News archive

Second World Conference on Optometric Globalisation
20/2/2008

11, 12 & 13 April 2008, Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London

Hosts: the World Council of Optometry (WCO) and the European Council of Optometry and Optics (ECOO) in conjunction with the College of Optometrists

The conference will address the political, humanitarian and commercial aspects of the development of effective, efficient policies and delivery care systems that improve visual health. Read more

Richard Meredith-Hardy's visit to Tanzania
31/1/2008

On Monday 14th January 2008, Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) Tanzania hosted Richard Meredith-Hardy and his team to raise awareness on the Bank’s Seeing is Believing initiative. Richard is already well known to SCB as he was one of the co-pilots who flew from London to Sydney in 2007 with Miles Hilton-Barber, the first blind Microlight pilot. Read more

Supporting Chulalongkorn University
16/1/2008

Standard Chartered Bank (Thai) supports Thailand’s ivy league academic institution, Chulalongkorn University to develop software for the blind

Standard Chartered Bank (Thai) Pcl. in cooperation with the Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University launched a project called "iSight Lab" to research and develop assistive technology for the blind.

Called "iSight Lab", the project aims to develop the first open source Thai TextToSpeech-equipped screen reader software, which will enable the visually-impaired to gain wider access to computers, be able to serve the internet and read electronic documents without any sighted assistance.

Mr. Jan Verplancke, Group Head of Technology and Operations, Standard Chartered Bank said the bank realizes the significance of this project as computers have become a major part of everyday life for most people today. However the visually-impaired not only have limited access to computers but the special tools that are available for them to access computers are expensive and have limited functionality.

The "iSight Lab" has been created with initial funding of 30,000 US dollars per year for three years. In addition, Standard Chartered will also supply computers and necessary peripheral equipment to the research group to undertake this project.

Upon completion of phase I, by the end of 2008, Standard Chartered Bank will integrate these tools into its Call Centre in Thailand.

*Photo shows at the academic and technical cooperation agreement signing at Standard Chartered Bank (Thai) headquarters, from left, Mr. Ashley Veasey, Standard Chartered Bank (Thai)’s Chief Information Officer; Mr. Jan Verplancke, Group Head of Technology and Operations, Standard Chartered Group; Prof Dr Direk Lawansiri, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Assoc Prof Satid Vongpradhip, Head of the Department of Computer Engineering, Chulalongkorn University.

December Update
18/12/2007

Standard Chartered Thailand, on 18 November 2007, brought together 80 blind runners with 80 volunteers as guide runners to participate in the Standard Chartered Bangkok Marathon in celebration of His Majesty the King’s 80th birthday. This event provided a tangible way for staff and the general public to relate to both the event and the Bank’s Seeing is Believing cause. More »

More December News
18/12/2007

Gavin Laws, Head of Governance West visited the Kenyan Kikuyu Hospital during a recent business trip. He was able to speak to doctors, patients and witness the good work being doing and what a difference Seeing is Believing is making to the lives of many people. More »

September Update
14/9/2007

On 14 September 2007, Group Legal Department of Standard Chartered Bank hosted a five-a-side mixed team Touch-Rugby Tournament in aid of Seeing is Believing at The Athletic Ground, Richmond in Surrey.
Read More »

July News Update
5/7/2007

Seeing is Believing continues to excite our staff around the world with more fundraising stories and staff engagement through Employee Volunteering. It has even attracted fundraising from The British International School in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. read more »

GEMAS Award goes to Standard Chartered
10/4/2006

Standard Chartered has won the prestigious Gulf Marketing Review Effectiveness in Marketing Awards (GEMAS) in Corporate Social Responsibility for 2005. The Bank won for the Seeing is Believing initiative, and was congratulated for the difference it has made to the community by restoring sight to cataract patients. Nick Hughes said in his acceptance speech that Seeing is Believing fits into all the five values of the Bank: Creative, Responsive, International, Trustworthy and Courageous. Nick Hughes, Regional Head of Real Estate, UAE & MESA, accepts the award on behalf of Standard Chartered.

GIVE THE GIFT OF SIGHT
10/4/2006

Would you like the chance to give the gift of sight and raise money for Seeing is Believing? Through Sight Savers International, you could fund a sight restoring cataract operation from just US$30 as an alternative present. The online catalogue has a range of gifts from cataract operations to kits for eye nurses. If you would like to give meaningful gifts to your friends, family or colleagues, go to www.giftofsight.co.uk/seeingisbelieving to find out more.

Everyday Hero
16/3/2006

On 5th February, Nick Rowe (Senior Project Manager, UK) rowed into Antigua, completing the Trans Atlantic Ocean Rowing Race 2005. Nick and his rowing partner Al Howard rowed for 66 days in a 22 foot boat and are now among only 150 people to have successfully rowed across the Atlantic.

They had an eventful voyage, having weathered early storms, they encountered gales which caused them to loose precious equipment and in the second half of the voyage they capsized three times. After a 360 degree roll, Al broke a rib and Nick had to row single handedly for 11 days to stay in the race while Al recovered. They reached Antigua thinner, but triumphant, having raised money for Seeing is Believing and The Gurkha Welfare Trust. For more information about their amazing achievement, please visit www.adventure4charity.com

WORLD SIGHT DAY 2005
9/2/2006

On World Sight Day, October 13th 2005, SCB staff across the globe worked together to raise an unprecedented amount of money, while joining together to raise awareness of blindness, and celebrate the restorations which have been achieved through their efforts. Events ranged from Cricket in Quatar, Golf days in Singapore, pushing a bus in Indonesia and walkathons in Nepal and Nigeria as part of the efforts to raise money for, and awareness of, Seeing is Believing.

The Story of VISION 2020 Documentary on BBC World
6/2/2006

Seeing is Believing The Story of VISION 2020, a major documentary about avoidable blindness in the developing world, was made specially to mark World Sight Day, 13th October 2005. The film was presented by Sir John Major (a VISION 2020 ambassador), and made with the sponsorship of Standard Chartered Bank. It was aired on 8th and 9th October 2005 across six continents on BBC World.

Filmed in Kenya, India and China, the film profiles the most detrimental eye diseases through moving personal stories of people living with blindness. It tells the story of the work that is being done globally to help the millions who are blind but can be cured, and who would otherwise have no access to medical facilities.

If you missed seeing this documentary when it aired, please contact seeingis.believing@uk.standardchartered.com for more information.

SCB Wins at Asian CSR Awards 2005
15/9/2005

Standard Chartered Hong Kong has won the Asian CSR Awards 2005 for Poverty Alleviation for its work on the Seeing is Believing programme.

Seeing is Believing was chosen out of a highly competitive field of 160 projects, submitted by 91 companies across 12 countries in Asia. According to the award organiser, the Asian Institute of Management, Seeing is Believing was chosen as "the most outstanding project in the Poverty Alleviation category".

The judges recognised Standard Chartered for our role in raising awareness and funds for Seeing is Believing through numerous community activities in Hong Kong, such as the launch of "Run with Me" campaign using global Seeing is Believing Ambassador Henry Wanyoike, our work with the Youth Arts Festival in creating the "Tie d'Eye" Visual Arts display at Pacific Place Mall; and charity sales of our extremely popular green & blue Seeing is Believing wristbands.

Accepting the award at the gala presentation ceremony in Jakarta, SCBHK Chief Operating Officer Ben Hung commented, "At Standard Chartered, we see it as our responsibility to give back to the communities where we live and work. Tonight, we are here to celebrate the winners of the Asian CSR Awards. But the real winners are the people whose lives have been touched and changed by the hard work and efforts of good corporate citizens."

"Standard Chartered Bank has demonstrated through the Seeing is Believing initiative that business can make a tremendous impact on the lives of the poor. Through its own contributions and those of its employees and customers, the Bank has restored the eyesight of hundreds of thousands of people and given them access to life and work opportunities they may never have had. This is commendable," said Shalini Mahtani, CEO of Community Business, a Hong Kong-based charity committed to developing corporate social responsibility.

First launched in 2003, the Asian CSR Awards have become Asia's premiere awards programme on Corporate Social Responsibility, recognising corporate achievements in Best Workplace Practices, Poverty Alleviation, Support and Improvement of Education, Environmental Excellence, and Small Company CSR.

Another Award for Seeing is Believing Film!
18/6/2005

Earlier in the year the Seeing is Believing Islamia Eye Hospital film won a Bronze award at the New York Film and Video Festival. The film has now won a further 3 awards!

3rd place certificate of creative excellence at the US International Film and Video Festival
A bronze award at World Fest Houston
Silver award at Questar

Some more information about the festivals is below:

U.S. International Film Festival
The U.S. International Film and Video Festival’s yearly awards competition, founded in 1968, is one of the world’s leading international events devoted exclusively to the yearly selection and recognition of outstanding Business, Television, Documentary, Entertainment, Industrial, and Informational Productions.

Worldfest Houston

WorldFest was founded as an International Film Society in August 1961. It became the third competitive international film festival in North America, following San Francisco and New York. WorldFest’s mission is to recognize and honour outstanding creative excellence in film & video, validate brilliant abilities and promote future filmmaking in the state of Texas as well as enhance cultural tourism for Houston.

Questar
MerComm Inc. was founded in 1987 with the principal purpose of advancing the arts and sciences of communications in an international arena. MerComm strives to establish and promote high standards of individual and collective achievement. By way of recognizing the multi-disciplines involved in professional communications, MerComm Inc. sponsors six award programs: iNova for websites, Mercury for public relations, ARC for annual reports, Questar for video, Astrid for design & Galaxy for marketing.

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