2 Factor Authentication feature introduced to better secure the SingPass service
A new feature have been introduced by the government into the SingPass service. Residents who have yet to register for SingPass’ new two-factor authentication (2FA) will automatically receive a PIN code to help them enrol. Letters will be sent between next month and April containing a PIN which they must use to activate the 2FA by July 4.
Unified Communications Technology simplifies and eases the access for consumers to enjoy the Financial Information Service in Australia
Financial Information Service (FIS) Officer Jamie King has been offering FIS appointments via video conferencing for almost a year now, and says that it has revolutionised the way he provides services to customers. The Financial Information Service (FIS) is a free, confidential service that provides education and information on financial issues to all Australians.
Two new NTU-made satellite technologies pass space test will pave way for Singapore’s move towards a space industry
The two new satellites launched by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) two months ago have successfully completed their first space missions. The two new satellites are namely, the VELOX-CI – Singapore’s first climate monitoring; and VELOX-II, the world’s first small satellite which carries a “communication-on-demand” technology which can send data back to NTU anytime and anywhere in space.
Dr. Jackie Craig, Australian Department of Defence, on the Future of Electronic Warfare
OpenGov spoke to Dr Jackie Craig, Chief of the Cyber and Electronic Warfare Division, Department of Defence, Australia, to hear about how she perceives this phenomenon. Dr. Craig has gained extensive expertise in the field of intelligence, surveillance reconnaissance (ISR) and electronic warfare systems through 15 years of work. She has had more than 50 papers published in the open scientific literature and a further 30 papers in a classified setting. She is the holder of two patents and several invention records.
How Australia’s New One-step Online Registration compares to that of the United States
Eight years ago, when the Australian government implemented a programme to increase organ donation and transplantation, seven per cent of Australians are registered organ donors -1.8 million people. A further 4.3 million have at some stage signalled intent to become a donor but have yet to complete the paperwork required under the current system.
UN-based computer to be integrated in Vietnam’s education system for national examinations
Earlier this week, Vietnam is said to be using computers in the implementation of national exams. Previously, only 500 national pilot schools implemented the computer-based exam (UNBK), however this year as many as 4,468 schools will hold the national examination using the computer.
Mobile App to prepare both pupils and parents for the new school year in Australia
Australians, excited to kick-start the new school year with a bang? The Learning Potential app which was launched in August last year, has been a big hit with parents. With more than 111,500 downloads to date, it was listed as #1 and #2 best free app in the Education category in Google Play and App Store following its launch.
Inside Look: Malaysia PDRM’s SMART Lock-Up Management System ready for Nationwide Implementation
This Wednesday, the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) launched the nationwide deployment of the Self-Monitoring Analytics Reporting Technology (SMART) Lock-Up Management System. SMART Lock-Up just completed a successful 15-month pilot run at the Jinjang Police Station, preparing it for nationwide placement. OpenGov was invited to the briefing session, located at Jinjang Prison, which introduced us to the capabilities and benefits of SMART Lock-Up.
Joint Efforts between NUS and Several Universities Leads to the Creation of an Algorithm which Predicts Cell Changes
Collaborations between Duke-NUS Medical School (Duke-NUS), the University of Bristol, Monash University and RIKEN have led to the surface of an algorithm that can predict the factors necessary for human cell conversion. Cell types are not constant, and may be reprogrammed or transformed into another cell type through the addition of a unique set of cellular factors.
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.
Dr. Tan discusses how a variety of IoT devices will assist in caring for the Ageing-in-Place
In mapping out the future of Singapore, it is essential that Smart Nation initiatives remain inclusive and responsive to the needs of society as a whole. One particular segment which the Smart Nation programme is paying special attention to is the elderly population. OpenGov sat down with Dr. Tan Hwee Pink, Associate Professor of Information Systems (Practice) and Academic Director of the SMU-TCS iCity Lab, to discuss how the SHINESeniors project is aiding in these efforts, how the project has evolved, and what new devices they are looking to integrate next.
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.
A*STAR: Providing Technical Tools to Supply the Next Generation of Researchers
Dr. Kan’s role is to empower these researchers and provide them with the necessary ICT infrastructure which allows them to make new discoveries. “Today, there are many software applications that help researchers do certain things like DNA sequencing, mashing of different molecular organisms, design of turbines, weather simulation, and much more,” stated Dr. Kan, “We provide the tools and systems, computer power, and infrastructure, to allow this research to take place on a daily basis.”
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.
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia prepares State-Of-The-Art Data Centre, UTM Smart Campus, and Campus Wide Network Coverage
OpenGov spoke to Prof Dr Ali bin Selamat, Director of Centre for Information & Communication Technology (CICT), UTM, about the three new ICT initiatives for 2016.
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.
UK Digital Services releases Demographic Coverage Web Tool to explore Citizen’s Ability to be Verified under GOV.UK Verify
This week, GOV.UK developed a demographic coverage web tool which explores which citizens have the ability to verify their identity through GOV.UK Verify. GDS aims to reach 90 percent of the demographic coverage by April of this year when GOV.UK Verify goes live. This tool is essential to tracking its current reach and gaps in the market.
MAS Chief Fintech Officer on the Future of Money: Mobile Apps, Biometrics, and a Cashless Society
OpenGov sat in on a presentation by Mr. Sopnendu Mohanty, Chief Fintech Officer, Monetary Authority of Singapore, which was given at EmTech Asia this week. He discussed how our current methods of mobile banking, such as SMS authentication, will soon be seen as archaic and insecure. Given how technology is changing at a rapid pace and how the cyber threat landscape is growing each day, Mr. Mohanty is right on point.
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.
SMART unveils new Autonomous Buggy at EmTech Asia, not dependent on GPS
At EmTech Asia, the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) Future Urban Mobility (FM) Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG) behind the Autonomous Vehicle at One-North, unveiled a new Autonomous Buggy. This new buggy represents what we might very well see in our future hybrid environment of vehicles, as emphasised by SMART CEO Daniel Hastings.
Steve Leonard on how Singapore is driven by Disruption and Collaboration, a year after Smart Nation was initiated
This week is the third annual EmTech Asia, a gathering of technology innovators, scientists, researchers, and investors. The event opened with Mr Steve Leonard, IDA Executive Deputy Chairman, whom helped frame how technology disruption affects society and the relationship between collaboration and Singapore’s Smart Nation vision. Steve Leonard started out by discussing how far technology has come, with respect to maturity level, and how it continues to disrupt our everyday lives.
Australia’s New Chief Scientist Dr Alan Finkel AO begins work to Drive Innovation and Commercialisation
Australia’s New Chief Scientist, Dr. Alan Finkel AO, started his three-year term on 25 January. The renowned engineer, neuroscientist, entrepreneur and philanthropist was appointed to the position back in the end of October by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Australia’s Chief Scientist provides high-level independent advice to the Prime Minister and other Ministers on matters relating to science, technology and innovation.
