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Innovate to Benefit Society: Clarivate validates PolyU’s research excellence–achieving outstanding growth in research output and global leadership in engineering and AI-medical research

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 January 2026 – The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) yesterday unveiled the PolyU Research Excellence Report at a high-profile forum co-hosted with Clarivate, a leading global provider of transformative intelligence. The landmark report provides a comprehensive evaluation of PolyU research achievements and impact, reaffirming the University’s position as a global innovation powerhouse. The event, “Research Excellence Report Launch cum Impact Forum: Innovating for Global Impact”, drew around 100 distinguished attendees, including academic leaders from other tertiary institutions in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland, industry partners and policymakers. According to Clarivate, PolyU achieved a remarkable 65% surge in high-impact research output and a 55% rise in highly cited papers from 2020 to 2024, and led all University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded institutions in research publications in 2024, underscoring its position at the forefront of Hong Kong’s academic excellence.

The event was officiated by Prof. Timothy TONG, Chairman of the Research Grants Council (RGC); Mr Osher GILINSKY, Vice President for Asia Pacific, Academia and Government, Clarivate; and Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, who delivered opening remarks.

Celebrating PolyU’s exceptional research achievements and their far-reaching impacts on society, the Nation and the world, Prof. Tong stated, “The PolyU Research Excellence Report vividly demonstrates its commitment to sustainable development, reflecting the dedication and innovation of its faculty, researchers and students.” Prof. Tong commended PolyU for its effective use of research resources, noting the significant advancements in AI-driven medical breakthroughs, climate solutions and sustainability. He further emphasised the RGC’s ongoing commitment to supporting research that addresses major societal challenges, exemplified by initiatives such as the Research Impact Fund. Additionally, he reaffirmed the RGC’s partnership with universities in strengthening Hong Kong’s status as a global knowledge hub.

Recognising PolyU’s outstanding global research performance, Mr Gilinsky elaborated, “In recent years, PolyU has demonstrated high research productivity in high quality, driving for high impact for the society. PolyU was granted 1,020 patents between 2020 and 2024, the second highest among UGC-funded universities. To enhance research translation, PolyU has formed partnerships with companies including NVIDIA, Huawei and Alibaba. These achievements illustrate PolyU’s international connectivity, diverse disciplinary strengths and strong culture of research translation. Leveraging its strength with the Chinese Mainland resources, PolyU is also accelerating knowledge transfer and identifying emerging areas for discovery, particularly in AI-powered healthcare, sustainable engineering, advanced manufacturing and smart city development—fields where it aims for global leadership.”

Prof. Chao emphasised, “The report is a testament to years of dedicated effort, groundbreaking innovation and the unwavering commitment of the PolyU academic community. In 2025, we are proud to have 21 PolyU scholars named Highly Cited Researchers by Clarivate, while 428 rank among Stanford University’s World’s Top 2% Most-cited Scientists—placing PolyU second among Hong Kong tertiary institutions. Our Strategic Plan 2025/26 – 2030/31, themed ‘Unite to Meet Challenges, Innovate to Benefit Society,’ will further empower PolyU to deliver even more transformative contributions to society.”

Clarivate has been forging continuous collaborations with numerous institutions, including co-authoring the report series The impact of research undertaken by universities in Hong Kong with UGC in 2022. Produced by Clarivate using authoritative data from the Web of Science, the PolyU Research Excellence Report delivers a comprehensive assessment of the University’s overall research performance and achievements, highlighting PolyU’s global leadership in engineering, advancements in powering medical research with emerging AI technologies, and unique contributions to the hospitality, fashion and textile, design and art disciplines that distinguish the University on the global stage.

PolyU’s strengths are exemplified by its leadership in Hong Kong’s research output growth, achieving the highest number of publications among UGC‑funded universities in 2024. Nearly 40% of its outputs are internationally co-authored, while 27% involve QS Top 50 university partners. The quality and impact of the University’s research output are further evidenced by its strong disciplinary performance. In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, seven PolyU disciplines rank in the global Top 30, while, overall, 26 disciplines are listed among the world’s Top 100, underscoring the breadth and depth of the University’s academic excellence across multiple fields.

Following the report launch, the Impact Forum featured a high-level panel discussion on “Innovations and Challenges in Research Evaluation”. The discussion facilitated insightful exchanges between the panel and attendees on evolving approaches to research assessment, the importance of measuring societal impact and strategies for fostering cross-institutional collaboration.

The PolyU Research Excellence Report is now available on the PolyU website: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/ipao/institutional-performance/research-excellence-report/

Highlights from the report:

  • Engineering Leadership: Ranked 6th globally in Engineering and 2nd in Civil Engineering (Subject Rankings of U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings 2025-2026), with research supporting Hong Kong’s Cross Bay Link project and national space missions. PolyU engineering publications grew by 68% between 2020-2024, with 38% of Hong Kong’s engineering publications affiliated with the University in 2024.
  • AI-driven Medical Innovations: 261 patents in Computing and Control solutions, including LungRT Pro (a radiotherapy support system), Scolioscan® (radiation-free scoliosis diagnosis) and STARS (a smartphone-based vision screening tool for children). These life‑changing innovations demonstrate PolyU’s strong interdisciplinary integration across computer science, optometry, biomedical engineering, rehabilitation sciences and nursing.
  • Unique Disciplines: Global top rankings in Hospitality and Tourism Management, and Textile Science and Engineering (1st and 5th respectively in ShanghaiRanking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025), as well as Art and Design (22nd in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025). Groundbreaking work includes smart wearables for stroke patients, AI-powered tourism demand forecasting platforms and sustainable community design projects.
  • Collaborative Impact: Over 600 international collaboration agreements with 390+ institutions across 45 countries and regions, and 3,100+ collaborative projects in the Chinese Mainland. Between 2020 and 2024, nearly 40% of its high-quality research publications were co-authored with international institutions. PolyU Unicorn startups have created over 5,000 international job opportunities and generated significant economic value.

Hashtag: #PolyU #Clarivate #ResearchOutput #AIMedical #Engineering #HongKong

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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SCOPE’s Ultra-Luxury Residential Performance Underscores Strong Investor Confidence in Thailand’s Prime Market

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BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 January 2026 – Amid heightened volatility across global luxury real estate markets driven by geopolitical tensions, trade policy uncertainty, and persistent inflationary pressures, Thailand’s ultra-luxury residential sector continues to demonstrate notable resilience. Within this context, SCOPE, a Bangkok-based ultra-luxury residential developer, reported total sales exceeding THB 2.6 billion in 2025, underscoring sustained confidence from high-net-worth individuals and international investors.

SCOPE Langsuan

Despite global headwinds including escalating trade disputes, rising commodity prices, and shifting monetary policies, Thailand’s prime residential market remains structurally strong. Bangkok, in particular, continues to attract foreign buyers seeking long-term residential assets that combine lifestyle quality with capital stability. Demand in this segment has been driven less by short-term speculation, and more by purchasers prioritizing quality, identity, and long-term livability.

Value Proposition in a Global Context
One of the defining strengths of Thailand’s ultra-luxury market lies in its compelling value proposition when compared to global gateway cities such as London, New York, Tokyo, or Hong Kong. Prime residences in Bangkok remain significantly more accessible in terms of price, while offering comparable and in some cases superior, standards of design, space, and lifestyle.

Performance-Driven Luxury Development
SCOPE’s 2025 performance provides a clear illustration of how well-executed ultra-luxury developments can outperform broader market trends. Despite a general slowdown in Thailand’s property market, the company achieved over THB 2.6 billion in annual sales, reflecting consistent demand within the ultra-luxury segment.

Commenting on the market outlook, Mr. Yongyutt Chaipromprasith, Chief Executive Officer of SCOPE Company Limited, said: “Thailand offers exceptional value when compared with global cities, not only in pricing but also in quality of life, project standards, and long-term livability. Many international investors view Thai ultra-luxury residences as a safe haven asset, supported by competitive rental yields, lower holding costs, and a lifestyle proposition that few markets can replicate.”

Among its flagship developments, SCOPE Langsuan recorded over 90% sales completion within 2025, reflecting strong demand from discerning buyers. The project’s success highlights a clear shift in buyer behavior: ultra-luxury purchasers are increasingly focused on authenticity, design integrity, and long-term residential value rather than speculative gains.

Central to this appeal is SCOPE’s collaboration with internationally acclaimed designer Thomas Juul-Hansen, whose portfolio includes prominent residential development in New York, notably along the iconic “Millionaire’s Row.” By engaging designers of this caliber, SCOPE reinforces its role as a developer of globally competitive, non-replicable residential projects, rather than locally derivative offerings.

This approach further emphasizes the “value for money” proposition of Thailand’s luxury market. Achieving equivalent design pedigree and spatial quality in global financial capitals would require significantly higher development and acquisition costs.

Beyond Assets: Designing for Real Living
Beyond financial performance, SCOPE’s developments are conceived as long-term homes rather than transactional assets. The company’s development framework is anchored on three core pillars: Product Excellence, Lifestyle Integration, and World-Class Hospitality.

This philosophy guides every stage of development — from spatial planning and material selection to service design and community environments — ensuring that residences are built to support genuine, long-term living.

Elevating Living Through Hospitality
A defining component of SCOPE’s ultra-luxury positioning is its proprietary ACQUA Hospitality Service, designed from the perspective of real homeowners. The concept integrates five-star hotel service principles into everyday residential living, redefining luxury as thoughtful attention to detail that enhances quality of life.

From curated common spaces designed as well-being hubs, to personalized residential services and collaborations with world-class architects and designers, SCOPE aims to establish new benchmarks for service-driven, timeless luxury in Thailand’s residential market. This evolution reflects a broader industry shift from competing on physical specifications alone to competing on holistic living experiences.

Outlook: Thailand’s Luxury Market at a Turning Point
Bangkok continues to rank among the world’s leading lifestyle destinations, recognized for its blend of global connectivity, healthcare standards, infrastructure, and cultural vibrancy. These fundamentals support its growing role as both a primary residence base and an investment within Southeast Asia.

Looking ahead, Thailand’s ultra-luxury real estate market is transitioning from price-based competition toward differentiation driven by design excellence, development standards, service quality, and long-term livability. This shift strengthens the country’s positioning on the global stage and reinforces ultra-luxury residential assets as stable, long-term investments amid ongoing global uncertainty.

Hashtag: #Scope #Scopecollection



The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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“No Data, No Talk”: How Data Fundraising Is Redefining SME Growth in ASEAN

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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 January 2026 – In an era where investors are more selective than ever, SMEs can no longer rely on vision, passion, or static pitch decks alone. The new rule of fundraising is clear: No Data, No Talk.

Participants of the Data Fundraising Masterclass gather on Day 3 of the programme in Kuala Lumpur, where SME owners presented investor-ready pitch decks built using CapitalOS, BizPal’s data-driven corporate finance platform.


This message took centre stage at the
Data Fundraising Masterclass (12–14 December 2025) organised by BizPal by Simplyfi™, where close to 80 SME owners, founders, and senior leaders gathered to learn how technology, branding, and corporate finance must be integrated into a single, data-driven narrative to unlock capital and sustainable growth.

The three-day masterclass was designed to help SMEs move beyond siloed decision-making. Participants were guided through structuring their business models, identifying value drivers, and translating strategy into investor-ready financial narratives using CapitalOS — BizPal’s data-driven corporate finance platform that consolidates operational, strategic, and financial data into a coherent dashboard designed to speak the language of investors.

“I thank the team for their tireless preparation for the masterclass. Our mission is simple — SMEs should never walk into a funding conversation unsure of their numbers,” said Ms. Anya Tan, CEO of BizPal by Simplyfi™.

Rather than treating technology, brand, and finance as separate initiatives, CapitalOS demonstrated how these elements work together to form one credible, measurable story of enterprise value.

Technology as a Measurable Growth Strategy
As part of the programme, guest speaker Mr. Chris Teng, Sales Director of FSBM Holdings Berhad, shared insights on the role of technology in enterprise scalability.

“Every business today needs a clear technology blueprint — not just to operate efficiently, but to attract investors. Technology is the foundation of scalability. When you can demonstrate how your tech investments drive data, efficiency, and market access, your enterprise value naturally grows.”

This session reinforced a core principle of data fundraising: technology only creates value when it produces measurable outcomes. Within CapitalOS, participants learned how technology investments can be translated into operational metrics and long-term financial impact — moving technology from a backend function to a valuation driver.

Turning Brand and IP into Recognised Assets
In another session, Mr. Tee Lin Yik, CEO and Co-founder of Tee IP Sdn Bhd, addressed the growing importance of brand and intellectual property (IP) valuation in fundraising.

“Your marketing, design, and digital assets are not just expenses — they represent intangible value. When structured properly, these can be recognised as brand assets, contributing directly to enterprise valuation.”
Participants explored how branding and IP, when properly documented and governed, can be captured within CapitalOS as value-creating assets, strengthening credibility during fundraising discussions and due diligence.

Finance, Governance, and the Investor Lens
Concluding Day 2, Mr. Dylan Woon, Director of Sparta Haus, highlighted the importance of live data, governance, and transparency from an investor’s perspective.

“In the modern business environment, static reports are no longer enough. Investors expect live dashboards and clear governance trails. Platforms like CapitalOS help SMEs manage and present their data dynamically — aligning business strategy with financial credibility.”

Through guided exercises, participants learned to view their businesses from an investor’s lens — understanding how data consistency, governance discipline, and financial clarity directly influence valuation and funding decisions.

From Learning to Real Conversations
Beyond theory, the programme delivered tangible outcomes. Participants were guided to develop investor-ready pitch decks using AI-assisted tools, with many completing their decks during the three-day programme.

Several selected participants presented their pitch decks to investors and judging panelists on Day 3, leading to follow-up discussions and early expressions of interest.

Soft Launch of Global Mentorship Exchange (GMx)
Wrapping up Day 3 of the Data Fundraising Masterclass, BizPal also announced the soft launch of the Global Mentorship Exchange (GMx), a strategic ecosystem initiative designed to complement CapitalOS by connecting experienced business leaders with high-potential entrepreneurs.

BizPal Head of Innovation, Wayne, announcing the soft launch of the Global Mentorship Exchange (GMx) alongside Dato’ Jacky of Asia Success Media Group during Day 3 of the Data Fundraising Masterclass in Kuala Lumpur.
BizPal Head of Innovation, Wayne, announcing the soft launch of the Global Mentorship Exchange (GMx) alongside Dato’ Jacky of Asia Success Media Group during Day 3 of the Data Fundraising Masterclass in Kuala Lumpur.

The initiative is built on a central premise: the greatest untapped resource in business is experience. GMx aims to make this experience more accessible by providing a structured platform where mentors, entrepreneurs, and investors can engage through data-backed evaluation, technology-enabled assessment, and transparent benchmarking.

GMx is positioned as a global exchange where experienced founders and industry leaders support emerging businesses not only through guidance, but through measurable insights aligned with investor expectations. By integrating mentorship with structured evaluation frameworks, GMx seeks to help high-potential SMEs gain visibility, credibility, and readiness for the global stage.

According to the organisers, the soft launch marks the first phase of a broader effort to formalise mentorship, recognition, and capital access into a single ecosystem — enabling experience, data, and technology to work together in supporting sustainable enterprise growth.

Validated by Participants
The impact of the masterclass was reflected in post-programme feedback:

  • Over 80% of respondents rated their likelihood to recommend the programme 8–10 on the Net Promoter Score (NPS) scale
  • Participants rated the programme an average of 4.52 out of 5 stars for value received relative to investment
  • The results highlight strong validation from SME owners on the programme’s relevance, practicality, and return on learning

Beyond the Masterclass
To ensure continuity and execution beyond the workshop, all participants have been invited to an upcoming online coaching session, where they will further strengthen their teams’ hands-on capability in using CapitalOS.
For SMEs interested in joining future cohorts, BizPal by Simplyfi™ is accepting early expressions of interest for upcoming Data Fundraising programmes in 2026.

Interested businesses can:
– Register interest for 2026 programmes: [email protected]
– Schedule a complimentary CapitalOS consultation: [email protected]

One System, One Story
The masterclass demonstrated a clear framework:

  • Technology generates data
  • Brand amplifies enterprise value
  • Corporate finance translates strategy into investor language

CapitalOS ties these elements together, enabling SMEs to move from intuition-led decision-making to data-backed, investor-ready positioning.

Through its CapitalOS methodology, BizPal by Simplyfi™ is helping canvASEAN SMEs transition from intuition-led decision-making to data-backed, investor-ready businesses — proving that in today’s capital market, the conversation begins with data, or it doesn’t begin at all.

Hashtag: #NoDataNoTalk #DataFundraising #InvestorReady #CapitalReadiness #FinTech #BusinessValuation #ASEANSMEs




The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About BizPal by Simplyfi™

BizPal by Simplyfi™ empowers ASEAN SMEs to become investor-ready through data-driven corporate finance solutions. Its flagship platform, CapitalOS, consolidates operational, strategic, and financial data into a unified system that speaks the language of investors. By integrating technology, brand, and finance into one measurable narrative, BizPal helps SMEs transition from intuition-led decision-making to data-backed growth strategies.

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IIMAKER Speaks at 2026 Chongli Forum: Defining the “Soul” and “Threshold” of Game Content Creation in the AI-Native Era

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CHONGLI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 January 2026 – The “2026 Chongli Forum” entered its core agenda today at the snow resort in northern China. As a high-profile annual thought leadership event in China’s technology and industrial innovation sector, this year’s forum, themed “New Orientation, New Establishment,” attracted numerous industry leaders including Yu Minhong, founder of New Oriental, Zhou Hongyi, founder of 360 Group, and Yang Guang, Chairman of the Alibaba Design Committee. They explored new trends, pathways, and paradigms under the sweeping wave of artificial intelligence. The forum focused on cutting-edge fields such as the digital economy, AI, green low-carbon development, and the ice-snow economy, aiming to build a cross-disciplinary hub for collaborative ideas.

In the highly anticipated “Hardcore AI Hub” sub-forum, a roundtable discussion titled “AI×Everything: The Dreams and Experiments of a New Generation of Entrepreneurs” delved into how AI is reshaping the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Among the participants, Wei Tianrun, co-founder of IIMAKER – an innovative company specializing in AI-powered games and interactive content – shared his unique insights and practical experience on AI empowering the creative industry.

With the rapid development of Generative AI (AIGC) technology, the global gaming and interactive content industry is undergoing an unprecedented productivity revolution. From the automatic generation of characters and scenes to the batch production and precise delivery of marketing materials, AI is drastically reducing the marginal cost of content creation and distribution. Simultaneously, a core question is becoming increasingly prominent: As tools become ubiquitous, how can products avoid homogenization? How can enterprises build unique brand value and competitive barriers that transcend the technology itself? This is not only an issue for the gaming industry but also a “soul-searching” question that all AI-native application fields must confront.

Regarding the rise of “one-person companies,” Wei Tianrun pointed out that AI indeed significantly lowers the threshold from idea to execution, smoothing over the resource-intensive and highly specialized barriers inherent in traditional creation. For example, leveraging its AI toolchain, IIMAKER can compress the production cycle for marketing materials – which originally took weeks and required cross-team collaboration – down to just a few hours, while also enabling rapid localization of content for multiple global markets. However, he simultaneously emphasized that AI also raises new thresholds: Firstly, the threshold for deep insight and top-level design. AI can optimize click-through rates but cannot replace humans in understanding the subcultural emotions and unspoken needs of player communities. This demands stronger cultural sensitivity and sociological thinking from teams. Secondly, the new threshold of compliance and ethics. Issues like copyright and data security associated with AIGC require entrepreneurs to master an entirely new system of norms and regulations.

When discussing how to inject “soul” into AI-native products, Wei Tianrun elaborated on IIMAKER’s core philosophy – “Empowerment, Not Replacement.” He stated that all the company’s technological development serves one goal: to reduce technical friction and unleash creator potential, not to let AI dominate the creative process. “AI is the most powerful ‘brush’ in the creator’s hand, but the one holding the brush will always be the creator themselves.” IIMAKER strives to be the most trusted “first stop” and “spiritual home” for creators entering the AI-native creative era. Its brand distinction lies not in possessing any single, top-tier, isolated AI technology, but in its profound understanding and systematic empowerment of the entire “interactive content creation” process.

Addressing industry concerns that AIGC might lead to homogenization of community content, Wei Tianrun introduced IIMAKER’s “proactive shaping” strategy. The company encourages and protects truly original content imbued with a human soul through a multi-pronged approach: building an AI tool library containing diverse stylistic models, deliberately promoting innovative content within its algorithmic recommendations, establishing an anti-plagiarism content fingerprinting system, and setting up honor and economic incentive systems centered around “creative originality” and “emotional impact.” He emphasized that IIMAKER’s ultimate goal is to catalyze the “from 0 to 0.1” spark of original ideas, while using AI to efficiently solve the “from 1 to 100” problem of scaling.

Finally, Wei Tianrun offered a sincere reminder to young entrepreneurs in the AI field: the most easily underestimated cost is the “Alignment Cost” – namely, the cost of aligning with AI tool intent, the cost of connecting with real market value, and the management cost of internal team cognitive transformation. These are often (implicit) and substantial. Conversely, the part most irreplaceable by AI is precisely the ability to “Ask the Right Questions”discovering and defining those unmet, profound human needs and pain points will always be the most fundamental starting point for innovation.

Hashtag: #IIMAKER

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About the Chongli Forum

The China Chongli Forum is a technology and industrial innovation dialogue platform grounded in real industry scenarios. Leveraging Chongli’s unique ice-snow ecology and open spaces, it gathers young entrepreneurs, technology enterprises, investment institutions, and cultural talents, aiming to promote cross-border collaboration and long-term value creation. This year’s agenda focused on cutting-edge areas such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence, and the green economy.

About IIMAKER

IIMAKER is an AI-powered game and interactive content company built on the core concept of “Maker.” With game publishing as its current business cornerstone, the company is dedicated to empowering UGC (User-Generated Content) communities through its self-developed AI toolchain, significantly enhancing the efficiency of content generation, asset production, and optimization. Its long-term vision is to build an AI-native interactive content platform that reduces the overall friction of turning imagination into reality, ultimately working towards a future where “everyone can make a world.”

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