SMART CITY EXPO DOHA 2023 FOCUSES ON DATA, CONNECTIVITY AND SUSTAINABILITY TO IMPROVE THE FUTURE OF CITIES

BARCELONA, Spain, Nov 17 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Qatari capital will host the third edition of the region’s leading urban innovation event from 29-30 November. Under the motto “A World of Data: Connecting People, Elevating Lives”, Smart City Expo Doha (SCE Doha) will lead the debate on sustainable urban development and the importance of data in building smarter, more liveable cities. Organized by the Qatar Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), SCE Dohais an event of Smart City Expo World Congress and Fira Barcelona International, the event will feature more than 70 speakers, over 100 countries represented and 40 companies and organizations, and will be held within the International Horticulture Exhibition of Qatar, that will take place at Al-Bidda Park.

The centrepiece of Smart City Expo Doha 2023 will be a conference featuring more than 70 experts, including Renée Cummings, Founder & CEO, Urban AI, Columbia University Community Scholar; Ott Velsberg, Chief Data Officer at the Government of Estonia; and Frans-Anton Vermast, Strategy Advisor & International Smart City Ambassador in Netherlands, who will share their vision on four main themes: Green Urban Environments, Digital Governance, Cognitive Cities, and Liveable Places.

The 40 companies, partners and sponsors will present their new products and solutions in the field of urban innovation, both at the congress and in the networking space that will foster commercial relations, professional contacts and business opportunities between participating companies and visitors.

Smart City Expo Doha is part of the internationalization strategy of Smart City Expo World Congress, the world’s leading exhibition on smart cities and urban solutions organized annually by Fira de Barcelona, which held its 13th edition last November. Along these lines, foreign editions have been held in 2023 in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, the United States, Mexico and China.

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=47545

MIA ENHANCES ITS PROFESSIONAL ETHICS STANDARDS ON PUBLIC INTEREST ENTITIES, EFFECTIVE 15 DECEMBER 2024

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 15 (Bernama) — The Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA) has expanded its definition of Public Interest Entities (PIEs) to hold audit firms to higher ethical and independence standards, thereby raising audit quality and ultimately strengthening good governance and trust. The revised definition of PIEs along with other relevant changes are set to come into effect on 15 December 2024.

The expanded definition of PIEs consists of entities such as publicly traded entities, entities which are primarily deposit-taking from the public, entities involved in providing insurance to the public or entities specifically designated as PIE by legal, regulatory or professional standards. “This broadening of scope ensures that audit firms are held to higher ethical and independence standards as the audits of PIEs are subject to additional independence requirements,” stated MIA President Datuk Bazlan Osman, commenting on the revision. “This is very much aligned with MIA’s increased emphasis on ethics to enable strong regulation and good governance.”

The revised definition of PIEs along with other relevant changes are part of updates issued by the MIA to its By-Laws (on Professional Ethics, Conduct and Practice). These changes are aligned with the latest standards issued by the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA).

“The revisions encourage audit firms to determine if other entities should also be treated as PIEs by assessing several factors such as an entity’s importance in the sector it operates in and the potential systemic impact on other sectors and the economy as a whole in the event of financial failure of an entity,” explained MIA Ethics Standards Board Chair Dr. Veerinderjeet Singh.

The revisions also clarify why additional independence requirements exist for the audit of PIEs. “Given that there is a significantly greater interest in the financial health of such entities, there is a corresponding expectation of the level of independence an audit firm should have when performing the audit of a PIE,” added Dr. Veerinderjeet.

“To strengthen compliance and value of PIE audits, it is important that professional accountants be cognisant of the more stringent independence requirements when auditing PIEs,” advised Dr. Veerinderjeet. Some of these requirements would involve partner rotations, restrictions on fee dependency and restrictions on the provision of certain non-assurance services.

The Institute encourages all accountancy professionals, organisations, and stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the expanded definition of a PIE. “The enhanced PIE definitions represent an important step in maintaining public trust and highlight the vital role that professional accountants play in maintaining independence, integrity and objectivity when working with public interest clients,” concluded Datuk Bazlan.

The updated By-Laws and the detailed PIE revisions are available on the MIA website whilst related resources can be found on the IESBA website.

About the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA)

Established under the Accountants Act 1967, MIA is the national accountancy body that regulate, develops, supports and enhances the integrity, status and interests of  the  profession  in  Malaysia. MIA accords the Chartered Accountant Malaysia or C.A. (M) designation. Working closely alongside businesses, MIA connects its membership to a wide range of information resources, events, professional development and networking opportunities. Presently, there are more than 38,500 members making their strides in  businesses across all industries in Malaysia  and around the world.

MIA’s international outlook and connections are reflected in its membership of regional and international professional organisations such as the International Federation of Accountants  (IFAC)  and  the  ASEAN  Federation  of  Accountants  (AFA).   For   more   information  on  MIA, visit www.mia.org.my

SOURCE: Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
MIA STRATEGY COMMUNICATIONS & BRANDING
NAME: THANE MEYYAPPAN
TEL: +60122489534
NAME: MOHD FAIZ OTHMAN
TEL: +60126225027
EMAIL: communications@mia.org.my 

–BERNAMA

OPEN HEALTH PRESENTING INNOVATIVE RESEARCH ON CAPITALIZING DATA FOR PATIENT ACCESS AT ISPOR EUROPE

London, Nov 14 (Bernama- GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — London, UK – November 14, 2023 – OPEN Health, a preeminent global provider of consultingHEOR and market accesspatient engagement, and scientific and creative communications services, will be presenting innovative research at the upcoming ISPOR Europe conference in Copenhagen, Denmark. OPEN Health experts will contribute to the event through workshops, panel discussions, and 24 posters. Key themes of OPEN Health’s research presented this year are patient preference, advanced modeling methodologies, and HTA policy changes. The majority of OPEN Health’s Scientific Office will be onsite to discuss the role of HEOR science in shaping policy, including Dr. Elisabeth Fenwick, Chief Scientific Officer; Professor Ben van Hout, Scientific Founder; Dr. Marco Boeri, Director of Preference Research and scientific lead for Patient-Centered Outcomes; Emanuele Arcà, MSc, Senior Research Consultant in Strategic Market Access; and Maarten Treur, MSc, Vice President and Global Head of Modeling & Meta-Analysis.

Dr. Elisabeth Fenwick, Chief Scientific Officer at OPEN Health, said: “I am extremely proud to see the research we do at OPEN Health being presented by our scientific experts at the ISPOR EU conference in Copenhagen. The range of research topics covered this year shows the extent of our expertise in advanced techniques as well as key therapeutic areas.”

Dr. Marco Boeri, Director of Preference Research and scientific lead for Patient-Centered Outcomes at OPEN Health, said: “The importance of patient preference information is that it brings a systematic approach to implement the idea of patient-focused drug development promoted by the FDA, the EMA, and various HTA bodies around the world. Indeed, the patient voice is key to patient adherence, and by helping to understand unmet needs, it is key to the success of a pharmaceutical product.”

Emanuele Arcà, MSc, Senior Research Consultant in Strategic Market Access, said: “We are in a dynamic period of policy changes for access and HTA across regional, national, and international settings. HTA is taking a more prominent role in ensuring sustainable access to health innovations, while health innovations become exponentially more complex and expensive. We at OPEN Health are committed to understanding and shaping such changes through research and stakeholder engagement.”

OPEN Health will be presenting a virtual panel on November 10, ahead of ISPOR, on: EU HTA Joint Clinical Assessments: Navigating Potential Challenges Ahead of 2025.” The panel is set to discuss several policy aspects regarding the current challenges and implications of the EU HTA regulation, covering topics such as the current position of EU HTA implementation, the major challenges expected across the industry, the stance of member states and various stakeholders, and strategies for the industry to prepare for joint clinical assessments. Register now to save your seat.

To learn more about our presence at ISPOR Europe, visit our website or meet the OPEN Health team at booth #C2-012 in Copenhagen.

About OPEN Health

OPEN Health unites deep scientific knowledge with wide-ranging specialist expertise to unlock possibilities that improve health outcomes and patient well-being. Working in partnership with our clients, we embrace our different perspectives and strengths to deliver fresh thinking and solutions that make a difference. OPEN Health is a flexible global organization that solves complex healthcare challenges across consulting, HEOR and market access, scientific communications, patient engagement, and creative omnichannel communications. For more information on OPEN Health, visit www.openhealthgroup.com.

Press contact:

OPEN Health

Candice Subero, Vice President, Global Marketing

candicesubero@openhealthgroup.com

Attachment

· OPEN Health Presenting Innovative Research on Capitalizing Data for Patient Access at ISPOR Europe

Candice Subero
OPEN Health
candicesubero@openhealthgroup.com
 
Source: Open Health

–BERNAMA

LOCKS OF CONFIDENCE: HAIR TRANSPLANT SOLUTION EMPOWERS MEN WITH FUE HAIR TRANSPLANT FOR ANDROGENIC ALOPECIA

PETALING JAYA, Nov 14 (Bernama) — Hair Transplant Solutions (HTS), the foremost experts in hair loss, continues to advance their agenda to empower men with androgenic alopecia with their advanced hair transplant treatment, Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE). FUE involves the extraction of individual hair follicles from a donor area, typically the back or sides of the scalp, and transplanting them to area with thinning or no hair. This method is minimally invasive and differs from traditional hair transplant procedures which involves removing a strip of skin from the donor area. A 2019 study published in the International Journal of Trichology highlighted the far-reaching effects of androgenic alopecia on men’s mental health and their quality of life, particularly in the realms of self-perception and interpersonal relations.
 
Dr Aly Bin Alias Stephen Nah said, “We recognize the need for awareness and proactive measures to manage the emotional ramifications of hair loss and seeking treatment at the early stage will not only result in better savings and a more successful transplant outcome, but also prevents heightened emotional stress down the road.” He added, “As the go-to destination for hair loss, we want to provide the most positive transformative experience to the growing number of men seeking personal care and grooming solutions. From consultation to follow-ups and procedures, every step is overseen by registered medical doctors. We understand the anxiety and concerns associated with hair loss, and we take pride in delivering outstanding service to all our clients.”
 
Androgenic alopecia is a hereditary condition characterized by a progressive, visible thinning of the hair. It occurs due to the influence of androgen hormones on genetically predisposed hair follicles, leading to a gradual miniaturization of the follicles and eventually their cessation of hair production.
 
To begin your journey of self-renewal, visit https://htsclinic.com or call +6019 692 7110 to  book a complimentary consultation.

Issued on behalf of : Hair Transplant Solutions
 
SOURCE: ArenaMedia PLT

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Choy Su-Ling
Tel: +60122181696

Email: choysuling@arenamediacorp.com 

–BERNAMA

UAE’S BEYOND2020 GRANTS 10,000 RURAL MALAYSIANS EASIER ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER


KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 10 (Bernama) — Beyond2020, the United Arab Emirates (UAE)-driven humanitarian initiative, has installed water filters in 25 communities in the Sabah and Sarawak regions of Malaysia, providing clean drinking water to 10,000 people.

According to a statement, Beyond2020 was launched by the Zayed Sustainability Prize in 2019 in partnership with several leading organisations, providing sustainable technologies and solutions to vulnerable communities worldwide.

Malaysia marks the 17th deployment of the initiative, which will continue to offer life-transforming interventions to a broader number of beneficiaries worldwide, providing tech for good and fostering development that is inclusive and sustainable.

“The latest Beyond2020 project in Malaysia reflects the UAE’s commitment to humanitarianism and international sustainable development. This deployment contributes significantly to Malaysia’s ongoing efforts to enhance access to reliable, clean water.

“We value the cooperation of Malaysia’s Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change in implementing this initiative, which underscores the deep-rooted ties between our two countries,” said UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, and COP28 President-Designate, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber.

Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said: “The UAE’s Beyond2020 initiative, which has delivered safe drinking water to 10,000 Malaysians, showcases how innovative solutions can tackle our water challenges, particularly in the rural areas.”

In partnership with Wateroam, the 2022 Zayed Sustainability Prize winner in the Water category, Beyond2020 deployed water filtration solutions, providing the communities with access to clean and safe drinking water.

As the sizes of communities differ between varying regions along the river, Wateroam provided two different water filters, catering to the specific needs of each group namely the Commfilter Plus and ROAMfilter Ultra.

Both filters can remove over 99 per cent of bacteria and viruses, but the Commfilter Plus provides safe drinking water for households and communities, while the ROAMfilter Ultra is designed to serve larger communities with its high flow rate.

In addition to Malaysia, another three countries have been identified as deployment grounds going forward.

— BERNAMA