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British Council East Asia Education Week 2025 Strengthening UK-East Asia higher education partnerships

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1 year ago

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UK Vice-Chancellors, UK alumni and East Asia leaders convene in Hong Kong to shape the future of mobility, research, and innovation partnerships.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 March 2025 – The British Council Hong Kong successfully hosted the British Council East Asia Education Week 2025 from 5 to 7 March 2025, bringing together senior higher education leaders from the UK and East Asia to explore new opportunities for collaboration, research, and innovation, as well as UK alumni from 12 countries and territories in the region to discuss future of international studies and work. The three-day event saw the participation of education agents, UK alumni, UK Vice-Chancellors, alongside policymakers and academic leaders from East Asia, in a series of strategic roundtables, discussions, and site visits aimed at strengthening partnerships and knowledge exchange between the UK and East Asia.

Leighton Ernsberger, Director Education, East Asia, British Council, commented, “The British Council works closely with UK and East Asia stakeholders to strengthen international higher education partnerships. Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event in Malaysia, this year’s discussions in Hong Kong not only showcased the best of UK-East Asia collaborations but also inspired the next wave of global research initiatives, transnational education, and student mobility opportunities.

“Hong Kong is a natural home for the event in East Asia. In terms of research, UK researchers rank third most common among internationally co-authored publications in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is also home to over 72,000 alumni of UK universities in the past 15 years and in 2022/23 there where over 19,000 enrolments on UK transnational education programmes, making Hong Kong, on its own, the fourth largest partner for teaching and learning in the region with the UK. This illustrates the depth and strategic nature of partnerships between Hong Kong and the UK.”

Susannah Morley, Director of British Council Hong Kong, added, “We were delighted to host the British Council East Asia Education Week in Hong Kong, where delegates from across the region engaged in critical conversations on the future of higher education and global collaboration. The participation of Vice-Chancellors from the UK on an outward mission to Hong Kong has reinvigorated partnerships and fostered new opportunities in education, research, and knowledge exchange.

“This mission focused on three priority areas – arts and culture, allied health and big data, and innovation and knowledge transfer. By strengthening connections between universities in the UK and Hong Kong, we aim to create a platform for sustainable collaboration that not only benefits both Hong Kong SAR and the UK but also contributes to the broader Greater Bay Area’s (GBA) education and innovation ecosystem.”

Key discussions shaping the future of UK-East Asia partnerships

The event featured a UK Vice-Chancellors’ Higher Education Mission, where UK university leaders engaged with East Asia’s higher education sector through site visits, strategic briefings, and discussions on research collaboration, innovation, and funding opportunities.

The East Asia Agent Conference 2025 brought together almost 200 senior directors of education agencies, universities, and aggregators from 13 countries and territories and the UK under the theme “Innovate for a Sustainable Future.” The conference focused on improving the quality of advice available to students, the value of UK qualifications and the student voice, concluding with a networking reception, fostering new connections between UK government representatives and academic leaders.

The East Asia Agent Conference reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to high-quality student support and ethical recruitment. The panel discussions throughout the day highlighted the Agent Quality Framework (AQF), a framework designed to strengthen the partnership between the UK education sector and agents and counsellors, while recognising and sharing best practices. The conference also recognised the importance of alumni engagement, employability-driven strategies, and the need for innovation in agency services to navigate market challenges and strengthen the UK’s position as a top study destination.

Alumni UK: A global network for graduates

Another key component of the East Asia Education Week was the Alumni UK Symposium, which brought together over 200 UK alumni from 12 countries and territories in East Asia to exchange insights and strengthen professional networks. The Alumni Symposium highlighted the impact of a UK education on career success, emphasising adaptability, resilience, and an entrepreneurial mindset. A series of panel discussions among alumni also underscored the power of alumni networks, the need for lifelong learning, and the importance of leveraging global connections to navigate evolving job markets and drive positive societal change. The event also provided the opportunity to celebrate 33 alumni of the British Council’s Women in STEM scholarship from across Southeast Asia and the new British Council Scholarship for Women in Hong Kong, launched in 2024 and supported by the Sir Tang Shiu Kin Education Trust ahead of International Women’s Day. The first cohort of four students from Hong Kong are currently in the UK studying at Newcastle universities.

Connecting UK alumni from around the world, the British Council Alumni UK platform creates a global network designed to connect graduates of UK universities with their peers worldwide and provides professional development and job opportunities to support career progression.

The event was supported by several partners: the University of Hong Kong provided an amazing backdrop to the event, Pearson PTE as Gold partners for the week, Easy Transfer as the reception sponsor, British Council IELTS, Grok Global Services and Oxford International Education Group as event partners. Several UK partners were at the heart of event as well, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), UK Universities International (UUKI), British University International Liaison Association (BUILA) and UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), reflecting the strategic importance of Hong Kong to the UK.

To learn more about Alumni UK, visit: https://alumniuk.britishcouncil.org/.

For more details on the British Council East Asia Education Week, please visit: https://www.britishcouncil.hk/en/programmes/education/british-council-east-asia-education-week-2025

Hashtag: #BritishCouncil

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Hong Kong Company Formations Surge 40.5% in 2025, Outpacing Regional Competitors

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11 hours ago

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15/05/2026

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Air Corporate data reveals 9 in 10 founders incorporated in Hong Kong do so remotely, driven by a 20% surge in Middle Eastern entrepreneurs seeking cost-effective operational alternatives to Dubai.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 May 2026 – Air Corporate registered a 40.5% increase in Hong Kong incorporations in 2025, with the first quarter of 2026 already up 48% year-over-year. This data indicates that Hong Kong is reasserting itself as the leading Asian jurisdiction for company formation, fueled by a new wave of remote founders from the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe.

The prevailing narrative over the past five years suggested that Singapore was eclipsing Hong Kong; however, recent incorporation volumes challenge this. According to city-wide official figures cited by Vivian, Founder of Air Corporate, approximately 195,000 companies were registered in Hong Kong in 2025, compared to around 77,000 in Singapore.

“There was a lot of fuss about Singapore taking over Hong Kong as preferred jurisdiction over the last few years, but for 2025 alone, around 195,000 companies were formed in HK, vs around 77,000 for Singapore,” said Vivian. While city-wide registrations rose roughly 35% in 2025, incorporations at Air Corporate specifically grew by 40.5%. Vivian added, “With a 35% increase in the number of companies registered in 2025, Hong Kong is definitely back in the game as the top jurisdiction to start a company.”

The reality of Hong Kong company formation is increasingly global, lean, and founder-led. Nine in ten founders incorporated in Hong Kong with Air Corporate do not live there.

Key demographic and operational insights from Air Corporate’s client base include:

  • Approximately 90% of founders operate remotely from abroad, while 10% or less are based in Hong Kong.
  • Entrepreneurs aged 35 to 44 represent the largest age cohort at 38%, demonstrating that Hong Kong attracts founders in their prime career years rather than just younger digital nomads.
  • Serial entrepreneurs make up 60% of Air Corporate’s client mix, utilizing Hong Kong as an operational base for multiple companies, while first-time founders account for the remaining 40%.
  • A total of 89% of new companies are launched by solo founders (58%) or small teams of two to five individuals (31%).
  • Mainland China, Hong Kong, Turkey, India, the UAE, Australia, France, and Morocco rank among the top source markets for these founders.

Furthermore, 73% of new Hong Kong incorporations are directly tied to physical goods trade with China. This consists of e-commerce and dropshipping businesses (38%) and the trading of goods (35%). The recovery of in-person trade flows, including events, such as the Canton Fair and various industrial fairs, is pulling foreign founders back into the Greater China orbit and establishing Hong Kong as the natural entry point and financial layer over the world’s largest manufacturing base.

Air Corporate’s data recorded a 20% year-over-year growth in founders originating from the Middle East. This shift highlights a reverse migration where founders previously incorporated in Dubai are now choosing Hong Kong. Based on Vivian’s observations, founders often arrive in Dubai expecting fast incorporation and low costs, but discover that incorporation and maintenance are significantly more expensive than in Hong Kong, and banking remains difficult. Consequently, many founders move to Hong Kong after 12 to 24 months in the UAE, a trend accelerated by the Hong Kong government’s strategic outreach to the region.

For lean, remote-first businesses, speed-to-market is a critical factor. A founder located anywhere in the world can incorporate in Hong Kong and open a working bank account in approximately 7 days using digital banking partners. Currently, 90% of Air Corporate’s clients utilize these digital banking partners.

“Hong Kong and Singapore are the only places in Asia where you can set up your company, get a corporate account, and be in business in less than a week,” concluded Vivian.

Air Corporate is a service provider facilitating company formation and incorporation in Hong Kong for serial entrepreneurs, first-time founders, and remote-first business owners operating globally.

Media Inquiries
To learn more about Hong Kong company formation, visit Air Corporate’s website or contact their team directly.

Hashtag: #AirCorporate

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Natural Diamonds Sparkle on The Red Carpet at The 2026 Met Gala Celebrating “Costume Art”

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11 hours ago

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15/05/2026

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Today’s biggest stars express individuality and confidence with natural diamonds

NEW YORK, US – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 May 2026 – The 2026 Met Gala celebrating “Costume Art” took place May 4th at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, bringing together leading figures from across the globe for an unforgettable evening. These tastemakers showcased the most classic, refined and distinctive diamond jewelry looks of the season. Below, A Diamond is Forever highlights the standout trends from the event.

Desert diamonds

Desert diamonds emerged as a striking throughline on the Met Gala carpet, with a range of hues in distinctive settings taking focus.

Rihanna led the trend in a pair of exceptionally rare old Moghul Golconda fancy brown-yellow diamond earrings by Glenn Spiro, featuring two pear-shaped natural diamonds totaling 51.9 carats. Doja Cat offset her all nude look with a pair of large Leviev Diamonds floral-shaped earrings while Paloma Elsesser made a statement in a 29.5-carat diamond necklace by Bernard James, centered around a 15-carat fancy light yellow pear-shaped natural diamond. Cara Delevingne wore a De Beers London Forces of Nature High Jewelry ring, featuring marquise yellow diamonds set as eyes, while Emma Chamberlain opted for yellow and white diamond earrings by Chopard, underscoring the continued allure of warm diamond hues.

Magnificent Diamond Earrings

A wide variety of captivating silhouettes defined the natural diamond earrings on the Met Gala carpet. Zoë Kravitz delivered a modern twist with oversized diamond flower earrings by Jessica McCormack. Chase Sui Wonders opted for Jean Schlumberger by Tiffany & Co. Sea Fan earrings, bringing an element of sculptural artistry to the look. Gracie Abrams selected gently dangling Chanel earrings, adding understated fluidity, while Connor Storrie selected simple hoop earrings from Tiffany & Co., reinforcing the clean and enduring appeal of natural diamonds.

Standout Diamond Moments

Natural diamonds appeared in personal, unconventional and eye-catching ways, offering moments of surprise and awe. Power couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z embodied this trend with Beyoncé wearing Chopard’s Queen of Kalahari necklace, named after the rare 342-carat diamond that provided 23 stones for Chopard’s Garden of Kalahari collection. Jay-Z contributed to the narrative with a vintage diamond brooch by Briony Raymond worn at the collar as an unexpected placement that underscored the piece’s versatility. Isha Ambani made the styling of diamonds an art form in itself, wearing her own diamond jewelry featuring approximately 150 carats of old mine-cut diamonds, including a three-strand necklace and chandelier earrings, while also incorporating diamonds sewn directly into the bodice of her sari to represent significant moments in her life.

Together, these looks highlighted a shift toward natural diamonds as vessels of personal expression, styled with intention, individuality, and a sense of the unexpected.

Hashtag: #MetGala #RedCarpet #ADiamondisForever #NaturalDiamonds #Diamonds





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Turn Your Savings into a Front-Row Experience: HL Bank Singapore Offers Exclusive Passes to AsiaTop Music Festival 2026

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22 hours ago

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14/05/2026

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The premier music festival will play host to 16 K-pop, regional and Malaysian stars including, in performance order: Day 1 – NexT1DE, Aina Abdul, Belle Sisoski, Win Metawin, NMIXX, WINNER, DAESUNG, KUN. Day 2 – Uriah See, Firdhaus, Butterbear, 82MAJOR, STAYC, CRAVITY, TWS, CxM

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 May 2026 – Your next major K-pop experience is just a savings goal away as HL Bank Singapore (“HLB Singapore”) bridges the gap between financial wellness and the front row. In an exclusive collaboration designed for the ultimate music enthusiast, the bank is offering fans the chance to secure a pair of sought-after AsiaTop Music Festival 2026 tickets, valued at up to RM1,098 (approx. S$355), simply by growing their wealth.

HL Bank Singapore is giving music fans the chance to redeem exclusive passes to the AsiaTop Music Festival 2026, featuring top Asian acts, through its iSavings Reward Campaign.

This unique initiative stems from the regional synergy between Hong Leong Bank (“HLB”) and Tencent Music Entertainment Group (JOOX and QQ Music). By aligning with Visit Malaysia Year and Visit Selangor Year 2026, HLB is transforming the traditional banking experience into a gateway for premium entertainment. Scheduled for 30 and 31 May 2026 at the iconic Sepang International Circuit, the festival promises a high-octane weekend featuring an elite lineup of Asian superstars, including the largest K-pop showcase in the ASEAN region.

Securing a spot at the heart of the action has been streamlined through the iSavings Reward Campaign, running from 9 May 2026 to 18 May 2026. To participate, fans first decide on their preferred festival experience, selecting either a pair of Standard Passes with a S$5,000 deposit or the high-energy, nearer-to-the-stars Rockzone Passes with a S$8,282 deposit for their chosen day.

Once a tier is selected, customers can register by depositing the qualifying funds into an iSavings account via FAST or Links transfer. To validate their entry, customers must include the specific Comment Code, such as PALLIR1 for Day 1 Rockzone, within the funds transfer description. The qualifying balance must be maintained within the account for a six-month (182 days) earmarked period.

With only 88 pairs of tickets available for this exclusive campaign, the stakes are high. Allocation is limited to 22 pairs per day for each ticket category and will be awarded strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans are encouraged to act quickly to ensure their savings work as hard as they do while securing a premier seat at the musical event of the year.

For full terms & conditions, and further details, please visit: www.hlbank.com.sg/AsiaTop2026

Hashtag: #HLBankSingapore

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HL Bank Singapore

HL Bank Singapore is the Singapore branch of Hong Leong Bank Berhad, a leading digital-centric Malaysia-based financial services institution with a rooted heritage in the country spanning over 120 years. Operating under a Full Bank Licence in Singapore, HL Bank offers a comprehensive range of financial services to our business, retail and high networth customers through our 4 core business segments – Business & Corporate Banking, Personal Financial Services, Private Wealth Management and Global Markets.

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