Latest news with #IDCA
Indian Express
3 days ago
- General
- Indian Express
Dr Cyrus Poonawalla flags concern about limited donor support for hearing-impaired children, rape survivors
Serum Institute of India (SII) Chairman Dr Cyrus S Poonawalla Monday made a strong case for supporting hearing-impaired and underprivileged children, and survivors of sexual violence. 'These causes often receive limited donor support, particularly those involving the hearing-impaired and rape survivors,' he said during the inauguration of the new building of the Indian Red Cross Society's Dr Cyrus Poonawalla School for Hearing Impaired at Lullanagar in Pune. Set up in 1976, Dr Cyrus S Poonawalla School for Hearing Impaired Monday relocated to a spacious new campus that includes state-of-the-art infrastructure and modern amenities. The Villoo Poonawalla Foundation has been supporting the school since it was set up. According to the school authorities, a grant of approximately Rs 4 crore was given for the new building and other facilities. 'Providing better healthcare and support to children with special needs is a cause very close to my heart. I feel deeply gratified to inaugurate the new school that is dedicated to children with hearing impairments. This is in keeping with our philosophy at SII to effectively utilise our resources to provide the best preventive solutions to the population, including children. This new building, encompassing advanced infrastructure and modern facilities for the hearing-impaired children, is a step towards the same direction,' Dr Cyrus S Poonawalla said, assuring annual donations to ensure students have a better learning environment. He also spoke about championing the cause of the Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA). 'We are endorsing the IDCA. They have some remarkable achievements and won laurels at various competitions in Dubai, Australia, England, and others,' he added. The newly inaugurated school, spread across 30,000 sq ft is equipped with high-end technologies and designed in a manner to meet the unique needs of children with hearing impairments, offering a wide array of enhanced services and specialised support. The school operates under the leadership of Dr Vikram Phatak, Chairman of the Indian Red Cross Society, Pune, with Mabrin Nanavati serving as vice chairman, and Prof R V Kulkarni as secretary. The school is headed by Chairperson Dr Aparna Morris, with Mrunal Sarade as the principal. Dr Morris told The Indian Express that the school is committed to reaching the most underserved sections of society. 'Biannual outreach surveys are conducted in and around Pune, especially targeting children from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Once a child with hearing impairment is identified, the school initiates detailed counselling for the parents, encouraging them to enrol their child into an inclusive and nurturing learning environment,' Dr Morris added. Teachers are specially trained to work with hearing-impaired students, and they employ interactive boards, sign language, and structured speech therapy sessions. 'These approaches help children who cannot hear learn to identify sounds and gradually develop spoken language,' Dr Morris said. Students are trained in crafts, drawing, and sculpture using materials like plasticine, and innovative techniques such as vibration belts are used to teach classical dance forms like Kathak, helping students feel the rhythm they cannot hear. According to the authorities, the school also plans to expand its curriculum to include vocational training, aiming to equip students with practical skills that will empower them to become financially independent and self-sufficient. Anuradha Mascarenhas is a journalist with The Indian Express and is based in Pune. A senior editor, Anuradha writes on health, research developments in the field of science and environment and takes keen interest in covering women's issues. With a career spanning over 25 years, Anuradha has also led teams and often coordinated the edition. ... Read More
Mid East Info
08-07-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Khazna Data Centers Standardizes on International Data Center Authority (IDCA) for Global Excellence - Middle East Business News and Information
Khazna Data Centers has signed a strategic alliance with the International Data Center Authority IDCA, the world's leading digital economy think tank and the digital infrastructure standardization, certification and education authority for modern data centers, cloud infrastructure and artificial intelligence AI. Headquartered in Washington D.C., IDCA will review and analyze Khazna's operations with its globally recognized standards. This includes data center design, service delivery, cloud and AI deployments, and workforce development. 'IDCA's framework is an industry benchmark that reflects the full complexity of modern digital infrastructure, particularly in cloud and AI,' said Hassan Alnaqbi, CEO of Khazna. 'Our alignment to these standards is another step towards aligning with broader international benchmarks.' 'This strategic alliance between IDCA and Khazna will give Khazna's current and future clients the assurance that their data is being housed in facilities meeting the leading global standards and latest best practices,' said IDCA Chairman and CEO Mehdi Paryavi in making the announcement. 'Khazna plays such a critical role in the future of digital infrastructure for Cloud and AI, and its adoption of IDCA standards exhibits the company's commitment in making a global impact.' The certification process, which began on July 1, 2025, includes comprehensive audits of Khazna's infrastructure, operational protocols, and corporate systems. Dedicated teams from both organizations have already been mobilized to oversee the full compliance and certification program. 'As AI becomes a defining force in our industry, our partnership with IDCA underscores our commitment to building intelligent, efficient, and globally competitive data centers,' added Alnaqbi. Paryavi added: 'IDCA projects a growth of data center capacity from the current level of around 55GW to as much as 250 to 300GW by 2030. This massive explosion of demand requires leading emerging global players like Khazna, who are already delivering results at scale, to meet international benchmarks.' About Khazna Data Centers: As one of the fastest growing hyperscale data center platforms globally, Khazna Data Centers enables the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital economies by delivering advanced infrastructure with unparalleled energy efficiency. Khazna is at the forefront of data center technology, pioneering solutions that combine innovation, resiliency, and sustainability. Khazna empowers governments, businesses, and societies to thrive in the digital age with data centers that are designed to handle the high-density computing requirements essential for the next-generation, AI-powered applications powering the future economy. About IDCA: International Data Center Authority (IDCA) is the global bipartisan digital economy think tank that works with nations to create AI policies, Digital Hubs and Digital Economies through the standardization of the approach, selection, design, feasibility, operation, and various processes and methodologies of digital infrastructure and related processes and systems. The global IDCA team works with its partners and affiliates worldwide to achieve the optimum delivery of its advanced services locally and effectively at every project. IDCA is represented in more than 40 countries and active globally in North America, South America, Western Europe, Middle East, Eastern Europe, West Africa, North Africa, East Africa, Central, and South Africa, Southeast Asia, and Asia Pacific.
Tahawul Tech
08-07-2025
- Business
- Tahawul Tech
'Our partnership with IDCA underscores our commitment to building intelligent, efficient, and globally competitive data centers' – Hassan Alnaqbi, Khazna
Khazna Data Centers has signed a strategic alliance with the International Data Center Authority (IDCA), the world's leading digital economy think tank and the digital infrastructure standardization, certification and education authority for modern data centers, cloud infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI). Headquartered in Washington D.C., IDCA will review and analyze Khazna's operations with its globally recognized standards. This includes data center design, service delivery, cloud and AI deployments, and workforce development. 'IDCA's framework is an industry benchmark that reflects the full complexity of modern digital infrastructure, particularly in cloud and AI,' said Hassan Alnaqbi, CEO of Khazna. 'Our alignment to these standards is another step towards aligning with broader international benchmarks.' 'This strategic alliance between IDCA and Khazna will give Khazna's current and future clients the assurance that their data is being housed in facilities meeting the leading global standards and latest best practices,' said IDCA Chairman and CEO Mehdi Paryavi in making the announcement. 'Khazna plays such a critical role in the future of digital infrastructure for Cloud and AI, and its adoption of IDCA standards exhibits the company's commitment in making a global impact.' The certification process, which began on July 1, 2025, includes comprehensive audits of Khazna's infrastructure, operational protocols, and corporate systems. Dedicated teams from both organizations have already been mobilized to oversee the full compliance and certification program. 'As AI becomes a defining force in our industry, our partnership with IDCA underscores our commitment to building intelligent, efficient, and globally competitive data centers,' added Alnaqbi. Paryavi added: 'IDCA projects a growth of data center capacity from the current level of around 55GW to as much as 250 to 300GW by 2030. This massive explosion of demand requires leading emerging global players like Khazna, who are already delivering results at scale, to meet international benchmarks.'
Zawya
08-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Khazna Data Centers standardizes on International Data Center Authority for Global Excellence
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Khazna Data Centers has signed a strategic alliance with the International Data Center Authority (IDCA), the world's leading digital economy think tank and the digital infrastructure standardization, certification and education authority for modern data centers, cloud infrastructure and artificial intelligence (AI). Headquartered in Washington D.C., IDCA will review and analyze Khazna's operations with its globally recognized standards. This includes data center design, service delivery, cloud and AI deployments, and workforce development. 'IDCA's framework is an industry benchmark that reflects the full complexity of modern digital infrastructure, particularly in cloud and AI,' said Hassan Alnaqbi, CEO of Khazna. 'Our alignment to these standards is another step towards aligning with broader international benchmarks.' 'This strategic alliance between IDCA and Khazna will give Khazna's current and future clients the assurance that their data is being housed in facilities meeting the leading global standards and latest best practices,' said IDCA Chairman and CEO Mehdi Paryavi in making the announcement. 'Khazna plays such a critical role in the future of digital infrastructure for Cloud and AI, and its adoption of IDCA standards exhibits the company's commitment in making a global impact.' The certification process, which began on July 1, 2025, includes comprehensive audits of Khazna's infrastructure, operational protocols, and corporate systems. Dedicated teams from both organizations have already been mobilized to oversee the full compliance and certification program. 'As AI becomes a defining force in our industry, our partnership with IDCA underscores our commitment to building intelligent, efficient, and globally competitive data centers,' added Alnaqbi. Paryavi added: 'IDCA projects a growth of data center capacity from the current level of around 55GW to as much as 250 to 300GW by 2030. This massive explosion of demand requires leading emerging global players like Khazna, who are already delivering results at scale, to meet international benchmarks.' About Khazna Data Centers As one of the fastest growing hyperscale data center platforms globally, Khazna Data Centers enables the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital economies by delivering advanced infrastructure with unparalleled energy efficiency. Khazna is at the forefront of data center technology, pioneering solutions that combine innovation, resiliency, and sustainability. Khazna empowers governments, businesses, and societies to thrive in the digital age with data centers that are designed to handle the high-density computing requirements essential for the next-generation, AI-powered applications powering the future economy. About IDCA International Data Center Authority (IDCA) is the global bipartisan digital economy think tank that works with nations to create AI policies, Digital Hubs and Digital Economies through the standardization of the approach, selection, design, feasibility, operation, and various processes and methodologies of digital infrastructure and related processes and systems. The global IDCA team works with its partners and affiliates worldwide to achieve the optimum delivery of its advanced services locally and effectively at every project. IDCA is represented in more than 40 countries and active globally in North America, South America, Western Europe, Middle East, Eastern Europe, West Africa, North Africa, East Africa, Central, and South Africa, Southeast Asia, and Asia Pacific.
Fast Company
06-06-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
The U.S. touts its digital dominance—but it lags behind many other countries
The United States has a well-developed digital economy, encompassing about 18% of its total economy, according to several sources and research from the International Data Center Authority (IDCA). This is above the world average of 15%. But the U.S. can always do better. The IDCA defines a digital economy as representing all economic activities that are reliant on or significantly enhanced by the use of digital technologies, including digital infrastructure, AI, and digital services. Having worked with hundreds of public data sources and its own surveys to create its Digital Readiness of Nations Index, the IDCA's Global Digital Economy Report (2025) is a unique deep dive into the current development of the world's digital economies. Digging Into Digital Economy Data This Index places the digital economies of the nations of the world into four categories: Phase III (Advanced), Phase II (Significantly Developed), Phase I (Early-Stage), and a Pre-Phase. It examines all the data sets across four broad categories—economy, environment, social, and governance—to rank the nations on a scale of 0 to 100. The Index considers relative progress, that is, how well each nation has developed its digital economy with respect to its economic resources and social development. Doing this shows only six nations that are currently in an advanced, Phase III stage of development. Surprisingly enough, despite its economic size and potential, the United States is not one of them. In fact, none of the world's G7 or even G20 nations have reached this advanced status, either. Today, Phase III has been accomplished only by the small nations of Scandinavia, Finland, and Switzerland. An aggressive commitment to the use of sustainable energy, relative income parity, and strong government institutions are all characteristics of this group. The U.S. Is Not the Exemplar So far the largest nations of the world, including the United States, have not been able to match these smaller countries. The U.S. and its G7 cohort are instead ensconced among a group of a few dozen nations within the Phase II group, all of which show significantly developed digital economies. Digging into the data finds that within this group, the U.S. lags Canada, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea and the U.K. in its commitment to sustainable energy, income parity, and strong government institutions. Expanding the focus to the G20 group of nations finds more diffuse progress. Because membership in the G20 club is simply based on the size of a nation's overall economy, not its relative development or wealth, there are several still-developing nations in the G20, including Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, and South Africa. There are also the troubled economies of Argentina and Russia in this group. All the nations cited here are in Phase I, still at an early stage of their digital economies. It must be noted, though, that Brazil, China, and to some degree India, continue to make considerable progress toward fully developed economies and a higher stage of digital economy development. So despite leading the world in the size of its overall economy and digital economy, having reached its status on the back of compounded historic economic dominance, the U.S. is not truly an exemplar for the world. What can the nation do to improve its standing? Create a national strategy and policies American business and government leaders pride themselves on how the U.S. has long been the world's capital of innovation and IT development without the 'help' of national strategies or focused policies. But ad hoc development on the scale envisioned for the AI age will end up being more chaotic—and less effective—than necessary. The U.S. does not need to reach EU levels of regulation and enforcement, but its federal government can do more to meet today's 'Sputnik challenge,' or watch China and the EU run away with leadership of AI and digital economies. Build more sustainable energy Renewable energy delivers 20.3% of the electricity consumed within the United States, below the world average of 30%. Nuclear energy adds another 18.2% to the U.S. grid, which technically brings it close to the world average for sustainable energy. But this is not good enough. The U.S. remains the world's second-largest producer of greenhouse gases and lacks a true commitment to sustainable energy progress. Focus on workforce development Even though the U.S. has the world's largest IT-skilled workforce, it needs to upskill and retrain millions of people to prepare for the skills demanded by the continued growth of AI development and AI-driven data centers. The IDCA's own report recently found a workforce deficit of over 100 million IT workers globally. There are already several hundred billion dollars' worth of large, advanced AI data centers being planned in the U.S., but without a workforce adequate to the challenge, these new facilities will be underused and mismanaged. Tapping into a holistic and dynamic set of professional training programs is key here. Ensure smart buildouts More than 40% of the world's data centers are located in the U.S., and projections show that this dominance will continue. But it will be a grave mistake to build data centers along the same old, general purpose, inefficient lines. The new data centers, whether a small 10-megawatt building or sprawling gigawatt-sized campus, must all be built to suit, with the most efficient energy management and computational efficiency available. Developers must not only be smart about building them but also focus on 'smart' environments that support more robotic manufacturing, autonomous transportation, sensor-driven energy management, and AI-driven services to businesses and consumers. A high bar In summary, it would be unfair to say that the U.S. significantly lags the G7, or any other group of nations, in the development of its digital economy. The situation is not dire, and the U.S. has not already given away the game. In fact, we see an influx of announcements for data centers and AI investments committing to the U.S. economy. However, due to its sheer size and potential, what might be great for some countries is considered poorly accomplished by our benchmark. The world's largest economic power needs to judge itself solely by the standards of what it can accomplish, comparisons be damned. U.S. government and business leaders must work much harder to deliver on the nation's potential.
