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TiE Global Pitch Competition 2023: Fostering Entrepreneurship for the NextGen

TiE University Global

TiE University Global is excited to announce its 5th Annual Pitch Competition Finals taking place on the 5th of May 2023 at the Santa Clara Convention Center at TiECon Silicon Valley. The TiE University Global Pitch Competition is a platform for aspiring entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative business ideas to a global audience and win attractive cash and in-kind prizes. This year, the competition received an overwhelming response with over 1500 teams from 420 universities from 8 countries applied to participate. The teams pitched their business ideas in diverse industries such as healthcare, tech, energy, life sciences, consumer products, food tech, e-commerce amongst others. The top three winners will receive cash prizes of 50K USD for the first prize, 25K USD for the second prize, and 10k USD for the third prize and special prizes in the category of Sustainability, Social Impact, Women Lead and Most Innovative etc. The competition will be judged by 25 experienced entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and angel investors who will evaluate the teams based on their Go to Market Strategy, Financial Modelling, Story Telling, Investor Pitching etc. The TiE University Global Pitch Competition has gained immense popularity over the years and is viewed by over 5000 audience members worldwide. It is an excellent opportunity for the next gen entrepreneurs to showcase their business ideas, network with industry leaders, and gain valuable insights from experienced entrepreneurs and investors. Most of all, through this platform, they get an opportunity to create viable and scalable business by attracting investors. With over 20 weeks of continuous engagement and interaction, the program included Masterclasses, Bootcamps held virtually across the globe with some of the best industry experts on various topics ranging from GTM strategy, Digital, Tech, Finance, Pitch deck etc! Shankar Ram, Chairman of TiE Global was happy to share that, “We are excited to not just fund these young startups, but as a community, we offer heavy duty mentorship from some of the best in the field.” According to Ravi Puli, the Co Chair of TiE University Global, “As a first generation entrepreneur, I understand the need to have an enabling environment in the early days. I am just making sure that these young startups hit the ground running.” “We are on a mission to spread the virus of entrepreneurship amongst students across the world,” says SubbaRaju Pericherla, the Co Chair of TiE University Global. TiE Global is a global community that fosters entrepreneurship through mentoring, education, and networking. With over 15,000 members in 61 chapters across 14 countries, TiE Global is committed to empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs. TiE Global invites all entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders to attend the Pitch Competition and join us in nurturing the NextGen entrepreneurs who will build our future as well. Contact Details TiE University Global Vijay vijay@tie.org Company Website https://tieuniversity.org/

May 04, 2023 09:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Hong Kong Baptist University joint research suggests that urine cytomegalovirus test facilitates early prediction of AIDS end-organ diseases

Hong Kong Baptist University

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 4 May 2023 - A Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) collaborative research team has shown that urine tests for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) can identify the risk of end-organ diseases such as pneumonitis, gastrointestinal ulcers, hepatitis and myocarditis, earlier in patients who have been infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The findings suggest that HCMV detection in urine should be implemented as a routine test for HIV-1 patients who are progressing towards acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), as anti-HCMV treatments could reduce the incidence of lung and cardiovascular end-organ diseases by half. The research findings have been published in the Journal of Clinical Virology, an international scientific journal. No routine HCMV check-ups for HIV-1 patients HIV-1 infection is divided into four clinical stages. In the first stage, patients are infected and some experience mild illnesses such as a cold without any apparent symptoms. HIV-1 infection then slowly progresses towards AIDS in the second and third stages of infection. These two stages, collectively regarded as the "developing" stage, usually last several years if they are comprehensively controlled by a range of medications before developing into AIDS, which represents the fourth stage of HIV-1 infection. HCMV is a DNA virus found in more than half of the human population. It is controlled by an intact immune system and remains dormant in healthy individuals. However, it can be reactivated in patients with poor immune systems, such as those in the fourth stage of HIV-1 infection, and as a result it can become one of the major opportunistic infections that cause life-threatening end-organ diseases. In Hong Kong, HCMV detection is not part of the routine check-ups for HIV-1 patients unless they suffer from apparent end-organ diseases. In such cases, blood tests are the preferred method of detection. A research team co-led by Dr Allen Cheung Ka-loon, Assistant Professor of the Department of Biology at HKBU, and Professor Chen Zhiwei, Professor of the Department of Microbiology, LKS Faculty of Medicine at the University of Hong Kong, in collaboration with researchers from the Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen, investigated the detection of HCMV in urine for the continuous monitoring of end-organ disease risk in HIV-1 patients. They also examined the relationship between HCMV detection and end-organ diseases in HIV-1 patients in the "developing" stage. Easier to detect HCMV in urine than in blood The team screened the records of more than 130,000 HIV-1 patients in Shenzhen between January 2011 and June 2022, and selected about 13,700 patients with relevant blood and urine test records. They were grouped according to the four stages of HIV-1 infection, and the results of their HCMV blood and urine tests were then compared. It was discovered that in all the four patient groups, the proportions of patients found to be HCMV-positive were higher in the urine samples than in the corresponding blood samples. The situation was particularly obvious for HIV-1 patients in the "developing" stage. Urine tests showed that 5.8% of second-stage HIV-1 patients were HCMV-positive compared to only 0.9% using blood tests. The proportions of third-stage HIV-1 patients found to be HCMV-positive using urine and blood tests were 12.8% and 1.4%, respectively. This suggests that HCMV is more easily detected in urine than in the blood, especially during the "developing" stage of HIV-1 infection. The researchers further filtered 233 "developing" stage HIV-1 patients with detailed clinical and disease records to evaluate the association between HCMV and the onset of different types of end-organ diseases. Statistical analysis revealed that there is a significant association between the incidence of lung and cardiovascular end-organ diseases and the detection of HCMV in urine. Early anti-HCMV treatment lowers the risk of end-organ diseases To study the effect of early interventions with anti-HCMV treatments, the team tracked the data of 54 "developing" stage HIV-1 patients who had been hospitalised at least once. They were divided into three groups: those who received no anti-HCMV treatments, those who received treatments but not during each round of hospitalisation, and those who received treatments during all rounds of hospitalisation. The data showed that those who received anti-HCMV treatments in all rounds of hospitalisation had the lowest incidence of lung and cardiovascular end-organ diseases. Furthermore, compared to those who had not received anti-HCMV treatments, the incidence of such end-organ diseases in patients who had received the treatments was reduced by half. This suggests that continuous anti-HCMV treatments are effective in reducing the onset of lung and cardiovascular end-organ diseases in patients who are progressing towards AIDS. Dr Allen Cheung said: "Patients have to face a difficult journey once they have tested positive for HIV. They are often at risk of developing end-organ diseases without any apparent symptoms. Our study shows that routine urine tests for HCMV can monitor the development of end-organ diseases more effectively, which signals the need for early medical intervention. We thus recommend that HCMV detection in urine should be implemented as a routine test for HIV-1 patients." Contact Details Communication and Public Relations Office, HKBU Winnie Shum hkbunews@hkbu.edu.hk

May 04, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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News Release

10 Best Proxy Services for US Users 2023

ProxyBros

With the rise of network technologies in the United States, web proxies sites have become an integral part of daily life in 2023. Trusted intermediary connections enhance users’ online security, anonymity, and overall Internet experience — these are only part of the reasons why proxy services are now increasingly popular. This review highlights the best proxy server providers for US users based on various requirements and tasks. MobileHop — Best 4G Mobile Proxies 🥇 Proxy-sale.com — Best for Online Gaming 🥈 Proxyseller — Best for Cheap IPv6 🥉 SmartProxy — Best Web Scraping API OxyLabs — Best Premium Provider BrightData — Best Premium Ecosystem Hidemy.name — Best VPN Service IPRoyal — Best for Marketing NetNut — Best Cheap Proxies Storm Proxies — Best for Sneaker Bots 📌Best US Proxy Sites 1. MobileHop — Best 4G Mobile Proxies 📱 IPs and locations Verizon: 47 cities in 28 US states: AL, CA, CO, NY, PA, and others. AT&T: 10 cities in 5 states: NY, TX, CA, FL, and WA. Convenience MobileHop's dedicated US-based proxies are easily available through a quick purchase system, enabling you to access geo-blocked content, run social media accounts, and extract data. The service offers two setups: SingleHop connects you to a single desired location without the rotation feature; MultiHop setup offers access to all 47 locations at once. The latter package allows you to roam freely across millions of additional mobile IP addresses for the duration of your subscription. Prices Type of payment plan: subscription, by period. SingleHop dedicated IPs: from $5 hourly to $180 monthly. MultiHop rotating IPs: from $9 hourly to $225 monthly. Free options 24-hour money-back guarantee. 2. Proxy-sale.com — Best for Online Gaming 🎰 IPs and locations IPv4: 43 countries: Australia, Canada, China, Germany, the UK, the USA, and others. IPv6: 7 countries: Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, Russia, the UK, and the USA. Convenience Proxy-sale.com has a convenient website and affordable prices. Its main benefit is a large selection of free tools such as a port scanner, speed test tool, IPv6 validator, etc. Prices Type of payment plan: by quantity, by period. Private data center IPs: from $1.05/1 pc. per week to $23.44/1 pc. per year. Free options Free proxies — page currently unavailable. Refunds are considered individually. 3. Proxyseller — Best for Cheap IPv6 💸 IPs and locations IPv4: 57 countries: USA, UK, Canada, Spain, Japan, etc. IPv6: 17 countries: USA, UK, Canada, Germany, Japan, etc. Mobile: 16 countries: USA, UK, India, Germany, etc. Convenience Proxyseller is an affordable provider that gives access to connections of different types. You can buy mobile or data center proxies — all for a very reasonable price. Prices Type of payment plan: by quantity, by country IPv4/US IPs: from $2.14 per 1 pc. IPv6/US IPs: from $0.16 per 1 pc. Mobile/US IPs: from $26 per week. Free options 24-hour refund policy. 4. SmartProxy — Best Web Scraping API 💻 IPs and locations 195 countries 40M residential IPs 100K data center IPs 10M mobile proxies Convenience SmartProxy is a well-known provider on the market. It offers solutions for social media, web scraping, sneaker copping, and developer-friendly scraping APIs and web tools. SmartProxy provides not only proxies but also several types of convenient scraping APIs. For example, you can use SERP, eCommerce, or social media scraping API in combination with a proxy for your website to boost your business. Prices Type of payment plan: per Gb / per month Residential plans: from $12.5/Gb Mobile plans: from $50/month Datacenter plans: from $10/month Dedicated plans: from $7/month Free options 3-day free trial 3-day refund option 5. Oxylabs — Best Premium Provider 🔥 IPs and locations 195 countries 100M residential IPs 2M dedicated data center IPs 29K shared data center IPs 20M mobile IPs (3G/4G/5G) ISP proxies Convenience OxyLabs is a premium service that provides the best proxies with a wide range of options including residential and data center, dedicated, and ISP products. The platform also offers high-quality support, personal managers, and special events for big companies. Prices Type of payment plan: per Gb / per month Residential plans: from $15/Gb Mobile plans: from $250/month Rotating ISP plans: from $340/month Shared data center plans: from $50/month Dedicated data center plans: from $180 Free options 3-days refund policy 7-day free trial Where Do Proxy Companies Get Proxies? Interview With Oxylabs.io 6. BrightData — Best Premium Ecosystem 🔗 IPs and locations 195 countries 72M residential IPs 770K shared data center IPs 700K ISPs 7M mobile IPs (3G/4G/5G) Convenience BrightData offers a premium service to large enterprises, delivering a ready-made environment. It includes a Web Scraper IDE, proxy-based APIs, the best proxies possible and other tools to create a functioning ecosystem for their customers. Also it is even the best proxy for PS4 and PS5 rated by YAHOO. Prices Type of payment plan: per use / per month Residential plans: from $15/Gb Mobile plans: from $500/month Rotating ISP plans: from $500/month Shared data center plans: from $500/month Free options 7-day free trial for registered companies 3-day refund period 7. Hidemy.name — Best VPN Service 🔒 IPs and locations 45 countries: USA, Canada, Germany, Egypt, South Africa, and others Convenience Hidemy.name is a VPN service for personal use with very affordable pricing and lots of attractive features such as anonymous purchase, 30 days refund guarantee, etc. It has an attractive and user-friendly design and an easy-to-use app. Hidemy.name offers a highly intuitive website and an extensive F.A.Q section. The VPN app is compatible with any popular OS and router. Additionally, they provide complimentary tools: a free proxy list and a free 1-day VPN trial. Prices Type of payment plan: per month $11 — per month/1 month plan $5 — per month/6 months plan $4 — per month/1 year plan Free options 1-day trial without prepayment Full refund Free proxy list 30-day money-back guarantee What is a VPN? / hidemy.name 8. IPRoyal — Best for Marketing 🚀 IPs and locations 195+ countries 2M residential proxies 1M mobile IPs Datacenter proxies Convenience IPRoyal offers a flexible pricing policy featuring extensive IP coverage at prices unmatched by premium providers. Prices Type of payment plan: per Gb / per proxy / per month Residential plans: from $2.45/Gb Datacenter plans: from $1.57/1 pc. Mobile plans: from $81/month Free options No trials/refunds 9. NetNut — Best Cheap Proxies 📉 IPs and locations 23 countries, including the USA and Europe Convenience The NetNut prices are really low. For example, you can buy a proxy package of 10 pcs for $10 per month. In comparison, other small and medium providers seldom offer five proxies for under $20. Prices Type of payment plan: per month Dedicated proxies: from $10/month Semi-dedicated proxies: from $20/month Free options 3-day money-back guarantee 10. Storm Proxies — Best for Sneaker Bots 👟 IPs and locations 700K residential IPs in the USA and Europe. Convenience Storm Proxies is a low-cost provider that offers proxies for individuals and small businesses. Its primary focus is rotating backconnect proxies for sneaker sites and personal use. Storm Proxies primarily employs US proxy servers and provides both rotating and dedicated IP addresses. The rotating proxies are fully compatible with sneaker bots like AIO Bot and Nike Bot, and ticket software such as TicketMaster Avenue, MLB, etc. Prices Type of payment plan: per proxy / per month Residential plans: from $50/5 pcs./month Dedicated plans: from $39/month Free options 24-hours refund guarantee 💡 Free Proxies VS Paid: Know the Difference Many proxy providers have a list of free proxies on their sites so that you can compare paid and free third-party services. Free servers are usually maintained by enthusiasts from around the world. Unfortunately, many of these servers belong to scammers who can steal your data and use your IP as a node in their network. By contrast, paid providers care about their reputation, so they respect user security and guarantee a good customer experience. 😊 Conclusion If you need to be sure about all of these sites on the list, stop by here for a review: https://proxybros.com/ Choosing the right provider is not easy, given the massive selection of options on the market. However, it's incredibly important to do research and find the best proxy server provider that guarantees your security and efficiency in your work and online activities. Contact Details Proxy Bros Nick +1 929-491-3157 hello@proxybros.com Company Website https://proxybros.com/

May 04, 2023 06:44 AM Eastern Daylight Time

NAVEX Opens Nominations for 2023 Customer Excellence Awards

NAVEX Global

NAVEX, the leader in integrated risk and compliance management software, today announced nominations are now open for the third annual NAVEX Customer Excellence Awards. This prestigious award acknowledges and celebrates the exceptional performance of NAVEX customers’ ethics, compliance and integrated risk management programs. The nomination window will be open until July 12, 2023. Previous Customer Excellence Award winners include Dell Technologies, Castolin Eutectic Holding GmbH, Jacksonville Transportation Authority and Genpact. Interested NAVEX customers can submit their entry today via the NAVEX Customer Excellence Award website. “A robust risk and compliance program is fundamental to creating and maintaining a highly motivated workplace culture,” said Steve Chapman, Chief Customer Officer at NAVEX. “Our annual excellence awards recognize especially strong programs that demonstrate measurable impact on business success. We look forward to seeing all of this year’s nominations.” The Customer Excellence Awards recognize exceptional program performances from NAVEX's 13,000+ customers worldwide, covering 70 million employees, categorized by company size and across three categories. Ethics & Compliance – Recognizes the exceptional ability to identify and mitigate risks, provide meaningful insights into corporate culture and drive risk aware decision-making through E&C programs. Integrated Risk Management – Recognizes the exceptional ability to adapt to specific risk landscapes, bring visibility to risk across the organization and use informed data to influence decisions that ultimately make for a more resilient and successful business. GRC Program of the Year – Recognizes the exceptional ability to break down silos across the business to align ethics and compliance, and/or integrated risk management, resulting in a comprehensive risk and compliance management program that provides efficiency and actionable insights. As in years past, an expert panel of judges will determine the winners, consisting of some of the most respected names in the industry, including Vera Cherepanova, Studio Etica; Matt Kelly, Radical Compliance; Michael Volkov, The Volkov Law Group; Kyle Welch, George Washington School of Business; Carol Williams, Strategic Decision Solutions; along with NAVEX executives Florian Haarhaus, International General Manager; Steve Chapman, Chief Customer Officer; and Carrie Penman, Chief Risk & Compliance Officer. NAVEX is trusted by thousands of customers worldwide to help them achieve the business outcomes that matter most. As the global leader in integrated risk and compliance management software and services, we deliver solutions through the NAVEX One platform, the industry’s most comprehensive governance, risk and compliance (GRC) information system. For more information, visit NAVEX.com and our blog. Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn. Contact Details Scott Levesque +1 617-388-5773 scott.levesque@navex.com Company Website https://www.navex.com

May 03, 2023 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Connected Mom - Spring into Summer Gadgets

News Media Group, Inc.

Contact Details News Media Group Karl Wayne +1 334-440-6397 karl@newsmg.com Company Website https://newsmg.com/

May 01, 2023 06:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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43-Year Printing Business Graphic Communications Converts to Minuteman Press Franchise in Shelby Township, Michigan

Minuteman Press International Inc

43-year printing business Graphic Communications has been sold by Dennis Wrobleski to new owners Nathan and Jane Kogan. Following the sale, the business is being converted to a full-service Minuteman Press franchise. The new Minuteman Press in Shelby Township is located at 50671 Wing Drive, Shelby Township, MI 48315. On buying the business, Nathan Kogan says, “My background was in finance and accounting. I held a position as an Assistant Controller for a privately owned wealth management company for almost 19 years. My wife and I decided to become business owners because we wanted to build something for ourselves and our kids. Our hope is that someday, our kids will join us and want to be a part of this wonderful company.” Seller Dennis Wrobleski shares, “My main objective in transferring the business was the security of my employees and the care of our clientele. I was happy to learn that Minuteman Press franchise owners are supported and trained to handle the print and marketing needs of local businesses. I believe this will be a huge benefit to our clients adding access to more products and services. The most likely prospect of growth with the expansion of products available to our existing clientele and new clients ensures a beneficial outcome for the employees.” History of the Business Graphic Communications began as a Michigan partnership in 1980. Dennis explains, “My former partner Bill Schulz and I worked together at Kux Manufacturing Company in Detroit, Michigan. In the early 1950s, Kux Manufacturing Company, founded by Richard Kux, became the largest manufacturer of decals and identification markings for cars and trucks in the country. Kux was set up for high volume production of fleet graphics, and worked mostly with national brands. Our goal was to provide this same level of high quality graphic products and service to local businesses. Kux was very helpful and supportive of our venture and continued to outsource work to us as our business grew.” Dennis continues, “Graphic Communications made the transition from manual tooling processes to digital graphics. We rely on the latest software, computerized cutting machines, large format printing, and mostly our talented staff of graphic designers and production artists, to serve our clients with professional graphic art solutions.” Selling the Business As he was exploring his options for selling the business, Dennis ended up meeting with Minuteman Press Regional VP Rich DeRosa, who explained the benefits of Minuteman Press International’s conversion program that connects sellers like Dennis with buyers like Nathan and Jane Kogan. Dennis shares, “When I met Rich DeRosa, my business was already listed for sale with a broker. As soon as the broker contract expired, I called Rich and we set up a meeting. Rich not only had a very good understanding of my business, he had a potential buyer in mind that he had been working with. Rich explained the straightforward process and I also learned a lot from the Minuteman Press website. “I think it’s great working with an organization that is interested in success for the buyer and the seller. Knowing that the new owner of Graphic Communications will be equipped with the knowledge and support from Minuteman Press to continue to serve our clients is a big relief for me. I am confident that the business and employees will be in good hands.” -Dennis Wrobleski, Selling Owner, Graphic Communications Buying the Business From his perspective as a new business owner, Nathan Kogan found the right fit in buying a well-established business while also being supported by Minuteman Press as a franchisee. Nathan shares, “We chose to buy an established business because it gave us comfort and a feeling of stability to come into something that is already a proven model, but would also have tons of upside for growth. We chose Minuteman Press due to its incredible reviews and a support system for the owners.” Nathan continues, “Working with Minuteman Press International was extremely easy and comforting. Rich DeRosa was extremely supportive and helpful throughout this whole process. And patient, especially with me. The training and support is extremely important; it's definitely one of the main reasons we were drawn to this particular franchise.” “I look forward to building on the legacy that Dennis created with Graphic Communications for 43 years while also beginning this new chapter with Minuteman Press, Shelby Township.” -Nathan Kogan, New Owner, Minuteman Press, Shelby Township, MI Transition & Advice for Others With the transition of the business from Graphic Communications to Minuteman Press, Shelby Township already in motion, Nathan shares the following advice for aspiring business owners: “I would highly recommend following your passion and dreams. But before jumping in, do your due diligence and be sure you are ready for all that is to come.” As this chapter closes for Dennis, he reflects, “It wasn’t easy starting a business with few resources besides time and determination. In many ways, it’s even harder to make an exit. I’m thankful for everyone I met through this business. I’m blessed that I was able to use my talent as a graphic artist to serve so many great people and businesses in the Metropolitan Detroit area. I know the business is being left in great hands with Nathan and Jane Kogan and Minuteman Press.” Dennis also offers the following parting advice for business owners looking to secure a sale of their printing businesses: “Call Minuteman Press. Also, having all bookkeeping and financial reports up to date helps for a smooth transition.” Minuteman Press, Shelby Township (formerly Graphic Communications) is located at 50671 Wing Drive, Shelby Township, MI 48315. For more information, call 586-566-5200 or visit their website: https://minuteman.com/us/locations/mi/shelby-township/ Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. To learn about selling your printing business through Minuteman Press at no cost or broker fees to you, visit https://bit.ly/minutemanpressconversions Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

April 25, 2023 09:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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The Largest International Student Design Competition Goes Global With 21 Design Association on Board

Taiwan International Student Design Competition

TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Media OutReach - 21 April 2023 - Established in 2008, the Taiwan International Student Design Competition (TISDC) has currently entered its 16 th year, it continues to be acknowledged by the global design industry as a student exclusive competition that is not only world-renowned but also highly credible. The competition serves as a paradigm for design education sponsored and promoted by the Taiwan's Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education. The theme of this year, Compassion, is tightly connected to the SDGs: Sustainable Development Goals proposed by the UN. It is hoped that students worldwide can observe and tap into people and things in need in daily lives as well as apply design thinking that embodies empathy and compassion to make this world a better place. Since 2015, iSee Taiwan Foundation and Sayling Wen Cultural & Educational Foundation have been sponsoring the TISDC and helping the competition set up special prize authorized by international design associations. The TISDC has forged a strong partnership with 21 international design associations, located in Europe, Americas, Asia, Africa, and Oceania, all of which are world renowned and have a large scale. The international design associations that endorsed the special prize are: Cumulus Association, International Council of Design, World Design Organization, Bureau of European Design Associations, Pan-Afrikan Design Institute, International Poster Biennial in Mexico, and so forth. The judging panel delegated by the international design associations will select works that meet the evaluation criteria of each association among the shortlisted entries in the Product Design, Visual Design, and Digital Animation categories. Through this collaboration mechanism, an international design platform is built to provide a stage for students around the world to showcase their design ideas. Brand Specified Special Prize: This year the prize sponsored by the TPCA Environment Foundation will include Environmental Sustainability Award with 3 winners and Special Region Award with 6 winners. The Environmental Sustainability Award winners will be selected from the shortlisted entries in the Product Design, Visual Design, and Digital Animation that best reflect the concept of "Development of Circular Economy". As for Special Region Award, judging panel will prioritize selecting entries from countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and India. The final selection process will be adjusted according to the shortlisted entries received in the year. Collaborators: This year the TISDC has also extended a special invitation to Chiayi City Government, Cultural Affairs Bureau of Chiayi City Government, Cultural Affairs Bureau of Kinmen County, and Foundation for European Cultural Exchange. Additionally, Chiayi City Government offers "Chiayi City Special Prize" with 1 winner. The jury panel will select winner out of entries in Visual Design category that can best meet the criteria of Chiayi City Government. The competition has three categories: Product Design, Visual Design, and Digital Animation Grand Prix (1 winner) will be selected from the finalists of the three categories: NT$400,000, a trophy, and a certificate. Gold Prize (1 winner from each category): NT$250,000, a trophy, and a certificate Silver Prize (1 winner from each category): NT$150,000, a trophy, and a certificate Bronze Prize (3 winners from each category): NT$60,000, a trophy, and a certificate Honorable Mention (several from each category): NT$10,000, and a certificate International Design Association Special Prize (21 winners) (Sponsored by iSee Taiwan Foundation and Sayling Wen Cultural & Educational Foundation) Each special prize from the 21 design associations comes with a prize of NT30,000, a trophy, and a certificate endorsed by the respective design association. Brand Specified Special Prize (Sponsored by TCPA Environment Foundation): Environment Special Prize (3 winners) NT$100,000, a trophy, and a certificate. Special Region Award (6 winners) NT$30,000, and a certificate. Chiayi City Special Prize (1 winner) (Offered by Cultural Affairs Bureau of Chiayi City Government): NT100,000, a trophy, and a certificate. The 2023 Taiwan International Student Design Competition is about to launch its call for entries. Online registration will soon be available on May 15 th, 2023 (Monday) and the deadline for submission is July 15 th, 2023 (Saturday) at 23:59 Taipei time (GMT +8:00). For more details, please visit: https://www.tisdc.org/en Contact Details Taiwan International Student Design Competition Executive tisdc.tw@gmail.com

April 21, 2023 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Comcast and The Arc Partner to Expand Tech Training and Special Education Advocacy for People with Disabilities

Comcast Colorado

Comcast announced that it is expanding its partnership with The Arc of the United States to foster digital and advocacy skills in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. The expansion comes in the form of Comcast providing two new grants to The Arc totaling $710,000, which includes $22,000 for The Arc of Weld County. The funding will allow The Arc to establish more Tech Coaching Centers at chapters across the country, including one at The Arc of Weld County. The centers will offer The Arc@School special education advocacy curriculum to Spanish-speaking families. These programs have already helped over 3,500 people with IDD develop more independence, equity, and opportunities for their future. “We know and deeply understand that digital access is essential to inclusion and many times it can be the great equalizer to support community participation,” said Amelia Koehmstedt, Executive Director of The Arc of Weld County. “Tech coaching centers address digital inequities while providing a unique niche for learners of all abilities to gain skills that translate into greater independence. Transitioning this opportunity to include family and caregivers allows these individuals to learn alongside those they care for with IDD and maximize opportunities and effectiveness of digital literacy. By supporting all community members, the inclusion of people with IDD and their success with technology grows exponentially. These opportunities support our vision of inclusion, acceptance and belonging for all.” A first grant of $560,000, will support The Arc’s Tech Coaching Centers at 10 locations across the country. It will also expand the training model to include caregivers and family members of people with IDD to ensure they can support in the implementation of technology across all environments, including assistive technology. With technology being an increasingly vital part of navigating and participating in today’s plugged-in world, including transportation, employment, recreation and social interaction, people with IDD face unique barriers to understanding and adopting digital tools, which is exacerbated by a higher rate of poverty and lower overall income. Since 2014, Comcast has supported The Arc’s Tech Coaching Center, reaching nearly 2,500 people with IDD through 19 chapters and giving them access to devices, services, and training that advance measured outcomes in employment, health, independent living, education, and interpersonal connections. “We know that digital skills training can open new doors to opportunity and help people living with disabilities gain independence,” said Dalila Wilson-Scott, EVP and Chief Diversity Officer of Comcast Corporation. “That’s why we are proud to continue our long-standing partnership with The Arc to reach even more people with IDD – including their caregivers and families — and to create pathways that can help enrich their lives.” A second grant of $150,000 will go towards advancing efforts to help marginalized communities better advocate for their education. This investment will allow The Arc to fully translate the curriculum into Spanish to better meet this population’s needs and increase access to the content. Academic achievement and graduation rates for students with disabilities lag far behind their peers, trends marked by inordinate discrimination, suspensions, and isolation within school settings across the country. In 2016, The Arc created The Arc@School, an evidence-based, self-paced online training program designed to help families, educators, and advocates navigate the special education system. Since 2021, Comcast has partnered with The Arc to connect underserved communities to these educational advocacy resources. To date, more than 500 families of color and low-income households have been given free access to The Arc@School, in addition to a facilitation guide, Spanish language overview of the special education process, and cultural competency resources and sections. These grants were distributed through Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to reach tens of millions of people in order to advance digital equity and help create a future of unlimited possibilities. About The Arc of the United States The Arc advocates for and serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including Down syndrome, autism, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy, and other diagnoses. The Arc has a network of nearly 600 chapters across the country promoting and protecting the human rights of people with IDD and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes and without regard to diagnosis. Visit www.thearc.org or follow us @TheArcUS to learn more. Editor’s Note: The Arc is not an acronym; always refer to us as The Arc, not The ARC and never ARC. The Arc should be considered as a title or a phrase. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on connectivity, aggregation, and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. Contact Details Comcast Colorado Leslie Oliver +1 303-810-6326 leslie_oliver@comcast.com Company Website https://colorado.comcast.com/

April 19, 2023 07:45 AM Mountain Daylight Time

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Executive VP & Director of Training Michael Jutt Talks Minuteman As We Celebrate 50 Years of Minuteman Press

Minuteman Press International Inc

As Minuteman Press International celebrates 50 years in business, we are continuing the celebration of our history. Michael Jutt first started with Minuteman Press as a press operator in the original Farmingdale shop in October of 1974, which was the second location that opened after Plainview. At just 19 years-old, Mike was hired by Roy Titus, and the rest is history. When Minuteman Press decided to become a franchise, Mike was promoted to Director of Training; he created the first Minuteman Press training program and became an integral part of the company’s expansion into franchising. Mike remains a huge part of our success today as Minuteman Press International’s Executive VP & Director of Training. How did you first get started with Minuteman Press and the Titus family? Mike Jutt: “I was hired in October of 1974 by Roy Titus. George Holzmacher worked for Roy already and he said I should meet with Roy about a job in Farmingdale. At the time, I was working two jobs, one being in printing, and I wanted to be an attorney. I wasn’t sure I wanted to commute to Farmingdale since I lived and worked in Merrick and was attending Nassau Community College. I went to the Farmingdale shop to meet with Roy. When he arrived, we went outside of the shop, behind the building. Roy and I spoke about what he wanted for the Farmingdale shop, as he was looking to make some changes. He asked me how much I was making. At the time, I was making $110/week at the printing job. Roy offered to match, but I explained the extra gas money and time I’d be spending on the commute. He smiled and then offered me $120/week to get started, and I accepted the offer. That’s how my time with Minuteman Press started, working in the Farmingdale shop that Bob Titus was managing. We worked very hard to get the business up and running, it was fun.” What was it like working in the Farmingdale shop when you first started? Mike Jutt: “I had worked in one other neighborhood quick print shop before Minuteman Press, and I was very impressed my first day of employment when I saw Bob Titus come back to the shop with a marketing assistant. The fact that they were out knocking on doors and direct marketing our printing service was to me very different and unheard of at the time for printers. I asked the other press operator who that was that just walked in, and he said that was Roy’s son Bob. The differences between Minuteman Press and other print shops were a few things. First, I saw that they were actively marketing to build the business. We had a ton of work. Second, the type of equipment that we had – Multi-Graphics equipment – had better capabilities than what other quick printers were using. Third, we also had a huge focus on customer service, shop appearance, and quality work. Another game-changer is when Roy came in one day and handed me a brochure for a new piece of equipment made by 3M, which was a superior plate system to enable multicolor printing. This was the missing piece of what we needed to bring Minuteman Press to the next level. We had the press, we just needed a better plate system that could handle color inks as well as it did black ink. We thoroughly tested the plate system with the press and evaluated the cost. The result was that we now had the perfect package to achieve multicolor printing when other quick printers did mostly single-color or just black. The 3M plate was the ticket.” When Minuteman Press started franchising, what was it like for you creating the first training program? Mike Jutt: “The next major thing that happened was Roy discussing expanding the business and moving into franchising. He promoted the business opportunity and brought interested parties into the Farmingdale location to see what we were doing. The interest was really high from the people that Roy brought in, and years later, Roy told me it was during this time where he really noticed and recognized my abilities as a hardworking young man. At age 20, Roy made me Director of Training, and it was my responsibility to teach the new franchise owners everything about our business.” What do you think are the key reasons for the success of Minuteman Press as the franchise kept growing? Mike Jutt: “I credit the success of Minuteman Press as a franchise to leadership, hard work (long days and long weeks), treating the owners as true partners, caring and supporting our owners, and helping them achieve their success. Roy Titus said you need to treat people like you want to be treated. Roy not only preached it, but he also practiced it, and that was one of the biggest keys of our success as we grew and expanded the company.” What are some of the key aspects of the original training program that remain as core principles today? Mike Jutt: “From the launch of the training department, we have focused and communicated the importance of owners becoming experts in 5 major areas: Customer service Marketing their business Delivering quality products Keeping an incredible top appearance of their business and anything that represents their business Management with an emphasis on financial management Within each of these areas, there is extensive training today covering every detail of what these items actually encompass.” What are some of the key ways that the training program and Minuteman Press have evolved over the years? Mike Jutt: “The biggest areas that we’ve always been at the forefront of are research, development, and technology. Printing technology and enhancements with 3M products in the early days got better and better. With that said, one of the big first big efficiencies was added when our first pricing program was developed. In 1977, a new franchise owner from Dallas, Texas named Cal Baker came to the training program. Cal previously worked for EDS (Electronic Data Systems). He noticed that all of our formulas were mathematically logical and that they could be automated to save hours and hours when pricing jobs. I was intrigued by Mr. Baker’s knowledge and what he was going to do, and after he wrote the software, I told Roy I had to go to Dallas to look at what he created. Roy told me, “Whatever you have to spend to research anything that helps our owners and our company, spend it. If it’s going to help our owners, it’s going to help all of us. So, I went to Dallas and saw that the computer was made by Radio Shack. The original model was called a TRS 80 and it had 16K of memory. The program was stored on a regular cassette and at the time, this was a real game changer. After the trip to Dallas, myself and Dave Scadin enrolled in a programming course offered by Radio Shack and we learned basic programming to enhance and modify what we had. We would never ask our owners to buy equipment such as a computer until we tested it. I contacted the Tandy Corporation in Fort Worth, Texas and convinced them to give us 10 computers as a trial, which we distributed to owners to test at 10 locations. We let the owners test it for 60 days and then they had to either give it back or buy the computer. 100% of the owners purchased the computer and none of us have ever looked back. From that point forward, we continued to invest in software development uniquely written to our policies and production. This protected us from software companies going out of business and gave us long-term advantages that we still benefit from to this day.” Mike continues: “Another key milestone for us was the advent of digital printing. The first Apple Mac computer that came with a printer was released in 1984. Digital printing technology emerged with desktop publishing thanks to companies like Apple, IBM, and HP. For our industry, this was great because we could create various different styles and designs on very economical equipment. It also replaced photo typesetting, which took a lot longer and was a very big investment. We quickly recognized that digital printing would evolve. In the beginning, we also recognized that the two technologies could coexist. Today, approximately 40 years later, that is absolutely what happened. The ability, production, and ease of use of the digital equipment has only made Minuteman Press an even better company. And partnering with our key suppliers Xerox, Konica-Minolta, and Hewlett-Packard has brought us improved productivity and profits.” Is there anything else you’d like to share? Mike Jutt: “Minuteman Press today has evolved to be so much more than what it was when we first started. We have developed and refined systems, policies, procedures, and a company that has a long-standing culture of caring for our owners in 5 countries. And from a personal perspective, with the diversity of products and the need for those products, the opportunity for entrepreneurs is incredible. I personally feel honored to be able to experience the emergence of such a fantastic company, Minuteman Press International.” For more information on Minuteman Press products and services, visit https://minuteman.com. Learn more about #1 rated Minuteman Press franchise opportunities and read Minuteman Press franchise reviews at https://minutemanpressfranchise.com. Contact Details Minuteman Press International Chris Biscuiti +1 631-249-1370 cbiscuiti@mpihq.com Company Website https://minutemanpressfranchise.com

April 18, 2023 10:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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