HONG KONG, July 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Lingnan University participated in the Times Higher Education's Digital Universities Asia 2024 conference, held from 1 to 3 July in Bali, Indonesia, where Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science of Lingnan University, delivered a keynote talk and took part in a roundtable discussion, contributing valuable insights to this prestigious annual event. This year, the conference focused on transforming academic institutions into more accessible and inclusive environments, and pointed out the current groundbreaking innovations at the intersection of academic progress and technological advancement. The conference is an important platform where leaders in higher education, industry, and policy exchange ideas on leveraging cutting-edge digital tools and technologies.
President Qin, who is a world-famous data scientist, delivered a keynote address titled "Reimagining Higher Education in the Age of AI", delving into the profound impact of the digital revolution on higher education. He addressed critical issues such as curriculum transformation, the relevance of AI to a well-rounded education in the arts and sciences, the potential obsolescence of traditional education models, and strategies to enhance students' critical thinking skills in the era of generative AI.
He also stressed how the rapid development of generative AI and large language models has sparked a new wave of intellectual innovation, saying "The application of AI has increased productivity across various industries and improved the efficiency of teaching and learning. In today's digital era, we are all exposed to new media and encounter new experiences. Whether receiving news or shopping, we cannot escape AI and digitally generated recommendations. In the process of cognition and communication for work and life, we either receive or produce content generated with the help of AI. Therefore, higher education institutions are faced with the decision of whether to embrace it or prohibit it. As an institution that cultivates the next generation of talents, Lingnan University has decided to embrace the digital transformation through reforming the design of disciplines. Disruptive technology may replace existing professions but also create new positions. Balancing skills training and promoting students' whole-person development is crucial."
After President Qin's speech, a roundtable discussion titled "Building a Future-Ready Institution: Leveraging Technology to Transform Higher Education" was held in partnership with Lingnan University. President Qin of Lingnan University; Prof Stephen Park Yong-seung, Professor of Industrial Relations and Human Resources and Director of the Institute for Peace through Commerce of the Kyung Hee University School of Management; and Prof Shoichiro Iwakiri, President of International Christian University, explored the strategies, opportunities, and challenges of using technology to drive digital transformation in higher education. The exchange of views concentrated on how Asia's higher education sector can harness the power of AI and innovative technologies to create an inclusive and empowering environment for learning and knowledge exchange.
The discussion centred on experiences, insights and alternative methods, and how universities are navigating the digital landscape to revolutionise teaching, learning and administrative processes. The university leaders also exchanged examples of best practices, successful case studies, and pioneering approaches to prepare students for future workforce demands, making sure their institutions are ready to equip students for evolving global challenges and opportunities.
President Qin noted that Lingnan University offers a comprehensive arts and sciences programme, addressing impactful research and innovation in the digital era. He said "We are implementing a distinctive teaching model at Lingnan University, including making generative AI a core course for all first-year students in the 2024/25 academic year. The recently established School of Data Science has elevated the existing Bachelor of Science in Data Science programme to school level, making it easier for students from the Faculties of Arts, Business, and Social Sciences, the School of Graduate Studies, and the School of Interdisciplinary Studies to acquire cross-disciplinary learning. Our aim is to equip students with AI literacy and critical thinking skills, publish influential and experimental research, and help them stand out in the era of innovation and technology."
Lingnan University will be the key host of Digital Universities Asia 2025, which will take place on their main campus in Tuen Mun, Hong Kong on 8 and 9 July 2025.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
President S. Joe Qin of Lingnan University shares insights at Digital Universities Asia 2024 in Indonesia
Kimberly-Clark Expanding Investments in India
BENGALURU, India, Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kimberly-Clark, a global leader in essential personal and family care products, continues to increase its commitment to India through its Global Digital Technology Center (GDTC) in Bengaluru.
Established in 2018 with an initial investment of $2.5 million, the Bengaluru GDTC has seen remarkable growth, expanding its size by eight times in just five years. The center focuses on key areas and digital capabilities such as Data and Analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) including Generative AI, Machine Learning (ML), Cloud Transformation, Global Digital Operations & Automation, Digital Sales and Marketing, and Digital Supply Chain – all of which help drive efficiencies and improve customer experiences. Over the next three years, the GDTC plans to continue its expansion, focusing on advancing AI/ML capabilities and developing innovative digital solutions to boost operational efficiency and customer engagement. These capabilities further enhance Kimberly-Clark's ability to deliver on its global Powering Care strategy – shared earlier this year – and, in turn, strengthen its longstanding commitment to consumer-centricity.
While the Bengaluru GDTC is driving Kimberly-Clark's technological advancements, it's also contributing to India's broader tech and innovation ecosystem. By collaborating with local startups, academic institutions, and industry partners, the center aims to foster cutting-edge solutions.
"Our Bengaluru GDTC is a testament to Kimberly-Clark's deep-rooted commitment to innovation and the immense breadth of Indian talent," said Zack Hicks, Chief Digital and Technology Officer, Kimberly-Clark. "In just five years, the center has evolved into a key growth engine for our digital strategies, delivering AI-powered commercial and supply chain solutions, and pioneering advancements in modern manufacturing. Looking ahead, we remain focused on further investing in India, leveraging the country's outstanding talent and technological expertise to shape the future of Kimberly-Clark and pioneer industry-leading innovation in our core categories."
The integration of data and advanced analytics is at the core of the Bengaluru GDTC's success. By leveraging AI/ML algorithms built on their enterprise data lake, the team is also optimizing sales predictions, refining pricing strategies for e-commerce, and automating routine tasks such as order entry and invoice processing. In 2024, efforts in Gen AI platforms originating from the GDTC improved the employee productivity by up to 25%, and the development of AI-powered sales and revenue analytics drove a 10% improvement in sales execution across regions like Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. These innovations not only streamline operations and reduce costs but also boost accuracy and efficiency.
One of the center's major achievements is the development of Maestro, an AI-powered supply chain orchestration platform that has delivered more than $20 million in global savings for Kimberly-Clark. Another transformative innovation is the Warehouse Automation Platform, which seamlessly integrates warehouse robotics with supply chain systems, reducing new solution deployment timelines from 18 months to 4 months, and generating savings exceeding $50 million. The GDTC's collaborative efforts have also resulted in the creation of Procuree 3.0, an inhouse Source-to-Pay chatbot powered by Generative AI that enhances Kimberly-Clark's procurement processes across 42 countries and 14 languages.
Recently, the GDTC held its third Digital Hackathon under the theme 'UNLOKC 2024,' bringing together Kimberly-Clark employees and technology partners to develop digital solutions that contribute to business opportunities in areas such as supply chain, marketing, and finance. Over 130 innovative ideas were submitted within four weeks, and the 7 project finalists were awarded by the Digital Technology global leadership team during the Hackathon's final event in Bangalore. These finalists will receive support to develop their projects in the near future.
As Kimberly-Clark's largest technology hub, the Bengaluru GDTC is positioned to remain a critical driver of growth and innovation on a global scale. With plans to continue attracting top-tier talent and expanding its technological capabilities, the center is set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the company and its global tech ecosystem.
About Kimberly-Clark:
Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB) and its trusted brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 175 countries. Fueled by ingenuity, creativity, and an understanding of people's most essential needs, we create products that help individuals experience more of what's important to them. Our portfolio of brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex, Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, GoodNites, Intimus, Plenitud, Sweety, Softex, Viva and WypAll, hold No. 1 or No. 2 share positions in approximately 70 countries. We use sustainable practices that support a healthy planet, build strong communities, and ensure our business thrives for decades to come. We are proud to be recognized as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies(R) by Ethisphere for the sixth year in a row and one of Fortune's Most Innovative Companies in America in 2024. To keep up with the latest news and to learn more about the company's 150-year history of innovation, visit the Kimberly-Clark website.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
India's Thriving Tech Hub Fuels Kimberly-Clark's Digital Transformation
