Symbiosis International University, one of India’s most premier higher education institutions, successfully concluded its active participation as a sponsor and key knowledge partner at the 20th FICCI Higher Education Summit 2025, held from October 6-7, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The summit was preceded by the Vice Chancellors-CEOs Roundtable on October 5, 2025, at the Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi.

Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro-Chancellor, SIU and Chair, FICCI Higher Education Committee, addressing the Summit

Themed “Higher Education in a Transforming World: Bridging Borders, Building Futures“, the 20th edition of the FICCI Higher Education Summit marked two decades of dialogue and action shaping the global education landscape. Since its inception in 2004, the summit has evolved into India’s foremost platform connecting policymakers, academia, and industry, promoting education as a catalyst for sustainable development and international collaboration.

20th FICCI Higher Education Summit 2025

The milestone edition witnessed participation from over 1,200 delegates and 2,000+ students representing 70+ countries, alongside university leaders, policymakers, Nobel laureates, and industry experts. The Hon’ble Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, graced the occasion as Chief Guest, addressing the inaugural session and conferring the 11th FICCI Higher Education Excellence Awards.

A highlight of the awards ceremony was the Legendary Institution Builder Awardconferred upon Prof. (Dr.) S. B. Mujumdar, Founder and Chancellor of Symbiosis International University, in recognition of his pioneering vision and transformative contribution to Indian and global higher education. The honor celebrates his five-decade-long journey of promoting international understanding through quality education, which has positioned Symbiosis as a global brand in academia.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Pro-Chancellor, Symbiosis International University said, “The FICCI Higher Education Summit has become a vital platform to advance India’s higher education diplomacy. As we celebrate two decades of the summit and five years of NEP 2020, the focus must be on creating globally competent institutions through innovation, inclusivity, and international collaboration.”

Dr. Vidya Yeravdekar, Chair, FICCI Higher Education Committee and Pro-Chancellor, Symbiosis International University, played a central role in shaping the summit’s agenda. She was joined by Mr. Samir Somaiya, Co-Chair, FICCI Higher Education Committee and President, Somaiya Vidyavihar Group, Lt Gen (Dr.) M.D. Venkatesh, Co-Chair and Vice Chancellor, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, and Mr. Manab Majumdar, Senior Advisor, FICCI.

The two-day summit featured an array of plenary sessions, policy dialogues, and masterclasses addressing critical issues such as artificial intelligence in education, research innovation, and global mobility. The event also witnessed the release of the FICCI-EY Parthenon Knowledge Report titled “Future-Ready Campuses: Unlocking the Power of AI in Higher Education,” which explores how AI can drive institutional efficiency, enhance learning outcomes, and future-proof campuses.

As a key knowledge partner, SIU led deliberations on internationalization and cross-border collaboration, aligning with India’s education diplomacy agenda. The university leveraged the platform to deepen global linkages with strategic partners such as Deakin University (Australia) and the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute, further reinforcing India’s leadership in transnational education.

Furthering its commitment to India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 vision, SIU announced the establishment of the Symbiosis Centre for International Education (SCIE) at its Delhi NCR (Noida) campus. The Centre will serve as a hub for engagement with embassies, government agencies, and multilateral organizations, fostering academic diplomacy and international partnerships.

As the FICCI Higher Education Summit 2025 concludes, Symbiosis International University continues to exemplify India’s evolving role as a global education hub – bridging borders, building futures, and empowering learners worldwide.

Page Industries, the exclusive licensee of JOCKEY International Inc. (USA), today unveiled the launch of its latest Next Gen Inno-Wear expanding men’s innerwear collection, made with advanced Bonding technology that delivers unmatched comfort for everyday luxury.

Jockey unveils Next Gen Inno-Wear expanding its men’s innerwear collection

Designed as a seamless, precision-fit base layer, this collection offers exceptional support that adapts to your every move. Crafted as a seamless, precision-fit base layer, this collection introduces our cutting-edge Bonding Technology, which eliminates traditional stitching and pairs with advanced microfiber fabric to provide a smooth, chafe-free fit, ensuring all-day comfort.

The expansion in the line features premium trunks tailored for the modern man’s dynamic routine. Whether youre commuting, collaborating, or powering through a workout, these bonded seamless trunks offer adaptive stretch for ease of movement, StayFresh™ technology for lasting freshness, and a breathable mesh pouch for enhanced ventilation. The ultra-soft, label-free waistband ensures irritation-free wear from morning to night.

“At Jockey, we understand that today’s men are looking for more than just functionality, they want innerwear that fits seamlessly into their fast-paced life,” said Nihal Rajan, Chief Marketing Officer, Jockey India. “This collection of bonded trunks has been thoughtfully designed for the modern man who values cutting-edge innovation and contemporary aesthetics. By combining Bonding Technology with adaptive comfort and smart design, we’ve created a collection that lets men move confidently and comfortably through every part of their day. This Next Gen Inno-Wear collection represents the future of innerwear, where advanced innovation meets effortless, everyday comfort.”

With a global legacy of over a century, Jockey continues to innovate in the innerwear category balancing quality, technology, and timeless style to meet the evolving needs of today’s men.

The new collection is now available at Jockey Exclusive Outlets, leading multi-brand retail stores, popular Marketplaces and online at www.jockey.in, with a focused rollout across key metro cities. To celebrate the launch, Jockey India is rolling out a dynamic multi-platform campaign that highlights the cutting-edge innovation and seamless comfort of the Next Gen Inno-Wear narrative. The campaign will feature an impactful film and visuals across digital, outdoor, and in-store media and targeted content across social platforms; all designed to engage consumers and showcase the collection’s blend of technology, style, and everyday luxury.

Next Gen Inno-Wear is here

YouTube link of the campaign: youtu.be/G5WJAtvue6Q

About Page Industries Limited

Page Industries is the exclusive licensee of JOCKEY International Inc. (USA) for the manufacture, distribution and marketing of the JOCKEY brand in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, Oman, Qatar, Maldives, Bhutan and UAE. Page Industries is also the exclusive licensee of Speedo International Ltd. for the manufacture, marketing and distribution of the Speedo brand in India.

Jockey is the company’s flagship brand and a market leader in the premium innerwear and leisure wear category. The brand is distributed in 2,852+ cities & towns and available in 113,715+ Multi Brand Outlets, 1,144+ Exclusive Brand Outlets (EBO) with extensive presence in 3,026+ Large Format Stores, as also online. Speedo brand is available in 1,074+ stores, 28+ EBOs and 10+ Large Format Stores, spread across 90+ cities.

For further information, please visit www.jockey.in

There are reports that Nokia has officially extended its brand licensing agreement with HMD Global beyond 2026, ensuring the continued production and innovation of Nokia feature phones worldwide. India, the world’s largest feature phone market, remains at the core of this growth, where HMD commands over 22% market share by volume.

UNISOC collaborates with HMD

As HMD’s long-term strategic partner, UNISOC will continue to provide key chipset solutions across multiple Nokia feature phone models, enabling the evolution of classic devices with new intelligent features and supporting global market expansion.

Since 2016, HMD Global has been the exclusive custodian of the Nokia mobile brand, designing and manufacturing Nokia feature phones in India and China, with India serving as both its largest market and a major export hub. Under the renewed agreement, HMD will continue to design, manufacture, and sell Nokia-branded feature phones, while introducing enhanced smart capabilities such as AI voice assistants, video calling, GPS navigation, and lightweight social applications. Together, UNISOC and HMD will deepen collaboration across key markets including India, Africa, Europe, and China.

UNISOC’s technology has powered many of HMD’s most successful Nokia feature phones, including the revived Nokia 3310 and the long-lasting Nokia 105. These iconic models demonstrate how UNISOC balances performance, power efficiency, and cost-effectiveness at scale. Looking ahead, as HMD invests further in the “classic + smart” direction, UNISOC is poised to expand its chipset shipments into new generations of intelligent feature phones and specialized smart devices, strengthening its global position in mobile communications.

Looking ahead, UNISOC remains committed to delivering high-quality products and solutions for the global consumer electronics market. By deepening its collaboration with HMD, UNISOC will continue to drive innovation, expand its worldwide footprint, and bring advanced technologies into the feature phone segment-making reliable connectivity and smart experiences accessible to more people around the world.

In the spirit of producing world-class watches that tell stories from modern India, Bangalore Watch Company™ celebrates humanity’s first confirmed interstellar discovery with a new watch in the Apogee collection. The new watch is called – The Visitor.

Visitor amidst space rocks

“We launched the Apogee collection in 2021 as India’s first space-qualified watch. Since then, it has been our way of celebrating stories of space exploration through world-class watchmaking. With this new watch, we carry that vision forward by bringing to life a story that started far beyond our solar system,” said Nirupesh Joshi, Co-founder and Creative Director of the brand.

The story of the Visitor goes back to 2017, when astronomers saw an interstellar object passing through our solar system at an extraordinary speed. It had come from another star system, making it the first interstellar object ever observed by humanity. This rare discovery changed the way we think about space, reminding us of the vastness of the universe. It was this discovery that inspired the idea behind the Visitor.

The brand has chosen a Meteorite from outer space to use in the watch, the Muonionalusta meteorite – one of the oldest materials on Earth. Meteorites are extremely hard to work with, but after precision and patience, the Meteorites reveal natural crystalline patterns that make every piece unique. The brand has used this rare material in the Apogee collection since 2021, and in the Visitor, a rare black Meteorite has been used for the dial.

“Our customers love the fact that they get to wear a watch that is unlike any other; they’re extremely rare and the patterns make them unique,” said Mercy Amalraj, Co-founder and Head of Ownership Experience.

The Visitor is housed in a case crafted from Cerasteel™, Bangalore Watch Company’s proprietary material that blends high-grade steel with an advanced ceramic coating for strength and refinement. The watch is powered by a highly accurate Swiss Automatic movement, water resistant up to 100M, and designed for everyday wear. The watches are manufactured with the highest standards of Swiss timekeeping with the brand’s in-house watchmakers in Bangalore. The Visitor is a fragment of cosmic history, to carry on the wrist.

The Visitor is priced at INR 216,000/-. The watches can be ordered through the brand’s website www.bangalorewatchco.in starting today.

About Bangalore Watch Company™

Bangalore Watch Company™ produces world-class, luxury wristwatches from India. Each collection, produced in limited numbers, tells stories from modern India. The watches carry themes like Aviation, Space, Cricket, and Nature. Founded in India’s watchmaking ground-zero in 2018, the brand has built an enthusiastic following around the world with patrons in over 30 countries.

The Argentine Football Association (AFA), reigning FIFA World Cup Champions, has appointed Druid Sport as its exclusive commercial representative in the Indian subcontinent.

Druid Sport Appointed as Exclusive Commercial Representative of the Argentine Football Association in the Indian Subcontinent

This landmark agreement will see Druid Sport manage and sell regional sponsorship rights for the Argentina National Teams, giving businesses across the Indian subcontinent direct access to one of football’s most iconic teams and its legendary players. With established partnerships in India already, including brands such as Amul and Kingfisher, the commercial potential is clear. The period leading up to the FIFA World Cup 2026 offers a powerful platform for new partners to activate campaigns, engage fans, and align with the reigning World Champions.

This collaboration comes as Argentina prepare to visit Kerala this November for a special international friendly, in the lead up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign, which is expected to be global superstar Lionel Messi’s last World Cup appearance. The AFA has one of the largest and most passionate followings in the region. From the extraordinary welcome Diego Maradona received on his visit to India, to the overwhelming support for Lionel Messi and the National Team during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, millions of fans across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and beyond have embraced Argentina as their own. With more than 250 million fans in India alone, the subcontinent has become one of the largest and most passionate Argentinian fan bases outside South America.

Druid Sport is a boutique international sports marketing agency with a track record of delivering cross-market partnerships for major sports properties. Already exclusively representing AFA in China, Druid Sport now manages AFA’s rights in two of the world’s most dynamic regions – China and the Indian subcontinent, together representing nearly half of the global population. As part of its long-term commitment to this market, Druid Sport is opening a new office in India to serve regional partners, seed new initiatives and commercial programmes and scale operations within this rapidly growing sports ecosystem.

Diarmuid Crowley, Chief Executive Officer, Druid Sport, said, “We are honoured to represent the FIFA World Cup Champions in one of the most passionate football regions in the world. Our goal is to bring Argentina closer to the millions of fans across the Indian subcontinent and to create meaningful partnerships between AFA and leading regional brands. With our presence now spanning both China and India, we are uniquely positioned to connect the Argentina National Team with audiences that together make up almost half the world’s population.”

Claudio Tapia, President of the Argentine Football Association, commented, “We know the passion that South Asian fans have for our team, and we are excited to strengthen this connection through our new partnership with Druid Sport. Its proven expertise in Asia will help us expand our commercial presence and deliver unforgettable experiences for our fans and partners in the region. Looking beyond this year, we feel confident these new associations will build lasting relationships with key business partners, inspiring even greater enthusiasm to play and watch this beautiful game for generations to come.”

In a market where half-truths and hidden histories often shadow used car purchases, CARS24 has introduced a radical industry-first assurance, the CARS24 Guarantee powered by PDI. The initiative guarantees Rs. 50,000 if any critical error is found in its Advanced Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) reports powered by CarTruth, CARS24’s proprietary inspection technology.

CARS24 backs its PDI reports with Rs. 50,000, bringing transparency to India’s pre-owned car market

The move makes CARS24 the first company in India’s auto sector to financially underwrite the accuracy of its own inspection reports, setting a new benchmark for transparency and accountability.

According to industry reports, India’s used car market, already larger than the new car market and projected to reach Rs. 4.5 lakh crore by 2030, is undergoing a transformation. While over 70% of transactions still occur through unorganized players, data-led PDI adoption is rising sharply, with thousands of buyers now opting for digital inspections before finalizing a car purchase.

This festive season alone, CARS24 has recorded an 500% increase in PDI bookings, reflecting a clear behavioural shift among Indian used-car buyers, from relying on intuition to seeking verified assurance.

The growth has been most pronounced in Delhi NCR, Bengaluru , Mumbai and Hyderabad with Tier-2 cities such as Ahmedabad, Indore, and Chandigarh also showing accelerated adoption. The trend signals a larger market evolution, one where data-led inspections are rapidly replacing the leap of faith that has long defined India’s used car ecosystem.

“Every maturing market moves from emotion to evidence. The PDI Guarantee signals that shift for India, it marks the moment when belief in a car’s story will finally depend on data, not on the dealer” Gajendra Jangid, Co-founder & CMO, CARS24

Bringing India Closer to Global Standards
In mature markets like the US and UK, pre-purchase inspections and verified car histories have been standard for years, supported by platforms like Carfax and AutoCheck. The PDI Guarantee bridges that gap in India, giving local buyers a level of confidence comparable to global benchmarks.

CARS24’s Advanced PDI, powered by CarTruth, runs over 300 AI-driven checks covering accident and flood damage, odometer rollbacks, repainting, theft or blacklist records, and ownership verification. The Rs. 50,000 PDI Guarantee applies to critical misses such as:

• Undisclosed accident or flood history

• Odometer rollbacks exceeding 2%

• Theft or blacklist cases missed

• Incorrect ownership records

• Repainting errors overlooked

PDI reports have quickly emerged as one of the most sought-after pre-purchase tools among Indian car buyers. Tens of thousands of customers have already used CARS24’s Advanced PDI before buying, a number that continues to grow every month.

By backing its report accuracy with a cash-backed guarantee, CARS24 aims to close the lingering trust gap and drive widespread adoption of standardized inspections in India’s used car ecosystem.

A New Standard for the Industry
With the PDI Guarantee, CARS24 becomes the first autotech company in India to assign real financial value to truth. In an industry long governed by assumptions, the company’s approach signals a shift toward a more transparent, technology-led, and customer-first marketplace.

About CARS24
Since its inception in 2015, CARS24 has been on a mission to simplify car ownership for everyone. Offering services such as buying, selling, loans, insurance, scrapping and more, CARS24 is the ultimate automotive super app. Through CARS24 Financial Services, the company also provides innovative vehicle lending solutions, further enhancing its customer offerings.

For media inquiries, please contact: press@cars24.com

Hong Kong

Asia’s premier gastronomic event is back! From 23 to 26 October 2025, the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival will take centre stage at the Central Harbourfront, transforming the city’s most iconic waterfront venue into a four-day celebration of food, wine, and culture. For Indian travellers, it’s the perfect excuse for a festive-season getaway, combining Michelin-star dining, cultural experiences, and Hong Kong’s vibrant harbourfront energy.

The Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival returns 23-26 October 2025, showcasing Michelin-star dining and global flavours

Signature experiences are making a return, including the Grand Wine Pavilion – a curated showcase of global wines, and the Tasting Room an exclusive pop-up restaurant where world-renowned chefs collaborate on once-in-a-lifetime menus. From Bordeaux’s finest vintages to bold Asian flavours, visitors can savour the world’s best in one place.

Taste the Signatures

At the heart of the festival lies the Grand Wine Pavilion, a stunning showcase of a curated wine selection handpicked by renowned experts, including James Suckling, ensuring that every bottle is a must-try for true enthusiasts. Guests can embark on a journey through the iconic Grand Cru Class estates of the 1855 Bordeaux Classification, discover bold expressions from next-generation winemakers, and savour rare selections from outstanding producers. This year’s edition is extra special as it marks the 170th anniversary of the Bordeaux 1855 Classification, offering Indian wine lovers a chance to taste history.

Equally anticipated is the Tasting Room, an exclusive restaurant open only for the event, celebrating collaborations among world-renowned chefs. This limited-time dining experience features a premium menu, with each chef contributing a unique course. Available only in Hong Kong during the Wine & Dine Festival, the Tasting Room showcases an extraordinary blend of culinary talents, making it a true celebration of gastronomic artistry.

Celebrity Chefs Lineup

This year’s Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival is set to shine with star power at Central Harbourfront. At the Tasting Room, guests will enjoy exclusive menus crafted by five acclaimed chefs: Chef Andrew Wong of London’s two-Michelin-starred A. Wong, Chef Cheung Yat Fung of Chao Shang Chao (Chaoyang), three-Michelin-starred restaurant in Beijing and Korean celebrity chef Jung Ji-sun of Tian Mi Mi featured in Netflix’s Culinary Class War. Joining them are Hong Kong’s own Chef Menex Cheung of China Tang and Chef Jayson Tang of one-Michelin-starred Man Ho Chinese Restaurant – JW Marriott Hotel Hong Kong, both celebrated for their refined Cantonese cuisine.

The star power continues at Gourmet Avenue, where award-winning restaurants and bars-recognized by the Michelin Guide and Black Pearl Restaurant Guide, and often fully booked-come together under one roof. For four days only, festivalgoers can enjoy an exclusive culinary experience featuring signature dishes from chefs like Alvin Leung of two-Michelin-starred Bo Innovation, as well as Anne-Sophie Pic, the most Michelin-decorated female chef in the world and owner of the Cristal Room by Anne-Sophie Pic in Hong Kong. For Indian travellers, it’s a rare chance to enjoy signature dishes by chefs whose restaurants are usually booked out months in advance – all in one buzzing waterfront festival.

Pairing Exploration

This year’s festival invites guests to explore exciting pairings. With a new self-guided pairing experience, attendees can experiment with varietals, each matched with complementary foods based on flavour profiles. This setup is ideal for discovering the perfect harmony between global flavours at their own pace, along with bold and unexpected combinations.

New Discovery

Beyond signature elements, the Wine & Dine Festival presents new opportunities for exploration. In addition to the classics such as Bordeaux, Italy, UK, Spain and Japan, this year guests can discover wines from the Czech Republic, Belgium, Norway, Austria and more. It further celebrates the rise of contemporary Chinese gastronomy, which is gaining international recognition and drawing connoisseurs from around the world.

Ready to taste, savour, and remix your palate From 23-26 October 2025, the Hong Kong Wine & Dine Festival offers Indian travellers the chance to explore global flavours, discover new pairings, and celebrate the world’s finest culinary traditions – all on one vibrant harbourfront.

About Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB)

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is a government-subvented body tasked with marketing and promoting Hong Kong as a travel destination worldwide and enhancing visitors experience once they arrive. These include making recommendations to the Government and other relevant bodies on the range and quality of visitor facilities.

The HKTB’s missions are to maximise the social and economic contribution made by tourism to the community of Hong Kong and to consolidate Hong Kong’s position as a unique, world-class, and most desired destination.

Rangsons Aerospace, a leading product technology firm for aerospace, defence and homeland security, today announced a long-term collaboration with Optimare India to develop and produce advanced Pollution Monitoring/Surveillance Systems (PMS/PSS).

From left: Brig Manjit Singh Rana, Dr Theo Hengstermann, Mr Neset Tkenmez, Mr Pavan G Ranga, and Mrs V Anuradha at the signing of the pollution monitoring partnership

The initiative brings together Optimare India’s domain expertise in pollution detection and Rangsons Aerospace’s strengths in mission-critical integration, avionics, and embedded systems. Under this partnership, Rangsons will serve as the production hub, ensuring scalability, lifecycle support, and strong alignment with the Government of India’s Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

The Pollution Monitoring/Surveillance Systems can be deployed across naval aircraft, UAVs, and maritime platforms, equipped with advanced payloads capable of detecting oil spills, chemical discharges, and hazardous pollutants with real-time data relay. This dual-use technology enhances national defence preparedness while safeguarding India’s maritime environment.

Pavan Ranga, Managing Director, Rangsons Aerospace, said, “This collaboration marks a proud moment for Rangsons Aerospace as we work on a mission of national importance. By combining Optimare’s globally respected pollution detection expertise with our integration and indigenous manufacturing capabilities, we are creating a world-class solution tailored for India. This is more than a technology partnership-it is about strengthening self-reliance, protecting our environment, and building long-term capacity for the country’s defence ecosystem.”

Brig MS Rana, Optimare India, added, “Our partnership with Rangsons marks the beginning of a long-term technology and industrial collaboration, establishing a sustainable, home-grown pollution monitoring capability for the Indian Government’s maritime guarding agencies .”

This initiative not only strengthens India’s self-reliance in critical defence technologies but also supports environmental safeguarding through advanced surveillance systems.

About Rangsons Aerospace
Rangsons Aerospace is part of NR Group, a 75-year-old diversified business group based in Mysore. Rangsons Aerospace is one of India’s leading Product Technology Solutions companies. It has three world class facilities across Bangalore and Mysore. Its product lines include Satellite Communications systems, Airborne Thermal management and Fluid distribution solutions. Rangsons is a Tier 1 partner to global aerospace majors such as Boeing, GE, Honeywell among others. It also supplies several critical systems to Indian majors such as ISRO, Indian Navy, HAL and others. Rangsons Aerospace is dedicated to leveraging technology to develop innovative solutions that will help in achieving our India’s goal of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.

About OPTIMARE
OPTIMARE was founded in 1992 as OPTIMARE GmbH. The primary goal of the company was to equip aircraft with sensor systems for remote sensing of marine pollution. Shortly after, the company has strongly expanded its activities and has transferred its expertise also to new applications, as for example underwater systems and polar survey aircraft. Optimare offer customised complete solutions for airborne surveillance and reconnaissance. Our specially developed mission systems and remote sensing sensors play a crucial role for real-time situational awarness. Mission equipment from OPTIMARE has been used on numerous types of airborne platforms worldwide, e.g., Dornier 228, Airbus DS CN235, Airbus DS C295, Saab 340, Basler BT-67, Bo-105, BN Islander, EMB-110, LET-410 and others. Since its inception OPTIMARE has been engaged in various airborne projects worldwide.