MIT-CREATE Global Connector Program seeks to support efforts in shaping Singapore into Asia’s Start-Up Nation
The Smart Nation vision is driving increased investment in developing and supporting innovative research and companies. With this, Singapore is becoming a great competitor in the global marketplace and a leader in Smart City initiatives. This past week, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Global Start-Up Lab and Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) launched the Global Connector Program (GCP) in Singapore.
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.
Singapore MPA will focus on Improving Port Management with Drones, Data Analytics, and Mobile Apps
OpenGov spoke to Mr. Goh Kwong Heng, CIO, Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) of Singapore, about what he foresees his team will focus on this year and how trending technologies are making waves in the ports. For 2016 and beyond, MPA will focus on four key areas for port development: Safe and Secure Port, Efficient Port, Intelligent Port, and Clean and Sustainable Port. “We want to use technology to enhance navigation and safety of the port waters, in addition to improving land utilization and productivity of the port. We host one of the busiest ports in the world, with over 1,000 vessels in our port waters at one time,” Mr. Goh Kwong Heng emphasised.
Minister Yaacob Ibrahim foresees Convergence of Infocomm and Pushes for Secure and Resilient Infrastructure in roll out of Smart Nation
With the recent announcement that the IDA and MDA will be reconstructed into IMDA, it is clear that the Singaporean Government is making great changes to meet their Smart Nation vision. Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Communications and Information, reiterated this sentiment in his Addendum to the President’s Address, while pushing for higher cyber security measures and innovation enablement. He foresees that there will be a nationwide transition to digital broadcasting- by the end of 2017. This will free up spectrum and allow for more mobile broadband capacity to support Singapore as a Smart Nation.
Australia and US to hold annual Australia-US Cyber Security Dialogue and enhance capacity building efforts in Asia-Pacific
As one of the top priorities for government this year, Cyber Security will be ever increasing in collaboration across the globe. All across the board, defenses are up, and governments are looking for ways to increase threat intelligence. We have recently seen Singapore and the UK strengthening ties in Cyber Security efforts, reports of $325M in Damages linked to Cryptowall from multi-vendor Cyber Threat Alliance, and a series of Information Safety Drills taking place in Vietnam.
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.
How the Hong Kong Government is securing itself in the cloud
While others may be hesitant to move to the cloud, Hong Kong is readily embracing migration and is taking steps secure its G-Cloud Infrastructure.
$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.
History of Indonesian Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency web-based online service system, BaLIS Exim
OpenGov recently spoke to Mr Farid Arif Binaruno, Head of the Planning Bureau for BAPETEN (Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency), about BaLIS Exim (BAPETEN Licensing and Inspection System for Export and Import) which is a web based online service system, facilitating applications for declarations of export-import of goods associated with ionizing radiation sources and of nuclear materials. This month, their new platform BALIS ONLINE, a continuation of BaLIS Exim, will be integrated in real-time online with more than 80 banks in Indonesia to facilitate the clearance of payment.
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.
A*STAR’s InfiniCortex paving the way for Singapore’s National Supercomputing Centre to be launched this year
OpenGov recently announced that the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is working to launch Singapore’s National Supercomputer Centre. When we arrived to the A*STAR Computational Resource Centre (A*CRC), we were happy to hear that the 27 racks had just arrived the previous day. The process to build the region’s fastest computer was underway, with a few months left until its launch.
Indonesia E-Commerce Roadmap to launch Late January, feeding off Digital Economy push
The Indonesian Government has announced that it has finalised plans to introduce the national e-commerce road map, to be launched late this month. During a meeting organized by the Coordinating Ministry on Economy, the roadmap was formalized, a Programme Management Unit was established to coordinate between the ministries and organisations to implement the roadmap, and the roadmap was planned to launch by later this month.
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).
SMART CEO Daniel Hastings discusses advancements in Future Urban Mobility & Singapore as a Hub for Research
Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) is leading great research and technological achievements in Singapore. As a partnership, created out the National Research Foundation CREATE fund, SMART has enabled collaboration between one of the top US universities and Singaporean academic institutions. OpenGov had the chance to speak to Mr. Daniel Hastings, CEO, SMART, about each of the 5 IRGs, some key research motivations, and why Singapore is such a perfect place to host this research.
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.
Australian Renewable Energy Agency takes Solar Projects to the next step
Australia has the highest solar radiation per square metre of any continent in the world- boasting one of the best solar energy resources in the world. How does Australia expect to capitalize on these resources?
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.
New Zealand Science and Innovation Ministry offers new $2M funding to support Innovative Youth
New Zealand’s Ministry for Science and Innovation just launched the second round of their ‘Unlocking Curious Minds’ contestable fund- where they offer $2 million to the successful projects.
“Science and technology open the door to a huge variety of careers. They are fundamental to ensuring New Zealanders are equipped to take advantage of the economic opportunities that we have over the next decade,” Minister for Science and Innovation Steven Joyce says.
Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan makes first overseas visit to Indonesia and visits the new ‘Jakarta Smart City Lounge’
Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, made his first overseas visit to Indonesia this past week. He met with Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut Pandjaitan, his foreign affairs counterpart Retno Marsudi, and Indonesian government leaders of ICT initiatives.The Governor of Jakarta, Basuki Cahaya Purnama, welcomed the Singapore Foreign Minister, Mr. Vivian Balakrishnan and the Singapore Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr. Anil Kumar Nayar, on 12th January 2016.
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.
Malaysia’s Ministry of Education providing greater ICT and E- Services to Students and Teachers
Malaysia’s Ministry of Education oversees primary and secondary school education across the nation. It is driven by the Malaysia Education Blueprint, launched by the Government in 2013.
Recently, the Ministry has driven initiatives geared at increasing technology capabilities and e-services for students and educators. This is to achieve the goals, laid out in the Malaysia Education Blueprint.
An Inside Look: Trials of the SMART Autonomous Vehicle in One-North
This week, OpenGov had the chance to talk to the team behind the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) Autonomous Vehicle Trials in One-North. We were lucky enough to sit in the passenger seat of SCOT, Shared Computer-Operated Transit vehicle. The development of SCOT comes out of the SMART Interdisciplinary Research Group for Future Urban Mobility.
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.
Robotic Glove invented by NUS researcher to assist in Healthcare
Assistant Professor Raye Yeow from NUS’s department of Biomedical Engineering and his research team from National University of Singapore (NUS) have jointly come up with a new innovation, called the EsoGlove. It is used as a smart rehabilitation device to assist patients who have lost their hand functions due to injuries or nerve-related conditions.
Aravindan Anandan, Barracuda Networks, Discusses the Current Threat Landscape
OpenGov recently had the chance to speak to Mr. Aravindan Anandan, Consulting Systems Engineer Asia Pacific Barracuda Networks, on the current threat landscape facing the public sector and what he advises organisations do, in order to better protect themselves. What do you see as trending right now in the Cyber Security realm? Cybercrimes tend to occur […]
