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UST Announces the Global Winners of D3CODE Hackathon 2024

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Global Hackathon held in five countries – India, USA, UK, Mexico, and Malaysia.Achieved an exceptional response with over 7000 registrations and 800+ idea submissions globally.Winners received $10,000, while regional hackathon winners won $5000 as prize money.

PENANG, Malaysia, Oct. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — UST, a leading digital transformation solutions company, has announced the winners of its fourth edition of D3CODE, a hackathon event for participants in five countries – India, the USA, the UK, Mexico, and Malaysia. The competition witnessed overwhelming participation, with over 7,000 registrations and 800 ideas submitted across locations.

This year’s theme, ‘Scale,’ called for scalable solutions to create a positive impact by addressing issues of social impact such as education, health, poverty, and environmental sustainability. Each country initially held the hackathons, and the winning teams from each nation advanced to compete in the Grand Finale. A rigorous judging process evaluated the entries based on their originality, potential social impact, scalability of the solution, and user experience, among other factors. Each region qualified five winning teams for the final round, from which we selected one global winner and regional winners.

The winning team received $10,000, while regional hackathon winners will win $5000. UST awarded $2400 each to the teams that received honorary mentions. UST will felicitate the global hackathon winner at its annual global technology conference, D3 (Dream, Develop, and Disrupt), in India. Additionally, the winners may qualify for seed funding to help bring their ideas to the market, backed by UST’s extensive expertise and network.

Speaking on this global initiative, Manu Gopinath, Chief Operating Officer, UST, said, “The purpose of D3CODE is to serve as a platform for innovators in technology to showcase their forward-thinking ideas in creating groundbreaking solutions to address real-world problems with scalable solutions. This year’s hackathon focused not just on the technical prowess of the participants but also on cultivating social responsibility and creating meaningful impacts on society. I congratulate all the winners for their outstanding performances. As we continue to push the boundaries of technological advancements, events like D3CODE remind us of the limitless potential of young minds and their role in shaping a better, more sustainable future.”

The following teams were declared winners of the D3CODE Hackathon 2024:

Global Winner: Leon Kipkoech from Florida National University, Miami, Florida, for ‘Dynamic ASL transcription for Video Platforms’.

India Region Winners:
First Prize: Khusbu Rai and Team from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University New Delhi for ‘Recycle Radar: Turning Waste into Opportunity’.
Second Prize: Akash Jadhav and Team from Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra for ‘AI-Driven Crop Disease Prediction and Management System’.
Third Prize: Roshin R and team from College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala for ‘Employment Portal and Marketplace for Unorganized Workers and Small-Scale Producers’.
Honorary mention: Omkar Deshpande and Team from Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, for ‘Camera-Based Navigation of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)’.

UK Region Winners: 
First Prize: Salman Fatahillah and Sainsna Demizike from the University of Birmingham, London, UK for ‘SMS-based AI and Behavioral Science-Informed Messaging for Underserved Communities’.

Mexico Region Winners: 
First Prize: Pablo Esteban Murillo Mata and Team from Universidad Tecnológica de León, León, Guanajuato, México for ‘AquaHub’.
Second Prize: Alan Arana Carrillo and Team from Universidad La Salle Bajio for ‘QuantumSim’.
Third Prize: Uriel Mendoza Rodríguez and Team from La Salle Bajío for ‘EcoCity’.

Malaysia Region Winners:
First Prize: Muhammad Shahril Nizam Bin Abdullah and Team from Multimedia University, Kuala Lumpur, for ‘Sentinel AI: Real-Time Violence Detection for Safer Community’.
Second Prize: Muhammad Zul Iman Bin Zul Wizaratain from University Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abddullah, Tasek Gelugor, Penang, for ‘Smart Waste Sorting System with Capacity Monitoring’.
Third Prize: Nawal Izzah Binti Azhar and Team from Universiti teknikal malaysia melaka George Town, Penang for ‘Razzbotics RetroBot: A versatile retrofit kit that transforms any trolley or cart into an autonomous solution’.

D3CODE is one of many exciting events for UST’s D3, a week-long conference with a technology expo. On October 17, 2024, UST’s D3 will take place at the Travancore International Convention Centre in Thiruvananthapuram. It will include a full-day conference featuring renowned speakers and a keynote speech from Krishna Sudheendra, Chief Executive Officer, UST. Other esteemed speakers include Chris Heemskerk, CEO, The Innovation Alliance; T Koshy, MD & CEO, Open Network for Digital Commerce; Dhanniya Venkatasalapathy, Executive Director, Cloud Solutions, Microsoft India; Paul Gladigau, CTO, Equifax; Simon Lister, CIO, Capital One UK; Balaji Narayana, SVP, Technology and Innovation, Chief Technology Officer, CarynHealth; Niranjan Ram, CTO, UST; Andy Morin, Chief Solutions, Architect, UST; Sripathi Jagannathan, Head of Data Engineering, UST.

About UST:

Since 1999, UST has worked side by side with the world’s best companies to make a powerful impact through transformation. Powered by technology, inspired by people, and led by our purpose, we partner with our clients from design to operation. Our digital solutions, proprietary platforms, engineering expertise, and innovation ecosystem turn core challenges into impactful, disruptive solutions. With deep industry knowledge and a future-ready mindset, we infuse innovation and agility into our clients’ organizations–delivering measurable value and positive lasting change for them, their customers, and communities around the world. Together, with 30,000+ employees in 30+ countries, we build for boundless impact–touching billions of lives in the process. Visit us at www.UST.com

Media Contacts, UST:

Tinu Cherian Abraham
+1 (949) 415-9857

Merrick Laravea
+1 (949) 416-6212

Neha Misri
+44-7341787926

Roshini Das K
+91-7736795557
media.relations@ust.com 

Media Contacts, India.:

Adfactors PR
ust@adfactorspr.com

Media Contacts, U.S.:

S & C PR
+1-646.941.9139
media@scprgroup.com 

Makovsky
ust@makovsky.com 

Media Contacts, U.K.:

FTI Consulting
UST@fticonsulting.com 

 

 

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SOURCE UST

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“Pulse @ Jurong” launches as a New Digital Community Platform connecting Everyday Life across Singapore’s West

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Developed by Jurong Point and Link Asset Management, the app extends the mall’s role beyond its physical space to serve as a digital connector for the wider community in the West.

New community-centric app brings transport updates, local discoveries, neighbourhood happenings and offers together in one place.

Built around the needs of residents, workers and visitors, with input from a focus group and closed beta involving 270 people living and working in the West.Connects people to the diversity of Jurong, bringing together everyday convenience, neighbourhood discoveries and community happenings in one platform.Jurong Point serves as the launchpad for the wider Jurong community, with future features shaped by user feedback and potential portfolio expansion.

SINGAPORE, Nov. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pulse @ Jurong, a new community-centric digital platform developed by Jurong Point and Link Asset Management, has officially launched to bring everyday life across Singapore’s West closer together. Designed around the needs of residents, workers, students and visitors, the app connects transport information, neighbourhood businesses, local dining and retail offers, community activities and essential amenities in one convenient platform.

With Jurong Point as its starting point, Pulse @ Jurong serves the wider Jurong community, connecting people to neighbourhood businesses, services and experiences beyond the mall. The initiative reflects Jurong Point’s evolving role as a community hub and Link’s commitment to strengthening connections between its assets and the communities they serve.

Designed around everyday needs

Whether checking bus arrival times before leaving home, looking for a nearby meal, finding an upcoming community programme or discovering a relevant dining offer, users can access multiple aspects of their day through one app. Pulse brings together transport information and alerts, parking and EV-charging information, food and dining recommendations, neighbourhood amenities and services, and community events. Users can also discover eligible retail and dining offers, claim them through the app and keep them in an in-app wallet.

At launch, Pulse includes more than 470 store listings alongside local discoveries and places of interest. The app is designed for a potential Jurong West residential catchment of more than 250,000 people (this figure does not represent registered users).

Shaped with the Community, for the Community

The platform is developed with input from focus groups and closed beta involving 270 people living and working in the West over eight months, Pulse reflects feedback on transport, deals and neighbourhood discovery. This initial launch will be followed by further enhancements shaped by community feedback and actual usage. AI-assisted tools were also used to support feedback analysis and identify recurring themes.

“Access to timely and useful local information can help residents plan their day and participate more actively in community life. I hope Pulse @ Jurong will complement existing community channels and make it easier for residents to stay informed, discover activities nearby and feel more connected to the people and places around them,” said Mr Patrick Tay, Member of Parliament for Pioneer SMC and Adviser to Pioneer Grassroots Organisations.

“We began by looking at what people across Jurong need in their everyday lives, beyond what happens within the mall. Pulse is being piloted in Jurong to make local information, community activities and neighbourhood businesses easier to discover, while exploring how a digital platform can complement physical retail spaces and strengthen community connections. This is only the beginning. We will continue refining the platform and introducing new features based on feedback from residents, merchants and community partners. As we assess adoption, sustained engagement and the outcomes of this pilot, a successful model could potentially be adapted across Link’s wider portfolio,” said Mr Andy Kau, General Manager, Jurong Point.

Making Community Happenings easier to Discover

Pulse @ Jurong is intended to complement existing community and public-service channels by helping residents discover nearby events, activities and volunteer opportunities. Where available, users can follow links to the relevant organisers’ platforms to register or learn more.

Working with The Frontier and Boon Lay Community Clubs and local stakeholders, Jurong Point aims to broaden the visibility of local activities and provide another channel through which residents can connect with their community.

Supporting Local Business and strengthening the Jurong ecosystem

Beyond community information, Pulse @ Jurong creates a new digital discovery channel connecting residents and visitors with local businesses across Singapore’s West. The platform features 200 Jurong Point tenants and more than 300 neighbourhood merchants in the surrounding precincts, bringing together a diverse mix of retail, dining, services and everyday experiences in one convenient app.

Participating businesses can increase their visibility, showcase relevant offerings and engage customers through targeted promotions and campaigns. By connecting digital discovery with physical visits, the platform aims to encourage local spending, support neighbourhood businesses and strengthen the wider commercial ecosystem.

“For hawkers and small businesses in the neighbourhood, reaching new customers beyond our regular patrons is always important. Many residents may not be aware of the variety of food and services available just around the corner. The Jurong Point team took the time to engage us personally and guide us through how to use Pulse @ Jurong, making it easier for merchants like us to come on board. The app gives us another way to showcase what we offer, reach new customers and encourage more people to explore and support local businesses. It is encouraging to see Jurong Point extending its reach beyond the mall to bring the wider business community together,” said Mr Anthony Low Hock Kee, Vice President of The Federation of Merchants’ Associations, Singapore, and owner of Xin Sheng Ngoh Hiong Prawn Cracker at Boon Lay Place Food Village.

“Many neighbourhood merchants rely on word-of-mouth and returning customers, but there is often a wider audience nearby that may not be aware of what local businesses have to offer. Pulse @ Jurong provides a valuable platform for merchants to increase their visibility and connect with more residents in the community. Beyond supporting local businesses, it also helps bring people closer to the activities, services and experiences available in the neighbourhood. We are encouraged to see Jurong Point extending its role beyond the mall to strengthen connections across the wider Jurong community,” said Mr Kuek Chiew Peng, BBM(L) Chairman, Boon Lay Merchants’ Association for Boon Lay Shopping Centre.

Through its tenant relationships, on-site touchpoints and engagement with local merchants, Jurong Point is helping connect the mall with the wider Jurong community.

The launch also marks an important step in Link’s approach to digital placemaking, exploring how technology can complement physical retail assets, deepen customer engagement and create measurable value for tenants and community partners. Insights from adoption, usage and merchant participation will guide the platform’s continued development and potential expansion.

Discover More of the West with Pulse @ Jurong

To celebrate the launch, new users who sign up for Pulse @ Jurong from 7 November 2026 can enjoy dining and retail vouchers at the designated sign-up booths within Jurong Point, giving them an added incentive to discover and experience the offerings.

Adding to the excitement, users will also have the opportunity to stand a chance to win a JAECOO 6, an off-road-inspired electric SUV, as part of a launch lucky draw. Further details on participation and eligibility will be announced.

Pulse @ Jurong is available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Residents and visitors are invited to download the app to explore real-time transport information, neighbourhood dining and retail offers, local discoveries and community happenings across Singapore’s West.

Download Pulse @ Jurong:

Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/sg/app/id6770556908
Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mll.pls

Stay connected with Pulse @ Jurong:

Follow Pulse @ Jurong on Facebook and Instagram for the latest neighbourhood discoveries, community happenings, exclusive offers and updates on upcoming activities.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pulseatjurong/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pulseatjurong/

Everyday Information in One Place

Pulse @ Jurong enables users to:

Plan their journeys
Access transport information and alerts, including bus arrival timings, traffic and train alerts, parking availability and EV-charging information.Discover what is nearby
Browse store listings, alongside local food and dining recommendations, neighbourhood amenities, services and places of interest across Pioneer, Jurong and nearby areas.Stay connected with the community
Discover upcoming community events, programmes and volunteer opportunities, with direct links to the relevant platforms for users to register their interest.Access relevant offers
Discover retail and dining offers, claim them through the app and store them in the in-app wallet.

About Pulse @ Jurong

Pulse @ Jurong is a community-centric digital platform developed by Jurong Point and Link Asset Management Limited to connect people, places, businesses and everyday experiences across Singapore’s West.

Designed for residents, workers, students and visitors, the app brings together real-time transport information, neighbourhood discoveries, dining and retail offers, local amenities and community happenings in one convenient platform. It also provides a digital discovery channel for Jurong Point tenants and neighbourhood merchants, helping local businesses connect with customers and encouraging greater participation in the local economy.

For more information about Pulse @ Jurong, please visit https://www.pulseatjurong.com.sg/

About Jurong Point

With 750,000 square feet of lettable space, Jurong Point is one of Singapore’s largest suburban lifestyle destination for shoppers in Singapore. Strategically located in the western part of Singapore and connected to Boon Lay MRT and Bus Interchange, the mall attracts an average footfall of 5.6 million visits a month.

Jurong Point is also home to a number of thematic precincts, such as, Japanese Food Street and Mongkok streets. The mall aims to meet shoppers’ diverse needs with anchor tenants like FairPrice Xtra, Harvey Norman, Kopitiam, Malaysia Boleh, Don Don Donki and more than 400 retail and food & beverage outlets that offer a dazzling array of merchandise, services and culinary delights.

Apart from being a retail destination, it also shares its space with a large cluster of 11 community and civic institutions, such as SAGE, AMP, TARA and My First Skool. The mall not only serves a 250,000 residential population but a 100,000 PMET Workforce as well within its 5 kilometre radius.

For more information about Jurong Point, please visit https://sg.linkreit.com/malls/jurong-point/

About Link Asset Management Limited

Link Asset Management Limited (Link) is a leading, independent, and fully integrated real estate investor and manager focusing on the APAC region. It manages Link Real Estate Investment Trust (Link REIT, Hong Kong stock code: 823), the largest REIT in Asia, and its real estate investment portfolio. Link also aims to leverage its investment management capabilities to serve as a trusted investment manager to capital partners through its business line, Link Real Estate Partners.

Building on its strong track record over almost two decades, Link targets to deliver resilient returns and growth to its unitholders. Link offers a “REIT plus” investment case through its strategic focus on diversifying the Link REIT Portfolio across geographies and asset classes in APAC and expanding its investment management business.

Link aspires to be the trusted partner in APAC real estate sector for unitholders, capital partners, tenants, and the wider communities it serves. 

For more information about Link, please visit https://www.laml.com/en/

Chinese Translations

Jurong Point 裕廊坊

Link Asset Management Limited 领展资产管理有限公司

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SOURCE Jurong Point and Link Asset Management

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2026 China International Intelligent Communication Forum Held in Wuxi

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WUXI, China, Nov. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — From November 8 to 10, the 2026 China International Intelligent Communication Forum (CIICF), jointly organized by China Media Group (CMG) and the Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government, is held in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province.

At the forum, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) releases the “2026 Report on the Development of Chinese Cities’ International Intelligent Communication Capabilities”, examining the key characteristics, current challenges and innovative pathways in the development of Chinese cities’ international intelligent communication. A new episode of the original franchise “Global Youth Talk” is also launched. Representatives of key cultural industry projects in Wuxi sign agreements on stage. The forum also launches the “Wuxi Initiative of the China International Intelligent Communication Forum,” calling on all parties to work together to build a new global ecosystem for intelligent communication that is open, inclusive, collaborative and mutually beneficial.

Lu Bingheng, Chairman of the National Technical Committee on Additive Manufacturing Standardization, Director of the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center and Professor at Xi’an Jiaotong University; Michael Levitt, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry and Member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences; Ge Yuefeng, Deputy General Manager of China Time and Space Information Group Co., Ltd.; and Scott Ross, Founder of Digital Domain, Former Senior Vice President of Lucasfilm and Former President of Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), are among the guests sharing theoretical vision and practical perspectives. They exchange ideas on intelligent communication and media transformation, technological innovation and industrial development, and mutual learning among civilizations and international cooperation, building consensus on future development.

The forum also features a series of side events, including the 2026 Forum on the International Communication of Digital Culture, the AIGC Digital and Intelligent Industries Forum, the “Wuxi Dialogue” on Local International Communication, a closed-door industry dialogue, the “Film Music • Wuxi Night” gala, and the 2026 “Experience China Insights from Wuxi” International Media Tour.

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SOURCE CIICF

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Club Offers for Travel Enthusiasts in Canada

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TORONTO, Nov. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Travelzoo® (NASDAQ: TZOO), the club for travel enthusiasts, announces five of many new Club Offers for Club Members in Canada.

Rigorously vetted and negotiated for us travel enthusiasts:

$849—LISBON CITY BREAK WITH FLIGHTS
Spend five nights in the heart of Portugal’s capital exploring neighourhoods like Alfama and Chiado. We’ve leveraged our deep relationship with this partner to obtain an exceptional price on travel in January, when you can visit popular attractions without line-ups and temperatures are spring-like by Canadian standards.$99—HISTORIC HOTEL IN VICTORIA
“Victorian” describes more than the decor at this elegant hotel: it was built during Queen Victoria’s reign and is steps from the main attractions of her namesake city. Explore the Inner Harbour, Royal BC Museum and the Old Town, then visit the hotel’s pub, established in 1867.  Club Members pay half the regular price through February.$999—MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND GETAWAY WITH FLIGHTS
Explore Malta’s medieval cities, cobblestone streets and dramatic coastline. We get roundtrip flights from Toronto, five nights at a 4-star resort with views of the Mediterranean Sea and daily breakfast.$1899—LAST-MINUTE ST. LUCIA ALL-INCLUSIVE GETAWAY FOR 2
Be among the first to stay at this new luxury retreat on Reduit Beach. This is the most popular stretch of sand in St. Lucia. For three nights (or longer) anytime through Dec. 19, Club Members get beachfront accommodations with a private terrace, butler service and all-inclusive dining. We save over $1900 compared to regular prices.$99—4-STAR NIAGARA FALLS INN WITH BREAKFAST
This quiet boutique hotel is just a 15-minute walk from the Falls. We’ve negotiated savings of up to $200 per night through Dec. 20. It’s a lovely time to stay, when winter wonderland decorations and a Christmas cocktail bar make this one of the city’s most festive destinations.

Are you a travel enthusiast? Join the club today: https://travelzoo.com

Who are we?
We, Travelzoo®, are the club for travel enthusiasts. We reach 30 million travellers. Club Members receive Club Offers negotiated and rigorously vetted by our deal experts around the globe. Our relationships with thousands of top travel companies give us access to irresistible deals. Our club and its benefits are built around the lifestyle of a modern travel enthusiast.

Media Contact:
Amanda Ieraci – Toronto
+1 437 866 8540
aieraci@travelzoo.com

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