Visa Digital Solutions makes “wave-and-pay” with mobile phones a reality for consumers globally
SAN FRANCISCO - Saturday, February 28th 2015 [ME NewsWire]
Mobile World Congress 2015
(BUSINESS WIRE) - Visa Inc. (NYSE:V) today announced that it has partnered with several leading financial institutions around the world to offer new mobile payment services. BBVA and Cuscal launched new issuer-branded mobile payment applications for mobile devices running on the Android operating system. Additionally Banco do Brazil, PNC Bank, N.A., and U.S. Bank intend to launch similar capabilities in the near future.
To use these new mobile payment services, consumers simply download their financial institution’s mobile payment app from the Google Play store. Following a one-time enrollment process, customers of participating financial institutions who download and install the application will be able to pay in-store with their Visa accounts by waving their Android mobile phone in front of a contactless reader. These capabilities are an integral part of Visa Digital Solutions, a comprehensive suite of offerings that facilitate secure payments across a broad range of Internet-connected devices and wearables.
“2015 is the year in which fast and safe mobile payments based on Visa technology will proliferate across the world,” said Sam Shrauger, senior vice president of digital solutions at Visa Inc. “We are very proud that Visa’s Digital Solution is now accessible to the broader market to be used across multiple devices and form factors – enabling secure, fast and engaging commerce experiences in any environment.”
Visa Digital Solutions
A year ago at Mobile World Congress 2014, Visa launched new technology that provides financial institutions, merchants and developers the ability to securely deploy mobile payment apps with Android devices. Specifically, Visa is offering capabilities that give financial institutions the option to take advantage of Host Card Emulation (HCE), a new feature in the Android mobile operating system that allows any NFC application on an Android device to emulate a smart card.
Today’s announcement is a testament to the flexibility of Visa’s Digital Solutions, which includes Visa’s software development kit (SDK) and the Visa Token Service, an innovative technology that replaces sensitive payment account information found on plastic cards, such as the 16-digit personal account number, expiration date and security code, with a unique series of numbers that can be used for payment without exposing the underlying account details. Visa Token Service is the foundation for Visa mobile payments through Apple Pay, HCE and other digital payments apps and use cases coming to the market.
“Host Card Emulation has opened up the Android payments ecosystem to innovation, democratizing access to NFC and paving the way for more rapid uptake of mobile commerce services,” according to Jordan McKee, senior analyst at 451 Research. “Inevitably, the technology will play a marquee role in driving the proliferation of in-store mobile payments, an opportunity 451 Research projects will reach $570.1 billion globally by 2018.”
“It was a great experience working with Visa to implement the first HCE-based mobile payment solution in the Asia Pacific region. Australia has the highest usage of contactless payments anywhere in the world and we’re expecting increased uptake of HCE this year,” said Adrian Lovney, general manager, product and service at Cuscal. “We offer our clients cost-effective access to the newest and best innovations in digital payments and we’ll continue to work to make new payment methods a part of everyday life.”
Briefing for press only at Mobile World Congress 2015:
Monday, March 2, 2015 at 4:00 – 5:00 pm CET, Visa will host a panel of clients and industry partners to discuss cloud-based payments at its exhibition booth, Hall 6, Stand 6D40. The 60-minute event will be streamed live through the following link: http://www.streamingbarcelona.com/plataforma/visamwc15/. For more information, please contact globalmedia@visa.com.
For more information about Visa Digital Solutions, please visit www.visa.com/digitalsolutions.
About Visa Inc.
Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) is a global payments technology company that connects consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and governments in more than 200 countries and territories to fast, secure and reliable electronic payments. We operate one of the world's most advanced processing networks — VisaNet — that is capable of handling more than 56,000 transaction messages a second, with fraud protection for consumers and assured payment for merchants. Visa is not a bank and does not issue cards, extend credit or set rates and fees for consumers. Visa's innovations, however, enable its financial institution customers to offer consumers more choices: pay now with debit, pay ahead of time with prepaid or pay later with credit products. For more information, visit usa.visa.com/about-visa, visacorporate.tumblr.com and @VisaNews.
Contacts
Press Only
Visa Inc.
Aida Hadzibegovic, +1 650-421-5169 (mobile)
ahadzibe@visa.com
or
Visa Inc. / Canada
Michele Michalak
mmichala@visa.com
or
Visa Inc. / LAC
Fabricio Migues, +55 11 2102 0034
fmigues@visa.com
or
Visa Inc. / AP
Zoe Hibbert, + 65 66715758
zhibbert@visa.com
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/13795/en
Sunday, March 1, 2015
"Zoo of Light" at Donation Ceremony: Panasonic Donates 110 Solar Lanterns to Indonesian Villages
SONE VILLAGE, Indonesia - Saturday, February 28th 2015 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Panasonic donated 110 solar lanterns and shades to the village of Sone, in West Timor, Indonesia, which has no access to electricity. The lanterns featured shades bearing animal designs that were submitted to an international design campaign called "Cut Out the Darkness." Villagers enjoyed a special moment when all the lights were turned on at once, making a "zoo of light" appeared before everyone's eyes.
[Video] Cut Out The Darkness / Lantern'zoo in Indonesia Flash Report https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDOu7XoW6vs [Photo] Flash Report: Cut Out the Darkness Lantern'zoo Donation in Indonesia http://panasonic.net/sustainability/en/lantern/2015/02/cotd2.html [Project Website] Cut Out the Darkness http://cotd.panasonic.net/
This donation was a part of Panasonic's fiscal 2014 (to end of March 2015) activities for its "100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project," in which a total of 100,000 solar lanterns will be donated to off-grid communities around the world by 2018. That year happens to be the hundredth anniversary since Panasonic was founded.
In hopes of getting more people to know about the challenges faced by people who live without access to electricity, the "Cut Out the Darkness" project invites people to participate by personally designing shades for the lanterns. Selected designs are then turned into actual shades and donated together with solar lanterns to homes and schools in areas without electricity. For the first round, 111 designed shades and solar lanterns were donated to Sumba Island in Indonesia in March 2014.
For the second round, Panasonic called for design submissions with animal motifs. Thanks to collaboration from the Behance Japan Tokyo Community, an online portfolio for artists and designers, Panasonic received more than 300 designs from around the world.
This time, 110 pairs of solar lanterns and shades with designs chosen by popular online vote were donated to the village of Sone in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. When all the lanterns were switched on at once by villagers during the donation ceremony, a "zoo of light" appeared from the darkness, before everyone's eyes. Information summarizing the project will soon be released on the project website.
This is the second year Panasonic made donations to Indonesia in its "100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project." Panasonic donated 1,000 solar lanterns in March 2014 and a Panasonic-sponsored Japanese famous football team named GAMBA Osaka donated ten solar lanterns in January 2015 to Sumba Island and Sabu Island. In February 2015, 1,010 solar lanterns (including those donated through "Cut Out the Darkness") were delivered to the Institute of Business and Economic Democracy Foundation (IBEKA), an NGO that supports communities by introducing renewable energy, and to Kopernik, an NGO that delivers innovative technology and products to communities in the developing world with the greatest need. Thus a grand total of over 2,000 have been donated so far to Indonesia.
Currently, about 1.3 billion people live without access to electricity worldwide. Homes in these regions commonly use kerosene lamps for lighting, but the fire and smoke from these lamps pose serious fire and health risks. Panasonic solar lanterns can be used as lighting at night, thanks to the battery, which stores energy generated by sunlight during the daytime. The lanterns also reduce the inherent danger of fire from kerosene lamps, as well as health hazards from smoke, and CO2 emissions. Solar lanterns are expected to solve some of the challenges faced by areas that have no access to electricity.
The "100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project" utilizes Panasonic's technologies and products to help solve social challenges in emerging and developing countries that have poor electrical power conditions, by making donations to non-profit/non-governmental, humanitarian, and international organizations. For Asia, Panasonic expanded its list of recipient countries this fiscal year to include Malaysia, in addition to Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar, India and the Philippines, which previously received lanterns.
Panasonic plans to continue working on the "100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project" as part of its efforts to pursue "A Better Life, A Better World" and to contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Related Links:
[Press Release] Panasonic Donates 1,020 Solar Lanterns to People of East Nusa Tenggara (Feb 17, 2015): http://panasonicapac.mynewsdesk.com/pressreleases/panasonic-donates-1-020-solar-lanterns-to-people-of-east-nusa-tenggara-1122990
Cut Out the Darkness: http://cotd.panasonic.net/ 100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project: http://panasonic.net/sustainability/en/lantern/ [Feature Story] 100 THOUSAND SOLAR LANTERNS PROJECT: http://news.panasonic.net/stories/series/solar_lantern_project/
100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/PanasonicSolarLantern
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20150227005903/en/
Contacts
COTD Project Office: info-cotd@hit-bits.com
Panasonic Corporation
Global Communication Group
Public Relations Office
+81-3-3574-5729
presscontact@ml.jp.panasonic.com
Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/13798/en
(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Panasonic donated 110 solar lanterns and shades to the village of Sone, in West Timor, Indonesia, which has no access to electricity. The lanterns featured shades bearing animal designs that were submitted to an international design campaign called "Cut Out the Darkness." Villagers enjoyed a special moment when all the lights were turned on at once, making a "zoo of light" appeared before everyone's eyes.
[Video] Cut Out The Darkness / Lantern'zoo in Indonesia Flash Report https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDOu7XoW6vs [Photo] Flash Report: Cut Out the Darkness Lantern'zoo Donation in Indonesia http://panasonic.net/sustainability/en/lantern/2015/02/cotd2.html [Project Website] Cut Out the Darkness http://cotd.panasonic.net/
This donation was a part of Panasonic's fiscal 2014 (to end of March 2015) activities for its "100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project," in which a total of 100,000 solar lanterns will be donated to off-grid communities around the world by 2018. That year happens to be the hundredth anniversary since Panasonic was founded.
In hopes of getting more people to know about the challenges faced by people who live without access to electricity, the "Cut Out the Darkness" project invites people to participate by personally designing shades for the lanterns. Selected designs are then turned into actual shades and donated together with solar lanterns to homes and schools in areas without electricity. For the first round, 111 designed shades and solar lanterns were donated to Sumba Island in Indonesia in March 2014.
For the second round, Panasonic called for design submissions with animal motifs. Thanks to collaboration from the Behance Japan Tokyo Community, an online portfolio for artists and designers, Panasonic received more than 300 designs from around the world.
This time, 110 pairs of solar lanterns and shades with designs chosen by popular online vote were donated to the village of Sone in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. When all the lanterns were switched on at once by villagers during the donation ceremony, a "zoo of light" appeared from the darkness, before everyone's eyes. Information summarizing the project will soon be released on the project website.
This is the second year Panasonic made donations to Indonesia in its "100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project." Panasonic donated 1,000 solar lanterns in March 2014 and a Panasonic-sponsored Japanese famous football team named GAMBA Osaka donated ten solar lanterns in January 2015 to Sumba Island and Sabu Island. In February 2015, 1,010 solar lanterns (including those donated through "Cut Out the Darkness") were delivered to the Institute of Business and Economic Democracy Foundation (IBEKA), an NGO that supports communities by introducing renewable energy, and to Kopernik, an NGO that delivers innovative technology and products to communities in the developing world with the greatest need. Thus a grand total of over 2,000 have been donated so far to Indonesia.
Currently, about 1.3 billion people live without access to electricity worldwide. Homes in these regions commonly use kerosene lamps for lighting, but the fire and smoke from these lamps pose serious fire and health risks. Panasonic solar lanterns can be used as lighting at night, thanks to the battery, which stores energy generated by sunlight during the daytime. The lanterns also reduce the inherent danger of fire from kerosene lamps, as well as health hazards from smoke, and CO2 emissions. Solar lanterns are expected to solve some of the challenges faced by areas that have no access to electricity.
The "100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project" utilizes Panasonic's technologies and products to help solve social challenges in emerging and developing countries that have poor electrical power conditions, by making donations to non-profit/non-governmental, humanitarian, and international organizations. For Asia, Panasonic expanded its list of recipient countries this fiscal year to include Malaysia, in addition to Indonesia, Cambodia, Myanmar, India and the Philippines, which previously received lanterns.
Panasonic plans to continue working on the "100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project" as part of its efforts to pursue "A Better Life, A Better World" and to contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Related Links:
[Press Release] Panasonic Donates 1,020 Solar Lanterns to People of East Nusa Tenggara (Feb 17, 2015): http://panasonicapac.mynewsdesk.com/pressreleases/panasonic-donates-1-020-solar-lanterns-to-people-of-east-nusa-tenggara-1122990
Cut Out the Darkness: http://cotd.panasonic.net/ 100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project: http://panasonic.net/sustainability/en/lantern/ [Feature Story] 100 THOUSAND SOLAR LANTERNS PROJECT: http://news.panasonic.net/stories/series/solar_lantern_project/
100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/PanasonicSolarLantern
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20150227005903/en/
Contacts
COTD Project Office: info-cotd@hit-bits.com
Panasonic Corporation
Global Communication Group
Public Relations Office
+81-3-3574-5729
presscontact@ml.jp.panasonic.com
Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/13798/en
ZTE Publishes M-ICT White Paper
ZTE outlines product strategy and positioning in “Powering the Era of Universal Mobile Connectivity” White Paper ahead of Mobile World Congress
SHENZHEN, China - Sunday, March 1st 2015 [ME NewsWire]
Mobile World Congress 2015
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a major international provider of telecommunications, enterprise and consumer technology solutions for the Mobile Internet, today published a White Paper on its M-ICT strategy, detailing the company’s plans to accelerate innovations to empower customers to capture new opportunities and create value from the proliferation of mobile connectivity.
In the White Paper, entitled Powering the Era of Universal Mobile Connectivity, ZTE outlined its product strategies and positioning, providing customers and partners with insights into key projects such as pre5G, Smart City and wireless charging for electric vehicles. As users and devices acquire greater capabilities to communicate in what ZTE designates as the M-ICT era, the exponential growth in inter-connectedness and intelligent applications will generate demand for Big Data, large-capacity and ultra-broadband services. ZTE is focusing on five key product clusters: broadband access network, bearer and core network, mobile devices, cloud-based services and Big Data. The White Paper was unveiled as ZTE prepares to showcase its latest innovations at this week’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the biggest conference in the global telecommunications industry.
Download ZTE’s “Powering the Era of Universal Mobile Connectivity” White Paper
http://www.zte.com.cn/cn/banner/file/201502/P020150228650947701348.pdf
“Mobility is transforming how people live and work, enhancing productivity and efficiencies,” said Shi Lirong, President and Chief Executive Officer of ZTE. “In the M-ICT era, technology companies must adopt a holistic and user-centric approach in the development of products and services in order to take advantage of new market possibilities emerging in networks, devices and applications.”
ZTE is integrating its world-class capabilities in telecommunications networks, mobile devices and enterprise computing to drive transformative innovations to help customers navigate the transition to a world of greater technology convergence. Inspired by ZTE’s core values of Cool, Green and Open (CGO), the company is in a strong position to build innovative and powerful integrated solutions to deliver value to customers.
Under the M-ICT strategy, ZTE will actively drive the development of new technologies and solutions to enable customers to capitalize on opportunities resulting from M-ICT trends. ZTE will strive to create value from the collection, distribution, processing, storage, transmission and consumption of information, enabling the transition to the M-ICT future.
ZTE is committed to creating value for customers of the company’s three primary business groups and divisions: Carrier Solutions, Enterprise Business and Mobile Devices. In addition, ZTE will also invest in new emerging businesses with strong growth potential such as new energy and robotic technology.
In December 2014, ZTE adopted a new logo as the company announced a new mission to drive innovations in telecommunications, enterprise computing and consumer devices to help customers adapt and thrive in the era of intelligent, always-on connectivity under the M-ICT strategy. The new ZTE slogan, “Tomorrow never waits”, reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to provide customers with access to technology solutions that will define the future.
About ZTE
ZTE is a provider of advanced telecommunications systems, mobile devices, and enterprise technology solutions to consumers, carriers, companies and public sector customers. As part of ZTE’s M-ICT strategy, the company is committed to provide customers with integrated end-to-end innovations to deliver excellence and value as the telecommunications and information technology sectors converge. Listed in the stock exchanges of Hong Kong and Shenzhen (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), ZTE’s products and services are sold to over 500 operators in more than 160 countries. ZTE commits 10 per cent of its annual revenue to research and development and has leadership roles in international standard-setting organizations. ZTE is committed to corporate social responsibility and is a member of the UN Global Compact. For more information, please visit www.zte.com.cn.
Contacts
ZTE Corporation
Margrete Ma, +86 755 26775207
ma.gaili@zte.com.cn
Edelman PR
Mark Lee / Andres Vejarano, +852 2837 4756 / 2837 4735
mark.lee@edelman.com
andres.vejarano@edelman.com
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/13807/en
SHENZHEN, China - Sunday, March 1st 2015 [ME NewsWire]
Mobile World Congress 2015
(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a major international provider of telecommunications, enterprise and consumer technology solutions for the Mobile Internet, today published a White Paper on its M-ICT strategy, detailing the company’s plans to accelerate innovations to empower customers to capture new opportunities and create value from the proliferation of mobile connectivity.
In the White Paper, entitled Powering the Era of Universal Mobile Connectivity, ZTE outlined its product strategies and positioning, providing customers and partners with insights into key projects such as pre5G, Smart City and wireless charging for electric vehicles. As users and devices acquire greater capabilities to communicate in what ZTE designates as the M-ICT era, the exponential growth in inter-connectedness and intelligent applications will generate demand for Big Data, large-capacity and ultra-broadband services. ZTE is focusing on five key product clusters: broadband access network, bearer and core network, mobile devices, cloud-based services and Big Data. The White Paper was unveiled as ZTE prepares to showcase its latest innovations at this week’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, the biggest conference in the global telecommunications industry.
Download ZTE’s “Powering the Era of Universal Mobile Connectivity” White Paper
http://www.zte.com.cn/cn/banner/file/201502/P020150228650947701348.pdf
“Mobility is transforming how people live and work, enhancing productivity and efficiencies,” said Shi Lirong, President and Chief Executive Officer of ZTE. “In the M-ICT era, technology companies must adopt a holistic and user-centric approach in the development of products and services in order to take advantage of new market possibilities emerging in networks, devices and applications.”
ZTE is integrating its world-class capabilities in telecommunications networks, mobile devices and enterprise computing to drive transformative innovations to help customers navigate the transition to a world of greater technology convergence. Inspired by ZTE’s core values of Cool, Green and Open (CGO), the company is in a strong position to build innovative and powerful integrated solutions to deliver value to customers.
Under the M-ICT strategy, ZTE will actively drive the development of new technologies and solutions to enable customers to capitalize on opportunities resulting from M-ICT trends. ZTE will strive to create value from the collection, distribution, processing, storage, transmission and consumption of information, enabling the transition to the M-ICT future.
ZTE is committed to creating value for customers of the company’s three primary business groups and divisions: Carrier Solutions, Enterprise Business and Mobile Devices. In addition, ZTE will also invest in new emerging businesses with strong growth potential such as new energy and robotic technology.
In December 2014, ZTE adopted a new logo as the company announced a new mission to drive innovations in telecommunications, enterprise computing and consumer devices to help customers adapt and thrive in the era of intelligent, always-on connectivity under the M-ICT strategy. The new ZTE slogan, “Tomorrow never waits”, reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to provide customers with access to technology solutions that will define the future.
About ZTE
ZTE is a provider of advanced telecommunications systems, mobile devices, and enterprise technology solutions to consumers, carriers, companies and public sector customers. As part of ZTE’s M-ICT strategy, the company is committed to provide customers with integrated end-to-end innovations to deliver excellence and value as the telecommunications and information technology sectors converge. Listed in the stock exchanges of Hong Kong and Shenzhen (H share stock code: 0763.HK / A share stock code: 000063.SZ), ZTE’s products and services are sold to over 500 operators in more than 160 countries. ZTE commits 10 per cent of its annual revenue to research and development and has leadership roles in international standard-setting organizations. ZTE is committed to corporate social responsibility and is a member of the UN Global Compact. For more information, please visit www.zte.com.cn.
Contacts
ZTE Corporation
Margrete Ma, +86 755 26775207
ma.gaili@zte.com.cn
Edelman PR
Mark Lee / Andres Vejarano, +852 2837 4756 / 2837 4735
mark.lee@edelman.com
andres.vejarano@edelman.com
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/13807/en
Panasonic Donates Solar Lanterns to UNDP for Ebola Relief Efforts
TOKYO - Saturday, February 28th 2015 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE) -- With the severe and far-reaching impact of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, governments and international organizations need more support for their relief efforts. They have called on the private sector to help the affected populations meet their basic needs in the midst of the crisis.
In response, Panasonic donated 240 solar lanterns to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in December 2014. Solar lanterns are now providing light to Ebola survivors, orphans, medical teams and workers fighting the epidemic in the affected areas of Liberia, where the outbreak is especially serious.
On February 19, Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Crisis Response Unit at UNDP, visited Satoshi Takeyasu, Panasonic Corporation Executive Officer in charge of Groupwide Brand Communications Division.
Ms. Nakamitsu, who leads UNDP's response to crisis, expressed gratitude for the solar lanterns donation.
"The solar lanterns are helpful to improve the lives of survivors and orphans affected by Ebola and to support workers in the frontlines of disease control. The solar lanterns not only shed light on the lives of these people, they can also help the fight against Ebola by enabling wire transfer via cell phones thanks to the solar lanterns' charger functions. We appreciate your support for our emergency relief and early recovery efforts."
Our solar lanterns are provided to Ebola survivors who have almost nothing when they are discharged from treatment clinics, since their belongings are incinerated when they test positive and are admitted for treatment. Solar lanterns have also been distributed to people living in quarantined areas, where access to electricity is often limited. In the capital Monrovia, solar lanterns are supporting medical teams while they work at nighttime.
The response to the Ebola crisis still needs much support. Panasonic will continue to contribute to relief efforts in countries that have been hit especially hard by the epidemic.
Related Links
100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project http://panasonic.net/sustainability/en/lantern/ Panasonic CSR/Environmental Reports http://www.panasonic.com/global/corporate/sustainability.html [Video]100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2BoCcANjvk&feature=youtu.be Stories of 100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project: http://news.panasonic.net/stories/series/solar_lantern_project/ UNDP - United Nations Development Programme http://www.undp.org/
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20150227005841/en/
Photo Caption:
Image1 - (From left) - Satoshi Takeyasu, Panasonic Corporation Executive Officer in charge of Groupwide Brand Communications Division, and Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Crisis Response Unit at UNDP (Photo: Business Wire)
Contacts
Panasonic Corporation
Global Communication Group
Public Relations Office
+81-3-3574-5729
presscontact@ml.jp.panasonic.com
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/13805/en
(BUSINESS WIRE) -- With the severe and far-reaching impact of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, governments and international organizations need more support for their relief efforts. They have called on the private sector to help the affected populations meet their basic needs in the midst of the crisis.
In response, Panasonic donated 240 solar lanterns to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in December 2014. Solar lanterns are now providing light to Ebola survivors, orphans, medical teams and workers fighting the epidemic in the affected areas of Liberia, where the outbreak is especially serious.
On February 19, Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Crisis Response Unit at UNDP, visited Satoshi Takeyasu, Panasonic Corporation Executive Officer in charge of Groupwide Brand Communications Division.
Ms. Nakamitsu, who leads UNDP's response to crisis, expressed gratitude for the solar lanterns donation.
"The solar lanterns are helpful to improve the lives of survivors and orphans affected by Ebola and to support workers in the frontlines of disease control. The solar lanterns not only shed light on the lives of these people, they can also help the fight against Ebola by enabling wire transfer via cell phones thanks to the solar lanterns' charger functions. We appreciate your support for our emergency relief and early recovery efforts."
Our solar lanterns are provided to Ebola survivors who have almost nothing when they are discharged from treatment clinics, since their belongings are incinerated when they test positive and are admitted for treatment. Solar lanterns have also been distributed to people living in quarantined areas, where access to electricity is often limited. In the capital Monrovia, solar lanterns are supporting medical teams while they work at nighttime.
The response to the Ebola crisis still needs much support. Panasonic will continue to contribute to relief efforts in countries that have been hit especially hard by the epidemic.
Related Links
100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project http://panasonic.net/sustainability/en/lantern/ Panasonic CSR/Environmental Reports http://www.panasonic.com/global/corporate/sustainability.html [Video]100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2BoCcANjvk&feature=youtu.be Stories of 100 Thousand Solar Lanterns Project: http://news.panasonic.net/stories/series/solar_lantern_project/ UNDP - United Nations Development Programme http://www.undp.org/
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20150227005841/en/
Photo Caption:
Image1 - (From left) - Satoshi Takeyasu, Panasonic Corporation Executive Officer in charge of Groupwide Brand Communications Division, and Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Crisis Response Unit at UNDP (Photo: Business Wire)
Contacts
Panasonic Corporation
Global Communication Group
Public Relations Office
+81-3-3574-5729
presscontact@ml.jp.panasonic.com
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/13805/en
NSK Put Smart Spin on Moving Parts Big and Small in 2014
Bearing maker helps industrial customers with custom innovation
TOKYO - Saturday, February 28th 2015 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Unless you are a mechanical engineer, you probably don’t wake up in the morning thinking about bearings. More likely, you never even notice that bearings – working away unseen – are the critical components in everything mechanical that moves: from jumbo-jets to nano-tools, kitchen blenders to concrete mixers. To meet the vast scope of “Motion and Control” needs, NSK (TOKYO:6471) – the world’s #3 bearing manufacturer – must offer over 200,000 different bearings, from microscopic to mammoth. And each year customers bring new challenges to NSK researchers: needs for new bearings to meet specific performance constraints. Here are two challenges that NSK researchers successfully overcame in 2014.
Wind turbines: reliable rotation under the harshest conditions
Since the dawn of the new millennium wind energy has grown full-sail from fringe power source to grid mainstay in countries around the world. NSK has been a key player in the expansion of global installed generation capacity from 17.4 gigawatts in 2000 to more than 305 gigawatts by the end of 2014 – but its role may not be obvious to the casual observer.
Anyone seeing images of a giant offshore wind turbine might naturally assume its giant blades are the critical technology involved. But the real key to the success of these gargantuan machines is in the bearings, which must function reliably for years under extremely adverse conditions: massive and rapidly shifting loads; dramatic fluctuations in temperature; and salty ocean air. Their location atop high towers in windy seas makes even inspecting an offshore turbine an arduous task. So swapping out heavy components is a huge undertaking. That is why bearing durability and reliability is the critical factor in the economic viability of wind power.
With the benefit of two decades’ experience in the challenge, NSK engineers achieved increased durability and reliability for white structure flaking in the roller bearings used in the gearboxes of large wind turbines, as well as in giant mining, construction and steelmaking equipment.
NSK’s solution was a specially developed material combined with a proprietary heat treatment process that dramatically increases the service life of the bearings. Incorporated in a new large-size roller bearing (AWS-TFTM) launched in May, 2014, the innovative technology offers longer service life than previous products by, several critical measures:
7 times longer without “white structure flaking”
3 times longer without “surface originated flaking”
Twice as long without “subsurface originated flaking”
Twice the fracture toughness
1/50 the dimensional change rate
This advance is expected to contribute significantly to the long-term economic viability of wind turbines. NSK expects sales of the new bearings to reach 1 billion yen (roughly $8.5m) in annual global sales by 2017.
For more information, see: www.nsk.com/company/presslounge/news/2014/press0527a.html
Heavy-duty spin for more laundry without more space
While wind turbines are exponentially larger and more sophisticated than your household washing machine, they share a similar need for a reliable spin cycle over many years. Here again bearings are the key component.
For European appliance makers, the home laundry spec has become more challenging in recent years. Today’s front-loading washer buyers want more laundry capacity, but in the same space occupied by their previous machines. That is a challenge because what makers would normally do with a larger, heavier laundry drum is simply fit larger, heavier-duty bearings. This led to a conundrum: larger bearings would mean lower energy efficiency, but fitting the previous bearings on a larger drum would result in shorter product life. So the manufacturer came to NSK for help.
As with giant wind turbines, the obstacle to overcome was a tendency of the non-metallic inclusion in the bearings to flake or crack after years of vibration. The larger the load, the greater the tendency. As well, there was a harsh environment to consider: heat, moisture, soap, dirt and mold to contend with.
NSK’s solution, released in December, 2014, is the BNEQARTET™ Long Life Bearing for Front-Loading Washers. Even under heavier loads, it achieves more than twice the product life of the standard bearing used for drum support in front-loading washers, but takes up no more space.
NSK leveraged one of its core material technologies in developing the material for this new bearing, through a combination of alloy component optimization and proprietary cleaning control technology to counter the possibility of contamination. The result:
Twice the rated fatigue life
Suppression of surface-originated flaking due to stress concentration from dents caused by contamination
Suppression of “white structure flaking”
Suppression of flaking in high-temperature environments
NSK is targeting 1.5 billion yen (roughly $12.5m) in annual global sales for this new product in 2018.
For more information, see: www.nsk.com/company/presslounge/news/2015/press0114b.html
Here’s the final ‘spin’ on these two stories. As a result of NSK’s efforts, many washing machines will soon make more efficient use of energy – sustainably produced by the wind.
About NSK
In 2016, NSK Ltd. (NSK; Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; President and CEO: Norio Otsuka) will celebrate a century of innovation since its founding as Japan's first bearings manufacturer. With the theme “Motion & Control” at the core of its business, NSK today is a global enterprise with 213 facilities in 31 countries that serve a diverse range of industrial customers with a wide range of precision components in addition to bearings. The company provides customers with total solutions through its world-leading technologies, sales force and customer service capabilities.
Contacts
NSK
Makiko Urushino
urushino@nsk.com
Fax: 81-3-3779-7431
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/13803/en
TOKYO - Saturday, February 28th 2015 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE) -- Unless you are a mechanical engineer, you probably don’t wake up in the morning thinking about bearings. More likely, you never even notice that bearings – working away unseen – are the critical components in everything mechanical that moves: from jumbo-jets to nano-tools, kitchen blenders to concrete mixers. To meet the vast scope of “Motion and Control” needs, NSK (TOKYO:6471) – the world’s #3 bearing manufacturer – must offer over 200,000 different bearings, from microscopic to mammoth. And each year customers bring new challenges to NSK researchers: needs for new bearings to meet specific performance constraints. Here are two challenges that NSK researchers successfully overcame in 2014.
Wind turbines: reliable rotation under the harshest conditions
Since the dawn of the new millennium wind energy has grown full-sail from fringe power source to grid mainstay in countries around the world. NSK has been a key player in the expansion of global installed generation capacity from 17.4 gigawatts in 2000 to more than 305 gigawatts by the end of 2014 – but its role may not be obvious to the casual observer.
Anyone seeing images of a giant offshore wind turbine might naturally assume its giant blades are the critical technology involved. But the real key to the success of these gargantuan machines is in the bearings, which must function reliably for years under extremely adverse conditions: massive and rapidly shifting loads; dramatic fluctuations in temperature; and salty ocean air. Their location atop high towers in windy seas makes even inspecting an offshore turbine an arduous task. So swapping out heavy components is a huge undertaking. That is why bearing durability and reliability is the critical factor in the economic viability of wind power.
With the benefit of two decades’ experience in the challenge, NSK engineers achieved increased durability and reliability for white structure flaking in the roller bearings used in the gearboxes of large wind turbines, as well as in giant mining, construction and steelmaking equipment.
NSK’s solution was a specially developed material combined with a proprietary heat treatment process that dramatically increases the service life of the bearings. Incorporated in a new large-size roller bearing (AWS-TFTM) launched in May, 2014, the innovative technology offers longer service life than previous products by, several critical measures:
7 times longer without “white structure flaking”
3 times longer without “surface originated flaking”
Twice as long without “subsurface originated flaking”
Twice the fracture toughness
1/50 the dimensional change rate
This advance is expected to contribute significantly to the long-term economic viability of wind turbines. NSK expects sales of the new bearings to reach 1 billion yen (roughly $8.5m) in annual global sales by 2017.
For more information, see: www.nsk.com/company/presslounge/news/2014/press0527a.html
Heavy-duty spin for more laundry without more space
While wind turbines are exponentially larger and more sophisticated than your household washing machine, they share a similar need for a reliable spin cycle over many years. Here again bearings are the key component.
For European appliance makers, the home laundry spec has become more challenging in recent years. Today’s front-loading washer buyers want more laundry capacity, but in the same space occupied by their previous machines. That is a challenge because what makers would normally do with a larger, heavier laundry drum is simply fit larger, heavier-duty bearings. This led to a conundrum: larger bearings would mean lower energy efficiency, but fitting the previous bearings on a larger drum would result in shorter product life. So the manufacturer came to NSK for help.
As with giant wind turbines, the obstacle to overcome was a tendency of the non-metallic inclusion in the bearings to flake or crack after years of vibration. The larger the load, the greater the tendency. As well, there was a harsh environment to consider: heat, moisture, soap, dirt and mold to contend with.
NSK’s solution, released in December, 2014, is the BNEQARTET™ Long Life Bearing for Front-Loading Washers. Even under heavier loads, it achieves more than twice the product life of the standard bearing used for drum support in front-loading washers, but takes up no more space.
NSK leveraged one of its core material technologies in developing the material for this new bearing, through a combination of alloy component optimization and proprietary cleaning control technology to counter the possibility of contamination. The result:
Twice the rated fatigue life
Suppression of surface-originated flaking due to stress concentration from dents caused by contamination
Suppression of “white structure flaking”
Suppression of flaking in high-temperature environments
NSK is targeting 1.5 billion yen (roughly $12.5m) in annual global sales for this new product in 2018.
For more information, see: www.nsk.com/company/presslounge/news/2015/press0114b.html
Here’s the final ‘spin’ on these two stories. As a result of NSK’s efforts, many washing machines will soon make more efficient use of energy – sustainably produced by the wind.
About NSK
In 2016, NSK Ltd. (NSK; Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; President and CEO: Norio Otsuka) will celebrate a century of innovation since its founding as Japan's first bearings manufacturer. With the theme “Motion & Control” at the core of its business, NSK today is a global enterprise with 213 facilities in 31 countries that serve a diverse range of industrial customers with a wide range of precision components in addition to bearings. The company provides customers with total solutions through its world-leading technologies, sales force and customer service capabilities.
Contacts
NSK
Makiko Urushino
urushino@nsk.com
Fax: 81-3-3779-7431
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/13803/en
NSK’s ‘Behind-the-Scenes’ Contribution to Automotive Innovation
New products in 2014 advance safety and fuel efficiency
TOKYO - Saturday, February 28th 2015 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE) - Although NSK Ltd. (TOKYO:6471) is Japan’s top and the world’s #3 bearing manufacturer, the Tokyo-based company tends to leave the spotlight to its customers, the world’s leading automotive brands. We work behind the scenes, but customers depend on NSK for endless diligence and innovation in pursuing safety, efficiency, durability and environmental performance in all aspects of “Motion and Control.” In 2014, that diligence resulted in several significant innovations, two of which are outlined below.
First, some hidden context. You never see them, nor are you meant to. But throughout your car 100 to 150 bearings are working away in the engine, transmission, wheels, and the air conditioner. Anything that moves requires a bearing that NSK supplies. The better they work, the safer, more fuel-efficient, responsive and durable your car becomes. That’s why NSK innovation matters.
A new benchmark in safety
As automakers shift from hydraulic power assist to electronic power assist steering, they must meet high customer expectations in terms of safety and responsiveness. In 2014, NSK rose to the challenge with the introduction of a new electronic power steering (EPS) system for use in compact cars.
Compliant with the ISO 26262 standard, the new system uses package-less semiconductors and semiconductor relays with no mechanical contacts. This helped NSK to achieve a more compact, lighter product, reducing the size of the radiators and the overall number of components. The result is a 10% decrease in volume versus the most recent conventional product (or a 45% volume decrease and 40% weight decrease from the original product a decade ago).
The new product features built-in steer angle sensors in addition to internal steering torque sensors to provide compatibility with a variety of high-performance vehicle controls. The result:
Improved safety
Less effort by the driver
Greater fuel efficiency
NSK is working to quickly supply the new system to automakers worldwide, and has set an overall EPS business goal of 250 billion yen (roughly $2137m) in sales for the fiscal year ending March 2016.
For more information: www.nsk.com/company/presslounge/news/2015/press0114a.html
Better bearing makes diesel cleaner
Environmental concerns and a desire for greater fuel efficiency have led many consumers, especially in Europe, to opt for diesel engines in recent years. That in turn has challenged automakers to improve diesel performance throughout the powertrain. On the plus side, diesels offer high thermal efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. Their downside is soot containing harmful nitrous and sulfur oxides. Beyond their effect on the atmosphere, there pollutants tend to corrode parts in the engine valves. This was the problem NSK researchers focused on in developing a new low-torque tappet roller for the rocker arm of diesel engines.
The rocker arm is the mechanism, driven by the cam, that opens and closes the engine valves. As such, it is exposed to the corrosive emissions flowing through the valves. This harsh environment increases the likelihood of corrosion in the shafts of tappet rollers. So to counter this, until now, extreme measures have been needed to ensure durability. NSK researchers figured there had to be a better way.
The solution they came up with to replace the conventional double roller bearing is a single needle roller bearing that reduces friction by 10 percent – thereby significantly contributing to greater fuel efficiency. Thanks to crack-resistant chrome plating, it offers enhanced durability and can be installed in the same way as conventional bearings.
NSK expects sales of this new product to reach 1.5 billion yen (roughly $13m) by 2019.
This NSK innovation is one small step toward cleaner, more fuel-efficient diesels. But such incremental improvements quickly add up to great strides forward.
For more information: www.nsk.com/company/presslounge/news/2014/press1212a.html
Look to NSK for continuous innovation
These new products are just two innovations in a continuous stream of progress by NSK researchers. For more stories of innovation, please visit NSK.com.
About NSK
In 2016, NSK Ltd. (NSK; Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; President and CEO: Norio Otsuka) will celebrate a century of innovation since its founding as Japan's first bearings manufacturer. With the theme “Motion & Control” at the core of its business, NSK today is a global enterprise with 213 facilities in 31 countries that serve a diverse range of industrial customers with a wide range of precision components in addition to bearings. The company provides customers with total solutions through its world-leading technologies, sales force and customer service capabilities.
Contacts
NSK
Makiko Urushino
urushino@nsk.com
Fax: 81-3-3779-7431
TOKYO - Saturday, February 28th 2015 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE) - Although NSK Ltd. (TOKYO:6471) is Japan’s top and the world’s #3 bearing manufacturer, the Tokyo-based company tends to leave the spotlight to its customers, the world’s leading automotive brands. We work behind the scenes, but customers depend on NSK for endless diligence and innovation in pursuing safety, efficiency, durability and environmental performance in all aspects of “Motion and Control.” In 2014, that diligence resulted in several significant innovations, two of which are outlined below.
First, some hidden context. You never see them, nor are you meant to. But throughout your car 100 to 150 bearings are working away in the engine, transmission, wheels, and the air conditioner. Anything that moves requires a bearing that NSK supplies. The better they work, the safer, more fuel-efficient, responsive and durable your car becomes. That’s why NSK innovation matters.
A new benchmark in safety
As automakers shift from hydraulic power assist to electronic power assist steering, they must meet high customer expectations in terms of safety and responsiveness. In 2014, NSK rose to the challenge with the introduction of a new electronic power steering (EPS) system for use in compact cars.
Compliant with the ISO 26262 standard, the new system uses package-less semiconductors and semiconductor relays with no mechanical contacts. This helped NSK to achieve a more compact, lighter product, reducing the size of the radiators and the overall number of components. The result is a 10% decrease in volume versus the most recent conventional product (or a 45% volume decrease and 40% weight decrease from the original product a decade ago).
The new product features built-in steer angle sensors in addition to internal steering torque sensors to provide compatibility with a variety of high-performance vehicle controls. The result:
Improved safety
Less effort by the driver
Greater fuel efficiency
NSK is working to quickly supply the new system to automakers worldwide, and has set an overall EPS business goal of 250 billion yen (roughly $2137m) in sales for the fiscal year ending March 2016.
For more information: www.nsk.com/company/presslounge/news/2015/press0114a.html
Better bearing makes diesel cleaner
Environmental concerns and a desire for greater fuel efficiency have led many consumers, especially in Europe, to opt for diesel engines in recent years. That in turn has challenged automakers to improve diesel performance throughout the powertrain. On the plus side, diesels offer high thermal efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. Their downside is soot containing harmful nitrous and sulfur oxides. Beyond their effect on the atmosphere, there pollutants tend to corrode parts in the engine valves. This was the problem NSK researchers focused on in developing a new low-torque tappet roller for the rocker arm of diesel engines.
The rocker arm is the mechanism, driven by the cam, that opens and closes the engine valves. As such, it is exposed to the corrosive emissions flowing through the valves. This harsh environment increases the likelihood of corrosion in the shafts of tappet rollers. So to counter this, until now, extreme measures have been needed to ensure durability. NSK researchers figured there had to be a better way.
The solution they came up with to replace the conventional double roller bearing is a single needle roller bearing that reduces friction by 10 percent – thereby significantly contributing to greater fuel efficiency. Thanks to crack-resistant chrome plating, it offers enhanced durability and can be installed in the same way as conventional bearings.
NSK expects sales of this new product to reach 1.5 billion yen (roughly $13m) by 2019.
This NSK innovation is one small step toward cleaner, more fuel-efficient diesels. But such incremental improvements quickly add up to great strides forward.
For more information: www.nsk.com/company/presslounge/news/2014/press1212a.html
Look to NSK for continuous innovation
These new products are just two innovations in a continuous stream of progress by NSK researchers. For more stories of innovation, please visit NSK.com.
About NSK
In 2016, NSK Ltd. (NSK; Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan; President and CEO: Norio Otsuka) will celebrate a century of innovation since its founding as Japan's first bearings manufacturer. With the theme “Motion & Control” at the core of its business, NSK today is a global enterprise with 213 facilities in 31 countries that serve a diverse range of industrial customers with a wide range of precision components in addition to bearings. The company provides customers with total solutions through its world-leading technologies, sales force and customer service capabilities.
Contacts
NSK
Makiko Urushino
urushino@nsk.com
Fax: 81-3-3779-7431
Saif bin Zayed and Al Hammadi Attend MOU Signing on the Sidelines of IDEX 2015
To activate the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program’s National Charter
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Monday, February 23rd 2015 [ME NewsWire]
Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and H.E Hussain Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education attended on Monday the signing a Memorandum of Understanding between Khalifa Student Empowerment Program ‘Aqdar’, and Knowledge Point Educational Constants. The MoU aims at assisting the activation and implementation of the ‘National Charter for Students’ Awareness’ that was compiled by about 50 federal and local institutions with the aim of empowering students with academic ability and advanced skills to meet the various challenges and threats.
The MOU was signed on the sidelines of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference “IDEX 2015” by Major General Dr. Nasser Lakhrebani Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of the Office of HH Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Chairman of the Higher Committee of the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program, and Obaid Almansouri, Group Chief Executive Officer at Emirates Advanced Investments Group. The event was attended by Major General Abdul Aziz Maktoum Al Shareefi, Director General of Protective Security at the Ministry of Interior; and Colonel Expert Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Al Dabal, General Coordinator of the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program.
Major General Dr. Al Nuaimi said that signing the MOU marks a significant stride towards achieving the coveted objectives of the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program, notably promoting the concepts of mutual institutional work between all ministries, local and federal entities, private institutions and civil society institutions, as well as all other parties involved with students.
He said: “The existing social and security problems require concerted collaborative action from all parties. Such collaboration would contribute to channeling mutual efforts towards achieving the aspired goals, fostering the proper environment to ensure optimal benefit from all available resources, with the aim of maintaining the security and stability of society, and ensuring its protection against potential dangers and threats; especially against intentional or unintentional misuse of the internet, which has become an essential component of our lives.” He also noted that ensuring collaboration between all concerned parties is a national duty and a mutual responsibility.
Colonel Expert Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Al Dabal, General Coordinator of the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program, said: “Modern technology and the internet are becoming increasingly crucial in the economic, social, and cultural aspects of our lives.” He also stressed the importance of empowering students and acquainting them with the proper methods of safe use of the internet, boosting their sense of personal security, in order to protect them against health, moral, or legal-related problems they may encounter via these technologies. “These goals represent the key pillars of the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program,” he continued.
Furthermore, Colonel Dr. Al Dabal stressed the important role of parents in supporting and promoting the program’s objectives in terms of raising children’s awareness of how to safely use the internet. He said: “Parents must direct their children to the safer use of the internet and new communications means. They must protect them against any misuse or exploitation by teaching their children how to protect their privacy, and the need to refrain from posting any information, data, pictures, etc. that may be misused by others.” “The signing of the MoU falls in line with the efforts, continuous coordination and planning for multiple future projects, in accordance with good practices and ethical standards that reflect the culture and civilization of the UAE,” he added.
For his part, Dr. Hamed Al Neyadi, Head of Knowledge Solutions Management at Knowledge Point Education Consultants, emphasized that the internet has created huge development in the world and radically changed today’s world and societies. He noted that the internet has revolutionized the way we acquire news and information and highlighted the internet’s role in streamlining interaction between individuals, especially with the widespread use of smart phones that made internet services accessible anywhere and anytime. Furthermore, he tackled the negative aspects of the widespread use of the internet, stressing the need for strict action to reduce these risks at all levels.
Adding further, Dr. Al Neyadi, Head of Knowledge Solutions Management at Knowledge Point Education Consultants lauded the valuable cooperation with the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program in the quest to achieve the common goals, and ensure optimal use of the available resources for the service of society. He particularly praised the shared rights to implement the CYBER C3 program. He said: “The Cyber C3 certification program aims to encourage a safe usage policy that lays down rules of acceptable ‘netiquette’ or behavior that must be applied when accessing the Internet and the basic rules of cyber safety. It is especially developed and designed to produce digitally literate, smart and responsible internet users, by designing and developing educational and awareness material pertaining to the proper use of information technology tools and social media; as well as the basics of information security and other related topics, at the Government sector, the family, and in public within private schools and universities.”
For more information about:
The Ministry of Interior, please click HERE
Abu Dhabi Police, please click HERE
Follow us and check our Social Media feeds on: YouTube, Facebook and Twitter
The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.
Contacts
The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department
Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media
Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-987-1317
E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/13737/en
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Monday, February 23rd 2015 [ME NewsWire]
Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and H.E Hussain Ibrahim Al Hammadi, Minister of Education attended on Monday the signing a Memorandum of Understanding between Khalifa Student Empowerment Program ‘Aqdar’, and Knowledge Point Educational Constants. The MoU aims at assisting the activation and implementation of the ‘National Charter for Students’ Awareness’ that was compiled by about 50 federal and local institutions with the aim of empowering students with academic ability and advanced skills to meet the various challenges and threats.
The MOU was signed on the sidelines of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference “IDEX 2015” by Major General Dr. Nasser Lakhrebani Al Nuaimi, Secretary General of the Office of HH Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Chairman of the Higher Committee of the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program, and Obaid Almansouri, Group Chief Executive Officer at Emirates Advanced Investments Group. The event was attended by Major General Abdul Aziz Maktoum Al Shareefi, Director General of Protective Security at the Ministry of Interior; and Colonel Expert Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Al Dabal, General Coordinator of the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program.
Major General Dr. Al Nuaimi said that signing the MOU marks a significant stride towards achieving the coveted objectives of the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program, notably promoting the concepts of mutual institutional work between all ministries, local and federal entities, private institutions and civil society institutions, as well as all other parties involved with students.
He said: “The existing social and security problems require concerted collaborative action from all parties. Such collaboration would contribute to channeling mutual efforts towards achieving the aspired goals, fostering the proper environment to ensure optimal benefit from all available resources, with the aim of maintaining the security and stability of society, and ensuring its protection against potential dangers and threats; especially against intentional or unintentional misuse of the internet, which has become an essential component of our lives.” He also noted that ensuring collaboration between all concerned parties is a national duty and a mutual responsibility.
Colonel Expert Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Al Dabal, General Coordinator of the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program, said: “Modern technology and the internet are becoming increasingly crucial in the economic, social, and cultural aspects of our lives.” He also stressed the importance of empowering students and acquainting them with the proper methods of safe use of the internet, boosting their sense of personal security, in order to protect them against health, moral, or legal-related problems they may encounter via these technologies. “These goals represent the key pillars of the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program,” he continued.
Furthermore, Colonel Dr. Al Dabal stressed the important role of parents in supporting and promoting the program’s objectives in terms of raising children’s awareness of how to safely use the internet. He said: “Parents must direct their children to the safer use of the internet and new communications means. They must protect them against any misuse or exploitation by teaching their children how to protect their privacy, and the need to refrain from posting any information, data, pictures, etc. that may be misused by others.” “The signing of the MoU falls in line with the efforts, continuous coordination and planning for multiple future projects, in accordance with good practices and ethical standards that reflect the culture and civilization of the UAE,” he added.
For his part, Dr. Hamed Al Neyadi, Head of Knowledge Solutions Management at Knowledge Point Education Consultants, emphasized that the internet has created huge development in the world and radically changed today’s world and societies. He noted that the internet has revolutionized the way we acquire news and information and highlighted the internet’s role in streamlining interaction between individuals, especially with the widespread use of smart phones that made internet services accessible anywhere and anytime. Furthermore, he tackled the negative aspects of the widespread use of the internet, stressing the need for strict action to reduce these risks at all levels.
Adding further, Dr. Al Neyadi, Head of Knowledge Solutions Management at Knowledge Point Education Consultants lauded the valuable cooperation with the Khalifa Student Empowerment Program in the quest to achieve the common goals, and ensure optimal use of the available resources for the service of society. He particularly praised the shared rights to implement the CYBER C3 program. He said: “The Cyber C3 certification program aims to encourage a safe usage policy that lays down rules of acceptable ‘netiquette’ or behavior that must be applied when accessing the Internet and the basic rules of cyber safety. It is especially developed and designed to produce digitally literate, smart and responsible internet users, by designing and developing educational and awareness material pertaining to the proper use of information technology tools and social media; as well as the basics of information security and other related topics, at the Government sector, the family, and in public within private schools and universities.”
For more information about:
The Ministry of Interior, please click HERE
Abu Dhabi Police, please click HERE
Follow us and check our Social Media feeds on: YouTube, Facebook and Twitter
The Arabic-language text of this announcement is the official, authoritative version. Translations are provided as an accommodation only, and should be cross-referenced with the Arabic-language text, which is the only version of the text intended to have legal effect.
Contacts
The UAE Minister of Interior's General Secretariat, Tactical Affairs and Security Media Department
Abu Dhabi Police GHQ - Security Media
Chris Cron +971-(0)-50-987-1317
E-mail: cron.media@hotmail.com
Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/13737/en
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