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The Herald Scotland
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Did the government forget to 'island-proof' the ferry fund?
The compensation pot, which opened for applications on Tuesday, offers grants of between £3,000 and £35,000 to firms on South Uist, Colonsay, North Uist, Eriskay, Benbecula, Berneray, Grimsay and Arran. Mull, Iona, Coll, Tiree, Islay and others who've seen serious disruption get nothing. To qualify, the islands had to have suffered from over 15% ferry service cancellations across three seasons — far above the 7% CalMac network average. That's left businesses — and campaigners like Joe Reade from the Mull and Iona Ferry Committee — fuming. Although they don't reach the threshold set out by the government, he says his community is still experiencing a 22% cut in ferry capacity this summer. They've already lost around 7,000 passenger visits — a clear blow to a local economy reliant on tourism. But because these are classed as capacity cuts rather than cancellations, they're ignored by the fund's formula. As Reade puts it, it's 'astonishing and bemusing' that ministers have chosen such a narrow and 'arbitrary' way to measure hardship. It also, he believes, breaks the law. READ MORE FROM UNSPUN Passed with cross-party support, the Islands (Scotland) Act 2018 was meant to ensure that the specific needs of Scotland's island communities were not just recognised, but respected in law. It places a clear duty on public bodies — including Scottish ministers — to 'have regard to island communities' when exercising their functions. In other words: island-proof your policy. Part 3 of the Act says the government must carry out an Island Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA) when a policy is 'likely to have an effect on an island community which is significantly different from its effect on other communities (including other island communities).' The ferry support fund clearly triggers that requirement. It's a policy about islands, aimed specifically at businesses on islands, that offers money to some and excludes others. Reade says there's a wider issue here around the Islands Act. 'It is routinely ignored by governments at all levels, or just paid lip-service,' he tells me. Herald readers will be familiar with my colleague James McEnaney's reporting on the row over the new school on Mull. A petition for a Judicial Review has been lodged with the Court of Session in Edinburgh in an attempt to reverse Argyll and Bute Council's decision to build the school in Tobermory — a move that means kids from the south of Mull remain excluded from the only high school on their island. 'The ICIA the council were supposed to undertake was done far too late and without proper consultation,' Reade says. The Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP), the central government funding scheme paying for the school, has also not been assessed against the Act. Technically, that's because it pre-dates the law — although it was announced a year after the Act passed. 'Scottish Government certainly had a moral obligation to 'island-proof' the LEIP programme,' Reade argues. 'But they did not.' There's scant information about the IBRF. The first many island businesses heard about it was when journalists got in touch for comment on the Scottish Government's press release. The Islands Act was supposed to be ground-breaking and promised meaningful change — but for many islanders, that promise remains unfulfilled.
Fashion Value Chain
01-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
Sun Pharma, Mankind, Cipla Lead Recruitments at SGT University's Mega Job Fest: PharmaPICK 2.0
SGT University, Gurugram, a NAAC A+ accredited institution renowned for its industry-aligned academics and placement-focused initiatives, successfully hosted PharmaPICK 2.0, A Mega Job Fest 2025, at its vibrant campus. The event was spearheaded by the SGT College of Pharmacy in collaboration with the Industry Collaborations & Internship Affairs (ICIA) Cell. SGT University officials with HR heads from leading pharma companies during the Pharmacy Placement Drive 'PharmaPICK 2.0' This high-impact job fest witnessed the enthusiastic participation of 450+ students from both B. Pharmacy and M. Pharm programs across various pharmacy departments. Notably, it drew students from more than 20 institutions across India, including Jamia Hamdard, DIPSAR, GLA University, PDM University, PGIMS Rohtak, and IES University Bhopal, making the event a truly collaborative academic-industry interface. The event brought together more than 30 pharmaceutical and healthcare companies, including top pharma giants like Cipla, Sun Pharma, Mankind, Akums, Jubilant Biosys, Apollo Pharmacy, and others. These organizations offered a wide spectrum of placement and internship opportunities in areas such as production, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, marketing, and clinical research. Speaking about the significance of the event, Prof. (Dr.) Vinod Kumar Gauttam, Dean, SGT College of Pharmacy, said, 'We aim to develop industry-ready professionals who are not only prepared for the future but also highly sought after by top companies.' 'Students should prioritize their goals and purpose over merely earning a degree,' said Prof. (Dr.) Vijay Bhalla, Dean, ICIA. Prof. (Dr.) Atul Kumar Nasa, Pro Vice Chancellor, opened by saying that pharmacy is one of the best professions and there are ample opportunities in various sectors like the pharmaceutical industry, research and development, hospital pharmacy, community pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, regulations, quality control, quality assurance, marketing, academics, etc. He accordingly advised all the students to choose a perfect career option and 'work with dedication, resilience, and positivity, and you will reach the pinnacle of your career.' Prof. (Dr.) Hemant Verma, Vice Chancellor, SGT University, stated, 'PharmaPICK 2.0 is not just a placement drive but a landmark initiative where we empower our own students and extend the opportunity to aspiring pharmacists from across the nation. Through this, we are laying the foundation for a legacy rooted in collaboration, inclusivity, and academic leadership.' The drive was led under the visionary leadership of Prof. (Dr.) Nasa and Prof. (Dr.) Bhalla, while Prof. (Dr.) Sushma Chaturvedi, Associate Dean, and Prof. (Dr.) Sonal Setya, Advisor, played pivotal roles in the planning and execution of the event. PharmaPICK 2.0 not only served as a gateway to employment but also facilitated career guidance, networking, and skill-based interactions between students and industry professionals. By creating such platforms, SGT University continues to fulfill its commitment to holistic student development, industry engagement, and professional empowerment. About SGT University: Nurturing Future Leaders in Gurugram Through Excellence in Education Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tricentenary University (SGT University), Gurugram, is one of the leading multidisciplinary institutions in Delhi-NCR, accredited with an A+ grade by NAAC. With over 200 programs across diverse fields such as Pharmacy, Engineering, Health Sciences, Law, Design, and Management, SGT University is committed to academic excellence, industry alignment, and research innovation. It houses advanced research labs, Centres of Excellence, and government-recognised incubation centres. With more than 600 patents, more than 10,000 research publications, and more than 100 collaborations with top organisations, SGT University is a catalyst for transformative learning, entrepreneurship, and career-ready talent for a global future. For more infromation, please visit:
Forbes
21-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
More Indigenous Tribes Are Launching Cannabis Markets
ICIA and Vicente LLP recently released their map of cannabis and hemp activity among Tribal ... More communities. About one in four indigenous Tribes in the U.S. have active cannabis or hemp programs, according to a newly-released map from the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA) and law firm Vicente LLP. Washington has the highest concentration of indigenous cannabis programs. Minnesota, Nevada and California also have high concentrations, showing that Tribal nations are increasingly partaking in growing legal weed and hemp markets. Due to their sovereign status, Tribal cannabis dispensaries can get around local prohibitions, though for the most part, those dispensaries operate in states that already allows legal weed. About 26% of the 574 federally recognized sovereign indigenous communities have cannabis or hemp businesses operating in them, including 52 Tribal communities operate federally approved hemp cultivation programs. ICIA and Vicente developed their map using research and interviews with Tribal leaders, in order to assess the health of the emerging indigenous cannabis industry. 'This research project will highlight the thoughtful work that has gone into these sovereign regulatory programs as well as how these businesses affect local employment and revenue for community services,' said ICIA founder Rob Pero. 'Together, we hope to inform, inspire and empower other Indigenous communities considering cannabis as well as policy makers around the world.' The federal government's practice of allowing Tribal communities to make their own laws has made it easier to open a retail pot shop. The Department of Justice's 2014 Wilkinson Memo affirmed that the agency would deprioritize enforcing federal cannabis violations on Tribal land. 'The United States Attorneys recognize that effective federal law enforcement in Indian Country, including marijuana enforcement, requires consultation with our Tribal partners in the districts and flexibility to confront the particular, yet sometimes divergent, public safety issues that can exist on any single reservation,' said the memo, which was written by DOJ Director Monty Wilkinson. Most of the indigenous communities with their own cannabis programs are geographically located within states that also have legal adult-use programs, such as New York, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, California and Washington. 'Indigenous cannabis programs are a vital piece of America's cannabis movement,' said Andrew Livingston, Director of Economics and Market Analysis at Vicente LLP. 'And these businesses deserve recognition. The goal of our study is to provide information on how different Indigenous communities have established their regulated cannabis programs, the size of the economic opportunity, and the ways that regulating cannabis can be structured in the future to further the goals of each community.' For some indigenous communities, cannabis provides a way to generate wealth that is less reliant on federal aid, whose availability is becoming more precarious under the Trump Administration. "One of the primary reasons the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association was founded was to explore and implement self-reliant economic revenue streams that ensure financial sovereignty for our people – outside of gaming where applicable, but more importantly, outside of reliance on federal funding," said Pero in a released statement in response to possible federal fund freezes from the Trump Administration in February. 'The abrupt nature of this directive underscores the urgent need for tribes to strengthen their own financial security by investing in emerging industries where we hold unique advantages and have the potential to build thriving, self-sustaining economies.' The Squaxin Island Tribe opened the first state-recognized Tribal cannabis business in the country in November, 2015. The new store, which was opened in Washington, was just one of many offering cannabis in the state three years after voter legalized it. Although it can easier for cannabis businesses to launch on Tribal land when the surrounding state recognizes legal weed, there is certainly demand for access to cannabis in states where it remains illegal. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians opened, the Great Smoky Cannabis Company. the first medical cannabis dispensary in North Carolina a little over a year ago on 4/20 2024. The dispensary expanded to adult-use in August. Other times, indigenous cannabis companies would spring up after a state voted to legalize, but before that state finalized the regulations to govern the upcoming cannabis market. For example, the St. Regis Mohawk reservation, which straddles the border between upstate New York and Canada across the Lawrence River, exploded with pot shops shortly after New York legalized in the summer of 2022. Business owners on the reservation had the added benefit of being able to transport cannabis, sometimes on boat across the river, from the Canadian-side of the Tribal land. Similarly, the White Earth Nation in Minnesota made an early move into cannabis shortly after the state legalized adult-use. Minnesota is currently preparing to hold its first license lottery with the hope of launching its own adult-use market before the end of the year. In the meantime, White Earth Nation will be among those getting the first shot at Minnesota customers as they are taking advantage of a deal with the state government allowing tribes to operate up to five dispensaries outside of Tribal land.
Forbes
21-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Map Shows One In Four Continental U.S. Tribes Work In Cannabis Or Hemp
The Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA) released the first-ever map of Tribal cannabis and hemp programs, completed in collaboration with Vicente LLP. The map shops the true extent of involvement that federally recognized Tribes have carved out in the cannabis and hemp industries. According to the announcement, 52 Tribal communities currently run federally approved hemp cultivation operations. Of the 574 federally recognized Indigenous communities nationwide—358 of which are in the continental United States—approximately 26% are involved in cannabis or hemp programs. The first regulated Indigenous cannabis retail operation opened in Washington state in 2010. Rob Pero, otherwise known as Bad River Ojibwe, is founder of Canndigenous, the first independent Indigenous-owned hemp company in Wisconsin, as well as the founder of the ICIA. 'Industries like cannabis and hemp offer unique advantages for tribes, including regulatory sovereignty, geographic benefits, and cultural expertise,' Pero told Forbes last February. In 2022, Canndigenous, operating under the 2018 Farm Bill, became the first Indigenous-owned entity to receive a USDA Climate-Smart Commodities grant, worth $15 million. "By collaborating on cultivation, processing, distribution, and market access, tribes can create a self-reinforcing economic network that benefits all Indigenous nations, regardless of where they are in their cannabis or hemp development," Pero said. "Those who have already established successful operations can mentor and support those just beginning, ensuring that no tribe is left behind as these industries grow. This is not just about individual success—it's about collective economic sovereignty and reinforcing tribal self-determination for generations to come.' The ICIA and Vicente LLP's new map indicates the ongoing progress across Indigenous communities in the U.S. According to the map, locations of Indigenous cannabis programs are in blue and hemp programs in red. Federally approved Native American reservations are in green. Clusters of programs on the map indicate Indigenous-led enterprises that are developing successful supply chains and distribution networks. The goal of the new map is to indicate the size of their economic opportunities. 'Indigenous cannabis programs are a vital piece of America's cannabis movement,' said Andrew Livingston, Director of Economics and Market Analysis at Vicente LLP. 'And these businesses deserve recognition. The goal of our study is to provide information on how different Indigenous communities have established their regulated cannabis programs, the size of the economic opportunity, and the ways that regulating cannabis can be structured in the future to further the goals of each community.' Denver-based Vicente LLP was formerly called Vicente Sederberg, representing clients in the cannabis and psychedelics industries. The team works tirelessly on state and local cannabis policy reform. Tribal communities in the U.S. possess a form of sovereignty, providing ways to establish their own cannabis laws. In some cases, they operate in conflict with state law in surrounding areas, such as in North Carolina or South Dakota. 'This research project will highlight the thoughtful work that has gone into these sovereign regulatory programs as well as how these businesses affect local employment and revenue for community services,' Pero said in the press release. 'Together, we hope to inform, inspire and empower other Indigenous communities considering cannabis as well as policy makers around the world.' The ICIA recently wrapped up its 1st annual fundraising golf tournament at the Red Wolf Golf Club in Clarkston, Washington. Tribes across the continent are getting involved in hemp and cannabis, possessing the unique opportunity to establish their own regulations.
Daily Express
19-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Sabah tech firm wins award
Published on: Monday, May 19, 2025 Published on: Mon, May 19, 2025 Text Size: Chau (fourth from left) with ICIA Startup Exchange Grand Award. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah-based tech development company Einstronic Enterprise Sdn Bhd won the Grand Award at the 2025 International Creativity and Innovation Awards (ICIA) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The award-winning product, the SprouT MAKER: BOX Starter Kit, was locally researched and developed by Henry Chau. The company was founded by Law Chau. Advertisement The plug-and-play STEM education kit is designed for student learning, enabling hands-on experimentation with IoT and coding. Featuring modular design and visual programming, the kit offers a fun, interactive and practical approach to tech education, making it suitable for widespread classroom use. 'I never imagined that a simple learning kit we developed in Kota Kinabalu would make it to an international stage,' Chau said. 'This award does not just belong to me, it belongs to the entire team, our supporters and Sabah,' he said. Advertisement The ICIA is a global innovation platform jointly organised by Krya Global (Indonesia), UEH College of Technology and Design (Vietnam) and the National Startup Support Center (NSSC) of Vietnam. It is held in conjunction with the United Nations' World Creativity and Innovation Day, bringing together students, educators and startups from over 20 countries for showcases, innovation challenges and networking events. One of the key highlights is the Startup Exchange, which invited 30 international startups from 20 countries to pitch, exhibit and collaborate. Held from April 25 to 27, the event featured startups from fields such as health tech, sustainability, and education. Einstronic was among the selected teams and the only representative from Sabah. 'The atmosphere was vibrant and full of energy,' Chau recalled. 'Connecting with entrepreneurs, mentors and ecosystem leaders from different countries helped me realise Southeast Asia's potential and Sabah's role in it. "This success would not have been possible without the support of two local organisations: the Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (Scenic) and the Sabah Techpreneur Association (Sata),' he said. Scenic is a major force in developing Sabah's local startup ecosystem, offering funding access, startup training and international exposure. They helped Chau seize the opportunity and provided full support throughout his international journey. 'Chau's story proves that with the right ecosystem, Sabah entrepreneurs can thrive on the global stage,' said a Scenic representative. Sata, a community-led organisation made up of local tech entrepreneurs, played a vital role in connecting Einstronic with Krya Global and encouraging cross-border collaboration. Einstronic is a local R&D and electronic hardware supplier company headquartered in Kota Kinabalu, focused on innovation in technology and education. Their education initiative, Maker Nation, led by Stephen Chau, delivers programmes in IoT, robotics and 3D printing to schools and communities. With this prestigious award, the Einstronic team is preparing for its next phase of growth. The company has received an exclusive invitation to Techfest Vietnam 2025, one of Southeast Asia's leading innovation festivals. Looking ahead, the team plans to expand its regional partnerships, increase its educational impact and bring 'Made in Sabah' tech to the world. The award has already sparked international interest, with startup teams from Vietnam and Thailand expressing interest in collaborating with Einstronic. These early conversations suggest that the SprouT MAKER:BOX Starter Kit may soon reach a broader Southeast Asian audience and extend its educational impact beyond Malaysia. 'This is just the beginning. We have lit the spark, now it is time to build the fire,' Chau said. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
