Latest news with #SIC
Herald Malaysia
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Herald Malaysia
St Ignatius parish celebrates the joy of family love
The Church of St Ignatius (SIC) came alive with the spirit of unity and celebration for Family Month in May themed Family is a Community of Love. Jun 20, 2025 Performance by the catechism children PETALING JAYA: The Church of St Ignatius (SIC) came alive with the spirit of unity and celebration for Family Month in May themed Family is a Community of month-long celebration was a collaborative effort by various parish groups — the English and Mandarin Family Life, Catechetical, Youth Ministries, BECCOT, Bethany Counselling, and the Formation Team — reflecting the strength of faith in festivities kicked off with the launch of five core family values: enhancing communication; promoting harmony and reconciliation; deepening faith life; building connections and nurturing mutual respect; and cultivating strong family values. These messages, beautifully captured in printed quotes, were displayed at the Community Centre. Featured were reflections from Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI, Pope St John Paul II, St Teresa of Calcutta, Cardinal Celso Costantini (founder of the CDD), and several well-known public Saturday in May brought something special. On May 3, families attended insightful talks: Strengthening Family Communication by play therapist Juliana Tang (English) and Communication Detective by licensed counsellor Lily Wong Lai Fang (Mandarin). Through role plays, film clips, and interactive activities, families gained practical tools to communicate more May 10, Fr Philip Chua and Fr Stephen Ng, CDD led sessions in English and Mandarin respectively on The Joy of Love in the Family, focusing on family spirituality. Parishioners bonded over shared tea breaks, deepening the sense of of the most anticipated events was the Family Fun Day in FRIM on May 17. Held at the lush Kepong forest reserve, it drew nearly 200 parishioners. Laughter and cheer echoed through the trees as families joined in Jazzercise with Janet Ginibun and team, explored nature on a guided walk, and competed in lively 'back-to-school' telematches. Many brought their own picnic mats and tucked into delicious meals while enjoying one another's company. Even toddlers had their own special corner filled with soap bubbles and activities. Parish priest, Fr Thomas Koo, CDD and assistant parish priest Fr Martin Then, CDD, joined the fun, much to the delight of participants.'Keep it up! Kudos for putting so much heart into bringing joy to all, especially seniors and kids,' shared one grateful parent. 'It was a fantastic outing!'The month culminated in a vibrant indoor carnival, FamFest! Food, Fun, Fiesta, held on May 31 at the parish Community Centre. The day brimmed with energy — food and craft stalls, game booths, open mic sessions, and performances by the English, Mandarin-, Bahasa-, and Tamil-speaking communities. Catechism children came dressed in Laudato Si' inspired costumes crafted from recycled Youth Ministry put on an entertaining show with cultural dances, wushu demonstrations, songs, and band performances. Parishioners joined in spontaneous dancing, led by Fr Thomas himself, filling the hall with warmth and joy. The event closed with full hearts, new friendships, happy tummies, and arms full of the month, families deepened their communication, discovered joy in family love, engaged in friendly competition, and prayed together — especially the Rosary — for the sanctification of families. The Family Month concluded with a sunset Mass, a fitting end to a meaningful and memorable celebration. In his closing remarks, Fr Thomas shared, 'We give thanks to God for all the blessings He has bestowed on us this Family Month. Let us carry on as families filled with love for one another.' SIC Family Life Ministry
The Citizen
11 hours ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Samsung education-focused CSR programmes
Making a positive difference in the lives of South African youth. Samsung's education-focused, corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes strive to promote innovation and empower youth through technology; with the ultimate aim of addressing societal issues. These programmes offer support to underprivileged youth and aim to cultivate creative thinking while also providing critical skills training needed by the local economy. By doing so, Samsung is creating opportunities for young people to make a positive impact on their communities and society. Samsung spoke to some of the beneficiaries from its education-focused initiatives that are driven through technology,and this is what they had to say: Siyabonga 'Siya' Mojalefa Tshabalala originally from Qwaqwa in the Free State was part of the 2022 Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC) programme in partnership with Central University of Technology (CUT). SIC is a global initiative that upskills youth aged 18-25 in future technologies to enhance their employability while focusing on AI, IoT, Big Data and Coding. Siya explained: 'Through this SIC programme I gained hands-on experience through paper coding, peer programming and projects and these skills have helped me to solve real-world problems. The programme also taught me some important soft skills that are required in work environments, these included communication, critical thinking, problem solving skills and ability to collaborate with others.' Another beneficiary, 26 year old Mulalo Ndou, did her undergrad in mathematical science and majored in mathematics and mathematical statistics at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). She also completed her honours in risk analysis (cum laude) at the University of the Free State (UFS). According to Mulalo, Samsung's bursary fund was her light at the end of the tunnel. Mulalo received funding from Samsung when she needed it to complete her last year of studies. 'I lost the funding I had for my studies in my final year and had to go back home, but Samsung came through for me, she said. 'This bursary fund paid for my annual fees and accommodation in my final year and postgraduate studies. It also provided me with a monthly meal and living stipend as well as an allowance for a laptop.' After Mulalo finished her postgrad, Samsung provided her with an internship opportunity. 'When the internship period was over, Samsung gave me a full-time position as a process improvement data analyst/reporting specialist. I am very grateful to the individuals at Samsung who helped me to be successful in my role,' she added. In an effort to pay it forward, Mulalo also works as a volunteer at Rising Females in STEM, as she is also a rising female in technology and mathematics. Mulalo said that she has always wanted to be one of the mentors in the Samsung Solve For Tomorrow (SFT) programme. 'This SFT opportunity came at the right time and has been an amazing experience. I am learning something new each day from the participating learners and, most importantly, how to become a great mentor.' Nzumbululo Todani, an 18 year old learner from Mbilwi Secondary in Thohoyandou, Limpopo. Nzumbululo is one of the beneficiaries from the SFT contest that challenges students to use STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) skills to solve real-world problems in their local communities. His participation in the SFT competition has proved to be invaluable – he attributes his academic achievements in 2024 to his experience in the programme. Nzumbululo was awarded the top learner in the province for the 2024 NSC examinations with an average aggregate of 97%. Also, he was awarded for obtaining 300/300 in two gateway subjects: physical science and geography. 'When I participated in the contest, I assumed the role of team coordinator, managing and planning the daily landscape of the project and doing quality control on the prototype as well as all papers written and the final presentation. The competition left me with invaluable communication, leadership, planning, evaluation and time management skills.' Thoriso Rangata is a 32 year male entrepreneur and the owner of KTO Digital – a business process automation, software development services and background screening software as a service (SaaS) solution provider. He currently stays in Johannesburg but is originally from Limpopo and is one of the beneficiaries of the Samsung EEIP Entrepreneurship Development Programme. Thoriso became part of the programme when he responded to a public call for applications. At the time, his business needed support so that they could meet the company's growth objectives. Since being part of the EEIP programme, Thoriso won the Nedbank Business of the Year award in 2022. His company also launched its own product and received accreditation for the business as a credit bureau in 2022. 'The other direct benefits that we received from being part of the programme included: grant funding, asset financing and continuous business mentorship that our business needed in order for us to move forward, Thoriso added. 'We strongly believe that the skills we acquired from this EEIP programme, which included business regulatory governance structures and strategic business growth approaches/methods – have contributed to the success of our business to date.' Through these education-focused CSR programmes that are driven by technology, Samsung is actively promoting the transfer of critical skills as well as both employment and entrepreneurship opportunities that are needed by the country's youth and the local economy. The testimonials from the youth that participated in Samsung's programmes are a clear indication of the impact the company is making in South Africa. By continuing to fund such programmes, Samsung is working towards winning the fight against youth unemployment, inequality and poverty in the country; through job creation and the development of a skilled workforce. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung newsroom at
Express Tribune
20 hours ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt comes under attack in NA for ignoring agri sector
PML-N-led coalition government in the Centre now has 229 members in the NA. PHOTO: APP Lawmakers from the treasury and opposition benches on Thursday welcomed improved economic indicators and emphasized the need for bipartisan efforts to sustain economic progress and promote inclusive growth. Resuming the budget debate, Raja Qamar-ul-Islam of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) praised the budget as historic and lauded the role of Pakistan's armed forces in sending a firm message to India. He expressed confidence that the budget 2025-26 would pave the way for sustainable economic growth in the country. Amir Dogar of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) criticized the government for overlooking the agriculture sector and called for raising the minimum wage to Rs 50,000. Atif Khan of SIC criticized the budget and stressed relief measures for the poor segment of society. Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) legislator Shagufta Jumani appreciated the government for allocating significant funds to the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). She also urged the government to allocate dedicated funds for polio eradication, emphasizing the importance of sustained public health efforts. Rana Hayat proposed the creation of a special House committee to focus on the problems faced by farmers, a vital segment of the economy. MNA Usama Ahmed Mela, emphasizing the critical role of agriculture in national development, called on the government to provide incentives for farmers, including subsidies for fertilizer, pesticide and broader agricultural reforms. He also suggested a review of the Federal Board of Revenue's (FBR) authority, indicating concerns about its administrative reach.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
MNAs demand agriculture zones
PML-N-led coalition government in the Centre now has 229 members in the NA. PHOTO: APP Legislators from both opposition and treasury benches on Wednesday called for the establishment of Special Agriculture Zones, IT Facilitation Centers nationwide, increased farmer support, and funding for churches and temples to promote economic growth and social inclusion. Resuming general budget debate on the fifth day in the National Assembly, Dr Zulfikar Ali Bhatti of PML-N stressed the need to develop rural areas and strengthen the agricultural sector. He proposed the establishment of Special Agriculture Zones nationwide, equipped with all necessary facilities to enhance agricultural productivity. He also advocated for providing incentives to farmers. Additionally, he called for the creation of IT facilitation centers in rural regions and the implementation of skills development programs for youth, particularly in underprivileged areas, to promote self-sufficiency. Awais Haider Jhakar of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) highlighted the challenges faced by farmers and criticized government policies that have contributed to a decline in agricultural output. Abdul Ghafoor Haideri of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (Fazl) urged Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah to issue a ruling calling for strict punishment of those involved in the attempted abduction of Maulana Fazl ur Rehman's son and demanded their immediate arrest. Zulfiqar Ali Behan of the Pakistan People's Party called for the imposition of an agricultural emergency in the country and the removal of taxes on fertilizers to boost farm production. He also called for the establishment of a university in Naushahro Feroze. Chaudhry Mubeen Arif Jatt of SIC demanded immediate withdrawal of the proposed 18 percent General Sales Tax (GST) on solar panels. He also highlighted the hardships faced by farmers, noting that their produce is being sold at prices lower than their production costs. Chaudhry Riaz Ul Haq of PML-N demanded a review of the Federal Board of Revenue's (FBR) excessive powers and emphasized the need to lower fertilizer prices. Ejaz Hussain Jakhrani of the PPP said that the Gambat Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) is providing excellent services in liver transplantation. He also stated that the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway is a vital need of the people and urged authorities to pay attention to the project. MNA Sohail Sultan said that it is the government's duty to provide relief to the people. Syed Shah Ahad Ali Shah of SIC underscored the importance of offering targeted incentives to empower the nation's youth. Discussing agriculture, MNA Nasir Iqbal emphasized the importance of the sector and urged the government to either raise crop prices or reduce production costs.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
'ECP justified in case of 41 candidates'
The constitutional bench (CB) of the Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to respondents on a petition filed by the PTI led Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to become a party in a case related to allocation of reserved seats to Imran Khan's party. During the hearing, the counsel for the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC)a party comprising PTI-backed independent parliamentariansstated that the SIC intended to file a review petition against the CB's decision to dismiss its objections to the bench. The eleven-member CB, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, heard the petitions challenging the SC's July 2024 majority order for allocation of reserved seats to the PTI. At the outset, Justice Khan remarked that the SC granted a relief to the PTI initially meant for the SIC. On January 13, 2024, a three-member SC bench upheld the Election Commission of Pakistan's (ECP) December 22, 2023 order declaring the PTI's intra-party polls null and void. Later, the PTI candidates had to contest the February 8, 2024 general elections as independents. Eighty such independent candidates reached the National Assembly and later joined the SIC in an apparent bid to claim reserved seats for women and minorities. The ECP, however, refused to allocate the seats to the party, a decision that the SIC challenged in the Supreme Court. On July 12, 2024, a full bench of the apex court through a majority of 8 to 5 resurrected the PTI as a parliamentary party, noting that 39 of the lawmakers who had submitted certificates of their affiliation with the PTI along with their nomination papers were already PTI lawmakers. The SC ruled that the remaining 41 lawmakers who had not submitted the affiliation certificates at the time of nomination papers' submission could do that now within a period of 15 days. The ruling coalition later filed a review petition against the SC ruling, which the CB took up in May. During the hearing, Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail observed that the SC verdict came on January 13, whereas nomination papers were submitted in December, and many candidates had then declared their independent status. Siddiqi responded that the ECP had withdrawn PTI's symbol on December 22, 2023. He said all 11 judges of the SC larger bench had stated the ECP's decision to declare PTI members as independents was illegal. Justice Mandokhail remarked that the agreement among the 11 judges applied only to those members who had submitted nomination papers and party tickets from the PTI. "Only 14 PTI candidates had submitted the party certificate but we assumed that perhaps others had also submitted it and it may have been misplaced. That was why we considered 39 members." The court adjourned the hearing until today. Siddiqi will resume his arguments on behalf of the SIC.
