Latest news with #Vision2025
Hans India
3 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
National Call to Action: Teen Launches Vision 2025 to Transform Accessibility for the Visually Impaired using AI
Bangalore, June 30, 2025: India's Accessibility Conversation Just Changed: Vision 2025 marked an important milestone in the pursuit of inclusive technology for the visually impaired. Conceived and led by 17-year-old innovator Ashwat Prasanna, the Bangalore-based summit brought together technologists, NGO leaders, educators, and disability advocates to confront a systemic gap: how can India empower millions of visually impaired children with tools that are affordable, scalable, and tailored for local context. Uniting a powerful cross-section of voices—ranging from blind education pioneers and national award winners to GenAI experts and nonprofit leaders working on the frontlines of disability inclusion, Vision 2025 witnessed key participants such as Ms. Madhu Singhal, founder of Mitra Jyothi and a veteran in disability rights; Dr. Rajdeep Manwani, a nationally awarded academic and motivational speaker who lost his sight at a young age; Shekhar Naik, Padma Shri awardee & former captain of India's blind cricket team; Mr. Arun Panayappan, Google Cloud's AI lead, who is leading efforts to bring next generation Gen AI for cloud and workspaces and leaders of various NGOs working with visually impaired children. Vision 2025 became a platform for dialogue, collaboration, and impact. The summit directly addressed the challenges of deploying assistive technology in India: language accessibility, integration with existing NGO programs, infrastructure gaps in rural schools, and the need for hyper-localized solutions. Rather than a conventional tech showcase, Ashwat, the brain & heart behind this event, designed a lineup that purposefully blended technical expertise with lived experience—ensuring that innovation stayed grounded in empathy, equity, and practical execution. It also fostered deeper dialogue among stakeholders and catalyzed action. A highlight of the event was the landmark launch of Ashwat's invention: the 'Eyesight' smart glasses. It marked the launch of Eyesight—an AI-powered smart-glass attachment developed by Ashwat Prasanna, a student at The International School Bangalore to support independent navigation and real-time scene understanding for visually impaired users. A year in development and co-designed with blind students in Karnataka, the device is currently in advanced prototype stage and is being field tested with real users. Eyesight retrofits onto standard eyewear, transforming it into an intelligent assistant capable of: ● Describing the visual environment in multiple languages using LLMs ● Reading text and explaining concepts described (e.g. textbooks) ● Providing haptic navigation guidance ● Identifying gestures, currency, and faces ● Issuing emergency alerts and proximity warnings ● Supporting Hindi, Kannada, Tamil & English ● Functioning affordably in low-resource school environments The solution drew strong interest from accessibility experts and school partners for its potential to solve everyday mobility, safety, and learning barriers—especially in underserved communities. Eyesight also received a $3,000 grant from the International Baccalaureate (IBO), recognizing its promise and real-world impact.
IOL News
25-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
SA makes history: First-ever green hydrogen qualifications approved
The development of these qualifications stems directly from CHIETA's Vision 2025, which was launched in 2021 and identified green hydrogen as a strategic focus area to drive South Africa's energy transition. Vision 2025 recognised the transformative potential of green hydrogen in powering inclusive industrial growth, supporting decarbonisation, and promoting sustainability. These programmes are the first of their kind in the country, developed to equip learners with critical technical and operational skills needed in the green hydrogen value chain from production and storage to transportation and technology innovation. On 30 April 2025, the QCTO formally approved three new National Qualifications Framework (NQF): Level 4 programmes: The Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority (CHIETA) is proud to announce the approval of South Africa's first-ever green hydrogen skills programmes by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). This marks a major leap forward in building the country's capacity for a sustainable and inclusive energy future. CEO of CHIETA, Yershen Pillay said the green hydrogen economy is not a distant dream, it is unfolding now 'Vision 2025 marked a turning point for CHIETA as we committed to leading skills development for the emerging green economy. This wasn't just about creating Qualifications, it was about future-proofing our workforce and ensuring no one is left behind in the energy transition,' said CHIETA CEO, Yershen Pillay. Following the strategic direction outlined in Vision 2025, CHIETA initiated the development of these programmes in close collaboration with industry leaders, training providers, technical experts, and government stakeholders. The result: three nationally recognised qualifications designed to meet the real demands of a fast-evolving green hydrogen sector. Why Green Hydrogen? Why Now? Green hydrogen produced through the electrolysis of water using renewable energy has emerged globally as a game-changing clean energy source. In South Africa, it is seen as a catalyst for industrial growth, export potential, and decarbonisation. South Africa's rich renewable energy resources and strong chemical industry base place it in a unique position to lead the continent's green hydrogen revolution. However, without the right skills in place, this opportunity could be lost. 'These programmes ensure we don't just talk about a just energy transition, we deliver it. We're building the technical pipeline needed to support a green economy, while opening up career opportunities for youth, artisans, and operators across multiple industries,' said Pillay. The three QCTO-approved qualifications will prepare learners for a range of roles in green hydrogen production, storage, transport, and technology. Learners will be equipped to: Operate and maintain hydrogen production and storage equipment Coordinate technical activities and logistics Monitor environmental impacts and performance of hydrogen technologies Understand safety, regulatory, and industry standards Graduates will be ready for roles such as operators, artisans, maintenance technicians, and logistics professional across energy, transport, manufacturing, and chemical sectors. With QCTO approval secured, Skills Development Providers (SDPs) can now apply for programme accreditation. Once accredited, SDPs can begin offering the programmes, with CHIETA providing strategic guidance and support. CHIETA is also embarking on a national awareness campaign to promote uptake, build training infrastructure, and ensure access across provinces. The goal: create a strong, inclusive workforce ready to support South Africa's green hydrogen ambitions. The green hydrogen economy is not a distant dream it is unfolding now. These CHIETA-led programmes represent a decisive step toward a cleaner, more equitable energy future, rooted in skills development, sector transformation, and national progress.
IOL News
14-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Vodacom nearly doubles customer base as African expansion fuels revenue surge
Looking ahead, Vodacom plans to integrate Vision 2030 into its operations, aiming for double-digit Ebitda growth. Vodacom has expanded its footprint across Africa as part of its Vision 2025 strategy, acquiring Vodafone Egypt and extending network connectivity into Ethiopia through a Safaricom-led consortium, CEO Shameel Joosub said in the group's annual report released on Friday. The move has helped Vodacom nearly double its customer base, from 115.5 million in 2020 to 211.3 million in 2025, including Safaricom. Revenue rose from R91 billion to R152.2 billion over the same period, while the company's profit and revenue profile increasingly reflects its broader, more diversified operations. To meet growing data demand, Vodacom invested R20.3 billion in network infrastructure during the 2025 financial year, down slightly from R20.4 billion the year before. Improved energy availability reduced the need for resilience investments, enabling the group to focus more on network expansion. Vodacom's 4G sites increased by 7.2% in 2025, bringing total network sites – including Safaricom – to nearly 48000, up from 31 000 in 2020. The company now ranks among Africa's largest tower owners. Smartphone penetration across the group reached 64% in 2025, including Safaricom customers, supporting Vodacom's broader digital inclusion efforts. The group also acquired a 5G licence in Egypt, adding to spectrum acquisitions in Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Tanzania in 2024, and in South Africa the year before. 'This, alongside our focus on handset financing, rural coverage and digital inclusion, unlocks growth opportunities beyond mobile,' Joosub said. Looking ahead, Vodacom plans to integrate Vision 2030 into its operations, aiming for double-digit Ebitda growth. The strategy will be driven by expanding fixed and mobile connectivity, deeper smartphone and data penetration, and acceleration of digital and financial services. 'Africa's strong population growth, urbanisation trends, a more favourable GDP outlook, and a youthful population all support long-term demand for digital services,' Joosub said, while cautioning that the group remains pragmatic in managing risks. Joosub said while the group was well equipped to manage challenges within its control, it recognises the need to partner with like-minded stakeholders and participate in industry-wide cooperation and infrastructure sharing asthe sector matures. Vodacom will also continue working with partners to expand infrastructure sharing, particularly in rural and fibre networks, while scaling its "Tech for Good" platforms to support broader access and shareholder value. Executive pay and legal updates Joosub earned R39.1 million in 2025, up from R34m in 2024. Chief financial officer Raisibe Morathi received R17.3m, compared to R16.56 million a year earlier. On legal matters, Vodacom said it awaits the Constitutional Court's decision after applying for leave to appeal a February 2024 ruling by the Supreme Court of Appeal in the long-running 'Please Call Me' case. The hearing was held on November 21, 2024. Separately, the company has appealed an October 2024 decision by the Competition Tribunal blocking its proposed investment in fibre operator Maziv, part of Community Investment Ventures Holdings (CIVH). The appeal is scheduled to be heard on July 22, 2025. "Our goal is to resolve the matter amicably and reach a timely conclusion," Vodacom said. BUSINESS REPORT
Jordan News
09-06-2025
- Business
- Jordan News
Southern Badia: Hope Amid Pain – A Path to the Future - Jordan News
With profound sorrow, we watch the efforts to find the lost Haitham Al-Masbahin, a 17-year-old from Al-Hasa, my hometown, swept away by flash floods while herding livestock to support his unemployed father—a struggle shared by many in our community. Tragically, he drowned in deep phosphate mining excavations, underscoring the Southern Badia's vulnerabilities. We must confront these challenges with courage and honesty to forge real solutions for a sustainable future. اضافة اعلان Jordan's Badia, covering over 80% of the country, sustains unique ecosystems and resilient Bedouin communities but faces climate change, water scarcity, and economic marginalization. Unemployment exceeds 20%, and water shortages deepen food insecurity. Yet, the Badia's rangelands and cultural heritage hold potential for ecotourism, renewable energy, and ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA). Jordan's Vision 2025 and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, aligned with the Green Growth National Action Plan 2021–2025, prioritize sustainable development, but progress in the Southern Badia lags. As a vital yet overlooked region, the Southern Badia shapes Jordan's political landscape and regional stability. Its economic, social, environmental, and political challenges demand urgent action to strengthen governance, foster cohesion, and bolster Jordan's role as a stabilizing force in the Middle East. Key Challenges in the Southern Badia Economic Marginalization : The Southern Badia, one of Jordan's poorest regions, suffers from high unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, and fragmented governance. Without viable economic projects, communities rely on livestock herding, increasingly unsustainable due to desertification and costly fodder. Ineffective water harvesting policies push residents toward low-wage garment factories with poor conditions and minimal training. This economic hardship fuels discontent, reflecting grievances against inequality and government neglect. Temporary measures, rather than comprehensive reforms, risk escalating tensions, threatening Jordan's stability. Without bold economic action, protests may emerge, challenging modernization efforts. Weakened Local Leadership: Successive governments have sidelined the Southern Badia's active leaders, appointing officials disconnected from local realities. This has widened the gap between state policies and community needs, undermining development. My initiative to unite six Southern Badia municipalities into a cohesive union in 2008, as Mayor of Al-Hasa, aimed to bridge this gap, but ongoing marginalization has fueled political apathy. Recent parliamentary and municipal elections saw low turnout, with youth supporting opposition parties like the Islamic Action Front, driven by unemployment and lack of opportunity. This trend threatens Jordan's political modernization. Drug Proliferation Perceived state neglect has allowed drug use, particularly hashish laced with hallucinogens, to rise in the Southern Badia. While small-scale dealers are targeted, larger networks operate unchecked, increasing crime and accidents. The lack of addiction data, especially among minors, hinders solutions. Screening tests and robust anti-drug strategies are urgently needed to address community anger and restore safety. Jordan's Role in Regional Stability Jordan's ability to address the Southern Badia's challenges is critical to its role as a pillar of stability amid conflicts in Syria, Iraq, and the Israeli-Palestinian arena. Its moderate foreign policy, peace treaty with Israel, and counterterrorism partnerships with the U.S. and NATO allies underscore its strategic importance. Investing in the Southern Badia can enhance this role, fostering resilience and reinforcing Jordan's image as a model of stability. Steps Toward a Sustainable Future : To transform the Southern Badia, I propose: Economic Empowerment:Establish a (real and effective) vocational training center in Al-Hasa, repurposing Jordan Phosphate Company buildings to teach skills like heavy machinery maintenance and digital technologies, creating 500 jobs by 2027 (aligned with the Badia Ecosystem and Livelihoods Project). Develop phosphate processing plants for fertilizers with environmental safeguards, invest in copper mining, and promote ecotourism. Expand water harvesting for rangeland reclamation, boosting livestock productivity by 15%, as in IUCN's EbA pilots. Strengthened Governance:Build on my 2008 initiative uniting six Southern Badia municipalities (Al-Hasa, Al-Qatrana, Al-Jafr, Al-Husseiniya ...) into Jordan's first Municipal Union, which grew to 29 members. This union coordinated budgets (500,000–750,000 JOD annually per municipality), shared resources, and advocated for regional needs, enhancing governance and community representation. Reviving and expanding such unions can empower local leaders, bridge policy gaps, and boost participation. Appoint competent governors who understand the Badia, fostering inclusive community partnerships. Anti-Drug Measures: Conduct addiction screenings to assess drug prevalence and develop rehabilitation programs. Strengthen law enforcement against drug networks, supporting community-led prevention. Regional Leadership: Leverage Badia investments to enhance Jordan's mediation in peace processes and counterterrorism, reinforcing its stabilizing role. Haitham's tragedy is a call to action for Southern Badia. By addressing economic marginalization, revitalizing governance through initiatives like the Municipal Union, combating drugs, and investing in sustainable projects, Jordan can unlock the region's potential. These steps will uplift Badia communities and fortify Jordan's stability and regional influence. The time for bold solutions is now. Eng. Rana Khalaf Al-Hajaia Email: [email protected] Phone: +962 79 727 4707
Business Recorder
06-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Remote sensing satellite project: VTT Global and SUPARCO collaborate on roadmap strategy
ISLAMABAD: VTT Global (Private) Limited, Pakistan's leading strategy and management consultancy firm, held a high-level workshop with SUPARCO to strategise the roadmap and potential impact for Pakistan's upcoming remote sensing satellite project and the broader expansion of space-based geospatial infrastructure. This satellite launch will unlock transformative impact across Pakistan's economic resilience, fiscal planning, space innovation, data sovereignty, and development priorities, anchoring the nation's place in the emerging global geospatial ecosystem. Designed through VTT's multidisciplinary approach, the project integrates legal, financial, and technical frameworks to ensure strategic alignment with Pakistan's Vision 2025, National Space Policy 2023, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2015. Space technology: PM expresses his desire to enhance ties with China Based on the proposed model for public-private partnerships, investment mechanisms, and regulatory pathways, the project has vast potential. It can catalyse entrepreneurial advancement and drive Pakistan's long-term economic sustainability. Moreover, with enhanced access to real-time, high-resolution satellite data, the initiative promises wide-ranging implications. These include agricultural optimisation, climate adaptation, national security, urban planning, and disaster risk management. Ultimately, this initiative positions Pakistan to build a self-sustaining, space-enabled knowledge economy by reducing dependence on external systems and contributing to long-term GDP growth through sovereign geospatial intelligence. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
