February 17, 2022

Oblon Selects Anaqua’s AQX Law Firm Platform to Deliver Enhanced IP Management Services to Clients

Anaqua to provide full-service IP law firm with intellectual asset management solutions

BOSTON, Feb. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Anaqua, the leading provider of innovation and intellectual property management technology, today announced that leading IP law firm Oblon, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, LLP (Oblon) has selected Anaqua’s AQX Law Firm as their exclusive IP management system for both patents and trademarks.

Oblon is one of the largest law firms in the United States focusing exclusively on intellectual property law and the leader, for decades, among all law firms in filing and obtaining the most patents. The firm selected Anaqua for its integrated technology-based solution, AQX Law Firm, coupled with Anaqua’s team of IP experts and consultative approach.

Daniel Pereira, chair of the Chemical Practice Group at Oblon said: “We work with clients in every field of intellectual property law to obtain, manage and enforce their intellectual property rights. It’s essential we have accurate up-to-date information on our clients’ patent and trademark portfolios and the IP landscape of their respective industries. Anaqua’s AQX platform, consultative approach and team of professionals ensure we have this information at our fingertips to serve and advise our clients, efficiently and effectively.”

Recently, Anaqua expanded the AQX Law Firm platform capabilities through the acquisitions of API-based connectivity software provider SeeUnity, leading cost estimation tool Global IP Estimator^®, and tech-enabled foreign filing solution Actio IP. Oblon will have the ability to leverage this fully integrated platform to continue strengthening IP operations and delivering exceptional client service in today’s evolving market.

Bob Romeo, CEO of Anaqua, commented: “We are honored to be selected as the IP management solutions provider for one of the premier firms specializing in intellectual property law. It’s rewarding to see that our commitment to continually enhancing an intelligent platform with integrated services – one that drives increased efficiency and improved data through automation – was a key differentiator to Oblon. Our expanding presence in the law firm space is a testament to this success in delivering integrated capabilities firms rely on to optimize their internal IP operations while helping clients unlock the full value of their IP. We look forward to working alongside Oblon to empower the firm to efficiently deliver all of their clients’ IP management needs.”

About Anaqua
Anaqua, Inc. is a premium provider of integrated intellectual property (IP) management technology solutions and services. Anaqua’s AQX platform combines best practice workflows with big data analytics and tech-enabled services to create an intelligent environment designed to inform IP strategy, enable IP decision-making, and streamline IP operations. Today, nearly half of the top 100 U.S. patent filers and global brands, as well as a growing number of law firms worldwide use Anaqua’s solutions. Over one million IP executives, attorneys, paralegals, administrators, and innovators use the platform for their IP management needs. The company’s global operations are headquartered in Boston, with offices across the U.S., Europe, and Asia. For additional information, please visit anaqua.com, or on LinkedIn.

About Oblon
Assisting clients for over 50 years, Oblon is one of the largest intellectual property law firms in the United States. Oblon’s professionals provide a full range of intellectual property services to some of the world’s leading innovators. Oblon is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia within steps of the United States Patent and Trademark Office with an affiliate office in Tokyo, Japan. Visit oblon.com for more information on the firm.

Company Contact:
Amanda Hollis
Associate Director, Communications
Anaqua
617-375-2626
ahollis@Anaqua.com

February 17, 2022

Amii invites the world to AI Week with $100,000 in travel bursaries

Researchers and applied AI experts are invited to explore Edmonton in May 2022

EDMONTON, Alberta, Feb. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In anticipation of AI Week, May 24 – 27, 2022, the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) announced the first $100,000 in travel bursaries for emerging researchers and applied artificial intelligence (AI) professionals globally. The Global Talent Bursary program will facilitate upwards of 500 guests to attend AI Week in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. For more information and to apply, head over to www.ai-week.ca/talent-bursaries.

“As we prepare to celebrate 20 years of AI research excellence, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to invite the world to AI Week. The Global Talent Bursary program makes it financially viable for more of our peers, alumni and collaborators to come to the conference. It also provides amazing access to our rich community to plan future endeavours. I hope you’ll apply and come to AI Week to find your next role, learn more about a dynamic research domain, and find collaborators for startup ventures,” says Cam Linke, CEO of Amii.

Global Talent Bursary recipients receive exclusive access to events at AI Week including an Academic Symposium featuring content from Amii’s deep well of world-leading researchers, a VIP Career Mixer and more. In addition, Amii is pleased to offer Global Talent Bursaries for individuals from groups who are typically underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields, recent immigrants to Canada and individuals from rural communities. Applications are completed on the basis of self-identification.

Recipients will also enjoy access to a special AI Week lecture from Richard S. Sutton, Chief Scientific Advisor, Fellow and Canada CIFAR AI Chair at Amii. One of the world-leaders in the field of reinforcement learning, Dr. Sutton is a Distinguished Research Scientist at DeepMind and one of the world’s foremost thinkers about AI, the mind and what it means to be intelligent.

“I invite you to join us for four days of workshops, social events, educational events – experts and students, meeting each other and seeing the Edmonton ecosystem. We have travel bursaries available for early-career researchers of all types, and we’re excited to meet people and learn a little bit about AI together,” says Sutton.

The inaugural AI Week presented by Amii is a four-day celebration of Alberta’s 20-year history of excellence in AI and machine learning. The event will run from May 24-27, 2022 in Edmonton with a mix of in-person, hybrid and digital first offerings. With programming for all audiences, the event marks Amii’s 5th anniversary and the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Amii research centre at the University of Alberta. For updates and announcements, join the AI Week Insiders List at www.ai-week.ca.

The celebration will feature a variety of events and programming focused around AI and machine learning. Audiences of all ages will have an opportunity to connect with AI leaders in research and industry, explore the promise and possibilities of the technology and immerse themselves in the science of AI and machine learning. With something for experts and beginners alike, events and activations include:

Keynotes, presentations and informal talks for a range of knowledge levels
Academic symposium highlighting Alberta’s AI research excellence
AI talent mixer connecting job seekers with potential employers
K-12 sessions exploring future careers in AI
Community events series organized by partner organizations
Socials, mixers, networking events, and more

AI Week presented by Amii will take place from May 24 to 27, 2022 at a range of venues across Edmonton. This year will mark the inaugural year of what will become an annual celebration of Alberta’s AI community. Stay up-to-date on announcements and programming by joining the AI Week Insiders List at www.ai-week.ca.

About Amii

One of Canada’s three centres of AI excellence as part of the Pan-Canadian AI Strategy, Amii (the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute) is an Alberta-based non-profit institute that supports world-leading research in artificial intelligence and machine learning and translates scientific advancement into industry adoption. Amii grows AI capabilities through advancing leading-edge research, delivering exceptional educational offerings and providing business advice – all with the goal of building in-house AI capabilities. For more information, visit amii.ca.

Spencer Murray
Communications & Public Relations
t: 587.415.6100 ext. 109 | c: 780.991.7136
spencer.murray@amii.ca

February 17, 2022

Assets Held by Mutual Funds Dip Below Rs. 1 Trillion

The values of assets under mutual funds being managed by asset management companies have decreased to below Rs. 1 trillion by the end of January 2022.

According to the official statistics updated by the Mutual Funds Association of Pakistan, the values of assets under mutual funds of various categories stood at Rs. 966 billion by the end of December, which decreased by 12 percent from 1.089 trillion reported by the end of December 2021.

The outflow of investments and savings from mutual funds is attributed to a seasonal drop in relation to the annual targets besides the expectation of lower or stable margins from money markets. Investors switched from mutual funds from other avenues of investment as the policy rate is unlikely to go up, which will not impact on margins positively of mutual funds in the near future.

There is this term called ‘January Effect’ that shows that in January, mostly investors invest in the equity market after keeping themselves liquid in the previous month due to various reasons. We usually see this influx during January, said an analyst from Arif Habib Limited, Sana Tawfiq.

Secondly, after the clarity from the SBP in the form of forwarding guidance, now investors are aware that there might not be any change in interest rates as such. Even if there is any change, the quantum will be lesser than the previous ones, which means that money market yields (kind of) have peaked out here. This, too, could be one reason for the reshuffling of portfolios from MM to other riskier (and better yielding) avenues, she added.

The average profit rate of the income funds and money market funds stood at above 10 percent. National Investment Trust(Equity) remains the major fund manager with Rs. 59 billion asset values. It is followed by Meezan Rozana Amdani Fund with Rs. 47 billion, HBL Cash Fund with Rs. 43 billion, and MCB Cash Management Fund with Rs. 40 billion.

Various corporations, individuals, banking, and financial sectors are dominant investors of the mutual funds in the country. Besides mutual funds, assets held by asset management companies include pension funds with Rs. 38 billion value of investments and savings and exchange-traded funds with a value of Rs. 277 million.

In 2021, mutual funds’ assets grew from Rs. 913 billion to Rs. 1.089 trillion. During the year, the industry witnessed volatile trends as active investors switched their investments from mutual funds of the equity market to the money market. Assets values of mutual funds crossed a mark of Rs. 1 trillion for the first time in the outgoing month, which will likely be sustained in the present year.

Source: Pro Pakistani

February 17, 2022

Finance Minister Directs FBR to Settle Refund Issues of Pharma Industry

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Shaukat Tarin, held a meeting with a delegation of the Pakistan Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Association (PPMA) headed by its chairman Qazi M. Mansoor Dilawar at the Finance Division today.

Chairman PPMA shared about the problems being faced by the Pharmaceutical manufacturers, particularly the concerns pertaining to refund of sales tax. These unresolved matters result in unnecessary delays and thus impact the overall working efficiency of PPMA. Furthermore, they requested the resolution of the mentioned issues. Shaukat Tarin commended the contribution of pharmaceutical manufacturers. It was accredited that this sector has a substantial role in the economic development of the country. He assured the delegation that all such reservations of PPMA will be resolved at the earliest time possible.

The Finance Minister further directed FBR to carry out all possible measures for settlement of the issues of the pharmaceutical industry. The PPMA delegation thanked the Finance Minister for ensuring the full support for the resolution of their issues.

Source: Pro Pakistani

February 17, 2022

Muhammad Haris Equals Paul Stirling’s Record in PSL 7

Peshawar Zalmi’s young batsman, Muhammad Haris has smashed the joint-fastest fifty in PSL 7, scoring a half-century off just 18 balls.

Opening batting for Peshawar Zalmi, the 20-year-old batsman wreaked havoc on United bowlers, hitting 4 sixes and 5 fours. Batting at an incredible strike rate of nearly 250, Muhammad Haris brought up his fifty off only 18 balls. With this, the young batter leveled the record of Tim David and Paul Stirling to score the joint-fastest fifty of the seventh edition of Pakistan Super League.

Paul Stirling had set the record when Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United met in the first round of PSL 7 at the National Stadium, Karachi. Tim David had also joined him later when Multan Sultans defeated Peshawar Zalmi in their last match of Karach-leg of PSL 7.

Muhammad Haris has also recorded the third joint-fastest fifty in PSL history, following Kamran Akmal and Asif Ali. Young batter’s fiery fifty helped Peshawar Zalmi post 74 runs in the powerplay against Islamabad United. Muhammad Haris smacked an outstanding innings of 70 off 32 balls before losing his wicket to Waqas Maqsood.

Source: Pro Pakistani

February 17, 2022

Turkish delegation led by Minister for Religious Affairs Dr. Ali Arbas arrives in Lahore

An 18-member Turkish delegation led by Minister for Religious Affairs Dr. Ali Arbas arrived in Lahore on Thursday evening on a goodwill visit.

Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony Noor-ul-Haq Qadri and Punjab Minister for Auqaf and Religious Affairs Syed Saeed-ul-Hassan welcomed the delegation at Lahore airport.

The delegation will participate in a conference titled 'The Philosophy of Rumi and Iqbal' in Lahore and will hold meetings with Governor Punjab and religious leaders.

Source: Radio Pakistan