Technology

Rice launches AI venture accelerator to fuel industry innovation in collaboration with Google Public Sector

Published

1 year ago

April 1, 2025

HOUSTON, April 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Today Rice University announced the launch of the Rice AI Venture Accelerator (RAVA), designed to drive early stage artificial intelligence (AI) innovation and commercialization. In collaboration with Google Public Sector, RAVA is powered by Google Cloud technology and services and aims to connect AI-focused startups with large companies and public sector organizations to solve critical business and industry challenges through AI.

“We are creating an ecosystem where industry leaders can access the next generation of AI-driven solutions.”

“We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Rice AI Venture Accelerator in partnership with Google Public Sector,” Rice President Reginald DesRoches said. “This collaboration builds on Rice’s decades-long history of innovation and aligns perfectly with our mission to transform breakthrough research into real-world impact. Through RAVA, we are creating an ecosystem where industry leaders can access the next generation of AI-driven solutions.”

The AI accelerator is led by Rice Nexus, the university’s innovation hub located in Houston’s Ion District. RAVA partners will have exclusive access to Google Public Sector’s leadership in AI and machine learning research, cloud computing and AI-focused sandbox services.

Google Cloud will provide the necessary technology to help AI startups build minimum viable products rapidly and scale those solutions for deployment across industries. This will include leading-industry technology around cybersecurity, AI-optimized infrastructure and valuable datasets. In addition, partners will benefit from Rice’s top AI researchers, who bring expertise from the Ken Kennedy Institute and the Houston innovation ecosystem.

“Google Public Sector is proud to partner with a leading institution like Rice University to launch the Rice AI Venture Accelerator,” said Reymund Dumlao, director of state and local government and education at Google Public Sector. “By providing access to Google Cloud’s cutting-edge AI, secure cloud infrastructure and expertise, we’re enabling the next generation of AI pioneers to develop solutions that address critical challenges across industries and within the public sector. This unique partnership between education and industry will give participants access to cutting-edge research, leading technologists, specialized resources and a collaborative academic ecosystem, fostering an environment for rapid innovation and growth.”

RAVA will also collaborate with non sibi ventures, a venture capital firm that specializes in identifying and selecting high-potential early stage startups to further enhance the program’s value.

While Rice Nexus — a state-of-the-art 10,000-square-foot innovation hub — will serve as the physical hub, RAVA will extend its support to AI startups from across the U.S., enabling them to develop solutions for industry and public sector challenges. This aligns with Rice’s broader strategic plan, Momentous, which prioritizes leadership in responsible AI, computing and disruptive technologies.

“By leveraging the vast resources and leadership of Google Public Public Sector from AI research, cloud service and the AI-focused Rapid Innovation Team, we will provide RAVA partners access to unparalleled technology,” said Paul Cherukuri, vice president for innovation at Rice. “This partnership is poised to accelerate the commercialization and real-world impact of AI solutions in ways that were previously unimaginable.”

Under the leadership of Sanjoy Paul, an AI expert and entrepreneur, the Nexus aims to be a key driver for innovation across multiple industries including biotech, energy, climate and health care.

“This hub enables AI startups to go beyond building minimum viable products that meet industry privacy standards by utilizing the latest AI technologies from Google Cloud,” said Sanjoy Paul, executive director of Rice Nexus. “Our goal is to maximize the return on investment for our corporate partners, driving meaningful innovation that will have lasting impact on their industries.”

RAVA represents the next step in Rice’s commitment to innovation, advancing AI research and supporting the growth of the Houston innovation ecosystem. The program will provide crucial resources to ensure that AI solutions are not only developed but also deployed at scale, changing industries and advancing technology globally, university officials said.

For more information about RAVA, please visit https://nexus.rice.edu/rava.

About Rice University
Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of architecture, business, continuing studies, engineering and computing, humanities, music, natural sciences and social sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. Internationally, the university maintains the Rice Global Paris Center, a hub for innovative collaboration, research and inspired teaching located in the heart of Paris, and Rice Global India in Bengaluru. With 4,776 undergraduates and 4,104 graduate students, Rice’s undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for lots of race/class interaction and No. 7 for best-run colleges by the Princeton Review.

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SOURCE Rice University

Technology

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

Published

5 hours ago

April 19, 2026

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

Technology

TCL Solar: Powering Pakistan with advanced solar module innovation

Published

6 hours ago

April 19, 2026

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

Technology

TCL Solar: Powering Pakistan with advanced solar module innovation

Published

6 hours ago

April 19, 2026

Key Highlights of the T5 Pro:

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.

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