LES ROCHES AND SILVERSEA PARTNER TO LAUNCH PIONEERING POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMME IN CRUISE LINE MANAGEMENT

Les Roches and Silversea have officially signed an agreement to pioneer a groundbreaking field of study. The first of its kind, this innovative programme – offered at Les Roches campus in Marbella, Spain – provides students with the necessary knowledge and skills to manage and oversee various onboard areas of cruise vessels, in addition to aspects of marketing, revenue management, and other commercial functions pertaining to the cruise industry. Additionally, students are guaranteed to benefit from a scholarship agreement between both entities, along with the opportunity to gain employment aboard Silversea’s esteemed fleet.

 

Upon completion, graduates can secure employment positions at Silversea. The global recognition of Les Roches and Silversea is a testament to their commitment to delivering a top-quality educational journey. Les Roches, ranked among the world’s top four hospitality management schools worldwide, brings its wealth of expertise in academia, while Silversea, renowned as the leading ultra-luxury cruise line and celebrated for its all-inclusive lifestyle and extensive portfolio of global destinations, contributes its invaluable insight into the cruise travel landscape.

 

This industry has undergone a significant resurgence in recent years. According to a recent report by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), in 2023, this sector was expected to generate revenue of approximately $155 billion and create 1.2 million jobs worldwide. It has emerged as one of the fastest-growing fields. As indicated by the CLIA study, every 1% increase translates to four million new cruisers. Ship capacity is expected to grow globally by 19%, reaching nearly 750,000 berth ports by 2028. Furthermore, it is considered one of the tourism typologies with the greatest potential to evolve towards sustainability standards set by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

 

In response, this strategic alliance between Les Roches and Silversea opens up a broad spectrum of opportunities for those wishing to develop in an industry with a positive growth outlook. The Postgraduate Diploma in Cruise Line Management positions itself as a pioneer in this specialty among educational programs, offering learning that is highly focused on practical and managerial aspects—a hallmark of Les Roches—along with immersion guided by the leading ultra-luxury cruise brand, Silversea. The academic institution, with 70 years of history and campuses in Spain since 1995, has chosen its campus in Marbella, in close proximity to Malaga, which is a recognised hub for luxury cruise lines, as the ideal place to pursue this new programme, where the traffic of luxury cruise lines increases annually.

 

“Partnering with the world’s leading ultra-luxury cruise brand is a source of pride for Les Roches. The dedication and ambition that Silversea imposes in its business model are in line with our educational methodology. The luxury cruise sector is an area yet to be fully explored academically, and promoting this diploma positions us at the forefront, once again, of a specialisation that continues to grow year after year,” said Carlos Díez de la Lastra, CEO of Les Roches.

 

Spain attracts the second-highest number of cruise passengers in Europe, behind Italy. In 2023, a new record was set in the country, with a 46% increase compared to 2022, reaching over 12 million passengers, according to the latest data published by Ports of the State. The partnership between Silversea and Les Roches positions Marbella as a strategic hub for companies in the sector, as the urgent need to establish specialised teams in cruise travel is already a reality.

 

“As part of our commitment to offering our guests the very best service at sea, Silversea places great importance on sourcing the industry’s most talented crewmembers,” said Barbara Muckermann, President of Silversea. “Education and training are key in this service-oriented industry, which is growing fast. Since becoming part of Royal Caribbean Group, Silversea has welcomed six ships to its fleet in just three years, making attracting talented professionals more important than ever. We are delighted to partner with Les Roches, a leading academic institution, to ensure our service remains the best in the industry.”

During the first semester, students will follow a curriculum focusing on cruise operations, developing luxury experiences for guests, learning about luxury accommodation and food and beverage management on board, sales and revenue, and maritime law. Within this period, Les Roches also offers a business trip to Monaco and Miami, home of the world’s largest passenger port. Upon completion of this first part of the programme, students can choose to further engage in the industry practically with an immersion period in the cruise industry with Silversea.

BSH Home Appliances marks its advent in the cleaning category in India with the much-awaited launch of its Bosch Unlimited 7 Handstick Vacuum Cleaner

BSH Home Appliances Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of BSH Hausgeräte GmbH, a global leader in the home appliance industry, has launched the Bosch Unlimited 7 Handstick Vacuum Cleaner for Indian consumers. The launch of one of the most highly appreciated vacuum cleaner range from Bosch global portfolio in India marks an effort to redefine home cleaning experiences for Indian consumers. The recent launch was announced on the back of an extensive insight into local consumer preferences and the need gap that could be addressed seamlessly with the Bosch Unlimited 7.

Breakthrough in Cleaning Technology:

Bosch Unlimited 7 distinguishes itself as the go-to solution for Indian homes, capturing over 99.9% of dust* with ease. Tapping into extensive consumer insights, this innovative vacuum cleaner is a direct response to the evolving needs of Indian households grappling with escalating dust levels due to rapid construction and increased pollution.

Unlimited Power and Flexibility: 

Equipped with a TurboSpin motor delivering a staggering 66,000 rpm, the Unlimited 7 guarantees robust suction power across diverse surfaces. The 3.0 Ah battery ensures an extended runtime for cleaning up to 1000 sq ft of the house with a single battery charge. Its flex tube enhances maneuverability, while the quick stand facilitates convenient storage, ensuring a trouble-free cleaning workflow.

Revolutionizing Cleaning with Innovative Features:

Compared to other cordless cleaners, the Unlimited 7 handstick vacuum cleaner stands out with its intuitive nozzle foot release, flex tube, and ergonomic handheld design. The flexible tube adapts to your movements, making cleaning those tricky spots a breeze. No more bending and straining your back. The ergonomic design ensures a comfortable grip, minimizing fatigue during extended cleaning sessions.  The easy parking clip simplifies transitions between cleaning tasks, making it a breeze for everyone at home to use efficiently.

LED lights illuminate even the darkest corners, ensuring a thorough cleaning experience. The auto mode with auto-adjust power optimizes efficiency based on the surface being cleaned. Lightweight, ergonomic, and boasting an improved filter cleaning mechanism, the Unlimited 7 guarantees consistent performance over time.

Commenting on the launch, Saif Khan, MD & CEO, BSH Home Appliances, said, “At BSH, we put consumers at the forefront of our innovations. Introducing the BSH Unlimited 7 Handstick Vacuum Cleaner marks our strategic entry into the cleaning category. In a landscape where lifestyles continually evolve, so do the expectations of consumers. The Unlimited 7 seamlessly aligns with this transformative shift, presenting itself not merely as a cleaning tool but as a sophisticated smart companion, bringing innovative solutions to elevate the cleaning experience for modern Indian households.”

In addition to its outstanding features, the Bosch Unlimited 7 Handstick Vacuum Cleaner is available in multiple color options, allowing customers to choose a variant that aligns with their aesthetic preferences.

The vacuum cleaner is priced at Rs 30,000 onwards, and it is set to revolutionize the Indian market, offering consumers a superior cleaning solution and experience that seamlessly blends power, efficiency, and convenience.

* Dust pickup was measured in Turbomode on hard floors with crevices. Tested according to EN 60312-1:2017.

Physics Wallah (PW) Launches its Third Tech-Enabled Offline Vidyapeeth Centre in Bengaluru

Physics Wallah (PW), India’s leading ed-tech platform, has announced its third tech-enabled offline Vidyapeeth center in Bengaluru, underlining its commitment to establish educational hubs across India and make education more accessible to students.

PW’s Bengaluru Vidyapeeth centre boasts state-of-the-art infrastructure with 8 tech-enabled classrooms offering a conducive learning environment. The center also provides a self-study space, fostering a productive study atmosphere. Additionally, it has the Student Welfare Society (SWS), providing support for hostels, and transportation facilities. For the academic year 2024–2025 enrollment, it is offering an additional discount of 30% to students enrolling first for this academic year.

Additionally, it has organized a mega event under the name ‘Aagaz’ on March xx in PES University, 100 Feet Ring Road, Banashankari Stage III, Dwarka Nagar, Banashankari, Bengaluru, and counseled more than 3000 JEE and NEET aspirants, who were present along with their parents. Apart from this, PW’s top faculties, including Sachin Jhakhar and Amit Mahajan participated as mentors.

PW has opened 79 tech-enabled Vidyapeeth Centres across India, emerging as the fastest-growing ed-tech company with the third-largest offline network in nearly two years, serving over 2 lakh students. These centres offer a comprehensive curriculum for JEE/NEET.

PW offline Vidyapeeth centres offer the facilities of recorded lectures, assistance with NCERT materials, offline doubt-solving, Daily Practice Problems (DPPs) with video solutions, specialized modules, and Previous Year Questions (PYQs). These centres also have a dedicated desk for the Student Success Team (SST), making PW the only one to provide quick and personalized resolutions to student concerns. Additionally, there is also a parent-teacher dashboard system, which offers real-time updates on student progress.

PW Offline CEO Ankit Gupta stated, “With the launch of every offline centre, we get closer to our vision of establishing educational hubs across India, making quality education more accessible and alleviating financial burdens on parents. These centres are set to transform the educational landscape of the country.”

Zebronics unveils Juke bar 9900 featuring 5.2.4 channels with Dolby Atmos

Zebronics, a pioneer in audio technology, is thrilled to announce the launch of its latest masterpiece in home entertainment sound – ZEB-Juke Bar 9900. Elevating the home theater experience to new heights, the ZEB-Juke Bar 9900 combines cutting-edge features with breathtaking sound quality, delivering an immersive cinematic experience right in the comfort of your living room. This soundbar introduces numerous pioneering features for an Indian soundbar brand, boasting a 5.2.4 channel configuration, Dual wireless subwoofer, and a total of four upward firing speakers, complemented by dual wireless satellites and a wireless mic for karaoke. With these innovations, this soundbar promises to elevate your home cinematic experience to unprecedented heights.

 

Immerse yourself in the world of cinema with the ZEB-Juke Bar 9900’s 5.2.4 surround setup, featuring Dolby Atmos, revealing depth, clarity, and details like never before. The soundbar is also equipped with DTS X. Whether you’re watching movies, gaming, or streaming your favorite content, experience sound that moves all around you, bringing every scene to life with unparalleled realism.

 

With a powerful 725 watts RMS output, the ZEB-Juke Bar 9900 fills your room with rich, immersive sound, making every moment unforgettable. Enjoy seamless connectivity with the ZEB-Juke Bar 9900, featuring BT v5.3, that allows you to wirelessly connect compatible devices such as smartphones, tablets, or computers to the soundbar. With eARC, enjoy lossless audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS X, delivering superior sound quality for all your entertainment needs. It comes with Optical input for high quality digital audio, USB port for pen drives, as well as an aux input.

 

Enhance your listening experience with the 16.51cm dual wireless subwoofers, delivering room-thumping bass that adds depth and intensity to your favorite movies and music. Plus, with Dual wireless rear satellites, enjoy true surround sound that immerses you in every detail. The ZEB-Juke Bar 9900 features a soundbar with 5 individual drivers, ensuring crystal-clear audio across all frequencies. Take your entertainment to the next level with the wireless UHF mic featuring karaoke functionality, perfect for hosting fun house parties and entertaining guests.

 

Sleek and stylish, the ZEB-Juke Bar 9900 is designed to complement any home decor and can be easily wall-mounted for a streamlined look. Add a touch of ambiance to your home theater setup with RGB LED Lights, creating a mesmerizing visual experience that complements your audio.

 

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Pradeep Doshi, Director and Co-founder at Zebronics, said,  “The ZEB-Juke Bar 9900 represents a significant leap forward for Zebronics, as we introduce Dolby Atmos and DTS X support for the first time in our soundbar lineup. As a premium brand for the masses, we are dedicated to bringing cutting-edge products to our customers at unimaginable prices, and the ZEB-Juke Bar 9900 is a testament to that commitment. This groundbreaking soundbar elevates the range of audio experiences accessible to everyone, solidifying our position at the helm of soundbar brands in India.”

 

The Zebronics ZEB-Juke Bar 9900 Sound Bar will be available for purchase on amazon.com and flipkart.com at a price of Rs. 32,999/-, from 21st March 2024. For more information about the ZEB-Juke Bar 9900 and other Zebronics products, visit zebronics.com.

USAID Launches Women’s Health and Livelihood Alliance (WOHLA) – Bridging Healthcare and Economic Gaps for Women in India

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Samhita’s Collective Good Foundation partnered to launch the Women’s Health and Livelihood Alliance (WOHLA), a multi-stakeholder initiative designed to empower women in underserved communities across India by addressing the intersecting aspects of their health and economic wellbeing.

WOHLA aims to empower women by increasing their access to sexual and reproductive health information, services, and products. Additionally, it seeks to enhance their financial and digital literacy, thereby fostering livelihood opportunities and promoting workforce participation.

USAID Assistant Administrator for Global Health, Dr. Atul Gawande, said, “When women are given the opportunity to thrive, the entire community thrives too. Women’s economic security and rights is the critical foundation for communities, peace, and resilient economies. The Women’s Health and Livelihood Alliance in India provides career development and job opportunities for women, and expands access to sexual and reproductive health care—services that promote gender equity and economic security for women.”

Dr. Amit Bhanot, India Country Director and Chief of Party, USAID’s Frontier Health Market (FHM) Engage program, said, “WOHLA is designed to mobilize private sector resources, foster partnerships, and implement targeted interventions to cultivate an ecosystem that prioritizes the symbiotic relationship between women’s reproductive health and professional advancement. The benefits are far-reaching and may even eliminate genderbased violence.”

Priya Naik, Founder and CEO at Samhita Social Ventures Pvt Ltd, said, “Deeply committed to advancing the well-being of women and girls through multiple WOHLA interventions, we aim to increase access to reproductive healthcare information, products and services and unlock access to livelihood interventions for empowering young women.”

Sandeep Varma, Chief Executive Officer, The Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprise, Ministry of Medium and Small Enterprises, said, “We are committed to scaling micro and small enterprises led by women in the healthcare sector, facilitating seamless access to finance. Our goal is to empower these enterprises to turn aspirations into tangible achievements, thereby catalyzing economic growth. Through our collaborative efforts, we aim to ensure essential credit accessibility for India’s medium and small enterprises.”

Tuan Pham, Head of Social Impact at LinkedIn in Asia Pacific, said, “LinkedIn is proud to join forces with WOHLA in our shared mission to uplift and empower women in India. Through this initiative, we are dedicated to leveraging our platform’s capabilities to foster positive change in women’s economic opportunities and success. Together, we are not just advocating for progress – we are actively working to create a future where every woman has the resources and support needed to thrive.”

Ashwini Saxena, CEO, JSW Foundation, said, “WOHLA India syncs with JSW’s goal to catalyze entrepreneurial journeys of two million rural women in India, giving them enhanced agency and incomes.”

 

USAID Launches Women’s Health and Livelihood Alliance (WOHLA) – Bridging Healthcare and Economic Gaps for Women in India

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Samhita’s Collective Good Foundation partnered to launch the Women’s Health and Livelihood Alliance (WOHLA), a multi-stakeholder initiative designed to empower women in underserved communities across India by addressing the intersecting aspects of their health and economic wellbeing.

WOHLA aims to empower women by increasing their access to sexual and reproductive health information, services, and products. Additionally, it seeks to enhance their financial and digital literacy, thereby fostering livelihood opportunities and promoting workforce participation.

USAID Assistant Administrator for Global Health, Dr. Atul Gawande, said, “When women are given the opportunity to thrive, the entire community thrives too. Women’s economic security and rights is the critical foundation for communities, peace, and resilient economies. The Women’s Health and Livelihood Alliance in India provides career development and job opportunities for women, and expands access to sexual and reproductive health care—services that promote gender equity and economic security for women.”

Dr. Amit Bhanot, India Country Director and Chief of Party, USAID’s Frontier Health Market (FHM) Engage program, said, “WOHLA is designed to mobilize private sector resources, foster partnerships, and implement targeted interventions to cultivate an ecosystem that prioritizes the symbiotic relationship between women’s reproductive health and professional advancement. The benefits are far-reaching and may even eliminate genderbased violence.”

Priya Naik, Founder and CEO at Samhita Social Ventures Pvt Ltd, said, “Deeply committed to advancing the well-being of women and girls through multiple WOHLA interventions, we aim to increase access to reproductive healthcare information, products and services and unlock access to livelihood interventions for empowering young women.”

Sandeep Varma, Chief Executive Officer, The Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprise, Ministry of Medium and Small Enterprises, said, “We are committed to scaling micro and small enterprises led by women in the healthcare sector, facilitating seamless access to finance. Our goal is to empower these enterprises to turn aspirations into tangible achievements, thereby catalyzing economic growth. Through our collaborative efforts, we aim to ensure essential credit accessibility for India’s medium and small enterprises.”

Tuan Pham, Head of Social Impact at LinkedIn in Asia Pacific, said, “LinkedIn is proud to join forces with WOHLA in our shared mission to uplift and empower women in India. Through this initiative, we are dedicated to leveraging our platform’s capabilities to foster positive change in women’s economic opportunities and success. Together, we are not just advocating for progress – we are actively working to create a future where every woman has the resources and support needed to thrive.”

Ashwini Saxena, CEO, JSW Foundation, said, “WOHLA India syncs with JSW’s goal to catalyze entrepreneurial journeys of two million rural women in India, giving them enhanced agency and incomes.”