Business
Microsoft launches 2023 Imagine Cup Southeast Asia New Markets edition to empower student innovators
Microsoft announced the launch of its 2023 Imagine Cup Southeast Asia New Markets (SEANM) regional competition at a virtual event recently. Addressing the participants were Microsoft’s senior regional representatives, who invited students to unleash their passion and purpose in developing inspiring leading-edge technology solutions.
Celebrating its 21st year as the premier global student technology competition, the Imagine Cup offers students the opportunity to tap into their entrepreneurial side and develop a technology solution to address some of today’s most pressing local and global issues. Students can gain new skills, connect with like-minded people, access exclusive training, unlock mentorship, have a chance to win great prizes and, make a difference in the world.
Launching the competition, General Manager, Microsoft SEANM, Sook Hoon Cheah said, “Imagine Cup is a perfect example of how we empower students to think big, explore possibilities, and come up with creative ideas to tackle some of the world’s biggest social, environmental, and health challenges, bringing their most imaginative and impactful ideas to life. The competition is also a great starting point for students to accelerate their careers, with access to a range of opportunities including training and mentorship from Microsoft, which opens new, exciting and successful pathways for their future.”
Since the spirited competition began more than two decades ago, over two million students from as many as 163 countries have participated, using Microsoft technologies to create valuable and dynamic projects. This year’s competition winners will also be eligible to apply for the Microsoft for Startups Founders Hub program, allowing any student with an idea to become an entrepreneur.
The launch event also featured an insightful panel discussion with Team Nana Shilpa, who was adjudged runner-up at the Imagine Cup World Championship last year. Nana Shilpa was crowned for developing a mobile app that screens and refines dyscalculia and dysgraphia learning disabilities in primary school students using localized languages.
“The Microsoft Imagine Cup is an incredible opportunity for students across Southeast Asia New Markets to participate in a global competition,” noted Country Manager, Microsoft Sri Lanka & Maldives, Harsha Randeny. “The Nana Shilpa team’s milestone achievement has benchmarked Sri Lanka as a hub for innovation, while highlighting the presence of world class students, equipped and ready to compete with peers around the world. I believe this win also offers a great source of inspiration for the younger generation to tap into their entrepreneurial side and innovate for impact, making their mark this year too.”
The four winning teams from the Southeast Asia New Markets regional competition will have a guaranteed spot at the World Finals competition, which will open an opportunity for the finalists to demonstrate their talent at the World Championship taking place in 2023. The winners of the World Championship will stand a chance to win USD100,000 and a mentorship session with Microsoft Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella.Students can now register for the 2023 Imagine Cup Southeast Asia New Markets regional competition by 20 January 2023 at imaginecup.microsoft.com/SEANM.
The Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka (AHK Sri Lanka) proudly facilitated the first-ever Sri Lankan delegation’s participation at Drupa 2024, the world’s largest trade fair for the printing industry and technology. Held after an eight-year hiatus, Drupa 2024 was a landmark event, marking significant advancements and opportunities in the global printing industry.
AHK Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in organising and supporting the delegation, which comprised 17 members from the Sri Lanka Association for Printers (SLAP), representing eight companies from the commercial, newspaper, stationery printing, and packaging industries. This pioneering effort by AHK Sri Lanka not only showcased the diverse capabilities of Sri Lanka’s printing sector but also facilitated vital bilateral discussions with key stakeholders from the German printing industry.
Business
Unveiling Ayugiri: Browns Hotels & Resorts sets the stage for a new era in luxury Ayurveda Wellness
In a captivating reimagining of luxury wellness tourism, Browns Hotels & Resorts proudly unveiled the exquisite Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya. This momentous occasion, celebrated amidst a vibrant and serene grand opening on the 6th of June, heralds a new chapter in the Ayurveda wellness tourism landscape in Sri Lanka. Nestled amidst 54 acres of unspoiled natural splendour, Ayugiri features 22 exclusive suites and stands out as the only luxury Ayurveda wellness resort in the country offering plunge pools in every room, rendering it truly one-of-a-kind.
The grand opening of Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort was an enchanting event, where guests were captivated by the melodies of flutists and violinists resonating through Sigiriya’s lush landscapes. As traditional drummers and dancers infused the air with vibrant energy, Browns Hotels & Resorts’ CEO, Eksath Wijeratne, Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador for the Embassy of Japan and General Manager, Buwaneka Bandara, unveiled the resort’s new logo, marking a significant moment witnessed by distinguished guests from the French Embassy, Ayurveda and wellness enthusiasts along with officials from the Sigiriya area, LOLC Holdings and Browns Group.
“Our strategic expansion into wellness tourism with Ayugiri Ayurveda Wellness Resort Sigiriya symbolises a significant milestone for Browns Hotels & Resorts. Wellness tourism has consistently outperformed the overall tourism industry for over a decade, reflecting a growing global interest in travel that goes beyond leisure to offer rejuvenation and holistic well-being. By integrating the timeless wisdom of Ayurveda with modern luxury, we aim to set a new standard in luxury wellness tourism in Sri Lanka. Whether your goal is prevention, healing, or a deeper connection to inner harmony, Ayugiri offers a sanctuary for holistic well-being” stated Eksath Wijeratne.
Ayugiri encapsulates the essence of life, inspired by the lotus flower held by the graceful queens of the infamous Sigiriya frescoes. Just as the lotus emerges from the murky depths, untainted and serene,
Ayugiri invites guests on a journey of purity and rejuvenation, harmonised with a balance of mind, body and spirit, the essence of nature, echoes of culture and the wisdom of ancient Ayurvedic healing.
HNB General Insurance, one of Sri Lanka’s leading general insurance providers, has been honored as the Best General Bancassurance Provider in Sri Lanka 2024 by the prestigious Global Banking and Finance Review – UK.
The esteemed accolade underscores HNB General Insurance’s unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance in the field of bancassurance. Through dedication and hard work, the HNB General Insurance team has continuously endeavored to deliver innovative insurance solutions, cultivate strong relationships with banking partners, and provide unparalleled service to customers nationwide. This recognition is a testament to the team’s dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence in the bancassurance business.
“We are honored to receive this prestigious award, which reflects our team’s tireless efforts and dedication to delivering value-added insurance solutions and exceptional service through our bancassurance partnerships,” said Sithumina Jayasundara, CEO of HNB General Insurance. “This recognition reaffirms our position as a trusted insurance provider in Sri Lanka and motivates us to continue striving for excellence in serving our customers and communities.”
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