Latest news with #BIBF
New Straits Times
16 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia named guest country of honour at 2025 Beijing book fair
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's participation as the Guest Country of Honour at the 2025 Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF) is expected to create greater opportunities for collaboration with various international parties. Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said the number of Malaysian industry players participating in the book fair has increased consistently over the past decade. "We hope that with the opportunity given this year, we can forge more partnerships with various parties from across the globe," he said, as quoted by People's Daily Online yesterday. Wong, who is leading the Malaysian delegation at the book fair, said the Malaysian Institute of Translation and Books (ITBM) is partnering with China-based Global Tone Communication Technology (GTCOM) to develop a national-level artificial intelligence (AI)-powered translation engine. He said the collaboration between ITBM—an agency under the Education Ministry—and GTCOM is expected to drive the advancement of AI while preserving Malaysia's cultural and linguistic heritage, and bring a positive impact to the country's translation and intellectual communities. "This initiative will certainly facilitate multilingual communication and support inclusive education policies and the development of a highly skilled talent base, particularly in the fields of language and translation. "The Education Ministry will continue to support this initiative, which is set to contribute significantly to the advancement of national technology and education," he said, adding that this effort aligns with the government's goal to enhance Malaysia's global competitiveness. Meanwhile, Malaysia's Ambassador to China Datuk Norman Muhamad, in his keynote address at the launch of the Malaysia Pavilion at BIBF, said the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) would collaborate with the National Book Council of Malaysia, Perbadanan Kota Buku, and industry players to explore new opportunities, especially in digital publishing. He said this includes leveraging e-commerce, education, and traditional retail platforms in China, adding that the Malaysian Embassy, through its Education Office in Beijing, is committed to supporting efforts to expand Malaysia's publishing footprint in the Chinese market. Publishers Association of China head Wu Shulin said that Malaysia's participation as the guest country of honour, along with activities such as copyright negotiations, forums, and cultural exhibitions, reflects joint efforts to build the China-Malaysia Community with a Shared Future with its distinct cultural elements. "I believe Malaysia's participation will mark another milestone in the history of cultural and publishing exchanges between our countries, opening new avenues for cooperation and deepening bilateral friendship," he said. Themed 'Read, Lead', the 31st BIBF is taking place at the China National Convention Centre in Beijing from June 18 to 22. The event features over 1,700 exhibitors from 80 countries and regions, showcasing some 220,000 high-quality books from both China and around the world. - BERNAMA
Al Etihad
20 hours ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
UAE participates in Beijing International Book Fair 2025
19 June 2025 23:17 ABU DHABI (WAM) The Ministry of Culture (MoC) is participating in the 31st edition of the Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF), taking place in the Chinese capital from June 18 to 22, 2025. The UAE's presence reflects its ongoing commitment to advancing global cultural dialogue and deepening its strategic partnership with the People's Republic of participation comes as part of the national pavilion 'UAE Pavilion', inaugurated in the presence of Hussain bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi, UAE Ambassador to China; Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture; Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre; and Rashid Al Kous, Executive Director of the Emirates Publishers event saw wide participation from federal and local government entities, academic institutions, and Emirati publishing houses, aiming to showcase facets of the UAE's creative landscape and deepen cultural and intellectual exchange with the People's Republic of UAE programme features a rich array of activities, including literary panels, traditional performances, children's reading and art workshops, and curated displays of Emirati publications. Visitors also learn about major national initiatives such as the Golden Visa recommendation service for creatives, the Sheikh Zayed Book Award, the 'Kalimah' translation project, and grant programs supporting publishing and translation. These efforts underscore the Ministry's strategic investment in intellectual and cultural development.A dedicated Emirati Chinese Archive within the pavilion celebrates the longstanding historical and cultural ties between the two nations, showcasing key moments of cooperation in publishing, translation, and the creative on the UAE's participation, Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, states: 'Our presence at the Beijing International Book Fair affirms the UAE's commitment to fostering cultural connectivity and creating meaningful international partnerships, particularly in Asia. Culture is a vital strategic bridge that promotes understanding, mutual respect, and collaboration between peoples.'He adds: 'We believe that supporting publishers and creatives is an investment in the future of knowledge and in building a well-read, culturally aware, and globally connected society. With this vision in mind, the Ministry of Culture has empowered writers through the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity. To date, the program has supported more than 30 Emirati creatives in the fields of authorship and publishing, including books, magazines, and digital media. This reflects the Ministry's broader commitment to sustaining and advancing local cultural production. Recognised as one of the world's premier literary events, the Beijing International Book Fair draws thousands of publishers, authors, and cultural professionals from across the globe. The event features a broad program of professional and public events, including the Chinese Book Award Ceremony, PubTech Conference, Artistic Publishing Forum, World Children's Book Forum, and Beijing International Illustration Forum, alongside specialised exhibitions such as the Beijing Picture Book Fair, International Art Book Fair, and Cookbook Fair.
Barnama
a day ago
- Business
- Barnama
Malaysia Eyes Greater Global Collaboration As Guest Country Of Honour At 2025 BIBF
KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's participation as the Guest Country of Honour at the 2025 Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF) is expected to create greater opportunities for collaboration with various international parties. Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said the number of Malaysian industry players participating in the book fair has increased consistently over the past decade. 'We hope that with the opportunity given this year, we can forge more partnerships with various parties from across the globe,' he was quoted as saying by People's Daily Online today. Wong, who is leading the Malaysian delegation at the book fair, said the Malaysian Institute of Translation and Books (ITBM) is partnering with China-based Global Tone Communication Technology (GTCOM) to develop a national-level artificial intelligence (AI)-powered translation engine. He said the collaboration between ITBM - an agency under the Education Ministry (MOE) - and GTCOM is expected to drive the advancement of AI while preserving Malaysia's cultural and linguistic heritage, and bring a positive impact to the country's translation and intellectual communities. 'This initiative will certainly facilitate multilingual communication and support inclusive education policies and the development of a highly skilled talent base, particularly in the fields of language and translation. 'The MOE will continue to support this initiative, which is set to contribute significantly to the advancement of national technology and education,' he said, adding that this effort aligns with the government's goal to enhance Malaysia's global competitiveness. Meanwhile, Malaysia's Ambassador to China Datuk Norman Muhamad, in his keynote address at the launch of the Malaysia Pavilion at BIBF, said the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) would collaborate with the National Book Council of Malaysia, Perbadanan Kota Buku and industry players to explore new opportunities, especially in digital publishing. He said this includes leveraging e-commerce, education and traditional retail platforms in China, adding that the Malaysian Embassy, through its Education Office in Beijing, is committed to supporting efforts to expand Malaysia's publishing footprint in the Chinese market.
Malaysia Sun
13-06-2025
- Business
- Malaysia Sun
Beijing International Book Fair to showcase 220,000 books
BEIJING, June 12 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming 31st Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF) will gather over 1,700 exhibitors from 80 countries and regions to display approximately 220,000 Chinese and international books, the fair's organizers said at a press conference on Thursday. The book fair will open on June 18 and run through June 22, with Malaysia as this year's guest country of honor. It will have an exhibition space of 60,000 square meters. Nine countries are participating for the first time, including Chile, Cyprus and Belarus, and they will join leading publishers such as Elsevier, Penguin Random House and Springer Nature. The event will introduce specialized sections such as world cultural heritage and books marking the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. It will also include activities such as an awards ceremony, forums on international publishing and children's books, and a copyright trade fair. First held in 1986, the BIBF has evolved into a premier global platform for book exhibition and copyright trade.
Daily Tribune
04-06-2025
- General
- Daily Tribune
Stronger Than Steel
The Night Bahrain Witnessed the Power of She 'My prosthetic arm was not my identity. I wanted to live without hiding — and that's when everything changed.' - Shaikha Al Shaiba 'I didn't just climb Everest. I carried the hopes of every person who's been told they can't.' - Dr. Arunima Sinha It's not every day you sit in an auditorium and feel your heartbeat sync with stories of sheer resilience. But that's exactly what happened at the Leela Jashanmal Memorial Lecture in Manama, an evening that turned into a masterclass on bravery, grace under fire, and what it truly means to rise, again and again. The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) auditorium was packed to capacity, buzzing with anticipation. I found myself surrounded by people from all walks of life, leaning forward, holding their breath, much like I did, as two incredible women took the stage and rewrote the definition of strength. The event, hosted by the Indian Ladies Association, was a tribute to courage in the face of adversity. But no introduction could have prepared us for the impact that Shaikha Al Shaiba and Padma Shri Dr. Arunima Sinha would have on our hearts. Bahrain Trailblazer Shaikha Al Shaiba's story didn't begin in a sports arena. It began in silence. In the shadows of judgment, stares, and whispers. With one arm, she knew early on that society would define her by her difference. What they didn't expect was that she would choose her own definition. 'My prosthetic arm was not my identity,' she told the crowd. 'I wanted to live without hiding — and that's when everything changed.'Her voice wavered only with passion as she recalled how she joined races, learned to swim from scratch, and pushed herself to compete in one of the world's toughest triathlons, Ironman 70.3. With just two months of training and no prior swimming experience, Shaikha completed a 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike ride, and 21.1 km run, not to prove a point to the world, but to honor the strength within her. She trained in Bahrain's heat, battled through injury, and swam against waves colder than fear itself. She didn't just cross finish lines, she tore down barriers along the her biggest challenge came with loss. 'When my father passed away, my world went silent,' she said. 'I stopped living for a while. But then I remembered, I have a life to honor, and a legacy to build.' That's when she got back on the bike. Even after a near-fatal accident in Riyadh that broke her hand, head, and hip, she didn't stop. She showed up to work in a cast and later crossed another finish line in Paris. Why? Because resilience, as she said, 'is not about pretending the struggle doesn't exist, it's about rising anyway.' From Train Tracks to the Top of the World Then came a hush, the kind that settles right before a storm of emotion. Dr. Arunima Sinha, India's first female amputee to scale Mt. Everest, stepped forward. But before she became a mountaineer, she was a national-level volleyball player, and a victim of unthinkable violence. She was thrown off a moving train by robbers in 2011. Left on the tracks, limbs crushed, consciousness flickering and the cruel rhythm of 49 trains passing by. It was seven hours before help no anesthesia, she underwent an emergency leg amputation. But even as she lay in a hospital bed, riddled with rods and screws, she made a declaration no one could have predicted: 'I will climb Everest.' Arunima's journey wasn't just vertical, it was spiritual. She trained for 18 months, faced repeated rejections from sponsors, and endured brutal climbs with one prosthetic leg and a spine held together by determination. 'People only saw what I didn't have,' she said. 'They didn't see the fire inside.' In 2013, she reached the summit of Everest, not just for herself, but for everyone who's ever been told they couldn't. She now leads a foundation that supports amputees and underprivileged children in India, proving that healing isn't just personal, it's communal. That evening, under the soft lights of BIBF's auditorium, something magical happened. The crowd didn't just listen, they transformed. Tears were wiped quietly. Hands clapped louder. Hearts were realigned. The stories of Shaikha Al Shaiba and Dr. Arunima Sinha were not about tragedy. They were about triumph. About what happens when a woman decides that her narrative won't be written by were not just speeches. They were battle cries. They were love letters to the human spirit. They reminded us that our scars are not symbols of shame, they are stamps of survival. And as I walked out that evening into the cool Manama air, I realized something, I had forgotten to breathe. But I left with lungs full of courage, a heart full of awe, and a soul that had just witnessed greatness. Honoring Academic Excellence A special Academic Felicitation Ceremony recognized top-performing students from New India School, Asian School, New Millennium School, New Horizons, and The Indian School. Principals proudly joined their achievers on stage as their names were displayed, celebrating excellence and dedication in front of a distinguished audience. Shaikha won the Riyadh Duathlon (5krun, 20kbike, 2.5krun) Shaikh at the Dubai Fitness Challenge Snaps from Ironman 70.3 hel in Bahrain Dr. Arunima Sinha speaks at the Leela Jashanmal Memorial Lecture The world's first female amputee to climb Mount Everest in 2013 and the first female amputee to climb Mount Vinson, the highest peak of Antarctica. India's PM Modi congratulates 'pride of India' Arunima Sinha Opening address from ILA President Smitha Jensen
