Connect with us

Technology

Optima names education innovator Adam Mangana as CEO

Published

on

 Ushering in a Bold Vision for the Future of Immersive Education

NAPLES, Fla., Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Optima, the leader in immersive education solutions, is thrilled to announce Adam Mangana as its new chief executive officer. As a co-founder and visionary behind Optima’s groundbreaking virtual reality (VR) learning platform, Mangana is poised to lead the company into an exciting new chapter of innovation, growth, and impact.

Mangana’s career has been defined by a relentless drive to redefine education. With over a decade of experience in immersive learning and educational innovation, Mangana’s leadership has been central to Optima’s development of cutting-edge VR curricula and tools. His entrepreneurial spirit and deep understanding of how technology can transform education uniquely position him to unlock new opportunities for the EdTech company.

“Education is at a tipping point,” Mangana said. “At Optima, we believe immersive technology can not only engage students but also transform how they understand the world. This is a moment for bold leadership, and I am honored to guide Optima in shaping the future of education, one immersive experience at a time.”

Under Mangana’s leadership, Optima will prioritize: 

Expanding Access: Scaling Optima’s VR content library to reach more schools, homeschool families and educators worldwide.Innovating Learning: Developing avatar-based AI tutors and enhancing the company’s immersive courses to provide fully personalized, asynchronous learning experiences.Building Strategic Partnerships: Strengthening collaborations with schools and institutions to bring immersive learning to life in classrooms globally.

Mangana’s appointment marks a new chapter of opportunity for Optima, which is on the forefront of blending virtual reality and artificial intelligence to create impactful, scalable learning tools. His vision is rooted in the belief that every learner deserves to experience education in a way that is engaging, accessible, and transformative.

As Optima celebrates this transition, the company also acknowledges the incredible contributions of Erika Donalds, its founding CEO. During her tenure, Donalds built a solid foundation, guiding Optima from an ambitious startup to a recognized leader in VR education. Her development of Optima Academy Online set a high standard for virtual schooling, and her dedication to empowering students and educators has positioned the company for future success.

 “I am incredibly proud of the strong foundation Adam and I have laid at Optima, and I have every confidence that he will take our vision to new and exciting heights as CEO,” Erika Donalds said, who will continue to serve the company as chairman. “Adam’s passion for immersive education and his innovative spirit makes him the perfect leader to guide Optima into its next chapter of growth and impact. I look forward to seeing the transformative changes he will bring to the world of education.”

With Mangana at the helm, Optima is poised to revolutionize how education is delivered, blending immersive VR technology, personalized learning, and innovative content to prepare students for a rapidly changing world. The company is excited to continue its mission of making education more dynamic, engaging, and impactful under his visionary leadership.

For more information about Optima and its mission to transform education through immersive technology, visit www.optimaxr.ai.

About Optima

Optima transforms learning for private schools, independent schools, public schools and home learners with the world’s largest VR education library, featuring 200+ VR locations, 5,000+ 3D avatars and thousands of interactive lessons. Its innovative solutions help provide students with immersive, engaging learning experiences that drive success.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/optima-names-education-innovator-adam-mangana-as-ceo-302335434.html

SOURCE OptimaEd

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

Ricoh earns place on TIME World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2026 list for third consecutive year

Published

on

By

TOKYO, June 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Ricoh Company, Ltd., today announced that it has been named one of the World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2026 by TIME magazine and Statista, marking the third consecutive year the company has been recognised.

Compiled by TIME and Statista, the ranking evaluates companies through a detailed, multistep methodology covering sustainable business practices; public commitments and external ratings; reporting and transparency; and environmental and social stewardship. For the 2026 list, more than 5,800 companies across 43 countries and 20 industries were assessed, with 750 companies selected worldwide.

The TIME and Statista evaluation recognised Ricoh’s strong performance in public commitments, external ratings and transparency, particularly in environmental performance. Key strengths included science-based targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative, clear reporting on progress toward those targets and Ricoh’s CDP double-A score for climate change and water security. The assessment also highlighted Ricoh’s robust disclosure across the key performance indicators evaluated. These results underscore Ricoh’s focus on measurable climate action, credible reporting and responsible management across its global operations.

“Earning a place on TIME World’s Most Sustainable Companies 2026 list for the third consecutive year is a great honour for Ricoh and reflects our ongoing commitment to integrating sustainability into our business with transparency and accountability,” said Mikako Suzuki, chief sustainability and risk management officer at Ricoh Company, Ltd. “Guided by the Three Ps Balance — Ricoh’s approach to aligning prosperity, people and the planet — we will continue to create value for customers and society by helping organisations transform the way people work while contributing to a more sustainable future.”

Related News

Ricoh raises decarbonization targets under new ESG strategy in the latest mid-term strategy
https://www.ricoh.com/release/2026/0408_1Ricoh named in TIME World’s Most Sustainable Companies of 2025
https://www.ricoh-ap.com/news/2025/07/07/ricoh-named-in-time-worlds-most-sustainable-companies-of-2025Ricoh named in TIME World’s Most Sustainable Companies of 2024
https://www.ricoh-ap.com/news/2024/06/28/ricoh-named-in-time-worlds-most-sustainable-companies-of-2024    

Related Links

Sustainability > Materiality for the Ricoh Group
https://www.ricoh.com/sustainability/materialityIntegrated Report > Commitment and Recognition
https://www.ricoh.com/about/integrated-report/data/commitment

About Ricoh

Ricoh is a global integrator in workplace transformation, operating in approximately 200 countries and regions and headquartered in Tokyo. Supporting customers’ value creation, Ricoh offers workplace services and solutions that empower organisations to work smarter through advanced technologies—including AI— together with long-standing expertise rooted in printing. Ricoh also operates commercial and industrial printing businesses and delivers new solutions leveraging inkjet technology. In the financial year ended March 2026, Ricoh Group had worldwide sales of 2,608 billion yen (approx. 16.4 billion USD).

For 90 years since our founding, Ricoh has upheld its mission and vision of empowering individuals to find Fulfilment through Work—and that commitment continues today. By understanding and transforming how people work, we unleash their potential and creativity to realise a sustainable future.

For further information, please visit www.ricoh.com

© 2026 RICOH ASIA PACIFIC PTE LTD. All rights reserved. All referenced product names are the trademarks of their respective companies.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/ricoh-earns-place-on-time-worlds-most-sustainable-companies-2026-list-for-third-consecutive-year-302808552.html

SOURCE Ricoh Asia Pacific Pte Ltd

Continue Reading

Technology

Trek-First Travel Planning Gains Momentum as Indian Travelers Seek Cooler Escapes this Summer, Reports Agoda

Published

on

By

SINGAPORE, June 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As temperatures rise this summer, Indian travelers are increasingly considering destinations that offer easy access to trekking routes and outdoor experiences. According to digital travel platform Agoda, accommodation searches for mountain destinations such as Leh, Kasol and McLeod Ganj have risen significantly compared to last year, driven largely by travelers from metro cities.

Leh, set in the Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh, witnessed a 143% increase in searches. Home to high-altitude trekking routes including Markha Valley and Lasermo La among others, Leh appeals to adventure seekers looking for challenging terrain and unique landscapes.  Searches from New Delhi and Mumbai-based travelers saw growth of 140% and 158% respectively compared to last year, and searches from Hyderabad increased by 106%.

Kasol follows closely, seeing a 126% increase in searches from India compared to the previous year. The picturesque hotspot is known for its access to trails like Kheerganga and Tosh Valley, as well as its scenic Parvati Valley location. Key cities with an increase in travel interest include New Delhi, with accommodation searches increasing by 129% year-on-year, as well as Chandigarh, which saw a 178% increase in searches.

Additionally, travelers are also showing increasing interest in McLeod Ganj and the surrounding areas, which offer trekking-focused experiences along scenic routes in the Dhauladhar range like Triund, Kareri Lake, and Indrahar Pass.

This shift reflects a broader evolution in how travelers are approaching trip planning, with outdoor accessibility becoming a primary consideration rather than an afterthought. The rise of destinations with accessibility to popular trekking trails indicates that travelers are moving beyond traditional itineraries and seeking destinations that offer immediate access to nature-based activities.

Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands, Agoda said, “The decisions of India travelers today are increasingly shaped by experiences and not just the destination itself. Destinations like Leh, Kasol and McLeod Ganj are emerging as strong choices because they offer both cooler climates and immersive outdoor experiences. At Agoda, we are making it easier for travelers to discover and plan these getaways with a wide range of accommodation options, great value deals and a seamless booking experience.”

Through its platform, Agoda enables travelers to plan their journeys seamlessly with access to over 6 million holiday properties worldwide, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, all available in one place. Travelers looking to explore mountain escapes and nature-focused destinations can discover and book their trips easily through Agoda’s website and mobile app.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/trek-first-travel-planning-gains-momentum-as-indian-travelers-seek-cooler-escapes-this-summer-reports-agoda-302807427.html

SOURCE Agoda

Continue Reading

Technology

Haier Energy Makes Intersolar Europe 2026 Debut with Integrated Residential and C&I Energy Solutions

Published

on

By

New portfolio combines solar generation, storage, energy management and AI-driven optimisation to support Europe’s energy transition

MUNICH, June 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At Intersolar Europe 2026, one of the world’s leading exhibitions for the solar and energy storage industry, Haier Energy is showcasing its latest portfolio of residential and commercial & industrial (C&I) energy solutions, designed to help households and businesses improve energy resilience, optimise consumption and accelerate decarbonisation.

The company is presenting a comprehensive ecosystem that integrates solar power generation, energy storage, intelligent energy management and energy trading. Key innovations on display include the E-Tower Ultra all-in-one residential energy storage system (ESS), the E-Bank ESS platform, PV inverters and the HEnvision AI energy management platform.

Supporting Smarter Energy Management for European Households

As European consumers face energy price volatility and rising electricity costs, Haier Energy’s Residential Smart Solution supports greater energy independence and more efficient energy use.

The E-Tower Ultra features a cable-free modular architecture designed to simplify installation and commissioning. The system incorporates active fire protection technology and is engineered to operate reliably in temperatures down to -20°C. AI-driven energy optimisation analyses real-time electricity tariffs to automatically adjust charging and discharging strategies, helping homeowners maximise self-consumption and reduce energy costs.

When integrated with the HEnvision platform, the system can also incorporate weather forecasts and household consumption patterns to further optimise energy use. An optional whole-home backup module enables seamless switchover ensuring continuity for critical household loads during grid outages.

The E-Bank ESS is designed for simplified installation and operation, featuring dedicated grid and load interfaces, cable-free metering and tool-free magnetic mounting. The system operates from -30°C to 60°C and incorporates AI-based fault detection to enhance operational reliability.

C&I Solutions Focus on Efficiency, Safety and Grid Compliance

For commercial and industrial customers, Haier Energy’s C&I Smart Solution combines PV inverters, three-phase hybrid inverters from 30 kW to 125 kW, and the HEnvision AI platform to maximise energy performance while meeting evolving grid requirements.

A key highlight is the new 150 kW PV inverter, equipped with eight independent Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) channels to optimise energy yield across varying site conditions.

The inverter incorporates third-generation silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor technology, which delivers higher conversion efficiency, reduced energy losses, improved thermal performance and greater long-term reliability compared with conventional silicon-based solutions. The technology also enables more compact system designs and faster switching performance, supporting improved operational efficiency in demanding environments.

To further enhance system safety, the inverter integrates an AI-enabled Arc Fault Circuit Interrupter (AFCI) alongside real-time DC terminal temperature monitoring, helping to mitigate operational risks and support long-term asset protection.

The solution is designed for a wide range of C&I applications, including manufacturing facilities, industrial parks and commercial buildings seeking to increase renewable energy utilisation.

Through its expanding portfolio of smart energy technologies, Haier Energy aims to support customers worldwide in advancing the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient energy future.

https://www.haier-energy.com/
https://www.haier.com/global/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/haier-energy-makes-intersolar-europe-2026-debut-with-integrated-residential-and-ci-energy-solutions-302808557.html

SOURCE Haier Energy

Continue Reading

Trending