Technology

Rice University announces historic gift to establish Virani Undergraduate School of Business

Published

2 months ago

October 29, 2024

HOUSTON, Oct. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Houston business and community leaders Farid and Asha Virani have made a generous philanthropic gift to Rice University’s business program igniting a new era of opportunity for students. In recognition of this historic contribution, the current undergraduate business program will be named the Virani Undergraduate School of Business.

Rice is equipping graduates to become thoughtful and effective leaders in the business world and beyond.

Farid Virani is the founder and CEO of Prime Communications, the largest AT&T-authorized retailer in North America. He is deeply committed to giving back to the community through his active involvement in organizations such as Teach for America, SEARCH Homeless Services and Texas Children’s Hospital and is a longstanding member of the Young Presidents’ Organization.

Farid immigrated to the United States from Pakistan at the age of 19. After exploring various entrepreneurial ventures, he ultimately founded Prime Communications in 1999, starting with just a single store in Houston’s Baybrook Mall. Looking back on his journey, Farid credits his success to three guiding principles that have shaped both his personal and professional life: “stay humble, stay hungry and stay scrappy.” He believes these values will deeply resonate with Rice’s undergraduate business students as they embark on their paths and confront the challenges ahead, especially at a school that now proudly bears his family’s name.

Dr. Asha Virani ’89 is a Rice alumna, medical doctor and board member of The Kinkaid School and Asia Society Texas. She and Farid are also founders of The Faris Foundation, a nonprofit focused on bringing brighter days and better treatments to children with cancer, created in honor of their beloved son, Faris D.

The couple’s son, Faraz Virani ’21, graduated from Rice with a bachelor’s degree in sport management and minors in business and entrepreneurship — the same year Rice Business launched its undergraduate business program. Their daughter, Zoya, graduated from Emory University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology and currently works in the tech industry.

This extraordinary gift will support undergraduate curriculum development and delivery, co-curricular opportunities, a new associate dean position and other resources to support undergraduate career readiness and academic success.

“We are incredibly excited to support Rice Business, as we believe in the transformative power of education. This contribution will play a pivotal role in preparing the next generation of business leaders and entrepreneurs to tackle the challenges and seize the future opportunities — not just for our city, but for our state and our country,” Farid Virani said.

“Our vision is to foster a culture of curious and compassionate lifelong learners who will lead with a strong ethical orientation and intellectual humility,” Asha Virani said.

The Virani Undergraduate School of Business aims to provide students with a robust foundation in leadership and business fundamentals, including accounting, finance, marketing, organizational behavior, strategy and communications. An associate dean position will be created to lead the new school, and a national search will be conducted to fill this role.

“We are profoundly grateful to Farid and Asha Virani for their extraordinary gift, which will transform our undergraduate business education,” Rice President Reginald DesRoches said. “Their success and commitment to excellence inspire our students, and their generosity will serve as a lasting testament to what can be accomplished through vision and determination.”

“This significant gift from the Virani family will advance undergraduate education, meeting a high demand for an undergraduate business major and providing unparalleled opportunities for student development. Rice is equipping graduates to become thoughtful and effective leaders in the business world and beyond,” said Amy Dittmar, the Howard R. Hughes Provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.

Rice Business Dean Peter Rodriguez emphasized that this gift will significantly impact the nearly 300 students currently declared as business majors, fostering a new generation of leaders equipped to tackle pressing global challenges. This includes supporting ongoing growth in the number of business majors at Rice and advancing opportunities in areas like energy transition, artificial intelligence, nonprofits benefiting society at large, health care reform and the revitalization of urban communities.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to the Virani family for this remarkable gift, which will have a lasting impact on Rice Business students for years to come,” Rodriguez said. “This gift allows our undergraduate students not only to study with world-renowned faculty but to thrive in co-curricular endeavors and in their future careers.”

Click here to watch a video of the donor family.

About Rice University

Located on a 300-acre forested campus in Houston, Rice University is consistently ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has highly respected schools of architecture, business, continuing studies, engineering, humanities, music, natural sciences and social sciences and is home to the Baker Institute for Public Policy. With 4,574 undergraduates and 3,982 graduate students, Rice’s undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio is just under 6-to-1. Its residential college system builds close-knit communities and lifelong friendships, just one reason why Rice is ranked No. 1 for lots of race/class interaction, No. 2 for best-run colleges and No. 12 for quality of life by the Princeton Review. Rice is also rated as a best value among private universities by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance.

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Technology

PURE POWER FOR ALL–VAPORESSO’s Global Movement to Drive Clean Energy Solutions and Sustainable Living

Published

16 minutes ago

December 25, 2024

SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On December 2nd, VAPORESSO proudly launched its PURE POWER FOR ALL global ECO-Empowerment initiative—a powerful testament to its commitment to advancing clean energy solutions and promoting sustainable lifestyles worldwide. Anchored by the revolutionary ECO NANO SOLAR and the forward-thinking PURE POWER ACTION movement, this initiative seamlessly integrates cutting-edge technological innovation with impactful social action. Together, these efforts mark a pivotal step in the global transition toward clean energy and a more sustainable future.

ECO NANO SOLAR—Revolutionizing Sustainable Vaping in the Industry

At the heart of this initiative lies the industry’s first solar-powered open-system vape—ECO NANO SOLAR. Crafted from 70% eco-conscious materials, this innovative device features a modular structure with interchangeable components, extending product life while promoting resource efficiency and long-term sustainability.

This pioneering ECO innovation combines degradable photovoltaic technology with a recyclable modular design. Its solar panel achieves remarkable light-to-electricity efficiency and is over 80% biodegradable, advancing clean energy adoption while significantly reducing environmental impact. With the ECO NANO SOLAR, VAPORESSO sets a new standard for sustainability in the vaping industry, inspiring a broader shift toward eco-conscious practices and paving the way for a greener future in vaping and beyond.

PURE POWER ACTION: Bridging Online Engagement with Real-World Impact

The PURE POWER ACTION movement, as a key part of the PURE POWER FOR ALL initiative, engages participants worldwide through a series of interactive online activities designed to build momentum for clean energy advocacy. From simple actions like clicking to show support to vibrant community discussions on sustainable living, each activity amplifies the reach of this global movement. Together, these efforts inspire eco-friendly habits, encourage the exchange of ideas, and foster collective commitment through initiatives like the Pure Living Proposal. By empowering individuals to take small, meaningful steps, the movement unites participants in creating a ripple effect of change that transcends geographic boundaries, all while boosting the Pure Power Level—a key measure of progress.

As the Pure Power Level reaches new milestones, the initiative transitions from online engagement to tangible offline impact. Clean energy solutions, including solar-powered innovations, are introduced into vape stores worldwide, offering users hands-on opportunities to experience the convenience and benefits of renewable power sources. These offline activities, supported by the collective efforts of participants, not only bring sustainability to the forefront of the vaping industry but also demonstrate how individual contributions can culminate in meaningful, real-world changes. Through this seamless integration of online and offline efforts, VAPORESSO underscores the importance of unified action in driving the global transition toward a brighter tomorrow.

A Greener Tomorrow Begins Today

With PURE POWER FOR ALL, VAPORESSO demonstrates how ECO innovation and forward-thinking movement can lead to meaningful global impact. The groundbreaking ECO NANO SOLAR stands as a powerful benchmark for ECO innovation, inspiring the adoption of cleaner, more responsible practices in the vaping industry. At the same time, the PURE POWER ACTION initiative fosters a ripple effect of positive change, uniting individuals and communities in a shared mission to embrace sustainable living and advance clean energy solutions. Together, through collective effort and shared commitment, VAPORESSO is not only shaping the future of the vaping industry but also contributing to a healthier, more sustainable world.

For more details about the PURE POWER FOR ALL movement and ECO NANO SOLAR, please visit: https://www.vaporesso.com/activity/pure_power_for_all. Together, we create a brighter, cleaner future for all.

About VAPORESSO

VAPORESSO was founded on the belief that each action is an endeavor to achieve excellence. Our unwavering commitment to surpassing the ordinary has propelled us to become the leading vaping brand globally. We embody a vision where our technology and values merge, crafting a better, cleaner, and more enjoyable life for all.

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Technology

SWAG, Asia’s Largest Adult Content Platform, Releases 2024 Annual Report

Published

1 hour ago

December 25, 2024

Revealing the Top 15 Searched Keywords in Asia

TAIPEI, Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — SWAG, Taiwan’s largest adult livestreaming platform, often known as the “Pornhub of Asia,” has released the 2024 SWAG Recap today. The report dives into the world of trending adult content, the year’s top searched keywords, and even the income of creators, sparing no details. According to the data, the top searched keyword on SWAG in 2024 was “Vietnam.” Meanwhile, two Taiwanese creators—former Army Chief Counselor “Neinei” and former Sea Dragon Frogman 177—landed in the 3rd and 6th positions as the most searched keywords thanks to their enormous social media buzz. The hashtag with the most clicks went to “Big Boobs.”

In this year’s top searched keyword ranking, “Vietnam” and Vietnamese creator Rosa (@rosababyvip) dominated the top two spots with overwhelming search volume, highlighting the loyalty of Vietnamese enjoyers of SWAG. Meanwhile, keywords like “Ex-Army Chief Counselor Neinei” and “Sea Dragon Frogman 177” maintained high visibility throughout the year, landing them in 3rd and 6th places, respectively.

Analyzing average daily login time by users from different countries, SWAG users spent 15 minutes and 56 seconds per session on average globally, 49 seconds longer than last year. Taiwan emerged as the undisputed champion with an average daily login time of 16 minutes and 21 seconds, the only country above the platform average. On the flip side, Japanese users clocked in at just 11 minutes and 25 seconds, becoming the quickest to reach post-nut clarity. Notably, Vietnamese users soared from last year’s last place to the 4th longest with their online duration time, surpassing users from Singapore and the U.S.

Among SWAG’s nearly 200 hashtags, “Big Boobs” reclaimed its crown from last year’s champion, “Schoolgirl,” becoming the most searched hashtag of the year. “Schoolgirl” fell to 4th, edged out by “Gangbang.” Surprisingly, the long-beloved tag “Creampie” dropped to its record-low position, only ranking 9th.

SWAG noted that nearly 5,000 new creators joined this year, with 40% hailing from Vietnam, making it the country with the most new creators, followed by Taiwan. Among the talents, luna (@rouav) and Jolly (@jollyntr) were crowned as the most popular creator and best newcomer respectively! After a brief hiatus, Luna made a strong comeback by captivating fans with her “natural melons,” “S-line waist,” “perky booties,” and “flawless legs.” Her popularity skyrocketed by 891 spots, earning her the title of SWAG’s Most Popular Creator 2024. The best newcomer, Jolly, who only joined SWAG less than a year ago, gained immense popularity for her housewife aesthetic and NTR-themed content. Fans of the married lady buzzed over her livestreams and videos, where her husband reportedly has been watching helplessly behind the camera, further fueling her meteoric rise.

In other creator data, SWAG’s “Fan Following Clock” is ticking faster than ever! On average, a creator gains a new follower every 5.7 seconds on the platform. Additionally, 8.8% of new creators earn USD 30,000 in less than four months, with Betty (@bettyqueen) achieving this milestone in just three weeks, making her the fastest-earning newcomer of 2024.

Does SWAG make creators rich? The numbers prove everything. This year, Shirley (@shirleybebe) posted a story, which was unlocked by over 3,000 users within 48 hours, earning her approximately $1,500 instantly as the post became the most profitable story of 2024. Best Newcomer Jolly also delivered impressive results. After debuting in May, one of her long videos attracted over 2,000 viewers, earning her $17,000 just from that one single upload.

When it comes to SWAG’s most lucrative money-making features, livestreaming and private messaging definitely top the list. For example, when Grape (@stellajs) hosted her birthday livestream this year, she generated USD 37,000 in just three hours. Meanwhile, Nini Baby (@ninibaby), well-known for her private chats, sent 380,000 text messages to users this year, receiving 85,000 replies and countless chat gifts. Her private messaging income alone earned a staggering USD 490,000 in revenue, a 17% increase from last year, securing her throne as SWAG’s Queen of private chat.

《2024 SWAG Recap》: https://swag.live/blog/en/swag_2024_recap/

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Technology

Higer New V Series, Leading Bus New Trend

Published

2 hours ago

December 25, 2024

SUZHOU, China, Dec. 24, 2024 /CNW/ — In November 2024, Higer New V Series buses officially launched in the Philippines, this batch of electric buses was the first batch of new energy buses introduced by the Philippines and put into commercial operation. And it has aroused extensive attentions and heated discussions from the Philippines local government, media and people.

Higer New V Series products were launched globally in March 2024, and then made a stunning debut at the Higer Global Partners Conference. The New V-series products with a new shape and a new platform are committed to creating new classic models with high quality, high safety and high intelligence.

In 3 years, more than 1000 people participated in the process of R&D, a one-time investment of more than 100 million yuan was made in the R&D and manufacturing of key components, equipment, tooling, molds, inspection tools, verification of components and vehicle, achieving comprehensive innovation, realizing a significant improvement in product quality and reliability, maintenance convenience and customer experience. Measuring from 8 to 13 meters in length, they can be powered by fossil fuels, electricity, hydrogen, etc. and are readily adaptable for the tourist transportation market, urban public transportation market, etc. The luggage compartment volume is 21.6% greater than similar products, the seating space is 50mm larger, and the middle aisle is 30mm wider. The overall component universality rate was greatly improved by the platform, modular, and universal design concept, and the number of component types decreased by 58%.

It is worth mentioning that Higer is committed to creating a technological experience, redefining the domain-centralized electronic and electrical architecture, and Higer launched the industry’s first mass-produced intelligent cabin. It will help the driver concentrate on driving. The new model provides a mobile phone control interface, drivers and tour guides can control lighting, multimedia, air conditioning, etc. through app. In addition, the intelligent cabin can be customized according to the operational needs of the transport company, realizing intelligent dispatching, intelligent charging, intelligent maintenance, AI interaction, and human-computer interaction.

So far, Higer new V series coaches have already received orders from more than 20 countries like Italy, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Algeria and etc., showing a fast rising popularity in the international market.

Higer new V series are committed to providing customers with new “classic models” with better quality, higher efficiency, achieving sustainable development and exploring more possibilities.

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SOURCE HIGER