Technology

Jadavpur University Alumni National Conference in Mumbai focused on the key issues influencing India’s growth trajectory leading up to 2030

Published

1 year ago

March 26, 2025

MUMBAI, India, March 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Alumni Association of N.C.E Bengal and the Jadavpur University Mumbai Chapter hosted its 16th National Conference on March 22, 2025, in Mumbai. The event featured a distinguished lineup of speakers and a series of insightful technical sessions, attracting prominent figures from the fields of Business, Academics and Policymaking. Over 150 participants attended the National Conference, hailing from various cities across India and abroad. Among the attendees were industry leaders, business professionals, educationists and Jadavpur University alumni.

The day-long conference, titled ‘India @ 2030: Energy, Economy, Employment,’ examined India’s preparedness to achieve sustainable growth and explored the transformative actions required to realise the nation’s Vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047. The day’s proceedings commenced with the traditional lamp lighting ceremony, led by Prof. Amitava Datta, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Jadavpur University; Debashis Chatterjee, CEO & Managing Director of LTIMindtree; and Pankaj Kumar, Director of Production at ONGC Ltd.

Commenting on the National Conference, Prof. Amitava Datta said, “Alumni are the brand ambassadors of an institute and are one of its most important stakeholders. It was a wonderful experience for me to attend the national seminar arranged by the Mumbai branch of the Alumni Association of N.C.E Bengal and Jadavpur University on 22nd March. The Conference covered thought-provoking discussions and stimulating interactions on Energy, Economy, and Employment—three key pillars on which our country aspires to move forward in its path of development. It is also a privilege for me to get the opportunity to present the current state of our alma mater before alumni. I believe the bonding between the alumni members and the University will grow further in the coming years.”

Amitava Mukhopadhyay, former Executive Director of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and an alumnus of Jadavpur University, chaired the panel titled ‘Energy – Challenges and Opportunities.’ The panel featured a distinguished lineup of experts, including Dipak Bharuka, CEO of JNK India; Suparna Singh, Head of Corporate Strategy (Special Projects) at L&T; and Soumyasree Chakraborty, Senior Principal at BCG. The session concluded with an engaging, interactive Q&A, where the panellists shared valuable insights into India’s energy transition and offered their perspectives on the country’s future trajectory in this critical domain.

“India’s energy transition is at the heart of our journey toward sustainable growth and economic resilience. As we shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy, embrace electric vehicles and green hydrogen, and evolve our hydrocarbon sector towards chemicals and petrochemicals, we must also focus on moving towards a circular economy. The challenges are significant, from diversifying energy sources to overcoming financial barriers, but the opportunity for innovation is immense. By tackling these issues head-on, India can not only meet its climate commitments post-COP-26 but also lead the way in building a cleaner, more sustainable future for generations to come,” Mukhopadhyay said.

Senior journalist, author, and former Jadavpur University alumnus Rajrishi Singhal chaired a thought-provoking panel on the Economy, featuring Anagha Deodhar, Senior Economist at ICICI Bank India, and Indranil Chakraborty, Chief General Manager at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The final panel of the day, chaired by Aparup Sengupta, Founder and Chairman of Aaj Global Group, focused on the critical issue of Employment. The panel included Prof. Alakh Sharma, Director of the Institute for Human Development (New Delhi); Sujatha Shivsankar, Associate Partner (HR Transformation) at KPMG India; and Prachi Choudhary, Director of People Consulting at EY.

Subhojit Bose, an alumnus of Jadavpur University, was pivotal in the success of the conference as the Convener of the Marketing Sub-committee. “I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Conference Management Committee for organizing a national conference on such a highly relevant topic. It was a valuable learning experience for all participants, especially our young alumni, who had the opportunity to hear from esteemed dignitaries across various fields, sharing their insights and expertise. A special thank you goes to our generous donors. This conference would not have been possible without their unwavering support, and we are deeply grateful for their contributions,” Bose added.

In conjunction with the National Conference, the Mumbai Alumni also organised an Employee Connect, providing alumni with the opportunity to interact with prospective employers seeking talented professionals across various fields and roles at different levels. Boyen Haddin, a globally renowned Executive Search conglomeration, joined this year’s National Conference as the Employee Connect partner.

Prinkal Shah, Director at Boyen Haddin (Mumbai), said, “The National Conference of Jadavpur University Mumbai Alumni Association provided an invaluable platform for our team to engage with leading industry professionals, academicians, policymakers, and aspiring professionals. One of the key highlights was the Employment module, where experts deliberated on the evolving landscape of human resources amid rapid technological disruptions. The discussions underscored the critical need for skilling and reskilling to meet the demands of the future workforce, offering significant insights into talent acquisition and employability trends. Events like these foster meaningful dialogue and collaboration, reinforcing our commitment to bridging the talent gap and supporting India’s progress.”

Alumni Association of N.C.E Bengal & Jadavpur University (Mumbai):

The Mumbai Branch of the Alumni Association of N.C.E Bengal and Jadavpur University was established in 1956 to provide an umbrella under which alumni could meet, interact, and socialise. In the years that followed, the objective was expanded to include knowledge sharing and charitable activities to benefit society as a whole. More than 350 active members in the Mumbai branch are connected to various core and knowledge-based industries, professional organisations, and Government agencies.

Jadavpur University, Kolkata is one of India’s most prestigious public research institutions. It is renowned for its academic excellence, progressive ethos, and commitment to intellectual freedom. Established in 1955, the University traces its origins to the National Council of Education (NCE), which was founded in 1906 as part of India’s Swadeshi movement to promote indigenous education. Over the decades, it has evolved into a globally recognised centre for higher learning, research, and innovation, consistently ranking among the country’s top universities.

In 1921, former students of the university initiated a movement to establish the National Council of Education Alumni Association (NCE Alumni Association). When the university moved to its present campus in 1924, the NCE Alumni Association moved along with that. The Association celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2021, marking an important milestone for its alumni around the globe.

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Technology

Meridian Singapore Immigration Launches New Website to Simplify the PR Application Journey for Foreigners in Singapore

Published

3 hours ago

April 30, 2026

New online platform provides clear, structured guidance for Employment Pass and S Pass holders navigating Singapore’s residency and Permanent Residency pathways

SINGAPORE, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Meridian Singapore Immigration Pte. Ltd. has officially launched its new website at meridianimmigration.sg, a resource built specifically for foreigners living and working in Singapore who are exploring Permanent Residency or long-term residency options.

The platform arrives at a time when Singapore’s expatriate and foreign professional community is growing rapidly, yet many EP and S Pass holders report struggling to find clear, reliable information on the PR application process. Singapore’s immigration framework is among the most structured in Southeast Asia, with eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and submission windows that change frequently. For individuals navigating this process without professional guidance, the stakes are high and the margin for error is narrow.

Meridian’s website was built to address that gap directly. The platform offers detailed explanations of available immigration pathways, structured consultation options, and educational resources developed by the firm’s team of immigration specialists. Rather than presenting a services catalogue, the site walks users through the considerations relevant to their specific situation, whether they hold an Employment Pass, S Pass, or are planning for their family’s long-term residency in Singapore.

“We built this platform because we saw how overwhelming and confusing the immigration process can be for people who genuinely want to build their lives here,” said a spokesperson for Meridian Singapore Immigration. “Our goal is to be the trusted partner that walks them through every step with clarity and integrity.”

Singapore’s continued attractiveness as a regional hub for multinational corporations, financial institutions, and technology firms means the pipeline of foreigners seeking long-term residency options remains substantial. At the same time, the ICA’s PR application framework has grown more nuanced, with factors such as economic contributions, family ties, and community integration weighed during assessment. Applicants who proceed without a clear understanding of these criteria often submit applications that are either premature or structurally incomplete.

Meridian’s approach centres on preparation and transparency, helping applicants understand where they stand before they apply and what supporting documentation strengthens their case.

Meridian Singapore Immigration Pte. Ltd. is a professional immigration consultancy dedicated to guiding individuals and families through Singapore’s immigration process. Specialising in Permanent Residency (PR) applications, residency pathways, and compliance support, Meridian offers clear, structured solutions tailored to each client’s unique circumstances. Founded on the values of Guidance, Integrity, and Success, Meridian is committed to making immigration simple, transparent, and accessible for everyone. For more information, visit meridianimmigration.sg or contact info@meridianimmigration.sg / +65 8873 1113.

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SOURCE Meridian Singapore Immigration Pte. Ltd.

Technology

Socomec, Daitron team up to meet Japan’s growing power demands

Published

3 hours ago

April 30, 2026

TOKYO, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Socomec, a century-old electrical group specialising in mission-critical energy, and Japan’s Daitron, an electronics components distributor, have signed a partnership to deliver power conversion solutions and service backup power and electrical-switching systems across Japan.

The deal combines Socomec’s equipment with Daitron’s on-the-ground engineering team, which has more than 74 years of experience in the Japanese market. The two companies will handle everything from project delivery to ongoing maintenance and spare parts.

The partnership covers three product areas: uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), which keep facilities running during outages; power conversion systems, which ensure the availability and continuity of high-quality energy; and static transfer switches, which automatically reroute power loads between sources without interruption.

Beyond equipment sales, the agreement includes training, spare parts, long-term service contracts and a full range of expert services covering prevention, measurement and analysis, consultancy, deployment and optimisation. Socomec will provide product and technical training to Daitron’s team, while Daitron handles installation, servicing and day-to-day client support in Japan.

The target market spans data centres, semiconductor plants, industrial facilities, hospitals and green buildings, all areas where even brief power interruptions can prove costly. Data center demand in particular is surging, driven by the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure, with colocation and enterprise facilities among the primary targets.

“Daitron knows the Japanese market inside and out. They have the people, the relationships, and the hands-on experience, and we bring the technology to match,” said Socomec Asia-Pacific CEO O’Niel Dissanayake. “It’s a natural fit, and together we can offer something neither company could deliver alone.”

“Japan’s data centres, chip factories and industrial plants all require power systems they can count on,” said Masaharu Kato, corporate officer of Daitron. “Socomec’s technology is exactly what these customers need, and our job is to make sure it’s installed, maintained and supported properly. That’s what we do best.”

The partnership comes as Japan faces a step change in power demand. Electricity consumption is expected to grow 5.3% over the next decade, driven by data centres and semiconductor factories, according to the country’s grid operator. Industrial energy demand alone is forecast to rise 18.3% over the same period.

That growth is creating strong demand for reliable power infrastructure. Data centres, for example, run around the clock and cannot afford downtime, making backup power and efficient energy management essential. Socomec’s systems are designed to reduce power consumption without sacrificing reliability, a balance that is becoming increasingly important as operators look to manage both costs and environmental commitments.

Both companies say project planning and bids are already underway, with a long-term goal of expanding the partnership’s reach across Japan as demand grows.

About Daitron

Daitron Co., Ltd. is a Japanese engineering and trading company founded in 1952 and headquartered in Osaka. Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TYO: 7609), Daitron sells and manufactures electronic components, semiconductor processing equipment and power supply systems. The company has more than seven decades of experience serving Japan’s electronics and manufacturing industries.

SOCOMEC: When energy matters

Founded in 1922, SOCOMEC is an independent industrial group of more than 4,800 experts spread across the world in 30 subsidiaries. Our vocation: design, manufacture and sale of electrical equipment, with a strong expertize in critical power applications. In 2025, SOCOMEC achieved a turnover of 997 million euros (not yet audited).

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SOURCE Socomec

Technology

Multi-Destination Travel Surges Across Asia-Pacific This Labour Day, Trip.com Group Data Shows

Published

3 hours ago

April 30, 2026

Multi-city travel across Asia-Pacific grew 35% year-on-yearMulti-city travel outpaces single-destination growth by more than 2xSoutheast Asia sees strong double-digit growth, with Thailand up to 52% YoY

SINGAPORE, April 29, 2026 /CNW/ — Multi-city travel across Asia-Pacific grew 35% year-on-year this Labour Day period, according to data from Trip.com Group. Several Asia-Pacific markets including Japan, South Korea, parts of Southeast Asia and Mainland China celebrate Labour Day, driving strong cross-border and domestic travel flows across the region.

Over 30% of international trips now span multiple destinations, highlighting a continued shift towards more complex, itinerary-led travel. This shift reflects a growing preference to maximise time and value with multiple destinations within a single trip rather than a single location.

Multi-destination trips become a defining travel pattern

While single-destination travel continues to account for most bookings, growth is increasingly driven by more complex itineraries. Multi-destination bookings are growing at more than twice the pace of single-destination travel, reflecting stronger demand for flexibility and deeper exploration.

Travellers are increasingly structuring trips across multiple cities to maximise both time and value, with popular combinations including:

Tokyo – Osaka – Kyoto (Japan)Seoul – Busan (South Korea)Bangkok – Phuket (Thailand)

These itineraries reflect a growing preference for multi-stop journeys that blend urban experiences with leisure destinations.

Southeast Asia sees fast growth in multi-destination travel

Across Southeast Asia, demand for multi-destination travel is rising steadily, with strong growth across key markets of Thailand: 52%, Malaysia: 40%, and Singapore: 17%, according to Trip.com Group data.

Top outbound destinations across Southeast Asian markets include Japan (Tokyo, Osaka), South Korea (Seoul), China (Shanghai, Beijing), Thailand (Bangkok), Indonesia (Bali).

In other parts of Asia such as Hong Kong SAR, multi-destination travel also grew by over 50% year-on-year, highlighting growing preference for more complex itineraries over traditional single-destination trips, particularly in well-connected urban markets.

In Mainland China, domestic travel remains a strong base, while overseas journeys are increasingly shaped by multi-destination itineraries, with over 40% of outbound trips spanning multiple destinations and continuing to grow.

This suggests that travellers in this region are increasingly combining multiple cities within a single trip, supported by strong regional connectivity.

Japan’s domestic travel momentum on the rise

Japan is also seeing shifts in domestic travel behaviour, even as outbound demand continues to grow.

In Japan, domestic travel is growing rapidly, indicating rising interest in travelling within the country, accounting for one-quarter of all flight bookings, and to cities such as Tokyo, Sapporo and Okinawa.

Intra-Asia travel dominates Labour Day demand

The Labour Day holiday period continues to be driven by regional travel within Asia-Pacific, with travellers favouring destinations that offer ease of access, diverse experiences, and flexible itineraries.

The Group’s data highlights the continued strength of short-haul travel, supported by strong connectivity and shorter flight durations.

More broadly, the way people travel across Asia-Pacific is evolving. Travellers taking a more deliberate approach to how they plan their trips. While cross-border journeys are increasingly shaped by multi-city itineraries, domestic travel remains a strong and steady part of the landscape. Together, these patterns point to a more flexible and value-conscious mindset, as travellers look to make the most of both time and budget.

About Trip.com Group

Trip.com Group is a leading global travel service provider comprising of Trip.com, Ctrip, Skyscanner, and Qunar. Across its platforms, Trip.com Group helps travellers around the world make informed and cost-effective bookings for travel products and services and enables partners to connect their offerings with users through the aggregation of comprehensive travel-related content and resources, and an advanced transaction platform consisting of apps, websites and 24/7 customer service centres. Founded in 1999 and listed on NASDAQ in 2003 and HKEX in 2021, Trip.com Group has become one of the best-known travel groups in the world, with the mission “to pursue the perfect trip for a better world”. Find out more about Trip.com Group here: group.trip.com.