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World’s first computer-themed playground to open in Helsinki – children learn about technology through play

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HELSINKI, Sept. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — What is thought to be the world’s first computer-themed playground will be inaugurated on 1 October 2024 in the Ruoholahti district of Helsinki. The playground is designed by children’s author Linda Liukas together with the landscape architecture office Näkymä Oy. In the new playground, children can get to know the world of computers and programming through play, and without digital devices. Helsinki is investing in the wellbeing of children, and the city was recently recognised by UNICEF as a Child Friendly City.

“It’s exciting to design a playground for children, for whom play often means a computer game instead of a sandbox. The new playground offers something new for this generation. In the digital world, children are users, but in the playground, they are creators. I hope that Ruoholahti Playground will become an attractive place for children of many ages, where they can also learn about technology while playing,” says Linda Liukas, the head designer of the playground. Linda Liukas is known for her Hello Ruby story books, which teach coding to children.

The new bespoke playground equipment includes, for example, a computer tower, keyboard stairs and a sandbox in the shape of a game console controller. In the playground, children can create their own TikTok dances or learn to write their name using binary numbers – without phones. Educational material for visiting groups has been created for the playground that combines colouring pictures, tasks, technology games and audio contents. The material can be downloaded free of charge from the playground’s website. The playground’s unique equipment has been made by award-winning Danish playground equipment manufacturer Monstrum.

Designer Linda Liukas is happy for the new playground. Photo: Leena Karppinen, Helsinki Partners

Wishes of users taken into account in the design of the playground

The new playground has been designed in close collaboration with pedagogical experts. Users of the playground in the neighbourhood, local children, and educators were also consulted.

For the playground’s lighting, special attention was paid to the changing seasons, as Helsinki’s playgrounds are heavily used even in the dark winter and rainy autumn. In Finland, playgrounds are used in all weathers and all year round. The green areas in the new playground include a diversity and pollinator-themed educational planting area with information boards.

Computer-theme suites especially well to Ruoholahti, as it is home to many international ICT companies. Photo: Sakari Röyskö, City of Helsinki

Recognised by UNICEF as a Child Friendly City, Helsinki Celebrates 110 Years of Playgrounds

Helsinki is the first Nordic capital to be recognised by UNICEF as a Child Friendly City. The recognition is awarded to cities whose activities and development work promote the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

“As recently outlined in our new architecture programme, we are committed to recognising the important role of architecture and landscape design in creating good urban life. Fostering child-friendly design is a key part of this work, and the Ruoholahti playground is a great example of what can be done,” says Chief Design Officer Hanna Harris.

The history of playgrounds in Helsinki stretches back 110 years. The decision to locate the new computer-themed playground in Ruoholahti was made because the area is home to many international ICT companies and an old Nokia factory that today functions as a cultural centre. In this way, children get to know the world that surrounds them in a new way.

When selecting the location of future theme playgrounds, the character of the neighbourhood is taken into account along with convenient public transport connections. Helsinki’s playgrounds offer a variety of activities, from family activities in the morning to club activities for school children in the afternoon, as well as free meals offered to everyone under the age of 16 in summertime. Helsinki’s playgrounds are open to everyone, and both locals and visitors, children and adults, are welcome to play there.

More information: 
Leena Karppinen 
Senior Manager, PR & Communications 
Helsinki Partners 
leena.karppinen@helsinkipartners.com 

Linda Liukas

Linda Liukas is an author, illustrator and educator from Helsinki, Finland. With her Hello Ruby children’s picture book series and philosophy, she brings a Nordic playful perspective to the sometimes serious world of computer science. Translated into nearly 40 languages, Hello Ruby books ask: what else is there to technology education than “Learn to code”? If computer code is the Lego block of our time – a tool of creation – how do we teach curiosity, joy, and wonder to our kids? http://lindaliukas.com/

Playgrounds

Helsinki has a city-wide network of around 60 year-round playgrounds that offer a wide range of services to residents of different ages in their local neighbourhoods. Playgrounds that are open to all, free of charge and professionally managed are, to this extent, a uniquely Helsinki phenomenon, the result of 110 years of ambitious development work. Read more: https://www.hel.fi/en/childhood-and-education/playgrounds-and-family-houses

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com.

https://news.cision.com/helsinki-partners/r/world-s-first-computer-themed-playground-to-open-in-helsinki—children-learn-about-technology-throu,c4044802

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/worlds-first-computer-themed-playground-to-open-in-helsinki–children-learn-about-technology-through-play-302262641.html

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2026 Vietnam-China Cross-Border Tourism AI Empowerment Cooperation Exchange Program Concludes in Nanning

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3 hours ago

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April 19, 2026

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NANNING, China, April 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This is a report from china-asean-media.com.

The 14-day “2026 Vietnam-China Cross-Border Tourism AI Empowerment Cooperation and Exchange Program” successfully concluded on April 19 in Nanning, Guangxi. Co-hosted by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (China) and the Departments of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Cao Bang, and Tuyen Quang provinces (Vietnam), the event brought together nearly 30 tourism officials and industry representatives from the four Vietnamese localities.

With the theme “Vietnam-China AI + Cross-Border Tourism Exchange and Cooperation,” the program combined expert lectures, case studies on AI applications, and field visits. Participants gained insights into ASEAN-China tourism policies, AI-driven cross-border cooperation models, and smart tourism technologies. Hands-on training enabled them to use AI tools for decision-making, product development, and destination branding.

The delegation conducted field studies in Nanning, Liuzhou, Guilin, and Hechi. They visited the China-ASEAN AI Innovation and Cooperation Center, the “Easy Visit Guangxi” platform, the No. Wang Cultural Industrial Park, and the BAO JUN base, experiencing Guangxi’s smart, industrial, landscape, and wellness tourism offerings.

A meaningful part of the program was retracing President Ho Chi Minh’s revolutionary footsteps in Guangxi, including visits to the former site of Yucai School in Nanning, the former residence of Ho Chi Minh in Liuzhou, and the “September 2” School site in Guilin. On April 17, all participants attended the launch ceremony of the 2026 Vietnam-China Border People’s Carnival in Nanning, witnessing the deep friendship and mutual support between the border communities of both nations.

At the closing ceremony on April 18, a cross-border tourism product design competition was held. The team from Quang Ninh won the Best Design Award, while teams from Lang Son, Cao Bang, and Tuyen Quang received Excellence Awards. Mr. Lưu Bá Mạc, Vice Director of Lang Son’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, praised the program for fostering practical cooperation and opening new directions for the “comrades and brothers” friendship between local authorities.

The program not only provided Vietnamese tourism professionals with valuable knowledge in AI and smart tourism but also laid a solid foundation for future cooperation in building shared tourism information platforms, developing smart products, and enhancing data connectivity. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing high-quality development of the cultural and tourism industry through AI, contributing to the strategic Vietnam-China community with a shared future.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/2026-vietnam-china-cross-border-tourism-ai-empowerment-cooperation-exchange-program-concludes-in-nanning-302746589.html

SOURCE china-asean-media.com

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TCL Solar: Powering Pakistan with advanced solar module innovation

Published

4 hours ago

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April 19, 2026

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LAHORE, Pakistan, April 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TCL Solar made a strong impact at this year’s Solar Pakistan exhibition (17th-19th April, at Expo Centre Lahore) by unveiling a range of advanced solar solutions designed to meet the growing demand for low-carbon energy in South Asia and the Middle East.

The new T5 Pro solar module represents a major leap in N-type TOPCon technology, delivering breakthroughs in both conversion efficiency and power output. It is designed to be the new flagship product in the industry, offering enhanced performance and long-term value.

Key Highlights of the T5 Pro:

A unique product design: The T5 Pro specificity remains in its design architecture, with an overlapping tri-cut cell construction. This innovative structure significantly boosts the module’s performance, ensuring superior output and higher energy yield.

Product Reliability: The T5 Pro’s low-current technology ensures precise temperature control, with hotspot temperatures up to 45°C lower than conventional modules. This reduces the risk of fire hazards and improves overall module longevity. The module has also passed rigorous reliability tests, making it ideal for diverse applications, including commercial rooftops and ground-mounted power stations.

Customer Value: By enhancing energy generation and reducing project lifecycle costs, the T5 Pro provides a high return on investment for both residential and commercial solar applications.

TCL Solar’s Lightweight Module: Optimized for C&I Rooftops

TCL Solar’s Lightweight Module addresses the specific challenges faced by commercial and industrial (C&I) rooftops, particularly in areas with limited load-bearing capacity.

Improved Power Output: Weighing only 5.4 kg/m², these modules generate 3-6% more power compared to traditional TOPCon modules, offering a highly efficient solution for weight-sensitive environments.

Superior Heat Dissipation: The ultra-thin glass design enhances heat dissipation, lowers operating temperatures and reduces overall weight and making the modules ideal for aging rooftops or structures with limited structural integrity.

Building on the momentum at Solar Pakistan 2026, TCL SOLAR and TAIMOOR TRADING CO. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marking a key step in advancing solar energy solutions. This partnership aims to expand clean power access and drive sustainable development across Pakistan and beyond, with a shared focus on innovation and a low-carbon future.

Focusing on innovation, efficiency, and reduced environmental impact, TCL Solar continues to lead the way in solar technology in Pakistan and across the region, providing solutions that meet today’s energy needs while enabling measurable emissions reductions across the energy value chain.

As Pakistan embraces renewable energy, TCL Solar’s cutting-edge technologies will help drive the growth of low-carbon energy in South Asia and the Middle East.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/tcl-solar-powering-pakistan-with-advanced-solar-module-innovation-302746579.html

SOURCE TCL Solar

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Technology

TCL Solar: Powering Pakistan with advanced solar module innovation

Published

4 hours ago

on

April 19, 2026

By

LAHORE, Pakistan, April 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TCL Solar made a strong impact at this year’s Solar Pakistan exhibition (17th-19th April, at Expo Centre Lahore) by unveiling a range of advanced solar solutions designed to meet the growing demand for low-carbon energy in South Asia and the Middle East.

The new T5 Pro solar module represents a major leap in N-type TOPCon technology, delivering breakthroughs in both conversion efficiency and power output. It is designed to be the new flagship product in the industry, offering enhanced performance and long-term value.

Key Highlights of the T5 Pro:

A unique product design: The T5 Pro specificity remains in its design architecture, with an overlapping tri-cut cell construction. This innovative structure significantly boosts the module’s performance, ensuring superior output and higher energy yield.

Product Reliability: The T5 Pro’s low-current technology ensures precise temperature control, with hotspot temperatures up to 45°C lower than conventional modules. This reduces the risk of fire hazards and improves overall module longevity. The module has also passed rigorous reliability tests, making it ideal for diverse applications, including commercial rooftops and ground-mounted power stations.

Customer Value: By enhancing energy generation and reducing project lifecycle costs, the T5 Pro provides a high return on investment for both residential and commercial solar applications.

TCL Solar’s Lightweight Module: Optimized for C&I Rooftops

TCL Solar’s Lightweight Module addresses the specific challenges faced by commercial and industrial (C&I) rooftops, particularly in areas with limited load-bearing capacity.

Improved Power Output: Weighing only 5.4 kg/m², these modules generate 3-6% more power compared to traditional TOPCon modules, offering a highly efficient solution for weight-sensitive environments.

Superior Heat Dissipation: The ultra-thin glass design enhances heat dissipation, lowers operating temperatures and reduces overall weight and making the modules ideal for aging rooftops or structures with limited structural integrity.

Building on the momentum at Solar Pakistan 2026, TCL SOLAR and TAIMOOR TRADING CO. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marking a key step in advancing solar energy solutions. This partnership aims to expand clean power access and drive sustainable development across Pakistan and beyond, with a shared focus on innovation and a low-carbon future.

Focusing on innovation, efficiency, and reduced environmental impact, TCL Solar continues to lead the way in solar technology in Pakistan and across the region, providing solutions that meet today’s energy needs while enabling measurable emissions reductions across the energy value chain.

As Pakistan embraces renewable energy, TCL Solar’s cutting-edge technologies will help drive the growth of low-carbon energy in South Asia and the Middle East.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/tcl-solar-powering-pakistan-with-advanced-solar-module-innovation-302746579.html

SOURCE TCL Solar

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