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Pearson launches Beyond PTE at Southeast Asia Partner Summit

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New insights reveal more than half of test takers in Southeast Asia, Japan, and Korea pursue Pearson Test of English for work and migration opportunities.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Pearson (PSON), the world’s leading learning company, today released insights from Pearson Test of English (PTE) candidates across Southeast Asia for 2024. The data reveals a younger demographic with ambitions to work and study around the globe.

This announcement comes on the heels of the successful 2024 Asia PTE Partner Summit, a gathering of more than 400 international education professionals simultaneously hosted in Changsa, China, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Manila, Philippines, Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam and virtually across other Southeast Asia countries, South Korea and Japan.

At the summit Pearson launched a new test taker service, Beyond PTE, and gathered education officials from embassies and consulates and institutions as well as training providers to discuss the latest trends in international education and presented the annual report card for PTE.

Guests and speakers at the Summit included the Hon Phil Honeywood, CEO, International Education Association of Australia, Guy Perring, Regional Director, Etio (formerly Tribal i-graduate), Danielle Zhou, Business Development Manager, Austrade, Wu Xinping, Education Market Manager, British Council, and Felix Ye, Senior Market Development Manager, Education New Zealand.

Beyond PTE Launch

The Beyond PTE program launched in collaboration with Trip.com, Malaysia Airlines and Casita.com. This new service is designed to provide a barrier-free, one-stop solution for PTE candidates, through integration with the right financial, legal and travel service providers, each one of them offering additional benefits for PTE test takers.

Beyond PTE offers include:

Trip.com – Flight discount up to MYR40 or SGD15, 20% UK railcard off, up to GBP7, 5 % OFF UK & EU train and bus ticketMalaysia Airlines – Join MH Explorer program to access up to 30% flight discount and free baggage up to 45kgCasita.com – Student accommodation cashback up to GBP150/AUD250/USD200 for PTE test takers

PTE Director Asia, Matthew Lampkin said: “By launching the Beyond PTE cooperation program, we aim to provide multi-dimensional services and all-round support for candidates studying abroad. Pearson is committed to meeting growing demand, with new centres opened this year in key locations, such as Hanoi, Vietnam, Jakarta, Indonesia and Vientiane, Laos providing greater access and convenience for our test takers.”

New Insights from 2024 Testing

The lates insights from the millions of PTE tests taken around the world in 20204 were also released at the Summit including:

Demographics Comparison:Gender Distribution: Southeast Asia, Japan, and Korea: Female (59.6%), Male (40.4%); Global: Female (50.1%), Male (49.9%)Higher female participation in Southeast Asia, Japan, and Korea is encouraging in the region, compared to the near-equal global gender split.Average Age: Both regions show a broad age involvement from 16 to 73 years, demonstrating comprehensive demographic coverage for English proficiency.Nationalities: Southeast Asia, Japan, and Korea: 89 nationalities (leading nationality: Filipino); Global: 180 nationalities (leading nationality: Indian)This reflects the regional diversity while highlighting different leading nationalities.First Languages: Southeast Asia, Japan, and Korea: PTE test takers spoke 90 different first languages, with the most common being Tagalog; Global: Most common first language is Mandarin.Testing Locations Comparison The top five testing locations in Southeast Asia, Japan, and Korea include key cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Makati City, Seoul, and Singapore underscoring PTE’s broad geographical reach.Purpose and DestinationsPurpose for Taking PTE: Southeast Asia, Japan, and Korea: Work/Migration (52.5%), Study (31.4%); Global: Similar distribution, focusing on work, migration, and study applications.Top Destinations: Both regions show a high preference for Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom, reflecting consistent global aspirations.Levels and Programs of StudyLevels of Study:The top two levels of study in the region are: Undergraduate degree (32.8%), and Postgraduate/Master’s degree (24.8%)Programs of Study:The top three study areas for the region are: Business and Management (18.2%), Health (17.6%), Tourism and Hospitality Management (11.6%)Occupational InterestsTop Occupations: Health and Social Services (29.8%), Technical and Scientific (7.7%), and globally the top occupations are: construction, education, banking, and finance globally.Information ChannelsPrimary Sources of Information: Friend or family (29.4%), Internet search (19.7%) and Australian Department of Home Affairs (13.6%), Friend or Family being top primary source of information underlying the strong word of mouth and willingness to recommend among PTE test takers.

About PTE

PTE is committed to providing fast, reliable, and accurate English language testing. With over 500 test centers in 118 countries, PTE supports educational, migration, and professional ambitions worldwide. By combining human expertise with advanced AI, PTE offers a fair and highly accurate English language test, recognized by governments, organizations, and universities globally. The test is available for all visa types in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, and is recognized by over 3,500 universities worldwide. In 2024, PTE achieved significant global success, including launching PTE Core for Canadian visa applications and gaining recognition in the Netherlands and the US. Over 2,000 US universities now recognize PTE, including Princeton University and MIT.

About Pearson

At Pearson, our purpose is simple: to add life to a lifetime of learning. We believe that every learning opportunity is a chance for a personal breakthrough. That is why our over 20,000 Pearson employees are committed to creating vibrant and enriching learning experiences designed for real-life impact. We are the world’s leading learning company, serving customers in nearly 200 countries with digital content, assessments, qualifications, and data. For us, learning is not just what we do. It’s who we are. Visit us at pearsonplc.com. 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/pearson-launches-beyond-pte-at-southeast-asia-partner-summit-302333184.html

SOURCE Pearson

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Technology

Live Good: A Journey of Courage, Education and Purpose

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Live Good is the realization of one individual’s inspiring vision to create something meaningful to share with the world.

IRVINE, Calif., Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Founded on the principles of time, education and a sense of purpose, Live Good aspires to empower individuals through access to transformative learning opportunities.

“When I finally found the courage to create Live Good, I wanted it to embody the values and principles that I find meaningful,” said Jennifer Chi, founder of Live Good. “To me, the most precious resource in life is time. The time you spend can never be reclaimed. If I was going to spend all this time and energy on something, it had to be something I deeply believed in.”

The second cornerstone of Live Good is education. Drawing from personal experiences, Jennifer emphasizes education as a life-changing force. Books became vital growing up, opening windows to new perspectives and worlds. “My favorite book as a child was Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder,” Jennifer shared. “It may have been a simple book about a girl living in the 1800s learning how to cook and do chores to help her family, but now I understand how incredible it was that a little girl living back then even knew how to read and write. She had the foresight to understand that writing about her life on the prairie, however simple it seemed, might be of some importance in the future. And she had the courage to publish her own words.”

Recognizing the transformative power of education and the impact of mentorship, Live Good prioritizes access to education as a central mission. “My love for reading and curiosity for learning became a lifeline,” Jennifer added. “I was blessed with teachers who saw potential in a very quiet and shy little girl. Live Good is my way of giving others the same opportunities that once gave me a little spark inside and a pathway forward.”

Through innovative programs and partnerships, Live Good aims to make education accessible and foster growth and resilience. It’s more than an initiative—it’s a testament to the belief that every moment spent on meaningful endeavors can ripple out to create a brighter future for others.

Live Good proudly aligns with educational models, such as Capstone Programs in the University of California (UC) school system. These programs serve as a bridge between academic learning and real-world application, embodying the mission of Live Good by fostering life-changing learning experiences.

Other educational initiatives focus on collaborating with Women in Information and Computer Sciences within the UC system to create programs that empower women through high-tech training. Additionally, Live Good offers a mentorship program for at-risk youth from schools spanning San Francisco to Southern California to foster college admission and equip students with the skills they need to realize their dreams.

For more information about Live Good Inc, and to sign up for their newsletter, visit Live Good Inc. Follow on Instagram, Facebook and Threads.

Contact:
Adrienne Johnson
***@gmail.com

Photos:
https://www.prlog.org/13053993

Press release distributed by PRLog

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/live-good-a-journey-of-courage-education-and-purpose-302338750.html

SOURCE Live Good Inc.

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Town of Ault joins the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System

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The Town of Ault announced it has joined the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System and will be publishing and distributing upcoming bid opportunities on the system.

AULT, Colo., Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The Town of Ault announced it has joined the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System and will be publishing and distributing upcoming bid opportunities on the system. Bidnet Direct by SOVRA’s Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System connects over 450 participating agencies from across Colorado and Wyoming. The purchasing group provides a transparent bid process through which the bid is available to all vendors at the same time. The Town of Ault invites all potential vendors to register online at http://www.bidnetdirect.com/colorado/townofault.

“Registered vendors can access bids, related documents, addendum and award information.”

The Town of Ault joined the purchasing group in December 2024. The Town of Ault will utilize the system to streamline their purchasing process including bid distribution, bid management, and vendor relations. The Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System is a single, online location for managing sourcing information and activities and provides 456 local government agencies the tools needed to have a transparent bid process while minimizing costs and saving time.

“The Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System allows us to establish and maintain a system of transparency for not only the agency but the vendors who would like to do business with us. All the information we have regarding the bid, addenda, and awards, along with Q&A’s is available to all with just one click of the mouse. By fostering a more transparent environment, it allows for more public participation and collaboration and holds our agency accountable for all that we do during the bid process,” stated Sharon Sullivan, Town Administrator of the Town of Ault.

As a participating agency of the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System, it allows the Town of Ault to expand their vendor pool and enhance vendor competition without increasing distribution costs. To be added to the existing list of vendors on the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System, any suppliers looking to do business with the Town of Ault can register online: http://www.bidnetdirect.com/colorado/townofault. The Town of Ault encourages all interested bidders to register today.

Registered vendors can access open bids, related documents, and files, additional addendum, and available award information from all participating agencies. In addition, the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System offers a value-added service to notify vendors of new bids targeted to their business, including all addenda and advance notification of expiring term contracts.

With one click, the Town of Ault can now see how many vendors match a specific opportunity, how many have downloaded documents, responded and more. The Town of Ault also has its own, branded page on the public side of the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System in which taxpayers can view all closed bids and any awarded information.

Vendors may register on the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System: http://www.bidnetdirect.com/colorado/townofault. Bidnet Direct’s vendor support team is available to answer any questions regarding the registration process or the bid system at 800-835-4603 option 2.

Other local Colorado and Wyoming government agencies looking to switch from a manual bid process, please contact the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System for a demonstration of the no-cost sourcing solution.

About the Town of Ault:

Ault is a statutory town located in Weld County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 1,887 at the 2020 United States Census. Ault is a part of the Greeley, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Front Range Urban Corridor.

About SOVRA:

SOVRA is a leading source-to-contract solution that connects regional purchasing groups, including the Rocky Mountain E-Purchasing System, across all 50 states, supporting local governments in streamlining their procurement processes. With a focus on transparency and efficiency, SOVRA empowers government agencies to enhance their purchasing activities. Learn more about how we help build stronger communities and economies by maximizing the value of every dollar spent. Visit https://sovra.com.

Media Contact

Bertrand Guignat, Bidnet Direct, 800-835-4603, bertrand.guignat@mdfcommerce.com, www.bidnetdirect.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/town-of-ault-joins-the-rocky-mountain-e-purchasing-system-302337048.html

SOURCE Bidnet Direct

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2025 Will See Increased QR Code Payments but Payment Card IC ASPs Will Not Return to Pre-Covid Levels

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ABI Research’s 5th annual Trend Report identifies the key Digital Payment Technologies trend that will come to fruition —and the 1 that won’t—in 2025

NEW YORK, Dec. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — As 2025 kicks off, predictions abound on the technology innovations expected in the year ahead. In its new whitepaper, 101 Technology Trends That Will—and Won’t—Shape 2025, analysts from global technology intelligence firm ABI Research. ABI Research analysts identify 54 trends that will shape the technology market and 47 others that, although attracting vast amounts of speculation and commentary, are less likely to move the needle over the next twelve months. In the Digital Payment Technologies space, 2025 will see increased QR code payment acceptance but little growth for payment card IC ASPs.

“2024 has been marked by challenges, from global conflicts and inflationary pressures to political uncertainty. These factors have strained enterprise and consumer spending, leading to market inertia, short-term technology investments, sidelined capital, and the exposure of vulnerable suppliers,” says Stuart Carlaw, Chief Research Officer at ABI Research. “From a technology perspective, many industries and end markets are in that awkward stage of technology adoption where they are formulating implementation strategies, assessing solutions and partners, and trying to see if they have the resources needed to roll out solutions at scale. This is a particularly sensitive time, which tends to suggest 2025 will have tech implementers and end users on the brink of a period of a massive technology shift as they work through these issues.”

What Will Happen in 2025:

QR code payment acceptance will continue to increase with use cases expanding
Although QR code payment acceptance is prevalent in countries such as China and growing in emerging digital payment markets, including in India, use cases and potential growth areas are not limited to these countries. Significant and continued investments by vendors, including PayPal, Stripe, and SumUp, are setting the foundation for increased adoption in other mature and established economies with use cases expanding. Although QR codes are already being used by many Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and pop-up retail businesses, 2025 will mark the year when the technology begins to shift from one niche to partial mainstream.

What Won’t Happen in 2025:

Payment card IC ASPs will not return to pre-COVID-19 levels
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, chipset pricing has been on a continual rise, driven by increased pricing in myriad manufacturing areas, including energy, raw material, transit pricing, and inflation, driving up wages. The chip shortage further compounded this, and according to ABI Research, the Average Selling Price (ASP) for a payment card Integrated Circuit (IC) increased by approximately +30% between 2020 and 2023. However, despite pricing pressures returning, the cost of payment ICs is some years away from matching pre-COVID-19 levels. Although 2025 will mark another year of pricing deprecation, it will not be until around 2028 when pricing is expected to drop to levels similar to those achieved in 2019 steadily.

For more trends that will and won’t happen in 2025, download the whitepaper, 101 Technology Trends That Will—and Won’t—Shape 2025.

About ABI Research

ABI Research is a global technology intelligence firm uniquely positioned at the intersection of technology solution providers and end-market companies. We serve as the bridge that seamlessly connects these two segments by providing exclusive research and expert guidance to drive successful technology implementations and deliver strategies proven to attract and retain customers.

ABI Research是一家全球性的技术情报公司,拥有得天独厚的优势,充当终端市场公司和技术解决方案提供商之间的桥梁,通过提供独家研究和专业性指导,推动成功的技术实施和提供经证明可吸引和留住客户的战略,无缝连接这两大主体。

For more information about ABI Research’s services, contact us at +1.516.624.2500 in the Americas, +44.203.326.0140 in Europe, +65.6592.0290 in Asia-Pacific, or visit www.abiresearch.com.

Contact Info: 

Global                                                             
Deborah Petrara                                                           
Tel: +1.516.624.2558                                                   
pr@abiresearch.com     

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SOURCE ABI Research

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