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CASBAA media college graduates first intake
MUMBAI: The Cable & Satellite Broadcasting Association of Asia (CASBAA) has awarded the first CASBAA Media College ‘Certificates of Accreditation’ to six executives who had passed the 2004 six-module course dedicated to enhancing skills in sales and account management.
The CASBAA Media College is supported by CASBAA and the Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA).
MDA director of industry development Seto Lok Yin, formally awarded the Certificates of Completion to Christopher Pattinson of ESPN Star Sports, Yvonne Tay of Star Group, Jasmin Wong of Turner International Asia Pacific, Lawrence Ng of Sony Pictures Entertainment and Peter Giakoumelos and Daniel Joseph of Discovery Networks Asia, at an official ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel.
The 2004 CASBAA Media College television sales training scheme ran from April to November this year, with each module covering two full working days (Fridays and Saturdays).
Other companies participating in the inaugural year of the CASBAA Media College included CNBC Asia, BBC World, MTV Networks Asia, Nickelodeon, StarHub and HBO Asia.
Students unable to complete all modules of the scheme during 2004 (due to travel requirements etc), will do so in 1H 2005. The next session of the CASBAA Media College will be in April 2005.
CASBAA chairman Marcel Fenez noted that the first graduates from the CASBAA Media College had worked exceptionally hard for their reward and had given up significant personal time, not only to attend the course but also to complete challenging assignments both in their places of work and at home.
Given the work pressures under which we all operate and the amount of traveling that many sales executives must undertake, the achievements of our first six graduates are not inconsiderable, said Fenez. Working with our partner Allsorts Habit Creation, this is a long-term project that will not only bring benefit to our member organizations, but also to Singapore and the industry at large.
Seto, speaking on behalf of the MDA, welcomed the completion of the first year of the CASBAA Media College. “This is definitely a significant moment in our efforts to build media manpower capabilities. This is part of our strategy to develop Singapore as a global media city. We look forward to having more such programmes next year,” said Seto.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
