Media OutReach
Kaplan Higher Education Academy Recognised For Excellence And Trust
Kaplan wins Singapore Business Review International Business Awards 2025 and Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands 2025
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 May 2025 – In recognition of its continued excellence in education and student development, Kaplan Higher Education Academy (Kaplan) has clinched two prestigious accolades: the Singapore Business Review (SBR) International Business Awards 2025 in the Educational Management category, and the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands Award 2025 (Gold) in the Private Higher Institutions category.
Established in 2014, the SBR International Business Awards honours the outstanding achievements of foreign companies with global headquarters outside of Singapore, celebrating innovative strategies, transformative business initiatives, and impactful contributions. Kaplan’s win affirms its commitment to Raising the Bar in Education with Academic Excellence and Holistic Student Development.
As part of its dedication to delivering high-quality education that seamlessly integrates academic rigour and student well-being, Kaplan has made significant investments in its campuses, including its new city campuses at Odeon 331 and 333, now offering 100,000 square feet of modern learning spaces across three centrally located campuses.
To encourage interactive teaching and hands-on education, Kaplan offers purpose-built High-Capacity Computer Labs that are equipped with NVIDIA graphics, Intel Core i9 processors, dual monitors, and an inverted-U layout. Kaplan Odeon Campuses also encourage collaborative learning through the 31 modern classrooms, including The Nexus and The Connexion, as well as cosy study corners for focused research, group discussions, and independent studies. Part of its well-rounded learning environment is also a Wellness Room and a Club Room, alongside a comprehensive suite of support services that prioritise mental, emotional, and social well-being.
Specifically addressing the diverse needs and varied commitments of today’s learners, Kaplan offers flexible learning options, including recorded classes for on-demand access, synchronous online delivery, blended learning models, and 100% assignment-based programmes. Students can further enhance their expertise through the various Double Specialisation Diplomas, Double Majors, and Double Master’s Degrees offered at Kaplan, broadening their skill sets for multi-disciplinary career opportunities. Additionally, Kaplan aligns its programme offerings with the SkillsFuture Skills Demand for the Future Economy Report1 to ensure graduates are equipped with in-demand competencies for high-growth sectors.
Kaplan remains steadfast in its resolve to empower the futures of students and graduates through career readiness and employability. Through industry collaborations and practical learning experiences, personalised career coaching, a dynamic alumni network and over 400 employability events providing skills development, networking opportunities, and career insights, Kaplan ensures students are workforce-ready.
With an overall student satisfaction score of 4.4 out of 52 and 9 in 10 graduates employed within six months3, Kaplan continues to drive positive outcomes through its commitment to academic excellence and holistic student development. As a forward-thinking institution, Kaplan continues to shape the future of education by offering a complete package – flexible, student-centric learning models, and industry-aligned programmes, all anchored in a vibrant and supportive campus environment that fosters engagement, wellness, and success.
Commenting on Kaplan’s achievement, Alex Chevrolle, Managing Director at Kaplan Higher Education Academy said, “As one of Singapore’s leading providers of private education, this esteemed recognition reaffirms our unwavering commitment to academic excellence, industry relevance, and holistic student development across all levels of study, such as Diploma, Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and Financial Certifications.”
The story of Kaplan began with Stanley Kaplan’s vision to make higher education accessible to all students based on their academic merit and regardless of their background. Founded on this belief, Kaplan Inc. has built a longstanding legacy in education, empowering learners worldwide. In Singapore, Kaplan continues to uphold this commitment, guided by the conviction that education holds the power to open doors, helping students pass any test, achieve any goal, and reach every milestone they aspire to.
Today, Kaplan in Singapore is recognised as a trusted brand by Singaporeans, having been awarded Gold in the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands Award 2025 for the fourth consecutive year since 2022. Since its launch in 1999, the Trusted Brands survey has become a reliable benchmark of quality and reliability, recognising brands that Singaporeans trust most in their daily lives. Being acknowledged as a Trusted Brand is more than a badge of honour; it affirms that, beyond academic outcomes, Kaplan continues to stand out as a brand that delivers on its promises—empowering individuals, nurturing aspirations, and creating positive impact on lives and careers.
For more information on Kaplan’s notable achievements, please visit: https://www.kaplan.com.sg/why-kaplan-awards-and-accolades
Hashtag: #KaplanSingapore #KaplanTheChoice #SingaporeBusinessReview #ReadersDigest
https://www.kaplan.com.sg/
www.kaplan.com.sg.
About Kaplan
Kaplan, Inc. is a global educational services company that helps individuals and institutions advance their goals in an ever-changing world. Our broad portfolio of solutions help students and professionals further their education and careers, universities and educational institutions attract and support students, and businesses maximize employee recruitment, retainment, and development. Stanley Kaplan founded our company in 1938 with a mission to expand educational opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Today, our thousands of employees working in 27 countries and regions continue Stanley’s mission as they serve about 1.2 million students and professionals, 15,000 corporate clients, and 3,300 schools, school districts, colleges, and universities worldwide. Kaplan is a subsidiary of the Graham Holdings Company (NYSE: GHC). Learn more at www.kaplan.com.
Media OutReach
Hong Kong Company Formations Surge 40.5% in 2025, Outpacing Regional Competitors
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
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Media OutReach
Natural Diamonds Sparkle on The Red Carpet at The 2026 Met Gala Celebrating “Costume Art”
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
https://adiamondisforever.com/
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https://www.instagram.com/adiamondisforeverhk/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Media OutReach
Turn Your Savings into a Front-Row Experience: HL Bank Singapore Offers Exclusive Passes to AsiaTop Music Festival 2026
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.
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
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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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