Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/712794
41 Events maltatoday, SUNDAY, 17 JULY 2016 THE Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) recently awarded accountancy network PKF International with the Global Approved Employer status for Professional Develop- ment. ACCA's prestigious global pro- gramme is awarded to employers who meet high standards of edu- cation and training for their staff and commit to the ongoing devel- opment of their ACCA members. Lisa Peake, ACCA's Head of Global Employer Relationships, presented chairman Theo Ver- maak – chairman of the Inter- national Professional Standards Committee of PKF International, with the Approved Employer cer- tificate at its international techni- cal conference in Lisbon recently. Lisa Peake said: "ACCA is de- lighted to be working with PKF International on several global initiatives designed to benefit its network. Attaining the Global Approved Employer status is a huge achievement, recognising the commitment member firms give to the development of their accounting professionals glob- ally." Theo Vermaak said: "To be awarded Global Approved Em- ployer (Professional Develop- ment) status, was a highlight for PKF International at our recent International Assurance and Ac- counting Conference held in Lis- bon. "This is a very important mile- stone in the relationship we have developed with ACCA, which we believe will help us attract more ACCA members and students globally, and enhance the quality of professional development ini- tiatives throughout the PKF net- work. "Our sincere thanks to Lisa Peake and Anton Hosein, Head of Strategic Relationship Support, for the hard work and guidance provided during this process." Lisa Peake concluded: "Pro- fessional development is a re- quirement for ACCA members throughout their careers. We have developed a programme that maintains and develops the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in today's and tomorrow's dynamic and demanding working world. So we are delighted that PKF is now part of this global pro- gramme." Technogym chosen as official supplier for the Rio 2016 Olympic games The Italian company leader in fitness, wellness and sport training will equip 15 training centres in Rio for the over 10,000 Olympic athletes RIO 2016 Olympic Games have chosen Technogym as the official and exclusive fitness equipment supplier. For Technogym, internationally recognised for setting the standard in athletic training, rehabilitation and wellness, Rio 2016 represents the sixth Olympic experience after Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Turin 2006, Beijing 2008 and London 2012. In Rio, Technogym will equip 15 centres for the athletes to train prior to and during the Olympic Games, with the main training cen- tre (of approximately 2000 sq. me- ters) located at the Olympic Village in Barra da Tijuca. The main centre will be open to all athletes taking part in the games and will be equipped with a wide range of products in order to cover the athletic preparation needs of every sport discipline. The other 14 training centers will be located at additional competi- tion venues and specifically de- signed for the athletic preparation needs of the different disciplines. A total number of around 1200 pieces of equipment will be made available to the 10,500 athletes, who will be representing 205 differ- ent countries and performing in 42 different disciplines. Moreover, Technogym will pro- vide a team of 50 professional ath- letic trainers to support the athletes as well as all related services (gym layout, installation and technical service). The Rio 2016 athletes will have the possibility to train on a selec- tion of the best and most innovative products covering all training areas such as cardio, strength and func- tional training. All Technogym equipment will be fully integrated with the My- wellness cloud, the Technogym digital platform enabling them to stay connected to their own per- sonal training program directly on the equipment itself and via their mobile devices. The state of the art solution that Technogym will take to Rio in- cludes the newly released SKILLM- ILL, the only non-motor-driven functional training product – spe- cifically designed for Athletic Per- formance Training – which allows athletes to train power, speed, stamina and agility exercises with the same product. Athletes will also be able to train on Artis, the widest and most com- plete cardio, strength and function- al training range in the world fea- turing UNITY, the latest generation "internet of things" based interface, designed to ensure a fully personal- ised training experience, which al- lows the athletes to access to their personal training programs via the Technogym's Mywellness cloud. Kinesis, the Technogym patented technology, will allow athletes to explore the freedom of 360° move- ment to perform exercises aimed at improving balance, flexibility and posture and simulating sport spe- cific movements. Technogym's commitment for the Rio 2016 Olympics goes far beyond the company's role of official sup- plier for the athletes training cen- tres and aims to concretely contrib- ute to the legacy that the Olympic movement wants to leave in the city of Rio de Janeiro. In conjunction with Rio 2016 Technogym is launching the "Let's Move for Rio" social campaign. The campaign's purpose is to donate part of the equipment provided to the Olympic training facilities in fa- vor of the post-Olympic legacy. Through the Technogym digital platform Mywellness cloud, during the Olympics, athletes and wellness enthusiasts will be able to measure their physical exercise – both on the equipment and thanks to the free Technogym mobile app – and transform it into equipment that Technogym will donate to 22 public gyms in Rio's most disadvantaged communities. At the Olympic Village athletes will collect MOVEs – the unit of measurement of the movement defined by Technogym – by train- ing on the connected Technogym equipment, while everybody will be able to join the campaign by just downloading the Technogym app. The app measures movement per- formed both on the equipment and outdoor in the daily life. For each 75.000 MOVEs collected globally Technogym will donate one piece of equipment to the community gyms selected together with the Empresa Olimpica Municipal that is part of the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro. The more people will move, the more Technogym will donate! Banif provides opportunities for MCAST students FOR the second year running, Banif Bank will be taking a num- ber students on board as part of the MCAST Apprenticeship scheme. The Bank has enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with MCAST, with several work place- ments having been arranged over the years. Indeed, quite a few of these stu- dents have gone on to become full-time members of the Banif team. This time round, eleven students will be assisting in vari- ous Units and Branches across the Bank. "These apprenticeships are a win-win situation for all in- volved," said Karl Dingli, head of XCorporate Services at Banif Bank. "By working closely with organisations like ours, MCAST helps to bridge the gap between education and industry, allowing the students to gain valuable on- the-job training and transferable soft skills which will undoubted- ly aid them take their first steps in their new careers. "Meanwhile, the Bank always welcomes the enthusiasm, eager- ness to learn and fresh ideas that students can bring to the table. Banif is glad to be able to provide invaluable experience and op- portunities which will contribute towards the development of the next generation of professionals." ACCA awards PKF with Global Approved Employer status for Professional Development