SkillsFuture Credit Roadshows launched this past weekend by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency
At least 6,000 Singaporeans who are eligible for SkillsFuture Credit were in attendance at the two-day roadshow at Westgate Mall from 9-10 January. This week, the launch of the SkillsFuture Credit Roadshow organised by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA), aimed to assist Singaporeans in taking ownership of their lifelong learning.
Singapore Government pledges $19 billion towards Research, Innovation, and Enterprise Plan
This past Friday, the Singapore Government revealed the RIE2020 plan which is committing to funding $19 billion in research, innovation and enterprise over the next five years. The outcome of this research funding will boost the lives and adaptability of Singaporeans, strengthen societal bonds, as well as improve the quantity and quality of economic opportunities.
New Aurukun CCTV to aid the local police as well as to better community security
All three levels of Government have united to fund the $1.3 million installation of a new CCTV security camera system in Aurukun.Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Curtis Pitt said signing off on the agreement with the Federal Government before Councils go into caretaker mode ahead of the March election will ensure this project is delivered for the town.
India’s Railway Minister implements the ‘e-Tendering in Works Contracts’ and Indian Railways E-Procurement System (IREPS)
Yesterday, India’s Minister of railways, Shri Suresh Prabhu inaugurated and launched Works Module of Indian Railways E-Procurement System (IREPS), as well as implemented the ‘e-Tendering in Works Contracts’. This will be a paramount progress towards IT enablement of Indian Railways.
Government to enhance capacity for research and production of electric vehicles in Thailand
In collaboration with domestic research centres and the private sector, the Ministry of Sciences and Technology of Thailand held an exhibition on electric vehicle prototypes that are to be produced domestically. Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, together with Deputy PPM ACM Prajin Juntong and Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith made special visit to this innovative exhibition.
Customs in Vietnam to develop Online Public Services on its E-Portal
The goal of the General Department of Vietnam Customs is to revitalize information and technology in all customs state management activities so as to expedite processing of people and enterprises. Director of the Customs Department of IT and Statistics, Mr Nguyen Manh Tung, mentions about the sector’s solutions which is to implement Resolution 36a/ NQ-CP on e-government in time to come. Notably, the customs will improve and work to develop online public services on its e-portal this year.
Singapore researchers develop the world’s first cellular imaging platform for predicting the toxicity of compounds to the kidney
Researchers at A*STARS’s Bioinformatics Institute (BII) and the Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (IBN) have developed a highly efficient and accurate cellular imaging platform for predicting the toxicity of compounds to the kidney. To briefly mention, chemical compounds which may originate from food, medicine, or even the environment, could be harmful and injure one’s kidney and impair its function of eliminating waste from the body.
Vietnam Government Developing Policies which will construct an Ecosystem to Fund Tech Start-Ups
In Vietnam, the government is coming up with policies to encourage the establishment of venture capital funds to develop new technologies. A dispatch by the Government Office was sent to the Ministry of Science and Technology while the Ministry of Planning and Investment will notify the Prime Minister of the formulation of the policies to encourage the establishment of funds that are to promote the development of technologies within small businesses, taking into consideration the upcoming law on supporting small and medium-sized companies.
Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources toting Tablets, improving WiFi services, and using Softphone Telephony
OpenGov reached out to Graham Gathercole, CIO, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, Australia, to learn how he is dealing with digital transformation and working to improve service delivery with the use of ICT. “Over the last 18 months, the Department has made a concerted effort to streamline and improve business processes through better use of technology and tools. This project, known as Service Delivery Modernisation (SDM), has delivered significant benefits to the department and our stakeholders,” stated Mr. Gathercole.
Vietnam Ministry of Industry and Trade to support developing industries through $305M Fund
To provide assistance for organisations and individuals in developing industries, Vietnam’s ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has created programmes for the timeframe of 2016-2025. According to the draft, important support activities of the programmes include investment promotion activities at home and abroad for attracting investment for producing products, as well as to support industries and develop local and export markets for those products.
Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences to allot a Low Cost Motorized Wheelchair to India
Today, India’s Union Minister for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan has dedicated a low cost motorized wheelchair to the nation. This low cost motorized wheelchair is called Locomo-WC and is specially dedicated to the less fortunate people with disabilities.
Vietnam’s National Development Programme sets Tech 2020 Plan
The world is quickly evolving into a technologically ubiquitous and savvy place, and because of this, the Vietnam government is looking to boost the country in its field of science and technology to capitalise on this. Thus, they have come up with the National Development Programme Tech 2020. On a whole, the main goal of this programme is promote research, innovate and be adept in creating high-tech as well as effectively apply high technology in different fields of the economy.
India to synthesise Frontier Technology into their Police Operations
Minister Shri Rajnath Singh has called upon the police force to intelligently make use of technology in a sensible manner, to leverage technology as an instrument of peace- as well as a force multiplier. He has mentioned that social media can tremendously empower the police in fostering police-community relationship.
Designers and Techies Come Together and Innovate Solutions for Assist Active Aging
Designathon is an event, which was held for the first time ever in Singapore, hosting a space where the design and tech worlds could converge. This event was organised by Design Singapore Council and had the aim of coming up with designs to enhance the experience of aging. It was held over a period of two days at the National Design Centre.
Seniors in Singapore to become more technologically savvy by learning to tap on “mouse power”
With Singapore’s recent progression towards becoming a smart nation, heavy emphasis is no doubt placed on technology, smart living, IoT, etc. Thus, to ensure that the grey population do not get left behind by wider trends but rise to meet the expectations and demands of a smart city, The North East Eldersurf Intergen Bootcamp was organised.
Breakthrough innovation from A*STAR’s IME and Biotech Firm to better chronic pain management
Patients suffering from chronic pain can soon enjoy a new option for pain mitigation. This is in acknowledgement of the efforts of A*STAR’s Institute of Microelectronics (IME), jointly with a local biotechnology firm which led to the breakthrough of a new wireless implantable chronic pain management device.
Singaporean Government identifies Cyber Crime as key challenge in response to Crisis in the Region
At present, with growing and relentless threats to the region, there have been strategic moves to step up Singapore’s security. In his ministry’s addendum, Mr Shanmugam identified terrorism and transnational and cyber crime as key challenges for his ministry, with traveler and cargo volumes rising even as Singapore’s population continues to age.
Vietnam Government and Swedish Embassy launch Smart Water Innovation Contest
Recently, the Swedish embassy in Ha Noi together with the natural resources and environment ministry launched a smart water innovation contest. This competition is held in response to pressing water-related challenges that Vietnam is and would be facing in the near future. Some of the reasons being that Vietnam has neither the physical infrastructure nor financial capacity to be self-sufficient in water supply.
$7.8 million funding granted to allow Aussies ideas to take flight into the global market
This week, the Australian announced a $7.8 million investment in 17 innovative local companies. This funding offer announced yesterday was under the Australian Government’s Entrepreneurs’ Programme. The investment is expected to benefit the mining, information technology, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing industry sectors.
Singapore awarded the UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize in recognition for ICT Pedagogical Innovation
Earlier this week, Singapore has been awarded the UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the use of Information and Communication technologies (ICTs) in education. This award is given in recognition of innovations in teaching and learning methods that leverage technology to better educational outcomes.
Singapore and UK to join hands for Cybersecurity Initiatives
Recently, NUS has been awarded with almost $1 million through three NUS Computing and NUS Mechanical Engineering projects under the inaugural Singapore-UK Joint Grant Call for Cybersecurity Research. The results of the $5.1 million joint call by the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, and Singapore’s National Research Foundation were announced in December 2015.
India government scales up the budget for solar rooftops in India
There is a large potential available for generating solar power by tapping on unutilized space on the rooftops of buildings. Solar power generated by each individual household, industrial, institutional or any other type of buildings can be used to partly fulfil the needs for it.
In India, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the scaling up of budget for the implantation of Grid Connected Rooftops systems over a period of 5 years, up to 2019-2020 under the National Solar Mission (NSM).
IDA to carry out embedded SIM trial as part of Singapore’s work towards a more Connected Nation
In this information age, the evolution of technology, the mere idea of smart and sustainable living is inevitable. The terminology “Internet of Things (IoT)” is more often than not used and heard in today’s world.To be on the cutting edge of technology and not be left behind, Singapore has to ride the waves of change. IoT is one of the key parts of the Smart Nation vision.
Infocomm Development Authority and Media Development Authority to undergo a restructuring to form IMDA
Asides from being the leading light in the smart cities arena, Singapore actually aspires to be more than a smart city. Being both a city as well as a state, Singapore is blessed with the opportunity to be able to apply smart city concepts at the national level. Recently, with the recognition of the potential of infocomm media to power the digital transformation of Singapore’s economy has led to convergence of our infocomm and media sectors, namely the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) and Media Development Authority (MDA).
Health Ministry of Vietnam launches Online Public Services
This week, level 4 online public services have been introduced by Vietnam’s Ministry of Health. This newly introduced online service is expected to make the registration process for enterprises involved in healthcare sector, a more convenient and efficient one. It will ease trading and food production companies in applying for certifications on meeting food safety regulations and conditions.
Indonesia aims to become the largest digital economy in Southeast Asia
Indonesia not only aims to become the largest digital economy in Southeast Asia by 2020 but also targets to become the state’s backbone in face of the digital economy era. It plans to achieve an online business value of US$130 billion with an annual growth of 50 percent. “Indonesia could be the biggest digital company in Southeast Asia. This is a realistic dream that we can make come true together,” Communication and Information Minister Rudiantara said.
Singapore Polytechnic announces real-world hangar, a new milestone in engineering education
Singapore Polytechnic (SP) has opened its first AeroHub, a new aerospace training facility today. Equipped with facilities typically found in an industry aircraft hangar, the four story state-of-the-art AeroHub includes a virtual simulator training room and an aeronautical research and development centre.
Vietnam and South Korea to boost television and 4G co-operation
Last Friday, Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and communications and Korea Communication Commission (KCC) of South Korea agreed to a more comprehensive co-operation in the television field in Ha Noi. Both sides have agreed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) within the first half of this year and inaugurate teams so as to strengthen and boost mutual cooperation ties.
Singapore’s first outdoor rehabilitative space with life-size replicas of public transportation and stimulated streetscape
Within the integrated healthcare club comprising of Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH) and Jurong Community Hospital (JCH), is Singapore’s newly opened outdoor rehabilitative space –JurongHealth Mobility Park. JurongHealth Mobility Park is Singapore’s first rehabilitative space with life-size replicas of public transportation and stimulated streetscape.
Nanyang Technological University invents two social and telepresence robots
Geography is longer an obstacle.All these by virtue of telepresence technology.The team at NTU has been fostering cross-disciplinary research in social robotics technologies for the past four years, namely the EDGAR project.The school has recently unveiled two new social and telepresence robots.
