% year-on-year revenue growth in 2025, followed by a further 121% growth in 2026, reflecting sustained business momentum as it continues to scale. Meanwhile, average revenue per user (ARPU) increased from USD 12 in 2024 to USD 44 in 2026, highlighting Cake’s ability to generate greater value from its growing customer base.

Beyond customer acquisition, Cake’s growth strategy increasingly focuses on deepening customer relationships and expanding the range of financial needs served through its platform and partner ecosystems. This approach reflects the bank’s evolution toward a mature digital banking model, where scale is complemented by stronger customer engagement, operational efficiency, and long-term business sustainability.

Nguyen Huu Quang, CEO of Cake Digital Bank, said:

“Winning Gold at the Qorus-Infosys Finacle Banking Innovation Awards is a meaningful international recognition of Cake’s AI-first banking model. From the beginning, our ambition has been to build a digital bank that combines technological innovation with sustainable business performance, while making financial services simpler, more accessible, and more relevant to customers. This recognition reinforces our commitment to delivering world-class banking experiences for Vietnamese users and continuing to advance our AI-first capabilities.”

The Gold Award marks another milestone in Cake’s development as a next-generation AI-first digital bank. It also demonstrates how a banking model developed and scaled in an emerging market can deliver meaningful customer and business outcomes, contributing practical perspectives to the global conversation on the future of digital banking.

In September 2026, Cake was also named “Vietnam’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney under its Group Level Banking Awards, further recognizing the bank’s progress in strategy, technology, and business performance.

About the Qorus-Infosys Finacle Banking Innovation Awards

The Qorus-Infosys Finacle Banking Innovation Awards are jointly organized by Qorus, a global association for retail financial institutions, and Infosys Finacle, a digital banking solutions provider. Now in their 13th edition, the awards recognize innovative initiatives and banking models that deliver meaningful impact across the global financial services industry.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/cake-digital-bank-wins-gold-at-qorus-infosys-finacle-banking-innovation-awards-2026-302925502.html

SOURCE Cake Digital Bank

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KSAT and Morehead State University Partner to Expand Lunar Communications Infrastructure

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Partnership strengthens the KSAT Lunar Network and supports deep space and lunar exploration

DENVER and MOREHEAD, Ky., Oct. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT), a leading provider of ground station networks and satellite operations, today announced a strategic partnership with Morehead State University (MSU) to enhance the KSAT Lunar Network, supporting the growing demand for communications and tracking services for deep space and lunar missions.

The partnership leverages MSU Space Science Center’s established deep space communications capabilities, including its 21-meter and 12-meter-class antennas in Morehead, Kentucky, to further increase the KSAT Lunar Network. Together, the partnership enables mission operators to maintain reliable links with spacecraft operating beyond Earth orbit by adding network capacity and resiliency over the Eastern United States.

“Partnering with MSU advances KSAT’s ability to deliver the communications infrastructure required for the accelerated demand for deep space and lunar missions. We are especially thrilled about this partnership as it helps enable science and exploration space missions today, while developing the next-generation workforce to support the long-term development of the U.S. cislunar economy,” said Dan Adams, General Manager of KSAT Inc.

“This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting the future of space exploration through innovation, education, and collaboration,” said Dr. Benjamin K. Malphrus, Executive Director of Space Science Center. “Working with KSAT provides exciting opportunities for our students and researchers while enabling us to contribute directly to the thriving commercial sector.”

KSAT and MSU share a strong commitment and heritage of supporting NASA’s Artemis program, most recently the Artemis II mission, and the broader science and exploration, as well as inspiring the next generation. In addition to expanding KSAT Lunar capabilities, the partnership will create even more opportunities for student involvement and workforce development through KSAT’s internship programs, helping prepare the next generation of engineers and space professionals for careers in the rapidly growing space sector.

About KSAT:

Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) is the leading commercial provider of Ground Station Services, Earth Observation Services, and Satellite Operations Services. Headquartered in Tromsø, Norway, the company operates the largest commercial satellite ground station network worldwide, including facilities in Svalbard and Antarctica to provide unique southern hemisphere coverage. Through KSAT Inc., KSAT’s U.S. based full-capability subsidiary, KSAT delivers mission-critical infrastructure for customers in government, civil, and commercial space in the United States, as well as the global space industry. 

About MSU:
Morehead State University (MSU) is a comprehensive, regional university located in Appalachian Kentucky in the Daniel Boone National Forest. MSU is known for excellence in STEM fields and pre-professional programs. The Space Science Center is MSU’s Program of Distinction and manages a significant research and development portfolio in small satellite systems, having executed 7 smallsat missions to date. The Center operates a 21-meter ground station and a 12-meter tracking antenna that provides lunar tracking services and smaller aperture ground stations for satellite telecommunications support. The Center also supports innovative undergraduate, graduate and a Doctor of Engineering program in Space Systems Engineering.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/ksat-and-morehead-state-university-partner-to-expand-lunar-communications-infrastructure-302925397.html

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