Ecom Express, a leading end-to-end technology-enabled logistics solutions provider, has announced a strategic partnership with Truecaller for Business to elevate its customer communication and enhance trust in logistics interactions. Through this collaboration, Ecom Express has adopted Truecaller’s Customer Experience solution, ensuring seamless, secure, and reliable communication with customers across India.

Ecom Express Partners with Truecaller for Business

In the fast-paced e-commerce and logistics industry, effective communication plays a crucial role in enhancing customer experience and delivery efficiency. Ecom Express, which serves thousands of online sellers, D2C brands, and e-commerce marketplaces, is leveraging Truecaller’s trusted communication solutions to minimize call rejection rates and provide greater transparency to its customers.

Leveraging Truecaller Verified Business Caller ID as part of the Customer Experience solution, Ecom Express ensures that its customers can instantly recognize verified calls through brand elements such as the company name, logo, a verified green badge, and a category name. This verification reduces instances of missed or ignored calls due to a lack of trust, thereby improving response rates and operational efficiency.

Ecom Express has implemented Truecaller’s CX capabilities, such as Call Reason, which allows customers to view the context of an incoming call in advance. This feature adds another layer of transparency to logistics communications, ensuring that customers are well-informed about their deliveries, pickups, or return requests.

The partnership also leverages Business Profile capability as part of the Customer Experience solution, allowing Ecom Express to share authentic business information with Truecaller users. This includes showcasing their brand elements, social links, business details, and selected brand imagery, all of which contribute to bolstering customer trust and brand engagement.

Commenting on the partnership, Amit Choudhary, Chief Product and Technology Officer, Ecom Express said; “As long-standing partners with Truecaller, our focus remains on continuously enhancing the customer experience. This collaboration allows us to foster greater trust and transparency in our communications, ensuring that our customers receive timely, reliable, and seamless service. We are committed to delivering a high level of satisfaction by making every interaction with Ecom Express more efficient and customer-centric.”

Speaking about the collaboration, Priyam Bose, Global Head, GTM & Developer Products, Truecaller, said: “Truecaller is committed to making business communication safer, more efficient, and more trusted. We are delighted to collaborate with Ecom Express, a leader in logistics solutions, to enhance their customer interactions with our Customer Experience solutions. Together, we aim to set a new benchmark in secure and transparent communication within the logistics industry.”

With over 2,500 businesses across India and global markets benefiting from Truecaller’s Verified Business Caller ID, this partnership reinforces Ecom Express’s commitment to leveraging technology for seamless, customer-centric logistics solutions. By leveraging Truecaller’s Customer Experience Solution, Ecom Express continues to strengthen its position as a trusted logistics partner in the Indian e-commerce ecosystem.

About Ecom Express

Ecom Express Limited is a leading end-to-end technology enabled logistics solutions provider to the Indian retail and e-commerce industry. Ecom Express uses cutting-edge technology and automated solutions to enable end-to-end logistics and supply chain solutions across India serving several pin codes throughout India. The company provides first-mile pickup, processing, network operation, last mile delivery, reverse logistics and returns management under its flagship service – Ecom Express Services (EXS). The company also offers a complete suite of supply chain, storage, and fulfillment solutions under its service line – Ecom Fulfillment Services (EFS). The company has delivered nearly 2 billion shipments to 97% of Indian households. The company has robust technology, AI/ML and data sciences capabilities supporting proprietary tech-stack and dedicated supply chain environment for reliable customer experience.

For more information, please visit: ecomexpress.in.

About Truecaller

Truecaller is an essential part of everyday communication for over 433 million active users, with more than a billion downloads since launch and close to 56 billion unwanted calls identified and blocked in 2024 alone. The company is headquartered in Stockholm since 2009 and has been publicly listed on Nasdaq Stockholm since October 2021.

Visit www.truecaller.com for more information.

For more information, please visit: business.truecaller.com

A personal loan can be a valuable financial tool when managed effectively. It helps you access funds promptly in times of urgent financial requirements or to fund large expenses. However, in order to make informed borrowing decisions, it is imperative to understand the factors that influence the interest rates of personal loans.

Personal Loan Interest Rate Factors

This is because interest rates, among other factors, often determine the overall cost of the loan. Therefore, being aware of the factors that determine personal loan interest rates can help borrowers manage their loans and secure good deals on loan terms.

Shriram Finance is one of the leading players in the NBFC (Non-Banking Financial Company) sector. The company is often one of the more sought-after financial institutions in the domain of personal loans. From offering flexible repayment tenures to affordable interest rates, applying for Shriram Personal Loan can help borrowers fulfil their financial aspirations.

Understanding A Personal Loan

A personal loan is typically an unsecured loan that allows individuals to borrow a specific amount of money and repay it in fixed monthly instalments over a predetermined period. The interest rate charged on a personal loan is a significant factor that determines the overall cost of borrowing.

Key Factors Influencing Personal Loan Interest Rates

Interest rates on personal loans are determined by several factors, some of which are discussed in this section elaborately:

1. Credit Score:

• Your credit score is a numerical representation of your creditworthiness, reflecting your history of borrowing and repayment.

• A good credit score indicates a lower risk of default, leading to more favourable interest rates.

• Regular and timely repayment of loans is essential to maintaining a healthy credit score.

2. Income Level and Stability:

• Lenders assess your ability to repay before deciding the interest rate on the loan. A stable and consistent income source is a crucial factor in determining interest rates.

• Lenders perceive borrowers with higher incomes, and lower existing debt obligation, among other factors, as less risky, as they have a greater capacity to repay the loan.

3. Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI):

• Your DTI ratio compares your monthly debt payments to your monthly income.

• A lower DTI indicates that you have a lower financial burden, making you a more attractive borrower eligible for lower interest rates.

4. Loan Amount and Tenure:

• Larger loan amounts and longer tenures may affect interest rates. Financial institutions may charge higher interest rates for larger loans or longer repayment terms.

• Opting for a shorter tenure can often lead to lower interest rates.

• Choosing a loan amount that aligns with your financial needs can help minimise interest costs.

5. Relationship with the Lender:

• If you have a long-standing relationship with a financial institution, you may be eligible for preferential interest rates.

• Maintaining a good relationship with your lender can be beneficial when applying for a personal loan.

6. Current Economic Conditions:

• Economic factors can impact interest rates. During periods of economic uncertainty or inflation, interest rates may rise.

• Staying informed about economic trends can help you anticipate potential changes in interest rates.

What Makes Shriram Personal Loan a Great Choice

Besides offering competitive interest rates, Shriram Personal Loan helps borrowers save up on the total cost of the loan by levying a minimal processing fee and foreclosure charges.

Here are a few more features of this personal loan offering by Shriram Finance that make it such a compelling choice in the NBFC sector:

• Competitive Interest Rates: Shriram Personal Loan starts at 12%* p.a., making it an affordable option for borrowers with different financial profiles.

• Attractive Collateral-free Loan Options: Shriram Finance offers collateral-free loan amounts of up to Rs. 10,00,000*, allowing you to fund large expenses.

• Prompt Approvals: You can get pre-approved for Shriram Personal Loan, further expediting the disbursal process.

• Diverse Repayment Tenures: Shriram Finance offers flexible options in repayment tenures, up to 60 months*, making it easy for you to manage your EMIs.

• Seamless Digital Process: Applying for Shriram Personal Loan is effortless as you can upload all the required documents online from the comforts of your home.

• Periodic EMI Alerts: With regular reminders sent to your registered email ID and mobile number by Shriram Finance, you can pay your EMIs on time and maintain a healthy credit score.

Conclusion

The interest rate levied on a personal loan is determined by a number of factors, like your credit profile, repayment tenure, economic conditions, etc. By understanding these factors and taking proactive steps to improve your financial profile, you can increase your chances of securing a personal loan with a competitive interest rate.

Shriram Finance is one of the most reliable financial institutions in the NBFC sector to offer personal loan options. With Shriram Personal Loan at your behest, you can fulfil your financial goals and expenses seamlessly.

*Above mentioned loan amount, rates and tenure are as per the company’s Digital Personal Loan Policy

About Shriram Finance

Shriram Finance is a leading diversified financial services company in India, offering a wide range of financial products and services across consumer, wholesale, and business finance segments. The company has a strong presence pan India with a network of 3,196 branches and an employee strength of 79,405 with an AUM of Rs. 254,469 crores. With a focus on financial inclusion and customer-centricity, Shriram Finance continues to empower individuals and businesses to achieve their financial goals.

• Inclusive leadership, equity, and cultural intelligence take centre stage

• Launch of Allyship Clubs in Chennai / TN Government schools to usher in a gender-neutral society through project MITR (Men Impacting Trust & Respect)

Avtar Human Capital Trust, the non-profit wing of Avtar, India’s leading workplace culture consulting firm, organized ‘Male Allyship Synergy Summit’ (MASS) 2025, a first-of-its-kind platform for corporate professionals and students to come together to champion male allyship. An extension of MITR (Men Impacting Trust & Respect), a key initiative under Avtar Human Capital Trust that focuses on gender sensitization among adolescent boys from across Tamil Nadu’s government schools, MASS, is a contest-driven movement that challenges boys to step-up, speak-up and show-up as true allies for gender inclusion. This event is to be held annually during the month of International Women’s Day.

Avtar Human Capital Trust organises Indias First Male Allyship Synergy Summit for Students and Corporates

The inaugural summit held at Tidel Park witnessed about 200 schoolboys from four government schools, over 100 college students from Chennai and representatives from more than six corporate organizations, taking a collective pledge to reinforce their commitment to fostering gender equality. Whilst, the highlight of the summit was the launch of ‘Allyship Clubs’ at the schools that are a part of project MITR, there are also other key programs: a panel discussion on Beyond Good Intentions: Turning Allyship into Everyday Actions, Heart to Art – a poster-making contest, Video bytes on the best practices and power of Allyship at workplace and other competitions centred around Male Allyship.

The Chief Guest Mr Anand Mohanram, Managing Director of Mr. Cooper Group lit the lamp and congratulated Team Avtar for this thoughtful initiative that encourages men to be active allies in changing workplace cultures and championing women’s empowerment by creating equitable spaces both at work and in the society.

Speaking at the event, Dr Saundarya Rajesh, Founder-President of the Avtar Group and the Managing Trustee of Avtar Human Capital Trust, said, “MASS marks the beginning of structured engagement between corporates and students through Allyship Clubs in schools. These clubs endeavour to bring boys and girls together to actively practice allyship. Male allyship is a catalyst in driving progress towards SDG 5 and achieving gender equality. And what’s important is that we begin teaching boys to advocate for girls at the earliest stage, an effort MITR, which operates in 30 schools across Tamil Nadu, is involved in. Let’s keep in mind: For a Viksit Bharat to become a reality, both men and women must thrive. And this begins with our boys fiercely supporting our girls – an inspiring sight we witnessed today.“

Mr. Eswar Balasubramanian, Senior Vice President, Avtar Human Capital Trust spoke about the critical role men play in advancing gender equality and how they can promote inclusive leadership, advocate for opportunities and be an ally in action.

The events:

The Heart to Art poster-making contest encouraged participants to visualize a world, where all boys promote equality. A corporate video byte contest highlighted the best practices in fostering male allyship within workplaces. A college-level roleplay focused on breaking gender stereotypes together. A panel discussion on the topic Beyond Good Intentions: Turning Allyship into Everyday Actions, moderated by Ms. Sanjula Bai, Group Manager at IBM, the panellists included, Mr. Rathinavel Rajan, Head of HR at Balls Engineering, Mr. Saravanan, Director – People Communications and CSR, Kone India, and Dr. Shanthi, Principal of Asan Memorial Arts & Science College.

To know more, visit www.myavtar.com

About Avtar

Avtar, founded in 2000 by Dr Saundarya Rajesh, is one of India’s leading workplace culture consulting firms, supporting hundreds of companies in creating diverse and supportive workplaces. Avtar is credited with introducing the concepts of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) to Indian corporates, and is also the country’s largest provider of second career opportunities for women.

An ISO 20700 certified firm, Avtar’s biggest research project is its annual benchmarking study – the 100 Best Companies for Women in India (BCWI) and the Most Inclusive Companies Index (MICI). Done in partnership with Seramount, BCWI and MICI are India’s largest DEI benchmarking studies, which have paved the way for the employment of more women and other under-represented groups. Avtar also promotes diversity hiring through My Avtar, India’s first diversity job portal.

As Avtar enters its 25th year, here’s an overview of its contributions:

• Provided advisory services in inclusive practices to 500+ organizations

• Conducted 20,000+ training programs in companies of different sizes, spanning industries and locations

• Coached more than 25,000 managers in DEI

• Facilitated the re-entry of 1,00,000 second-career women into the workforce through MyAvtar.com

• Provided Intentional Career Pathing training to 200,000+ women, preventing them from leaving the workforce

• Offered unique skilling programs such as DigiPivot (a prestigious course in digital marketing, conducted in partnership with Google, HUL, and ISB) to hundreds of women.

• Provided career intentionality training, employment guidance, and access to industry leaders every year to 10,000+ girls from underprivileged backgrounds through Project Puthri, an initiative of the Avtar Human Capital Trust (AHCT).

• Impacted 4000+ schoolboys through MITR (Men Impacting Trust and Respect), an initiative by AHCT that mentors boys to be advocates for women.

For its transformational impact in the realm of DEI, Avtar Group was listed in the prestigious Steward Leadership 25 Listing by Strait Times & INSEAD at Singapore in 2022.

In an initiative for women’s empowerment, Ekannoborti, a distinguished social welfare organization, joined hands with St. Xavier’s College, Raghabpur, and the Chowman Chain of Restaurants to sponsor 50 young women for a Certificate Course in Hospitality Management today at St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Park Street. This program, launched in honor of International Women’s Day, is spearheaded by Ekannoborti‘s President, Ms. Chandrima Bhattacharya (Hon’ble Minister of State for Finance, Health & Family Welfare, Government of West Bengal). The initiative is designed to equip underprivileged women with essential vocational skills, paving the way for sustainable employment and financial independence.

Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya handing over the cheque to Rev. Fr. Dominic Savio & Mr. Debaditya Chaudhury

Ekannoborti has been committed to uplifting marginalized communities through education, skill development, and empowerment initiatives. This sponsorship underscores its dedication to fostering self-reliance and social dignity among women. By providing industry-relevant hospitality training, the initiative seeks to create new career opportunities and enhance the professional prospects of its beneficiaries.

The Certificate in Hospitality Management is a six-month joint initiative by St. Xavier’s College, Raghabpur, and Chowman Chain of Restaurants, designed to provide comprehensive training in hospitality industry essentials. The course is structured into four months of theory and practical training (both on and off campus), followed by a month of workshops, seminars, field visits, and guest lectures, concluding with a final month of assessments. The total course fee is Rs. 5,000 per head, making it an affordable and valuable opportunity for skill development in the hospitality sector aiming to enhance employability and career prospects for aspiring professionals in hotels, restaurants & tourism.

Rev. Fr. Dominic Savio, S.J., Principal of St. Xavier’s College (Autonomous), Kolkata, expressed his enthusiasm for the collaboration.“We are honored to partner with Ekannoborti and Chowman in this noble cause. At St. Xavier’s, we believe in the transformative power of education, and this initiative will undoubtedly create a lasting impact on these young women’s lives.”

Ms. Chandrima Bhattacharya, highlighting the significance of skill development, stated, “Empowering women through education and vocational training is key to building a stronger, more inclusive society. We take great pride in supporting these 50 young women on their journey toward economic independence.”

Adding to this, Debaditya Chaudhury, Managing Director of Chowman, emphasized the industry’s role in workforce development.“The hospitality sector thrives on skilled professionals, and we at Chowman are delighted to be part of this initiative. By equipping these young women with the right training, we are not only empowering them but also strengthening the future of the hospitality industry. This course will provide them with the expertise needed to build successful careers.”

About Ekannoborti

Ekannoborti is a social welfare organization dedicated to uplifting underprivileged communities, with a focus on women and children. Through education, vocational training, and skill development programs, Ekannoborti empowers individuals to achieve financial stability and lead dignified lives.

About St. Xavier’s College, Raghabpur

A prestigious institution committed to academic excellence and holistic development, St. Xavier’s College, Raghabpur Campus, provides students with quality education and practical training to prepare them for professional success.

About Chowman Chain of Restaurants

Chowman was conceived as a young artist’s dream to bring authentic, traditional Chinese dishes onto the plates of the Bengalis. Meticulously conceptualized with warm lights and cozy ambience; Chowman is all about Chinese ethos, food and culture. Currently, Chowman has massively expanded with 20 outlets in Kolkata, 8 in Bangalore, 4 in Delhi-NCR, 2 in Hyderabad & 1 in Mumbai with many more to come. With numerous accolades received nationally, Chowman has made tie-ups with popular delivery outlets like Swiggy and Zomato and channelized its own delivery services with its exclusive Chowman app. Backed by a proficient team of managerial efficiency, and master-chefs acing knowledge of traditional Asian cooking, Chowman looks forward to bringing forth many more decennial ventures in the coming days.

Be Well Hospitals has once again demonstrated its expertise in advanced surgical oncology by successfully performing a highly complex Cytoreductive Surgery with HIPEC (Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy) for Ms. Pramila Dhayalu (47 years, Female) diagnosed with Mucinous Adenocarcinoma of the Appendix with extensive metastasis to the omentum, peritoneum, and lymph nodes.

Dr. Sabarisan, Dr. Ajay Kumar, Dr. Muhammed Owaise, Dr. Guna Sekar, Dr. Sudhakar with Dr. Devendra Kumar and team

The intricate 10-hour procedure involved Right Hemicolectomy, Mid Ileal Resection, Supracolic Complete Omentectomy, Total Abdominal Hysterectomy (TAH), Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy (BSO), Pelvic Peritonectomy, Total Parietal Peritonectomy, Pelvic Nodal Dissection, and Ileostomy, ensuring comprehensive removal of cancerous tissues. The surgery was performed by a multidisciplinary team of expert surgeons, including Dr. Sabarisan , Dr. Ajay Kumar (Onco Surgeon), Dr. Muhammed Owaise (Onco Surgeon), Dr. Guna Sekar (General Surgeon), Dr. Sudhakar (General Surgeon), Dr. Praveen Kumar, Dr. Vimala, and Dr. Chris Nishanth, with Dr. Devendra Kumar and his team leading the anesthesia management. Our nursing team includes Vinod Kumar (Emergency Nurse Manager), Jayanthi (Nurse), Jayashree (Nurse), Mohan Raj (Nurse), Mahimai Dass (Nurse), Sathyaraj (Nurse), and Manikandan (Nurse).

A key highlight of the procedure was the use of HIPEC therapy, an advanced technique where heated chemotherapy is directly circulated in the abdominal cavity to target microscopic cancer cells, enhancing the chances of long-term disease control.

Speaking on the successful outcome, Dr. Sabarisan. R, Medical Director – Be Well Hospitals, stated, “This case was particularly challenging due to the extent of the disease spread, but with a well- coordinated surgical approach and the latest HIPEC technology, we have been able to achieve optimal cytoreduction. This milestone underscores Be Well Hospitals commitment to delivering cutting-edge cancer care.”

Dr. C.J. Vetrievel, Founder & Chairman of Be Well Hospitals, stated that the primary mission of Be Well Hospitals is to provide high-quality healthcare at an affordable cost across the nation. “Our network of secondary-care hospitals across 12 locations is equipped to perform complex surgeries, ensuring that advanced medical care is accessible to all. With our continuous expansion, we are committed to bringing comprehensive healthcare services to more communities.”

Be Well Hospitals continues to be at the forefront of specialized oncology treatments, offering advanced surgical and medical interventions to improve patient outcomes.

For more details, please visit: www.bewellhospitals.in

About Be Well Hospitals Pvt. Ltd

Be Well Hospital is a chain of “Small Giant” multi-specialty hospitals, renowned for its accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare services. Established in 2011, the hospital group operates in 12 main locations across Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry, serving the healthcare needs of thousands of families. Be Well Hospitals continues to redefine patient care through innovative and compassionate healthcare solutions.

In a significant step towards sustainable development, The Art of Living Social Projects has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Chhattisgarh to drive holistic progress and generate employment opportunities for youth in the state. The agreement was formalised on March 11th in the revered presence of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Honourable Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, The Art of Living Social Projects Chairman Prasana Prabhu, and several distinguished dignitaries.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar graced the MoU signing between The Art of Living Social Projects and the Chhattisgarh Govt.

The same evening, Raipur witnessed a remarkable gathering as thousands joined Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Honourable Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai in a celebration infused with meditation and community spirit. Amidst this uplifting atmosphere, Gurudev made a heartfelt appeal to the Naxalites of Chhattisgarh, urging them to renounce violence and integrate into the mainstream. He assured them that The Art of Living Social Projects stands ready to support their aspirations for better social conditions, opening the door to transformation and peace.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar shares insights with Honble CM Shri Vishnu Deo Sai

A Transformative Partnership for Social Impact

This collaboration is set to transform rural Chhattisgarh by integrating large-scale initiatives that enhance livelihoods, environmental sustainability, education, and social welfare. Aligned with national and state government schemes, these projects will empower communities, foster self-reliance, and promote economic resilience.

Key Focus Areas

The partnership will address critical challenges and unlock new opportunities in various sectors, including, but not limited to:

Water Conservation & Environment: River rejuvenation, groundwater recharge, watershed management, water pollution mitigation – watreatments through constructed wetlands. Also afforestation, waste management, and solar electrification.

Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development: Natural farming, Gaudhan initiatives. Plus integrated village development, improved sanitatio.

Skill Development: Creating sustainable livelihoods using local resources to generate employment and reduce migration.

Education & Capacity Building: Free education initiatives, teacher training, faculty development, and specialised programs for government officials.

Social Empowerment & Well-being: Women and youth empowerment, leadership development, prisoner rehabilitation, mental health initiatives, de-addiction programs, disaster relief efforts, community involvement, and social welfare initiatives.

Towards a Self-Reliant Future

By leveraging innovation, grassroots engagement, and sustainable solutions, this initiative is poised to create long-term impact in rural Chhattisgarh. The partnership embodies a vision of progress that is both inclusive and transformative.

The Art of Living Social Projects and the Chhattisgarh Government have taken a resolute step toward a brighter, self-reliant future for communities across the state.

About The Art of Living Social Projects

The Art of Living Social Projects has resolved to create positive societal impact through transformative initiatives. With a focus on holistic development, the organisation strives to contribute to the well-being of individuals and communities alike.

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Like: www.facebook.com/artoflivingsocialprojects

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Hong Kong, SAR

The British Council Hong Kong successfully hosted the British Council East Asia Education Week 2025 from 5 to 7 March 2025, bringing together senior higher education leaders from the UK and East Asia to explore new opportunities for collaboration, research, and innovation, as well as UK alumni from 12 countries and territories in the region to discuss future of international studies and work. The three-day event saw the participation of education agents, UK alumni, UK Vice-Chancellors, alongside policymakers and academic leaders from East Asia, in a series of strategic roundtables, discussions, and site visits aimed at strengthening partnerships and knowledge exchange between the UK and East Asia.

East Asia Education Week 2025

Leighton Ernsberger, Director Education, East Asia, British Council, commented, “The British Council works closely with UK and East Asia stakeholders to strengthen international higher education partnerships. Building on the success of last years inaugural event in Malaysia, this years discussions in Hong Kong not only showcased the best of UK-East Asia collaborations but also inspired the next wave of global research initiatives, transnational education, and student mobility opportunities.”

“Hong Kong is a natural home for the event in East Asia. In terms of research, UK researchers rank third most common among internationally co-authored publications in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is also home to over 72,000 alumni of UK universities in the past 15 years and in 2022/23 there where over 19,000 enrolments on UK transnational education programmes, making Hong Kong, on its own, the fourth largest partner for teaching and learning in the region with the UK. This illustrates the depth and strategic nature of partnerships between Hong Kong and the UK.”

Susannah Morley, Director of British Council Hong Kong, added, “We were delighted to host the British Council East Asia Education Week in Hong Kong, where delegates from across the region engaged in critical conversations on the future of higher education and global collaboration. The participation of Vice-Chancellors from the UK on an outward mission to Hong Kong has reinvigorated partnerships and fostered new opportunities in education, research, and knowledge exchange.”

“This mission focused on three priority areas – arts and culture, allied health and big data, and innovation and knowledge transfer. By strengthening connections between universities in the UK and Hong Kong, we aim to create a platform for sustainable collaboration that not only benefits both Hong Kong SAR and the UK but also contributes to the broader Greater Bay Areas (GBA) education and innovation ecosystem.”

Key discussions shaping the future of UK-East Asia partnerships
The event featured a UK Vice-Chancellors Higher Education Mission, where UK university leaders engaged with East Asias higher education sector through site visits, strategic briefings, and discussions on research collaboration, innovation, and funding opportunities.

The East Asia Agent Conference 2025 brought together almost 200 senior directors of education agencies, universities, and aggregators from 13 countries and territories and the UK under the theme “Innovate for a Sustainable Future.” The conference focused on improving the quality of advice available to students, the value of UK qualifications and the student voice, concluding with a networking reception, fostering new connections between UK government representatives and academic leaders.

The East Asia Agent Conference reaffirmed the UKs commitment to high-quality student support and ethical recruitment. The panel discussions throughout the day highlighted the Agent Quality Framework (AQF), a framework designed to strengthen the partnership between the UK education sector and agents and counsellors, while recognising and sharing best practices. The conference also recognised the importance of alumni engagement, employability-driven strategies, and the need for innovation in agency services to navigate market challenges and strengthen the UKs position as a top study destination.

Alumni UK: A global network for graduates
Another key component of the East Asia Education Week was the Alumni UK Symposium, which brought together over 200 UK alumni from 12 countries and territories in East Asia to exchange insights and strengthen professional networks. The Alumni Symposium highlighted the impact of a UK education on career success, emphasising adaptability, resilience, and an entrepreneurial mindset. A series of panel discussions among alumni also underscored the power of alumni networks, the need for lifelong learning, and the importance of leveraging global connections to navigate evolving job markets and drive positive societal change. The event also provided the opportunity to celebrate 33 alumni of the British Councils Women in STEM scholarship from across Southeast Asia and the new British Council Scholarship for Women in Hong Kong, launched in 2024 and supported by the Sir Tang Shiu Kin Education Trust ahead of International Womens Day. The first cohort of four students from Hong Kong are currently in the UK studying at Newcastle universities.

Connecting UK alumni from around the world, the British Council Alumni UK platform creates a global network designed to connect graduates of UK universities with their peers worldwide and provides professional development and job opportunities to support career progression.

The event was supported by several partners: the University of Hong Kong provided an amazing backdrop to the event, Pearson PTE as Gold partners for the week, Easy Transfer as the reception sponsor, British Council IELTS, Grok Global Services and Oxford International Education Group as event partners. Several UK partners were at the heart of event as well, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), UK Universities International (UUKI), British University International Liaison Association (BUILA) and UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), reflecting the strategic importance of Hong Kong to the UK.

To learn more about Alumni UK, visit alumniuk.britishcouncil.org.

For more details on the British Council East Asia Education Week, please visit:
www.britishcouncil.hk/en/programmes/education/british-council-east-asia-education-week-2025

In support of Women’s empowerment, the founder-chancellor of Vels Institute of Science and Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS) Dr. Ishari. K. Ganesh donated Rs. 10,00,000 to World Carrom Champion Ms. Khazima, and also announced a 100% scholarship for her MBA in recognition of her exceptional achievements in sports. This generous gesture was announced during the institution’s celebration of International Women’s Day.

VISTAS Founder Chancellor Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh presented a cheque of Rs. 10,00,000 to the father of World Carrom Champion Khazima in recognition of her remarkable victory

The event, held on March 10, 2025, was a grand occasion that honored remarkable women achievers across various fields, reinforcing VISTAS unwavering commitment to empowering women.

VISTAS celebrates Inspirational Women

During the event, the prestigious Inspirational Women Awards were presented to several distinguished women for their significant contributions. The recipients of these awards included:

• Ms. Nigar Shaji, Aditya L1, ISRO Scientist – for Excellence in Innovation and Technology

• Ms. Rajeshwari I.P.S, Inspector General of Police, Member Secretary, Tamil Nadu Uniformed Services Recruitment Board – for Social Service

• Ms. Khazima, World Carrom Champion – for Excellence in Sports

• Ms. Kushboo, Indian Film Actress and Producer – for Excellence in the Field of Media

• Ms. Maalica Ravikumar, Founder of Evergrowth Academy – for Excellence in Entrepreneurship

V-Fund 5.0: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs

VISTAS also celebrated its ongoing commitment to fostering women entrepreneurship through the V Fund program. Since its inception VISTAS supported 12 women-led startups with Rs. 24 lakh in funding, mentorship, and incubation support. This year, V Fund 5.0 saw an overwhelming response with 204 applications from aspiring women entrepreneurs and after a rigorous evaluation three women entrepreneurs were awarded Rs. 2 lakh each to develop their innovative ventures.

Leadership at VISTAS

The event was graced by the leadership of VISTAS, with Dr. Ishari K. Ganesh, Founder Chancellor, and Dr. Preethaa Ganesh, Vice President, Vels Group of Institutions, expressing their dedication to empowering women and fostering academic and entrepreneurial excellence.

About VISTAS

Established in 2008, Vels Institute of Science, Technology, and Advanced Studies (VISTAS) is recognized as one of the best deemed university in Chennai. With three expansive campuses spanning 100 acres in Chennai, VISTAS is a multi-disciplinary institution offering a diverse range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs across various disciplines including Medicine, Nursing, Engineering, Agriculture, Management, Law, Arts, and Sciences. VISTAS recently achieved the prestigious NAAC A++ accreditation, further solidifying its reputation for academic excellence and holistic development.

For more details visit vistas.ac.in | erp.vistas.ac.in/velsonline/applicationist/loginManager/applicantRegistration.jsp.