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ISCA Academy Launches Hands-On AI Programme Across ASEAN to Close Finance Skills Gap
New initiative equips finance, audit and accounting professionals with immediately applicable AI skill from Excel automation to AI agents as demand for practical AI capability accelerates across the region
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 April 2026 – As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly shifts from experimentation to everyday business use, the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) Academy has launched a hands-on AI training programme across ASEAN to address the region’s growing skills gap in finance and accounting.
Designed for immediate workplace application, the new programme equips finance, audit, and accounting professionals with practical AI capabilities, from automating Excel workflows and extracting data from documents to building dashboards, generating presentations, and deploying AI agents to support complex processes.
Developed in partnership with Singapore-based AI training specialist Skybots, the programme focuses on real-world tasks using widely accessible tools such as Microsoft Copilot, enabling participants to deliver tangible productivity gains from day one.
Leveraging ISCA’s network of overseas offices, the initiative will be rolled out across key ASEAN markets including Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, with an initial target to train 2,500 finance professionals in the first phase, positioning Singapore as a regional hub for applied AI capability in finance.
Ms Cyndi Pei, Chairperson of ISCA Academy, said the programme represents a strategic response to a rapidly evolving profession: “The window for treating AI as a theoretical topic is closing. Finance professionals across ASEAN are now expected to apply AI in their daily work — safely, effectively, and immediately. ISCA Academy is stepping up to lead this transformation regionally, ensuring professionals across Southeast Asia have access to practical training that delivers real outcomes, not just awareness.”
Immediate Impact in the Workplace
Unlike traditional AI programmes that focus on concepts, ISCA Academy’s approach is fully task-based. Participants work on real scenarios such as financial analysis, document review, reporting, and workflow automation, producing outputs they can directly replicate in their roles. Across pilot sessions, participants have reported completing tasks in minutes that previously took hours, a shift that compounds quickly across teams and reporting cycles.
A key differentiator is its emphasis on responsible AI use, embedding considerations of confidentiality, ethics, compliance, and governance into every module, which are critical for regulated professions.
Early pilot sessions have demonstrated measurable impact. Dr Jenny Tan, Head of Group Internal Audit at CapitaLand, noted: “What stood out about the Practical AI programme was how hands-on and relevant it was. Rather than focusing on theory, our staff came away with techniques they could use from day one and we have observed a real shift in how our team approaches their daily work.”
Built for Mainstream Professionals
The programme is designed for broad accessibility, requiring no coding knowledge or significant technology investment. Participants learn to leverage free and low-cost AI tools to enhance productivity and output quality.
Mr Daryl Aw, Founder and Director of Skybots, who brings a unique background as both a Chartered Accountant and three-time UiPath Most Valuable Professional (MVP), said the programme demystifies AI for finance professionals: “There is a common misconception that AI requires technical expertise or large budgets. In reality, the tools are already available. What professionals need is the confidence and practical know-how to apply them effectively and responsibly. This programme is built to deliver exactly that.”
Regional Rollout and Expansion
The first phase of the programme launches in mid-April, focusing on audit, accounting and finance professionals across the private sector, public sector and charities. A second phase in the third quarter will expand coverage to additional sectors including tax, corporate secretarial, human resources, banking and finance, and legal.
Through its regional network, ISCA Academy aims to train finance professionals across ASEAN and support broader efforts to accelerate digital upskilling and strengthen workforce competitiveness.
A Broader Shift Across Industries
The initiative reflects a wider transformation across ASEAN, where AI adoption is expanding beyond technology teams into core business functions. Finance, public sector, and corporate professionals are increasingly using AI for practical applications such as extracting insights from unstructured data, streamlining compliance workflows including KYC and AML checks, and automating reporting processes.
The message from ISCA Academy and Skybots is consistent: meaningful AI adoption does not require large budgets or deep technical expertise. With the right training, professionals across ASEAN can begin generating real value from AI from day one.
Hashtag: #ISCA #DifferenceMakers #Accounting #Accountancy #CharteredAccountants #ChooseAccountancy #AI #ArtificialIntelligence
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) Academy
The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) is the national accountancy body of Singapore. Established in 1963, ISCA administers the Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification programme and is the designated entity by the Singapore Ministry of Finance to confer the Chartered Accountant of Singapore [CA (Singapore)] designation.
ISCA supports over 43,000 members across industries in Singapore and globally, with members in more than 40 countries. With a growing international presence, ISCA has 12 overseas chapters, 7 offices across 10 countries and a network of over 150 strategic partners, strengthening professional connections and opportunities across borders. ISCA is also a member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide, a global network representing more than 1.8 million Chartered Accountants and students across over 190 countries.
ISCA advances professional development and lifelong learning through ISCA Academy, its training arm and drives community impact through ISCA Cares, its charity arm.
ISCA Academy, the leading business school of ISCA, delivers immersive, industry-informed learning across accountancy, finance, technology, governance, and leadership. We equip learners to reskill, reconnect, and reinvent – empowering them to stay relevant and ahead by choice.
For more information, visit www.iscacademy.sg.
Skybots Pte Ltd
Skybots is a Singapore-based specialist in practical AI training and automation solutions, serving organisations across the public and private sectors. The firm has a particularly strong presence in the finance and accounting community, working closely with finance, accounting, audit, tax and corporate secretarial professionals to apply AI to real workplace tasks. Founded by Daryl Aw, a Chartered Accountant (CA) under ISCA and three-time UiPath Most Valuable Professional (MVP), Skybots designs and delivers hands-on programmes that equip professionals with immediately applicable skills — without requiring technical backgrounds or large technology budgets.
Skybots serves clients across Singapore and internationally, with training delivered in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Bhutan. It is a recognised training partner of ISCA and sits on ISCA’s AI Solutions Sub-Committee.
For more information, visit www.skybotssg.com.
Media OutReach
Industry expert Jason Gerlis has been appointed as the Chief Revenue Officer at GoGlobal
With more than 15 years’ experience in helping businesses to scale internationally, his role will be to drive revenue growth at GoGlobal, align this to delivery excellence and add long-term value to those companies looking to expand and operate overseas.
“I’m delighted to welcome Jason into the fold,” states Jeremy Wastall, CEO at GoGlobal. “His extensive industry knowledge and global corporate services background support our strategy to deliver best‑in‑class business expansion and operational solutions to clients looking to enter new markets compliantly, and at speed.”
His appointment is also in-line with the company’s aim to build a business where cultural fit and mindset are just as important as experience.
“Alongside his impressive experience, Jason’s approach to leadership aligns with our brand values. I have full confidence in his ability to create a world-class environment where his teams will grow and excel,” adds Jeremy.
The move follows a series of recent senior hires and strategic investments designed to enhance GoGlobal’s ambitious growth plans, which include greater geographic reach, deeper technology capabilities and the continued development of market-winning solutions for clients.
Independence and long‑term focus
Explaining what drew him to GoGlobal, Jason points to the company’s independence and investment strategy.
“GoGlobal’s independence is a real strength,” he states. “It gives the business the freedom to invest in what genuinely matters to clients and focus on building sustainable, future growth. That long‑term perspective leads to better client outcomes, stronger partnerships and a more engaged, motivated workforce.”
Jason also highlights the company’s culture which is deeply grounded in servicing clients’ needs as a reason to join the business. He notes: “Understanding, consistency, collaboration and responsiveness are at the foundation of GoGlobal’s approach to client service, all of which resonate with me.
“And it’s these values and business ethics that truly set GoGlobal apart,” he concludes.
Strengthening global networks
Based in Charlotte, USA, Jason will spend his first months in the role engaging closely with GoGlobal’s global clients and partner ecosystem, while helping shape the company’s long‑term commercial strategy.
“I’m excited to work with clients across the full spectrum — from fast‑growing start‑ups and venture / private equity‑backed businesses to large multinationals — as we continue to build GoGlobal’s future roadmap,” he states.
Prior to joining GoGlobal, Jason spent five years as Global Head of Corporate Services at Ocorian and held several senior leadership roles at TMF Group over seven years, including Global Head of Consulting and Regional Director for North America and the Caribbean.
Hashtag: #GoGlobal
https://goglobal.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/goglobalgeo/
Wechat: GoGlobal环瑀
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
GoGlobal
GoGlobal – the global expansion business – helps companies set up and manage global operations compliantly and confidently. By combining global expertise with local execution, GoGlobal supports market entry, M&A activity and vendor consolidation through a single point of accountability.
Founded eight years ago in 2018, GoGlobal has grown from a startup into a fully decentralized global organization, supporting thousands of clients with their own growth stories.
It now has over 450 internal employees, operating across 85+ countries, and has enabled more than 1,000 clients to establish and manage their global operations across 145 markets.
Services include entity setup, compliance and management; accounting and tax services; HR and payroll support; Employer of Record (EOR); and Independent Contractor Solutions (ICS).
GoGlobal is headquartered in Tokyo but the leadership and operational teams are worldwide, enabling seamless support across time zones.
Media OutReach
Korean Liquor (K-SUUL), Raises Its First Flag for Globalization on Asia’s Largest Stage
“K-SUUL Pavilion” to Open for the First Time at the HKCEC on May 26-28
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 June 2026 – The National Tax Service of Korea (Commissioner: Lim Kwang-hyun), for the first time, opened the “K-SUUL Pavilion” at Vinexpo Asia[1], which was held for three days from May 26 to 28 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).
The opening of the “K-SUUL Pavilion” was served as a key milestone in raising the global profile of Korean alcoholic beverages and expanding overseas exports.
At the inaugural “K-SUUL AWARDS” held by National Tax Service of Korea last December, 175 small and medium-sized liquor producers from across Korea submitted a total of 366 products. Following document screening and blind testing, 12 products were selected.
The award-winning liquors, selected through a fair judging process with the participation of Korean citizens, was introduced to the global market through this exhibition, marking their first step toward overseas expansion.
The “K-SUUL Pavilion” was operated through cooperation between the National Tax Service of Korea and the liquor industry and association (the Korea Alcohol and Liquor Industry Association). It was designed as an integrated promotional platform to strengthen the export competitiveness of Korean alcoholic beverages and develop overseas sales channels.
The “K-SUUL Pavilion” was operated with a total of 16 booths (display and tasting booths), and 12 companies — including winners of the K-SUUL AWARDS — participated to hold consultations with overseas buyers.
Participating companies ranged from traditional liquor breweries to regional soju producers and major liquor companies, showcasing the diverse spectrum of Korea’s alcoholic beverage industry on a single stage.
In addition to the booths operated by the 12 participating companies, a dedicated booth was set up exclusively to showcase the award-winning liquors, further highlighting the significance of the K-SUUL AWARDS.
At the venue, promotional videos of the award-winning liquors were screened, while English-language brochures and souvenirs were distributed to attract local buyers and visitors to raise awareness of Korean alcoholic beverages.
In addition, meetings with the organizers of Vinexpo Asia, overseas buyers, and distribution industry officials were also held to identify rapidly changing global liquor market trends and assess the overseas expansion potential of Korean alcoholic beverages.
Han Yeong-seok Fermentation Research Institute expressed gratitude for being given the opportunity to participate in the exhibition, saying, “It was meaningful to showcase our award-winning liquor, ‘Dohan Cheongmyeongju,’ on the same stage as liquors from around the world through this exhibition. We did our best to promote Korea’s unique fermentation culture and the value of Korean liquor to the world.”
Going forward, the National Tax Service of Korea will continue to enhance the substance of the K-SUUL AWARDS, continuously discover outstanding liquors from promising small and medium-sized enterprises, and will actively support the globalization of Korean liquor (K-SUUL) by promoting it both domestically and internationally and helping these businesses expand their sales channels.
Hashtag: #K-SUUL
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Media OutReach
YesAsia Holdings Advances Dual-Engine Strategy with First YesStyle Concept Store in the US
Driving O2O Synergy: Expanding Offline Reach to Complement B2C Strategy
Celebrating 20 years of delivering trending Asian products worldwide, YesStyle has transformed 1,500 square feet into an immersive retail fantasy. Serving as a strategic extension of the Group’s core B2C business, this new physical footprint enhances offline visibility and reaches a wider demographic of consumers who value hands-on product discovery and immediate purchase. The store offers a “Yesful playground” where beauty lovers can connect with over 60 Asian brands, featuring interactive makeup stations with beloved K-beauty labels like UNLEASHIA, dasique, fwee, and rom&nd, alongside a customizable mask bar. This experiential retail environment functions as a powerful, culturally rich marketing engine, generating offline brand awareness and foot traffic that seamlessly feeds into the digital platform, creating a complementary offline-to-online (O2O) loop that supports repeat purchases and maximizes customer lifetime value (LTV).
Mr. Joshua Lau, Founder, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of YesAsia Holdings said: “The launch of YesStyle‘s retail store marks a significant milestone for our brand, as we bring our top-tier and bestselling K-beauty products, along with advanced skin care innovation, into an offline setting for customers in the Bay Area. The Bay Area holds a special place in our history as the city where the Group was founded and where our first office was established. Opening our first YesStyle beauty retail store here feels like coming home and reinforces our commitment to continue innovating and delivering exceptional experiences to our customers, both online and offline.”
Empowering the B2B Wholesale Business AsiaBeautyWholesale (ABW) Growth
This physical retail expansion also creates substantial value for YesAsia Holdings’ B2B operations, ABW. By physically showcasing a curated yet expansive selection of bestselling Korean beauty brands, including SKIN1004, Medicube, Anua, Dr. Althea, Beauty of Joseon, COSRX, and more, in a premium US retail environment, YesStyle acts as an effective market-testing ground. The elevated brand awareness and consumer validation generated at the retail level will bolster confidence among other local US retailers and distributors, effectively catalyzing B2B orders and driving synergistic growth across both of the Group’s core business modules.
Hashtag: #YesAsia #YesStyle
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About YesAsia Holdings Limited (02209.HK)
Established in 1997, YesAsia Holdings is a leading e-commerce platform operator recognized for its expertise in identifying and procuring quality Asian beauty, fashion, lifestyle and entertainment products. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the Group deliver products promptly and efficiently to a global audience through its strong ties with over 400 leading Asian beauty brand and supplier partners. The Group operates three major platforms: YesStyle, an e-commerce B2C platform for serving the increasingly popular Asian beauty, fashion and lifestyle products, particularly Korean beauty products; AsianBeautyWholesale, a B2B platform for Asian beauty products; and YesAsia, an e-commerce retail platform for entertainment products. YesAsia Holdings is a constituent of the MSCI Hong Kong Micro Cap Index.
For more information, please visit the Group’s official website: https://www.yesasiaholdings.com/
About YesStyle
YesStyle, a global B2C online retailer under YesAsia Holdings Limited. (02209.HK), is the go-to destination for the largest selection of authentic Asian beauty, fashion, and lifestyle products. As an authorized retailer of 400+ premium K-beauty brands, YesStyle aims to help everyone find their ‘yes!’ through innovative beauty inspired by Asia, friendly guidance and smart prices since 2006.
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