Hong Kong Trade Development Council and USPAACC Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Boost Business Ties

Hong Kong Trade Development Council and USPAACC Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Boost Business Ties 6 June 2016 - The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation (USPAACC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Asian American Chamber’s Summit in Atlanta, United States, on 2 June, 2016. Through the MOU, the HKTDC and the USPAACC express their intent to cooperate on bilateral promotional activities. The partnership aims to leverage Hong Kong’s strategic regional position as a commercial, financial, logistics, business services, and trade fair capital to significantly increase the number of member companies and business connections for USPAACC and HKTDC into Hong Kong, the Chinese mainland and other Asia-Pacific market; and to utilize USPAACC’s unique platform that connects contract and other business opportunities in Fortune 100 corporations, United States federal, state and local governments, and large non-profit organisations, to suppliers of products and services worldwide. After the signing, Ralph Chow, Regional Director, Americas, HKTDC, said: “As a business services hub, Hong Kong is the most effective platform for American business to expand to Asia and capture the growth potential in the region.” Susan Au Allen, National President and CEO of USPAACC said: “Hong Kong is strategically located in the heart of Asia, and has all the resources that American business, large, medium and small, need to tap into and expand their reach into the most prosperous trade bloc in the world. We are simply delighted by this cooperative agreement, which is a stepping stone for greater growth in the years to come.”

Ralph Chow, Regional Director, Americas, HKTDC (seated, left) and Susan Au Allen, National President and CEO, USPAACC (seated, right) during the signing of the MOU on mutual cooperation in creating more business opportunities between Hong Kong and USPAACC, together with USPAACC executive team

香港海外華人民主人權促進會悼六四

剛逢六四悼英魂，
又蒞端午祭江神。
日嚐幾個無花菓，
何妨暫當加州人。


謝中之
Boston

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $2 Million in Community Compact IT Grants to 52 Cities and Towns

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $2 Million in Community Compact IT Grants to 52 Cities and Towns

Grants fund innovative IT projects, technology infrastructure upgrades and software or equipment purchases

BOSTON – Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito today awarded $2 million to 52 cities and towns across the Commonwealth to drive local technological transformation and improvement projects through the Community Compact Information Technology (IT) Grant Program.

“Strengthening the partnerships between cities and towns and the Commonwealth has been a priority for our administration,” said Governor Baker, “and these grants are key to supporting investments in technology projects and upgrades that aid municipalities in streamlining and improving service for their constituents.”

Announced at the Massachusetts Municipal Association’s (MMA) Annual Meeting in January, the Community Compact IT Grant Program awards cities and towns up to $400,000, and the expertise of the Office of Municipal and School Technology within MassIT, to implement and invest in one-time technology infrastructure, software and equipment  upgrades or planning, design, installation and training costs.

“We are proud to support these 52 municipalities in making technological advancements for the development of their communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Polito. “The grants will allow cities and towns to undertake projects critical to their successes, including modernizing financial systems, implementing wireless networks, and digitizing records.”

“The competition for the $2 million of available funding from the Governor’s Fiscal Year 2017 Capital Budget was intense, with more than 100 eligible municipalities applying for grants,” said Kristen Lepore, Secretary of the Executive Office for Administration and Finance. “The 52 communities chosen today met the overarching goal of driving innovation and transformation at the local level through investments in technology.”

Examples of Community Compact IT Grant Program Initiatives:

• Implementing boards and commissions, dog licensing and voter check in database software for the Colrain town clerk’s office.
• Implementing a 311 system to connect the citizens of Haverhill, Fall River and Revere with their city.
• Modernizing financial systems in multiple communities that will transform the accuracy and efficiency of financial operations.
• Installing a radio communications relay tower for first responders in Phillipston to improve critical communications.
• Deploying mobile fire apparatus technology so first responders in Braintree are able to access critical information in the field.
• Installing new infrastructure in Hinsdale that allows for a water meter system that enables usage-based billing.
• Upgrading infrastructure to facilitate regional technology cooperation between Barre, Rutland, and Barre Regional Emergency Communication Center.

For a full list of awardees and projects, click here.

Lt. Governor Polito has championed the administration’s municipal partnerships, signing 221 Community Compacts thus far. Through the Community Compact program, municipalities have identified and implemented self-selected best practices in conjunction with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, ensuring a strong partnership between state and local government. More information on the program and how Compact Communities can apply is available at www.mass.gov/ccc.

波士頓經文處長賴銘琪拜會O'Malley樞機主教

賴銘琪偕陳銘俊與Sean Patrick O’Malley樞機主教合影。

賴銘琪拜會O’Malley樞機主教，應邀出席祝聖典禮

駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪6月2日拜會Cardinal Sean Patrick O’Malley樞機主教，就如何加強臺灣與教廷關係交換意見，並應邀出席6月3日教廷前駐華代辦Mons. Paul Russell(陸斯道蒙席)晉升總主教之祝聖典禮。

賴銘琪處長偕陳銘俊副處長於6月2日在天主教Archdiocesan Pastoral Center拜會O’Malley樞機主教，賴銘琪首先向O’Malley樞機主教簡報蔡總統英文於五月二十日宣誓就職臺灣首位女性總統，另介紹新任陳副總統建仁是虔誠天主教徒。賴銘琪表示，天主教在臺灣興建醫院、學校、育幼院及養老院，澤及窮鄉僻壤，眾多神父修女畢生在臺奉獻事蹟令人欽佩。賴銘琪臨別前以故宮翠玉白菜相贈，O’Malley樞機主教回贈刻有耶穌像之精美十字架。

賴銘琪和陳銘俊6月3日另應邀出席教廷前駐華代辦Mons. Paul Russell(陸斯道蒙席)晉升總主教之祝聖典禮，祝聖典禮在The Holly Cross大教堂舉行，由O’Malley樞機主教親自主持。Russell 總主教派駐臺灣八年，對臺感情深厚，曾以自行車環島，對臺灣風土民情及人民友善熱情有深刻體驗，祝聖典禮遠自臺灣前來祝賀的友人包括台南主教林吉男、台中主教蘇耀文及戴修女等約十名。

教廷是臺灣在歐洲的邦交國，雙方文化與教育交流頻繁，今年2月至5月在臺北故宮博物院曾舉辦「天國的寶藏」教廷文物特展，展出60件具歷史及宗教意義的文物寶藏，吸引大批人潮前往觀賞，雙方亦簽有教育合作協議，目前在台灣有超過30萬的天主教徒。（駐波士頓經文處提供）

波士頓 6/3 燭光悼六四

CAPAC Applauds EEOC Enforcement Guidance on National Origin Discrimination

CAPAC Applauds EEOC Enforcement Guidance on National Origin Discrimination

Washington, DC – Yesterday the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) releaseddraft enforcement guidance addressing national origin discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Title VII prohibits employer actions that treat people unfavorably because of their national origin, including because they are from a particular country or part of the world, because of ethnicity, or because they appear to be of a certain ethnic background. Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) released the following statements:

Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:

“Discrimination on the basis of ethnicity or country of origin is simply un-American. That is why I am thrilled to see the EEOC take action to lay the groundwork for enforcing the existing prohibitions on workplace discrimination based on national origin. This action will add a strong layer of protection for immigrants, migrants, and other vulnerable populations that may face a disproportionate number of barriers to equal employment opportunity. I thank EEOC Chair Jenny Yang for her leadership, and I look forward to continue working with the EEOC to develop policies that would provide for a more just work environment for Asian Pacific Americans and all Americans.

Congressman Mike Honda (CA-17), CAPAC Chair Emeritus:

“I applaud EEOC’s revised draft guidance on national origin discrimination, and its clarifications on job segregation, human trafficking, and intersectional discrimination. To address the complex challenges we face today, we must be responsive and adaptable to protect our immigrant workers and workers of color. No one should face ill treatment due to their ethnicity or nationality. We have an obligation as a nation to uphold our values of fairness and equality across all of our communities.”

麻州亞美局 6/3 舉辦第10屆聯合餐會

---

Program Schedule

7:00 pm            Opening Performance by Bolly X
7:10 pm            Opening Remarks and Acknowledgements
Dr. Elisa Choi, AAC Chairperson
Ms. Grace Lee, Unity Dinner Honorary Chair
7:20 pm            History - Asian American Commission
Mr. Tackey Chan, State Representative
7:30 pm            Greetings
Ms. Sarah Kim, General Counsel for State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg
Ms. Suzanne Bump, State Auditor
7:40 pm            AAPI Pioneers Panel
Moderator: Professor Paul Y. Watanabe

• Mr. Akhil Nigam -  Founder of MassChallenge
• Ms. Lisa Wong - Former Mayor, City of Fitchburg
• Ms. Michelle Wu -  City Council President, City of Boston

8:20 pm            Performance by Vivian Luo
8:35 pm            Award Ceremony
                              Dr. Elisa Choi and Ms. Evelyn Tang
8:55 pm            Closing Remarks
                              Ms. Bora Chiemruom, AAC Executive Director
9:00 pm            Socializing and Photo Booth
9:30 pm            End of Evening
 

PARKING INFORMATION: Guests can use any of the pay on entry lots throughout campus. There is a Red Sox Game tomorrow, please plan accordingly!  You can check this website http://www.bu.edu/parking/lots-locations/red-sox-parking/  to show exact addresses and prices for each lot.

Parking Lots near GSU Metcalf Hall

波士頓台灣人生物科技協會 7/16-17 第四屆年會

✔ 生醫新創團隊報名、研究摘要上傳、早鳥報名截止日就在6/3囉！

✔ Registration deadline: June 3rd for abstract submission, entrepreneurial presentation, and early bird registration.

The 4th Boston Taiwanese Biotechnology Symposium will be held at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA on July 16th & 17th 2016. This symposium serves as an excellent opportunity for graduate students, postdocs, and young professionals to learn and exchange experiences in a variety of biotech career paths. This year we are very honored to have Dr. Pan-Chyr Yang(President of National Taiwan University) and Dr. Jane H. Hsiao (Vice Chairman and Chief Technical Officer of OPKO Health) joining us as our keynote speakers. We are also thrilled to have many outstanding scientists and professionals from academia and industry joining us for panel discussions on career developments. 

In addition to classical academic and industry panels, this year we are excited to announce four new sections: 

1) Entrepreneurial presentation: to invite biomedical startup teams to pitch their ideas and get feedback from investors; 

2) Academic workshop: to learn about the funding system, job talk skills, and how to prepare a faculty application package; 

3) Resume workshop: to learn how to polish your resume and develop networking skills; 

4) Career opportunities in industry: to explore more career paths in biotech industry.

We welcome all graduate students, postdocs, and young professionals in bio-, pharma-, public health-, and related fields to join us at the symposium. Pre-registration is required and no on-site registration will be accepted. Please submit an abstract if you would like to present your research work (oral or poster presentation) at the symposium.

• Time:  July 16th & 17th, 2016
• Location: Northwest Building, Harvard University (52 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA)
• Event website: http://btbatw.org/2016/
• Registration deadline: June 3rd for abstract submission, entrepreneurial presentation, and early bird registration.  July 15th for regular registration. Registration will be closed once the number of registrants reaches the maximum capacity of 250 people.
• Registration fee: $10 for early bird, $20 for regular registration (registration fee including lunch and dinner on Day 1, and coffee breaks on both days)

For any questions or suggestions, please contact btba.tw@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you there!