SHANGHAI, Nov. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Concordia International School Shanghai had the honor of welcoming world-renowned scholar and "father of big data," Professor Viktor Mayer-Schönberger, to campus this November. The Oxford professor delivered a thought-provoking seminar to Concordia high school students and the wider community, delving into the transformative power of big data and its evolving role in Generative AI.
Professor Mayer-Schönberger captivated his audience with real-world examples of data analytics and its intersection with ethical governance, bias identification, and innovative insights in a digital age. His engaging presentation sparked curiosity and discussion, demonstrating his deep expertise and passion for empowering the next generation of data-driven thinkers.
Reflecting on the seminar, Shreyas S. (Class of '25) said, "Prof. Mayer-Schönberger really brought a new perspective on tackling biases within large datasets – and using them to identify these biases in real life to address them."
Parents in attendance also praised the opportunity. Professor Shameen Prashantham, a Concordia parent and professor at the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), described the experience as a "world-class learning opportunity." He added, "One of the great things about living in Shanghai is that it's not uncommon to cross paths with impressive people like Viktor who visit this great city — but what was unique about this interaction for me is that it didn't take place at my illustrious business school or at a glitzy corporate event. It took place at my kids' high school!"
The event became even more exciting when Professor Mayer-Schönberger announced a special collaboration with Concordia student Iris L. (Class of '26), who will illustrate one of his upcoming books. Together, they plan to create a picture book aimed at inspiring younger generations of big data enthusiasts.
Concordia's reputation as a hub for innovation in Big Data was further cemented by this visit. For over a decade, students in the school's Applied Learning Big Data Analytics program have achieved global recognition under the guidance of high school teacher Dr. Peter Tong. Since 2014, Concordia students have presented at international big data conferences, earning accolades such as Best Presentation Awards and creating a big data online course to expand learning opportunities.
Earlier this year, nine Concordia students presented their research at the International Conference on Big Data and Education (ICBDE) 2024 at Oxford University, where they had the opportunity to connect with Professor Mayer-Schönberger.
These experiences, coupled with inspiring moments like Professor Mayer-Schönberger's seminar, are equipping Concordia students with the critical analytical skills and future-focused mindset needed to excel in an increasingly data-driven world.
About Concordia International School Shanghai
Concordia International School Shanghai is a leading international school known for its commitment to academic excellence and holistic education. With a strong focus on STEM, arts, and applied learning programs, Concordia nurtures bright futures by preparing students to thrive in an ever-changing global landscape.
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Oxford's Big Data Pioneer Inspires Students at Concordia Shanghai
HONG KONG and SHANGHAI, Nov. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (hereafter "Ping An" or the "Group", HKEX: 2318/82318, SSE: 601318) received the Director of the Year Award and the Climate Governance Award for 2024 from the Hong Kong Institute of Directors (HKIoD) on November 28. This marks the sixth time Ping An's Board of Directors has received the Director of the Year Award. Ping An is also the first recipient of the inaugural Climate Governance Award.
Since its establishment in 1988, Ping An has become one of the largest integrated financial, healthcare and senior care service providers in Mainland China. Ping An was nominated for the HKIoD awards for its diversified board of directors, dedicated to safeguarding the interests of the Company and all shareholders and promoting the Company's long-term, stable development.
Mr. Ng Sing Yip, Independent Non-executive Director, accepted the awards on behalf of Ping An's board. He said, "Ping An's success as a world-leading integrated financial, healthcare and senior care service provider is closely linked to its high standards of corporate governance and the trust of our stakeholders." The awards were also attended by Ms. Cai Fangfang, Executive Director and Senior Vice President, Ms. Cai Xun, Non-executive Director, Mr. Ng Kong Ping Albert, Independent Non-executive Director, Mr. Liew Fui Kiang, Independent Supervisor, and Mr. Hung Ka Hai Clement, Independent Supervisor, as representatives of the board and the Supervisory Committee.
Ping An's Board of Directors will continue to lead the Company's strategic planning, and participate in risk management, financial control, compliance, and internal control. The board will continue to enhance corporate governance and climate risk management capabilities, and grow value for stakeholders.
Ping An has long pursued a balanced and professional board structure. Ping An's 15 directors possess professional expertise in insurance, banking, investment, accounting, law, management, and technology, with extensive industry and operational experience. Ping An has six independent non-executive directors, who account for 40% of the Board, exceeding the industry average. In 2023, the board completed 26 training sessions covering corporate governance, environmental and climate impact, and sustainable development. Since the Company's listing, the board has conducted on-site inspections and reviews at grassroots level for 20 years, collecting opinions and suggestions from frontline employees and urging business units to continuously improve operational management.
Ping An's Board of Directors focuses on providing foresight and guidance of the Company's strategy for efficient implementation and high-quality business development. Under the leadership of the board, Ping An is promoting its "integrated finance + healthcare and senior care" strategy driven by technology. In the first three quarters of 2024, the Group's operating profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company reached RMB113.82 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 5.5%, and revenue reached RMB775.38 billion, a year-on-year increase of 10.0%. Three core businesses – life and health insurance, property and casualty insurance and banking – maintained growth, with their combined operating profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company reaching RMB119.65 billion, a year-on-year increase of 5.7%.
Ping An continues to strengthen integrated finance, shifting from cross-selling to comprehensive customer management. As of September 30, 2024, the Group had 240 million retail customers, a year-to-date increase of 3.8%. Customer retention continued to improve, with 25.1% of customers holding four or more contracts within the Group, and a retention rate of 98.0%. The healthcare and senior care strategy continued to yield results, with the value of Ping An's differential advantages becoming more apparent. In the first three quarters of 2024, more than 19.5 million Ping An Life insurance customers used services in the healthcare and senior care ecosystem. Ping An's innovative integrated "medical care, nursing, housing, and entertainment" model has established industry standards and ecosystems for senior care services. The services cover 75 cities across China, with more than 150,000 customers entitled to home-based senior care services.
Ping An's Board of Directors oversees environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) matters. It has built an efficient and collaborative long-term ESG governance mechanism, and promotes core practices such as climate governance and rural revitalization. Ping An pledges to achieve carbon neutrality across its operations by 2030, and has formulated short- and medium-term targets and roadmaps. In 2023, Ping An took the lead in launching China's insurance industry's first carbon account system covering all employees, recording each employee's low-carbon office behavior, daily low-carbon behavior, and carbon emission data to support climate governance. Ping An also promotes green finance. In the first three quarters of 2024, Ping An's green insurance premium income reached RMB37.34 billion.
Thanks to its outstanding performance in sustainable development, Ping An has received the highest ratings in multiple industry evaluations. Ping An has maintained an A rating in MSCI ESG Ratings for two consecutive years, ranking first in the multi-line insurance and brokerage industry in the Asia-Pacific region. It has been in S&P's Sustainability Yearbook (China Edition) for two consecutive years, the only insurance company from Mainland China on the list. Ping An also has a "low risk" rating with a score of 17.0 in Morningstar Sustainalytics ESG Ratings and a B rating in CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) Ratings, the highest ratings in China's financial industry.
The HKIoD is Hong Kong's premier organization representing professional directors, with more than 2,000 members from senior management of Hong Kong-based companies and listed companies worldwide. Its Director of the Year Awards evaluate companies' performance in promoting development strategies, business strategies, and digital transformation at the board level. The Climate Governance Award, a newly launched award series in 2024, evaluates the performance of corporate boards in promoting sustainable development, climate governance and related information disclosure. The 2024 awards were co-organized by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, the Securities and Futures Commission, and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited.
Ping An will continue to adhere to responsible, high-standard corporate governance. Under the scientific and forward-looking guidance of the Board of Directors, Ping An will continue to deepen the "integrated finance + healthcare and senior care" strategy driven by technology, consolidate the advantages of integrated finance, promote its healthcare and senior care initiatives, advance digital transformation and pursue high-quality development. It is committed to creating greater value through stable growth for customers, employees, shareholders, and society.
About Ping An Group
Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (HKEx:2318 / 82318; SSE:601318) is one of the largest financial services companies in the world. It strives to become a world-leading provider of integrated finance, health and senior care services, Under the technology-driven "integrated finance + health and senior care" strategy, the Group provides professional "financial advisory, family doctor, and senior care concierge" services to its 240 million retail customers. Ping An advances intelligent digital transformation and employs technologies to improve financial businesses' quality and efficiency and enhance risk management. The Group is listed on the stock exchanges in Hong Kong and Shanghai. As of the end of September 2024, Ping An had more than RMB12 trillion in total assets. The Group ranked 29th in the Forbes Global 2000 list in 2024 and 53rd in the Fortune Global 500 list in 2024.
For more information, please visit www.group.pingan.com and follow us on LinkedIn - PING AN.
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Ping An Wins Sixth Director of the Year Award and Inaugural Climate Governance Award from the Hong Kong Institute of Directors
