A University of Glasgow PhD researcher is to become the “Youth Icon” of Malaysia in recognition of her contribution to Gravitational Waves research.

Hafizah Noor Isa, 29, will receive the highly prestigious award on Sunday, May 15, from the Prime Minister of her home country, NajibRazak, at a conferral ceremony in Kuala Lumpur.

In February, it was announced to the world that for the first time that the scientists of the LIGO Scientific Collaboration and Virgo Collaboration had observed ripples in the fabric of spacetime called gravitational waves, arriving at the earth from a cataclysmic event in the distant universe. This discovery confirmed a major prediction of Albert Einstein’s 1915 general theory of relativity and opened an unprecedented new window onto the cosmos.

The gravitational waves were detected by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) detectors, based in the USA.The international team of scientists involved included a team from the University of Glasgow’s Institute for Gravitational Research who led on the development, of the sensitive mirror suspensions implemented in the heart of the LIGO detectors

Hafizah is studying the properties of the mirror-coatings of the laser interferometers with the aim of finding ways to make them even more sensitive in the future. She is a member of two research groups – the Materials and Condensed Matter Physics (MCMP) Group and the Institute of Gravitational Research (IGR).

The Youth Icon award is given by the Government of Malaysia in recognition of achievements but also to encourage other young people to follow in the footsteps of awardees.

Hafizah said: “The award is really overwhelming and it is going to give me the motivation to be a better person. I hope that by giving me this award it will attract more young people to come into the field of science.”

Professor Sheila Rowan, co-supervisor of Hafizah and Director of the University’s Institute for Gravitational Research, described the Youth Icon award as “terrific”, adding: “It recognises the importance of science and the importance of young people in science because they are the people who are going be go out and change our world.”

Media Enquiries: Liz Buie,  Communications and Public Affairs Office, University of Glasgow. [email protected] / 0141 330 2702

Link to Historic First Detection of Gravitational Waves

http://www.gla.ac.uk/research/infocus/themes/gravitationalwaves/historicfirstdetectionofgravitationalwaves/

About the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

MBDA, www.mbda.gov, is the only Federal agency dedicated to the growth and global competitiveness of U.S. minority-owned businesses. Our programs and services better equip minority-owned firms to create jobs, build scale and capacity, increase revenues and expand regionally, nationally and internationally. Services are provided through a network of MBDA Business Centers. Established in 1969, MBDA continues to be a dedicated strategic partner to all U.S. minority-owned businesses, committed to providing programs and services that provide greater access to capital, contracts and markets. Follow us on Twitter @usmbda.

Lightweight Containers has started up a new production line to make KeyKeg® Slimlines and UniKegs®. The new line is in Joliet, Illinois (US). The fully automated computer- and robot-driven line can produce the entire Slimline and UniKeg® series depending on demand. Logoplaste supports and oversees the line’s daily production.

With the new line, Lightweight Containers is preparing for the rapid growth it anticipates in the United States. Anita Veenendaal, CCO of Lightweight Containers, says, “In the last six years, our worldwide sales have grown by more than 40% a year. A production line in the US will enable us to respond to the growing demand more quickly and flexibly. We also know that there’s broad support from the American society for setting up a factory there, since we’re contributing to the US economy.”

Concentration on R&D, sales, and marketing

The new plant was designed in close collaboration with the manufacturing specialist Logoplaste. Logoplaste takes care of organizing the line’s daily production. Jan Veenendaal CEO of Lightweight Containers has this to say about this partnership: “Working with Logoplaste is enabling us to grow faster in the US, as well as to concentrate more on R&D, sales, and marketing. Logoplaste is a highly professional production partner who completely shares our views on quality and continuity. The new production line is a logical consequence of our strategy of producing as closely as possible to our customers.”

The same language

David Batey, Regional Commercial Director for Logoplaste NCEE: “Logoplaste and Lightweight Containers are both ambitious, successful family firms and we speak the same language. Besides that Lightweight Containers knows the ins and outs of both the production line and the manufacturing process through and through. Because of this we were able to round off the preparations quickly, professionally and successfully. The start of the fully automated production line went well and we’re now producing at full capacity.”

KeyKegs® are now produced at three locations: Schwerin (Germany), Den Helder (the Netherlands) and Joliet (USA). A fourth production line in Germany will be opened in mid-2016. UniKegs® will be produced in Joliet (USA).

About Lightweight Containers                                                                                                                                                    Lightweight Containers BV is the company behind the KeyKeg® and UniKeg® brands. These unique lightweight kegs combine groundbreaking R&D and advanced production methods with a clear understanding of what our customers want. The result is two complete families of one-way kegs that stand out in the market due to their innovation, quality, convenience, safety and sustainability.

Sustainability                                                                                                                                                                               Lightweight Containers is striving for a circular economy and has enshrined this in its corporate objectives. KeyKeg and UniKegs are sustainable alternatives to other types of packaging and Lightweight Containers is working hard to make this distinction even greater.

Producers and distributors of beer, wine, cider and soft drinks are making the switch to our kegs, which are now in use in over 180 countries. Our ambition for the coming years is to continue growing on every continent. Lightweight Containers is currently producing keg systems in the US, the Netherlands and Germany. A fourth production line is being built in Germany.

About Logoplaste                                                                                                                                                                         Logoplaste is a family-owned industrial group, manufacturing rigid plastic packaging for some of the most reputable companies in the world, in the food and beverage, personal care, household care and oil and lubricants sectors. Logoplaste has extensive experience with “through the wall” production, in which Logoplaste offers a complete packaging program for their clients.

Today, Logoplaste manages more than 60 factories, more than 350 machines, with locations in 16 countries: Brazil, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Poland, Mexico, the Netherlands, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Ukraine, United Kingdom, the USA and Vietnam. The most up-to-date technologies in injection molding, stretch-blow molding and extrusion molding are used to produce packages across the wide range of market segments.

Contact:

Lightweight Containers

Robbert-Jan Knoppers

Koperslagersweg 4

1786RA Den Helder, the Netherlands

+31 223 760 760 press@lightweight-containers.com
Website: www.unikeg.com

Dear Members,

We are pleased to invite you to participate in a B2B Trade Mission from Saudi Arabia that will take place on:

Date:   18 May 2016 (Wed)

Time:   9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Venue: Star Hill 3, JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur

The trade mission is organised by the Saudi Export Development Authority “SAUDI EXPORTS”  and fully supported by the Ministry of Trade and industry of Saudi Arabia. The event will be officiated by the Saudi Commercial Counselor H.E. Khalid S. Halawani.

SAUDI EXPORTS is an independent national authority that seeks to develop Saudi non-oil exports. The objective of this B2B Trade Mission is to provide a platform for sellers and buyers to meet and also for business players to showcase their products and services to international markets. Through this event, Malaysian businessmen will get to experience a more fascinating and refreshing approach to the Saudi market.

The trade delegation will comprise a group of Saudi companies & factories.

For RSVP or enquiries please contact:

Tamara Khalid

Marketing Specialist

Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Kuala lumpur

[email protected] or call +603-2141 2653

We look forward to your participation

This event is supported by MICCI

saudi

Aimed at Developing Malaysian Leaders and Building a Culture of Innovation

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 22 April 2016 – The “2016 Leadership and Talent Development Conference” will take place on Tuesday, 17th May at the KL Convention Centre.  It will focus on the importance of targeted, continuous development in leadership and the ability of organisations to identify and develop talent from within.

The conference will feature key industry players sharing their experiences in leadership and building effective talent programs to meet business demands. The agenda includes high-profile speakers from leading companies such as Apple, BP, BMW, and Astro. Opening remarks will be delivered by Talentcorp CEO, Johan Merican.

Conference Chairman, Leigh Howard stated “Our aim for this year’s conference is to deliver quality content on one of the most critical issues facing business. The ability to develop the leaders of tomorrow is a goal any growing organisation can appreciate.”

Mr. Howard added, “We have also endeavoured to make the conference as accessible as possible so that a wide range of business people and HR practitioners can attend.”

Registration fees are only RM900 per delegate and HRDF claimable.

Attendees will be exposed to a range of topics and learn how to effectively improve individual and organisational performance.  The conference will also provide practical advice on how organisations can cultivate a competitive edge by adopting a best practice approach to Leadership and Talent Development.

Full details of the conference and how to register can be found at www.sheffieldplus.com

Media Contact:

Loy Guang Wei

+603 2380-5700

[email protected]

www.sheffieldplus.com

 About Sheffield Plus

Sheffield Plus provides a full range of cutting-edge Leadership Development, Training Programs, and Talent Solutions to meet the ever-changing needs of business in the Asia-Pacific region.  The company delivers customised Talent Development Solutions with the potential to transform organisations by combining internationally benchmarked methodologies and frameworks, with local market knowledge.

To learn more visit www.sheffieldplus.com, or call us at +603 2380 5700.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) and Emirates Airline, the world’s largest international airline, renewed a deal for an additional seven years which confirms Emirates as a Global Partner for all ICC events from 2016-2023.

The ICC and the Emirates relationship dates back to 2002, when the award-winning airline came on board as a sponsor of the ICC. The partnership was strengthened with Emirates becoming the ICC’s official partner for the 2007-2015 events cycle and the official sponsor of the ICC’s elite panel of umpires and match referees.

This new deal is an extension and expansion of that partnership as Emirates will continue its sponsorship of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires and Match Referees; with the Fly Emirates logo being displayed prominently on the umpires’ clothing when they are officiating at all international cricket matches.

In the current cycle, the partnership promises to reach greater heights, as the ICC will stage an ICC World Twenty20 tournament in 2020, two ICC Champions Trophy and two ICC Cricket World Cups among a host of other events, including women’s, age-group, qualifying and development tournaments.

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: “I am delighted that Emirates has decided to continue its support for cricket by extending its partnership with the ICC. The ongoing support of the world class Emirates brand is a compliment to the health and popularity of the game and we are grateful for their assistance in ensuring that our events can continue to grow from strength to strength.”

Boutros Boutros, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand said: “The renewal of our partnership with the ICC confirms our commitment to cricket, which dates all the way back to 1999 when we sponsored the Australian team, which went on to win the World Cup. Since then, cricket has offered us a powerful platform to connect with fans and communities of cricket playing nations across Asia, Australasia and the UK. We look forward to celebrating the best moments of this inspiring sport for upcoming tournaments and events.”

With a fleet of over 250 aircraft, Emirates is also the largest operator of the state-of-the-art Airbus A380 and Boeing 777. The airline flies to 152 destinations on six continents from its home base in Dubai, making sure cricket fans, players and officials can get where they want to go.

French MPs voted last week on an additional tax on palm oil. This tax will harm the lives and livelihoods of over 300,000 small farmers in Malaysia for whom oil palm cultivation is an essential lifeline.

Dato’ Haji Aliasak Haji Ambia, President of the National Association of Smallholders Malaysia (NASH) said:

“This tax is unfair, unjustified and discriminatory towards millions of small farmers worldwide. In Malaysia, today, more than one million people would be affected by this damaging new tax. Palm oil is a lifeline for smallholders:  it enables them to provide prosperity for their families and communities, lifting them out of poverty.

“The French Government claims to be a friend of the developing world: but this new tax will hurt millions of small farmers and local communities who depend on palm oil. The proposed tax in the French National Assembly is a tax on poor people and a tax on small farmers.”

The social, economic and environmental benefits of palm oil have been recognized across the developing world, with Malaysia as a world-recognized model for smallholder development. 40 per cent of Malaysia’s oil palm is owned or managed by small farmers. Palm oil is one of the most successful poverty alleviation tools in Malaysia, helping to reduce the country’s poverty rate from 50 per cent after independence, to less than 5 per cent today.

Human Faces of Palm Oil is an international campaign to bring the story of Malaysia’s palm oil small farmers and their prosperity to stakeholders throughout the world. A joint project by the National Association of Smallholders (NASH), the Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (SALCRA) and the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), Human Faces of Palm Oil provides firsthand accounts from palm oil small farmers throughout the country who have benefited economically and socially from oil palm cultivation. For more information about Human Faces of Palm Oil, visit  www.facesofpalmoil.org.

An Adopt a School program to help rebuild Fijian schools that have been devastated by Cyclone Winston has been announced by the Honourable Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama.

Foreign governments, donor agencies, companies, community groups, sporting bodies and individuals are being asked to adopt individual schools and spearhead the building process. And the Prime Minister has urged both local and international participation as the best way to assist the nation’s children recover from the trauma of Winston.

“The experts are telling us that our students are much more likely to put the cyclone beyond them if they can get back into permanent classrooms as soon as possible. Thousands of Fijian schoolchildren are currently being taught in temporary shelters or tents. But we urgently need to rebuild those classrooms and facilities that have been damaged and destroyed and to a much higher standard to survive future events. This is a wonderful way in which people can partner with the Government to get the job done as quickly as possible”, he said.

The Adopt a School initiative comes after the Fiji Institute of Engineers sent 70 of its members in 22 teams to produce detailed structural reports on the state of schools in the devastated areas and their precise requirements. They range from repairs to damaged facilities in some places to the rebuilding of entire schools in others which bore the brunt of Winston’s fury.

“We intend to roll out this program as soon as possible. In the coming days, we will release a list of the schools that are being assessed, and as the assessments are done, the reports on those schools will become progressively available to potential donors. These reports are being done by properly qualified structural engineers so there is no question that any contribution will be money well spent. The integrity of this program is paramount”, the Prime Minister said.

A precise dollar value is being placed on the requirements of all schools and potential sponsors will be able choose a school that matches their ability to contribute.  “Obviously where a school has been destroyed or severely damaged, the commitment required will be greater and that school might need a multilateral or bilateral partner, company or civil society organisation with deeper pockets. But in some cases, the required outlay is much less and within the ability of an individual, a community group or sporting body to engage in the rebuilding process”, he said.

The PM said the Government’s overriding objective is to build new facilities capable of withstanding future cyclones. “There is no point in rebuilding our schools in the same way just to have them damaged or destroyed again. The reason why the participation of the Fiji Institute of Engineers is so important is that these experts will tell us precisely what we need to do to build structures that last”.

The PM said potential sponsors could also be assured of the accuracy of the assessments made by the Fiji Institute of Engineers. “The FIE is an independent body and its expert opinion is highly regarded locally and by the international donor community. I especially want to thank the Institute on behalf of the Government and the nation for carrying out this program of assessment free of charge as its contribution to the relief effort”, he said.

The Government envisages the links between sponsors and adopted schools will be ongoing because of the personal relationships that will be forged under the program. “This is a wonderful opportunity to make a connection with a particular school and community, help get it back on its feet and share the joy of our young people and their families as they resume the learning process in proper facilities”, the PM said.

“You may be a company with the ability to undertake rebuilding or repairs. You may be a community or sporting group that can band together and raise funds for the reconstruction effort. You may be an individual or a family with a means to make a substantial donation to pay others to undertake the work required. But whoever you are, you can help the children of Fiji resume their normal lives and put the trauma of Winston behind them”.

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For more information on Government events and decisions log onto the official Government portal at www.fiji.gov.fj

To view social media content by the Fijian Government (Photos, Videos, Tweets etc) click on our social media tools below

The Malaysia Global Business Forum will be hosting a Business and Networking Lunch in conjunction with the official visit of H.E. Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Fiji’s official visit to Malaysia on the 14th of May, 2016. To attend this important event please follow follow this link (read more)

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nq67pmdkmxuvr6o/AAAHWQUokNXBc6ODb03u6Wzwa?dl=0