Smart City Transformation kicks off in Bandung
The Indonesian Government has announced that it will quadruple the budget for its smart city programme next year, from IDR 25 billion (US$1.8 million) to IDR 100billion (US$7.3 million). This aims to improve the city’s digital infrastructure in preparation for smart city development.
ParkEasy App to Alleviate Parking Frustrations in Kuala Lumpur
Four young Malaysian entrepreneurs have developed a mobile app called ParkEasy app, for booking parking spot in shopping malls of Kuala Lumpur. The app allows one to state the timing of booking prior to arrival and will remember the spot for you. ParkEasy has received funding from an initiative by the Malaysian government.
New Zealand Ministry of Youth Development helps launch Tech Leadership Programme for Youths
Last week, Youth Minister Nikki Kaye announced a funding of $25,000 towards the OMG!Tech Youth Leadership Training Programme. Miss Kaye describes the programme a step to prepare the younger generation in embracing future technologies.
Japan and Indonesia Working on Defence Technology Transfer
Foreign and Defence Ministers of Japan and Indonesia met last Thursday to discuss several possible collaborations in order to strengthen security in the South China Sea region. Their pact includes Japan to export defence weapons and technologies to Indonesia. The South China Sea has been a source of territorial dispute due to its abundance of natural resources and key shipping lanes that are essential to the trade of nations connected by it.
Japan and India Partnership Unveils Grand Plans in Energy and Technology
Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India met last Saturday to sign several Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs). It includes a peaceful use of energy and the US$15 billion deal to build of a high speed rail link in India. The Memorandum of Cooperation was signed to introduce Japan’s High Speed Railways (HSR) technologies (the Shinkansen system) to the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route.
Philippines to Address Inequities in Health Care Access
The annual Universal Health Care Forum invites public and private stakeholders in Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam to exchange ideas on universal health coverage. Speakers included government representatives and professionals, including Phillippines Health Secretary Janette Garin and Dr. Tong Thi Song Huong, Director of Health Insurance Department, Ministry of Health, Vietnam.
Result of COP21: Leaders embrace Technology for Climate Change Solutions
This Saturday, 196 countries agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to alleviate global warming and hence curb climate change.. This was done in the 21st session of the Conference Of Parties (COP21). The COP is the governing body of an international convention intended to review the adoption of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The COP has formulated significant treaties related to climate change including the Kyoto Protocol .
Jurong Health’s New Integrated Hospitals Maximise Healthcare Efficiency via ICT
Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH) and Jurong Community Hospital (JCH) have recently formed an integrated healthcare hub to provide patient-centric services in a cost-effective manner. As NTGFH focuses on intensive and immediate healthcare, JCH provides rehabilitative services.
NUS Students Take Flight on their Electric-Powered Flying Machine
Over the past year, a team of 8 students, from various engineering backgrounds at the National University of Singapore (NUS), developed an electric-powered flying machine. Dubbed the ‘Snowstorm’, the device is capable of vertical take-off and landing that can be controlled by a single person seated within it. The Snowstorm has made international headlines since it was built.
Australia and Israel Sign a Statement on Innovation Cooperation
Christopher Pyne, Australia’s Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, met with Mr Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s Prime Minister, to discuss ways to boost Australia’s innovation sector. Israel has an estimated 4,800 startups, many of them high tech. These companies are sources of groundbreaking innovation that contributes to Israel’s rise to global tech prominence.
Smart Geospatial Technology to Improve Infrastructure of Government Organisations in Malaysia
Smart mapping solutions provider Esri Malaysia uses Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to integrate data from various sources and create a dynamic view of information. GIS allows government organisations such as the Royal Malaysia Police and Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems (MIMOS) to maximise returns on assets and resource investments.
President Xi Jinping Rallies Global Support for Online Security
China’s President Xi Jinping calls for nations to support cybersecurity and outlined its dedicated efforts to curb cybercrime at the World Internet Conference on Wednesday. “Each country should join hands and together curb the abuse of information technology, oppose network surveillance and hacking, and fight against a cyberspace arms race,” Mr Xi said in the conference.
Mobile Wallet to “call” off corruption in India
In 2012, the Director of the Indian Central Bureau of Investigation stated that Indians have about $500 billion of illegal funds in foreign tax havens. This value, according to data by the Swiss Bank Association, is more than the rest of the world combined. Fast forward 3 years, the Mobile Wallet is the potential key to uncovering the solution to this national epidemic.
