Collaboration will provide PERKESO Return to Work participants with training, workplace exposure and potential employment opportunities across 7-Eleven Malaysia’s retail network.
MERU, PERAK - Media OutReach Newswire - 16 June 2026 - Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial (PERKESO) and 7-Eleven Malaysia today formalised a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at supporting the rehabilitation, employability, and workforce reintegration of PERKESO-insured persons under the Return to Work (RTW) Programme.
From Left to Right: Datuk Dr. Hafez Bin Hussain, Executive Director of PERKESO Rehabilitation Centre, Dato' Sri Dr. Mohammed Azman bin Aziz Mohammed, Group CEO of PERKESO, Dato' Sri Subahan bin Kamal, Chairman of PERKESO, Tan Sri Dato' Seri Mohd Annuar bin Zaini, Chairman of 7-Eleven Holdings Berhad, Mr Wong Wai Keong, Executive Director cum Co-CEO of 7-Eleven Sdn. Bhd. and Mr Aaron Ng, Chief Operations Officer of 7-Eleven Sdn. Bhd.
The collaboration will provide RTW participants with access to pre-employment training, practical workplace exposure, workforce readiness initiatives, and potential employment opportunities within 7-Eleven Malaysia's retail operations.
As Malaysia's largest convenience store chain with more than 2,700 stores nationwide, 7-Eleven Malaysia is uniquely positioned to offer accessible employment and training opportunities within local communities across the country. The company's extensive footprint enables programme participants to benefit from opportunities closer to home, reducing barriers to workforce participation while providing a familiar and supportive working environment.
The MOU signing ceremony was held at the Pusat Rehabilitasi Neuro-Robotik dan Sibernik Kebangsaan PERKESO (PRNRSKP) in Meru, Perak, and was attended by senior representatives from both organisations.
Speaking at the event, Tan Sri Dato' Seri Mohd Annuar bin Zaini, Chairman of 7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Berhad, said employment plays a critical role in helping individuals regain confidence, independence, and a renewed sense of purpose following rehabilitation.
"Recovery is not only about regaining physical strength. It is also about restoring confidence, dignity and the opportunity to participate meaningfully in society once again. Through this collaboration with PERKESO, we hope to create pathways for individuals to
rebuild their lives through employment and demonstrate that every worker deserves the opportunity for a second chance.
At 7-Eleven Malaysia, giving back to the community is not simply a corporate responsibility. It is a commitment to creating meaningful impact where we can. We are honoured to work alongside PERKESO in helping individuals transition from recovery to employment, enabling them to regain their independence and contribute meaningfully to society once again."
Under the collaboration, PERKESO RTW participants will have access to pre-employment training programmes, practical workplace exposure, workforce readiness initiatives and potential employment opportunities within 7-Eleven Malaysia's retail operations. Participants will gain hands-on experience in customer service, product management and daily retail operations, equipping them with practical skills that can support long-term career development and employability.
7-Eleven Malaysia is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and supportive workplace environment throughout the programme. Participants will receive onboarding, workplace guidance, supervision and ongoing support during their placement journey, in close collaboration with PERKESO.
The initiative is designed to provide more than short-term workplace exposure. By offering real-world experience and structured employment pathways, both organisations aim to create sustainable opportunities that support long-term self-sufficiency and economic participation.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that Malaysians who have experienced workplace injuries or health setbacks are given meaningful opportunities to rebuild their lives through employment. By combining PERKESO's rehabilitation expertise with 7-Eleven Malaysia's extensive nationwide retail network, the partnership seeks to bridge the gap between recovery and sustainable employment.
The partnership also demonstrates the important role that public-private collaboration can play in strengthening Malaysia's social protection ecosystem while increasing workforce participation among individuals recovering from workplace injuries or health-related challenges.
This marks the first formal employment-focused collaboration between PERKESO and 7-Eleven Malaysia. Both parties aim to welcome the first cohort of RTW participants before the end of 2026, with plans to progressively expand the programme to additional locations and participants nationwide.
Through this collaboration, PERKESO and 7-Eleven Malaysia reaffirm their shared belief that every Malaysian deserves the opportunity to rebuild, recover and contribute meaningfully to society, and that no worker should be left behind following a workplace injury or setback.
Hashtag: #7ElevenMalaysia
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About 7-Eleven Malaysia
7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Berhad through its subsidiary 7-Eleven Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. is the owner and operator of 7-Eleven stores in Malaysia. Incorporated on 4 June 1984, 7-Eleven Malaysia has made its mark in the retailing scene and has been a prominent icon for over 40 years. 7-Eleven Malaysia is the pioneer and largest 24-hour standalone convenience store operator in Malaysia with over 2,700 outlets nationwide and serves more than 1 million customers daily. 7-Eleven stores can be found across bustling commercial districts to serene suburban residential compounds throughout Malaysia, from petrol stations and LRT stations to shopping malls and medical institutions. My7E loyalty app boasted an impressive membership of 3.6 million users. As we forge ahead, our commitment remains steadfast in enriching the experience for our valued members, offering an array of rewards that enhance their journey as My7E enthusiasts. 7-Eleven is Always There For You. To learn more, please visit our website at www.7eleven.com.my
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Harnessing Innovative Technologies to Drive Cultural Mobility and Foster Global Exchange
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 16 June 2026 - The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), in collaboration with the Center for Metaverse and Computational Creativity at HKUST(Guangzhou), presents the SURREALITY Mixed Reality (MR) × Artificial Intelligence (AI) Digital Art Cross-City Exhibition. As part of HKUST's 35th-anniversary celebrations, an exclusive media preview of the world's first large-scale, cross-regional MR × AI digital art exhibition was held at the University's Clear Water Bay campus.
Showcasing selected works by renowned international and Chinese Mainland digital artists, as well as faculty and students from both campuses, the exhibition integrates creativity with Virtual Reality (VR), MR, and AI technologies. It transforms the campus into a global hub for arts innovation and technological excellence.
The exhibition will open at HKUST(GZ) tomorrow and run through July 31, 2026, before returning to Hong Kong for public engagement. This exhibition exemplifies HKUST's visionary commitment to driving cultural mobility and fostering international exchange through innovative technologies.
Prof. Nancy IP, President of HKUST, remarked, "This event signifies a major milestone for HKUST in its pursuit of integrating technology, humanities, and cross-regional innovation. The national 15th Five-Year Plan released this year explicitly supports Hong Kong in deepening its development as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. In 2024, the HKSAR Government also introduced the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development, outlining plans to develop diverse arts and culture industries with an international perspective, and to establish international platforms that foster East-meets-West arts and cultural exchanges. Local universities play a pivotal role in advancing these initiatives."
"HKUST's Strategic Plan 2031 identifies the integration of innovation and the humanities as a key direction for the University's future development. In line with this vision, we established Hong Kong's first Division of Arts and Machine Creativity, which is committed to creating an innovative platform that fosters the fusion of technology and art while nurturing a new generation of creative talent with strong interdisciplinary perspectives. Hosting initiatives such as SURREALITY and the HKUST AI Film Festival exemplifies this direction and is poised to develop into prominent international platforms that fosters arts and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world," she added.
Prof. Lionel NI Ming-Shuan, President of HKUST(GZ), stated, "'SURREALITY' is not only the world's first large-scale MR × AI art exhibition, but also a powerful showcase of the strengths of HKUST and HKUST(GZ) in interdisciplinary studies and computational creativity. As a flagship initiative under the 'One HKUST, Complementary Campuses' framework, the two campuses have welcomed artists and young creators from 23 countries and regions, redefining the boundaries of knowledge production and artistic expression through the seamless fusion of the virtual and the real. At a time when the nation is strategically advancing future industries and the Greater Bay Area is accelerating the development of new quality productive forces, the digital 'Portal' connecting Clear Water Bay and Nansha represents far more than a technological breakthrough—it embodies a forward-looking model of educational collaboration, where engineering converges with aesthetics, algorithms with poetry, and global vision with local engagement. At thirty-five years old, HKUST remains youthful and dynamic. Guided by this founding aspiration, HKUST(GZ) will continue to advance in step with HKUST, writing a new chapter of integrated innovation and talent development in the Greater Bay Area."
SURREALITY showcases the integration of AI-generated artworks with the physical campus environment, creating an immersive experience through spatial computing and real-time rendering technologies. Across the two campuses, nearly 50 works by more than 70 digital artists from the United States, Germany, Russia, Australia, Bolivia, Singapore, Korea, the Chinese Mainland, and Hong Kong are featured. Presented in innovative and striking forms, these exceptional works from around the world highlight HKUST's strong commitment to advancing interdisciplinary integration.
Today, 19 selected works premiered at the Clear Water Bay campus, where MR-enhanced creations transform the HKUST campus into an immersive, technology-driven art space. By wearing MR headsets, visitors can freely explore three exhibition areas: Living Currents, Future Fables, and Beyond Mind. Several projects created by HKUST(GZ) faculty and students stand out as highlights, with The Gate—built on a metaverse concept—emerging as the centerpiece of the exhibition. As the armillary sphere slowly turns and the portal comes into view, visitors can step inside and instantly traverse the virtual spaces of both campuses, experiencing a groundbreaking sense of cross‑campus, seamless connectivity that embodies the vision of "One HKUST, Complementary Campuses." Another featured work, Kunpeng, symbolizes a spirit of boundless freedom. A giant fish leaps from the nearby Port Shelter in Sai Kung and transforms into a soaring roc that ascends powerfully into the sky. Its majestic presence delivers a striking visual spectacle. The piece The Twinworld Tree creates a dynamic living system formed by the World Tree and virtual life, symbolizing the interdependence of all things, like the tides.
The exhibition also features an MR recreation of a classic work—GFP Bunny, created by internationally acclaimed contemporary artist, Prof. Eduardo KAC, who is also Professor of Art and Technology Studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Since its debut, this piece has sparked global reflection on genetic modification, bioethics, and the boundaries of art. Mr. ZHANG Yishuai, a PhD student in the Thrust of Computational Media and Arts at HKUST(GZ) and a computational artist, presents Echoes of Earth 2.0, offering a forward-looking perspective on AI and interstellar civilizations. This work enriches the exhibition with a visionary reflection on humanity's aspirations for the future.
Several VR digital art pieces are also on display, including Astra, created by Ms. Eliza MCNITT— Venice Immersive Grand Prize winner and renowned American writer and director—which offers visitors a unique journey of exploration into the universe. Mr. Benedict YU, a VR visual artist from Singapore, presents Mother's Body Remembers, utilizing LiDAR to capture movements and combining VR with tactile interaction to rekindle visitors' memories of family connections. The HKUST XRIM Lab's work, Unfolding Touch, enables a soft-robot-mediated handshake between the Clear Water Bay and Guangzhou campuses, integrating sensing and tactile replication to create a shared touch experience across distance. Other works include My Flower, which invites viewers to experience the daily challenges faced by people with Alzheimer's disease. A short animation, The Cat Ghost, which narrates the relationship between ancient Chinese people and cats from the Western world, is also screened.
Prof. Pan HUI, Chair Professor of Emerging Interdisciplinary Areas at HKUST, Acting Head and Chair Professor of the Thrust of Computational Media and Arts, and Director of the Center for Metaverse and Computational Creativity at HKUST(GZ), introduced the core concept of "SURREALITY." He explained that as technologies such as AI, spatial computing, and MR rapidly evolve, digital worlds are transcending screens into real spaces and becoming deeply integrated into people's daily life. SURREALITY explores a new form of reality that may emerge in the future—a scenario where the virtual and the physical are no longer distinctly separate but collectively form the environments in which we perceive, interact, and live. Through artistic creation and immersive experiences, the exhibition offers audiences a glimpse into this transformative vision, prompting reflection on how technology is reshaping humanity's understanding of reality.
The exhibited works come from numerous internationally renowned artists, showcasing the remarkable fusion of creative arts and digital technology. Several prominent participating artists also joined today's event to introduce their works, fostering cross-regional cultural and arts exchanges. They include Prof. Benjamin SEIDE, media artist, VFX expert, and Associate Professor in the School of Art, Design and Media at Nanyang Technological University; Ms. Katerina SEMENKO, a Russian conceptual phygital artist and International Design Award recipient; and Dr. Adam NASH, an Australian digital virtual artist and Honorary Fellow of RMIT University.
Hashtag: #HKUST #HKUST(GZ)
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About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (https://hkust.edu.hk/) is a world-class university known for its innovative education, research excellence, and impactful knowledge transfer. With a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy approach, HKUST was ranked 6th in the QS Asia University Rankings 2026, 3rd in the Times Higher Education's Young University Rankings 2024, and 19th globally and 1st in Hong Kong in the Times Higher Education's Impact Rankings 2025. Eleven HKUST subjects were ranked among the world's top 50 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. In addition, in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026, HKUST's Computer Science discipline which encompasses areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, has been ranked No. 1 in Hong Kong for ten consecutive years. Our graduates are highly competitive, consistently ranking among the world's top 30 most sought-after employees. In terms of research and entrepreneurship, over 80% of our work was rated "internationally excellent" or "world leading" in the Research Assessment Exercise 2020 of the Hong Kong's University Grants Committee. As of May 2026, HKUST members have founded over 1,900 active start-ups, including 11 Unicorns and 22 exits (IPO or M&A).
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