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To better serve and protect communities, maintain data security at scale, and perform essential tasks, all government agencies must establish a strong, contemporary data infrastructure that supports data innovation.
Government and the public sector stand to gain considerably by adopting AI into every element of their job. Government AI must consider privacy and security, compatibility with old systems, and changing workloads.
Artificial intelligence is already being used to help run the government, with cognitive applications doing everything from reducing backlogs and cutting costs to handling tasks that humans cannot easily do, such as predicting fraudulent transactions and identifying criminal suspects using facial recognition.
While AI-based technology may fundamentally transform how public-sector employees do their jobs in the coming years — such as eliminating some jobs, redesigning countless others, and even creating entirely new professions — it is already changing the nature of many jobs and revolutionising aspects of government operations.
AI in government services is centred on machine learning and deep learning, computer vision, speech recognition, and robotics. When used correctly, these techniques yield real, measurable results.
Cyber anomaly detection, on the other hand, has the potential to transform cybersecurity strategies in government systems. The possibilities are endless, but they are only now taking shape.
The OpenGov Breakfast Insight on 4 August 2022 offered the most cutting-edge innovative method for enabling large-scale analytics in the public sector.
Public Sector Services Powered by Data and AI
Kicking off the session, Mohit Sagar, CEO & Editor-in-Chief, OpenGov Asia acknowledges that data and artificial intelligence will drive the future of government services. “With a unified data platform, the public sector will be able to better serve citizens and protect their communities.”
Governments, in general, are one of the world’s largest employers, with numerous ministries, agencies and departments. The vast network of offices and services introduces significant complexity, operational inefficiencies and, frequently, a lack of transparency.
Agencies must deal with massive amounts of data in various structured and unstructured formats, which will only increase over time. Moreover, they are unable to recognise nor take advantage of the full potential of data, analytics and data due to legacy systems and traditional data warehouses. These are, more often than not, classified by agencies and departments, sabotaging their efforts to undergo digital transformation.
To generate real-time actionable insights and make data-driven decisions, data must be securely shared and exchanged at a scale. Giving government organisations and policymakers access to deeper, more relevant insights into decision-making is only possible through data modernisation.
It is given that much of the information that government agencies oversee is extremely sensitive, including information about the nation’s infrastructure, energy and education as well as information about personal health and financial matters. Data protection at every level of the platform must be ensured through tight interaction with granular cloud provider access control methods.
The fact is that citizens stand to gain through more individualised and effective services, enhanced national security, and wiser resource management that a robust data strategy can give.
Government agencies may adapt to readily access all their data for downstream advanced analytics capabilities to support complicated security use cases by integrating data with analytics and AI.
With such a platform, government security operations teams can quickly identify sophisticated threats, minimising the need for human resources by analytical automation and collaboration and speeding up investigations from days to minutes.
Data stored by public sector bodies can be extremely valuable when shared with other departments and used to elevate data-driven decision-making. The time has come to leverage the cloud’s scale and democratise secure data access to enable downstream BI and AI use cases, allowing government agencies to accelerate innovation.
Governments can improve citizen services while implementing smarter and more transparent governance by leveraging data, analytics and AI for actionable insights at scale. It eliminates data silos and improves communication and collaboration across agencies to achieve the best results for all citizens, delivering personalised citizen services while achieving data security and cyber resilience for a satisfied population.
Building a Scalable Data, Analytics and AI Strategy with Lakehouse Platform
Data infrastructure is an essential aspect of data processing and analysis, according to Chris D’Agostino, Global Field CTO, Databricks.
The complete backend computing support system needed to process, store, transfer and preserve data is referred to as the “data infrastructure.” Without the appropriate data infrastructures, businesses and organisations cannot extract value from their data.
“If there’s one thing that many of us all have in common, it’s that we believe in the impact that data and AI can and will have on the world,” says Chris. “Today, data and AI are transforming every major industry.”
On the other hand, with the ongoing globalisation of artificial intelligence and machine learning, there is an increasing need to rethink an organisation’s whole leadership and thought process, from product strategy and customer experience to strategies to increase the efficiency of human resources.
Rules, models and policies that specify how data is gathered stored, used and managed in the cloud within a company or organisation are contained in cloud data architectures. It controls the data flow, processing, and distribution of that data across stakeholders and other applications for reporting, analytics and other purposes.
Every year, data collection by businesses and organisations increases thanks to IoT and new digital streams. In this climate, cloud data architecture-based data platforms are displacing more conventional data platforms, which are unable to handle the growing data quantities and increasingly demanding end-user applications like machine learning and AI.
Companies are using all available data to expedite, automate and improve decision-making to increase resilience and obtain a competitive edge in the market. These methods for digital transformation are supported by AI and data literacy.
To fully realise the benefit of data and AI, change management is necessary, just like with any change in working practices. It is essential to create a cohesive and evolving plan. This can be based on three pillars: business strategy, operationalisation and architecture (after the technology barriers have been recognised).
Whether it’s a business strategy, data management, or organisational knowledge, it’s critical to assess the organisation’s level of maturity and data literacy.
Databricks Lakehouse Platform combines the best elements of data lakes and data warehouses to deliver the dependability, strong governance, and performance of data warehouses while also allowing for the openness, flexibility and machine learning support of data lakes.
By removing the data silos that normally segregate and complicate data engineering, analytics, BI, data science and machine learning, this unified approach streamlines the current data stack. To increase flexibility, it is created using open standards and open-source software.
Additionally, its shared approach to data management, security and governance works more productively and develops more quickly.
In a global research effort in collaboration with an institution, Databricks polled 117 data leaders and the survey’s findings were illuminating and instructive.
An analytics leader’s biggest regret and issue was not embracing an open standards-based data architecture. “This didn’t surprise us. We are seeing many of our clients adopting the best open-source technologies,” Chris reveals.
In addition, the poll showed that only a small group can be successful with their AI projects, while the multi-cloud is a growing reality.
Most executives say they are currently evaluating or implementing a new data platform to address their current data challenges. During these challenging times, cloud technologies allow businesses to respond and scale rapidly.
With scalable data, analytics and AI strategy, organisations can create significant value. They can implement real-time monitoring, create tailored customer experiences, deploy predictive analytics, and much more. Databricks offers tools that are specifically designed to address the challenges described.
In Conversation With: The Future of Government Services and Shared Data
All the government agencies’ data must be protected and every component must be safeguarded. Unified data with analytics and AI makes it simpler to provide quick access for the organisation’s teams and complete support for security use cases.
Joseph Tan, Deputy Director (Capability Development), Data Science & Artificial Intelligence Division, Government Technology Agency emphasised the importance of data modernisation with a holistic approach. A policy-driven industry that would entrust the organisations’ data will lead to better customer service.
Joseph is convinced that “As technology advances, most businesses are confronted with issues caused by an existing legacy system. Instead of providing companies with cutting-edge capabilities and services such as cloud computing and improved data integration, a legacy system keeps a business constrained.”
A legacy system is computer software or hardware that is no longer in use. The system still meets the needs for which it was originally designed, but it does not allow for expansion. Because a legacy system can only do what it does now for the company, it will never be able to interact with newer systems
“A business might keep using an old system for more than one reason. In the world of investments, for example, upgrading to a new system requires an initial investment of money and people, while keeping an old system running costs money over time,” Joseph explains.
On the other hand, when a whole company moves to a new system, there can be some internal resistance and worries about how hard it will be and what might go wrong. For example, legacy software might have been made with an old programming language, which makes it hard to find staff with the right skills to do the migration.
Additionally, there might not be much information about the system, and the people who made it might have left the company. It can be hard to just plan how to move data from an old system to a new one and figure out what needs the new system will have.
Increased security risk, instability and inefficiency, incompatibility with new technology, company perception and new hire training, single point of failure and lack of information are a few issues that older systems run against.
At best, outdated legacy systems are a pain, and at worst, they can seriously jeopardise an organisation’s overall IT security strategy. Furthermore, the longer a business waits to update a legacy system, the more challenging the transition will be.
System modernisation is almost always a must before digital transformation can occur. Most businesses won’t be able to fully profit from contemporary technologies and solutions without it. “With this, finding the right talent would be very beneficial for the organisation to manage their modern technologies,” says Chris.
Some advantages of updating legacy systems such as enterprises can enhance their IT security and sustain it by taking advantage of vendor upgrades and fixes in the future by updating legacy systems. Modern systems and solutions, including retrofitted legacy systems, are built to deliver optimal performance without consuming excessive amounts of computational power.
Even a legacy system may be modernised to include new features, giving the business users additional capability and a better user experience. The truth is that updated legacy systems require less input from IT staff, freeing them up to focus on activities that really benefit a company.
Similarly, governments all over the world will undergo a fundamental upheaval because of big data and artificial intelligence. Even though the public sector has long used data, the potential and actual use of big data applications have an impact on some theoretical and practical aspects of decision-making. This is fuelled by both the data revolution and the concurrent advancement of advanced analytics.
The availability of data that may be employed in the computer learning process is a major aspect of the maturing of AI technology and the practicality of AI applications to public policy and administration.
However, without the underlying analytical technologies, the data revolution can be seen as only a change in the size of the data that is currently available rather than a fundamental change. As predictive analytics, innovative data and artificial intelligence gain prominence, it is critical to understand their roles in the public sector.
At the start of their data journey, organisations require data capture systems to discover information embedded in all levels of business operations. Following that, the data must be validated for informational accuracy and integrated to reduce the risk of drawing incorrect conclusions and to create a unified view of the business.
The final step is analysis, in which businesses collaborate with data analysts who use cutting-edge analytics tools to peel back layers of proprietary data in search of insights to power change.
Larger companies with more complex data integration and analytics processes can add predictive analytics as the fourth step.
When analysing enormous datasets (often referred to as “big data”), predictive data analytics, also referred to as advanced analytics, uses autonomous or semi-autonomous algorithms to make predictions based on information patterns. Data analysts may provide clients with greater service, which can result in more meaningful transformations, by delivering deeper insights into company data more quickly.
Think about how AI and machine learning might be used in the context of the data processing flow. Analytics tools assist data analysts in identifying areas for improvement in the business after private data has been collected, analysed and combined into a single view.
AI excels at discovering data patterns that humans cannot perceive. This is quickly scalable based on the amount of the dataset. To make data analytics frictionless, machine learning algorithms can also adapt to data pipeline input and human behaviour patterns. This can be accomplished by utilising natural language processing to recode communications between individuals within an organisation so that algorithms can comprehend and act on them.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning have become the “next big thing” in the government sector, while advanced analytics, also known as predictive data analytics, utilises autonomous or semi-autonomous algorithms to evaluate enormous datasets and generate predictions based on information patterns.
By developing deeper insights into company data more quickly, data analysts can provide better service to clients, which can result in more profound transformations. Consider the application of AI and machine learning to the data handling process. After unique data has been collected, analysed and consolidated into a single view, analytics tools assist data analysts in identifying areas for business development.
Smart solutions enable advances that are self-sustaining and AI and ML are at the heart of these. Executives and practitioners agree that AI and ML are catalysts and drivers across both the public and private sectors. As an AI system has a deeper understanding of data platforms and processes, it can continue to enhance its efficacy and capacity to provide personalised insights from massive data silos.
Conclusion
In closing, Chris shared that Databricks was established in 2013 to assist data teams in resolving the most challenging issues facing the globe, and they have been investing in the Asia Pacific region to help this objective forward. “While there are countless possibilities, there are several challenges as well.”
It is insufficient to merely fund and use AI technologies. Businesses and organisations need a talent pool of experts that can use these AI tools in a way that can guarantee the greatest outcomes.
Currently, customers from a wide spectrum of businesses are collaborating with Databricks to tailor their clients’ experiences to improve their capacity to react to market dynamics and safeguard both their own and all stakeholders’ interests. This is most evident in real-time for financial services organisations to help deal with fraud.
“My particular favourite is Databricks’ assistance in Mitsubishi Tanabe’s efforts to quicken drug clinical trials in Japan. The possibilities for our collaboration are virtually endless,” Chris reflects.
Mohit recognises that digital transformation is vital in today’s VUCA environment. What is essential is that industry and government collaborate and work together. For long-term success and sustainability, there have to be partnerships between the public and private sectors.
Strategic alliances gave businesses and government agencies a competitive edge. Partnerships are mutually beneficial, helping each other grow and get better. When people genuinely try to help each other, “it can help to get over certain weaknesses and be first movers in their field.”
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands at the forefront of technological innovation, promising transformative solutions to complex challenges across various domains. Recognising its potential to revolutionise industries and improve societal well-being, the National University of Singapore (NUS) has inaugurated the NUS AI Institute (NAII). Led by Professor Mohan Kankanhalli, NAII aims to accelerate AI research and its practical applications, fostering collaboration, innovation, and societal impact.
In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, AI has emerged as a powerful tool with the capacity to reshape diverse sectors, ranging from healthcare to finance, education, logistics, and beyond. The establishment of NAII underscores NUS’s commitment to harnessing AI for the greater good, addressing critical issues facing Singapore and the global community.
At the core of NAII’s mission is the advancement of fundamental AI research, aimed at pushing the boundaries of AI capabilities and exploring novel applications across various domains. Through foundational research initiatives, scientists at NAII will tackle complex AI problems, spanning hardware and software systems, AI theory, responsible AI, reasoning AI, and resource-efficient AI. By delving into these areas, the institute seeks to develop cutting-edge AI technologies that address real-world challenges and drive innovation.
Moreover, NAII will prioritise research into the ethical and societal implications of AI, aiming to develop robust governance frameworks that ensure responsible AI development and deployment. This includes examining issues related to transparency, accountability, and ethical decision-making in AI systems. By fostering dialogue and research on AI ethics and governance, NAII aims to guide the responsible use of AI technology and mitigate potential risks.
In addition to foundational research, NAII will spearhead applied research initiatives, focusing on developing AI-driven solutions for specific application domains. Collaborating with experts from diverse fields, including healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, finance, urban sustainability, and education, the institute will tackle pressing challenges and explore opportunities for AI-driven innovation. From optimising supply chains to improving healthcare outcomes and enhancing urban infrastructure, NAII’s applied research efforts aim to deliver tangible benefits to society.
Furthermore, NAII will serve as a hub for AI talent development, providing comprehensive education and training programs for students, professionals, and policymakers. By offering hands-on learning experiences and internships, the institute seeks to nurture the next generation of AI leaders and entrepreneurs, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to drive innovation in AI.
To support its research and educational endeavours, NUS has allocated significant resources to NAII, including external research grants and institutional funding. Moreover, the institute will collaborate closely with government agencies and industry partners to amplify its impact and drive innovation. Strategic partnerships with leading companies such as IBM and Google Cloud will enable NAII to leverage industry expertise and resources, accelerating the translation of research outcomes into real-world applications.
In alignment with Singapore’s Research, Innovation, and Enterprise (RIE) strategy, NAII aims to contribute to the nation’s AI ecosystem by fostering collaboration, innovation, and talent development. By positioning NUS as a global leader in AI research and application, the institute seeks to drive positive societal change and economic growth.
The establishment of NAII represents a significant milestone in NUS’s journey towards harnessing the power of AI for societal benefit. Through cutting-edge research, education, and collaboration, the institute aims to unlock the full potential of AI and pave the way for a more innovative, sustainable, and inclusive future. With its interdisciplinary approach and commitment to excellence, NAII is poised to make a lasting impact on Singapore and the global AI landscape.
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The Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) has reached a significant milestone with its artificial intelligence (AI) platform, VNPT eKYC, logging over 1 billion user authentication requests. This accomplishment solidifies VNPT’s position as a pioneer in electronic identification and verification solutions within Vietnam.
Since its inception, VNPT eKYC has been at the forefront of electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) services for over five years, serving a diverse range of clients including banks, financial institutions, telecommunications companies, and e-commerce entities. With over 100 organisations utilising its services, VNPT eKYC has facilitated electronic identification for more than 40 million individuals across the country.
On average, the VNPT eKYC system processes an impressive 600,000 requests daily, with peak days witnessing over a million requests being handled seamlessly. This demonstrates the platform’s robustness and reliability in managing high volumes of authentication transactions efficiently.
The significance of VNPT eKYC extends beyond its technological capabilities, particularly in the context of evolving regulatory requirements. The State Bank of Vietnam’s decision mandating biometric authentication for transactions exceeding 10 million VND (approximately 416 USD) and other significant transactions from July 1, 2024, underscores the critical role of advanced authentication solutions like VNPT eKYC in ensuring compliance and security in financial transactions.
Moreover, the platform’s success highlights the increasing importance of domestically developed solutions in the banking and financial sector. Domestic solutions such as VNPT eKYC offer several advantages, including rapid implementation, cost-effectiveness, adherence to global technology standards, scalability, and high readiness to meet evolving regulatory requirements.
Central to the effectiveness of VNPT eKYC is its advanced AI models, which enable the verification of facial biometric data with an impressive accuracy rate of up to 99.99%. This high level of accuracy not only enhances the security of authentication processes but also contributes to building trust and confidence among users and regulatory authorities.
As Vietnam’s digital economy continues to grow and evolve, the role of advanced authentication and verification solutions like VNPT eKYC becomes increasingly indispensable. Beyond facilitating seamless and secure electronic transactions, these solutions contribute to enhancing the overall digital infrastructure and ecosystem of the country, paving the way for further innovation and economic growth.
Looking ahead, VNPT remains committed to advancing its AI platform and expanding its capabilities to meet the evolving needs of its clients and the regulatory landscape. With a strong focus on innovation, reliability, and security, VNPT eKYC is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of electronic identification and verification in Vietnam’s dynamic digital economy.
VNPT’s achievement of logging over 1 billion authentication requests with its AI platform, VNPT eKYC, marks a significant milestone in Vietnam’s journey towards digital transformation.
Amid a swiftly changing global landscape, Vietnam emerges as a frontrunner in a digital revolution, strategically positioned to harness technology’s transformative power for economic progress and societal development.
It is embracing its digital transformation journey, highlighting collaborative efforts to drive the nation’s digital transformation. The nation’s digital technology industry aims to propel Vietnam towards high-income status by 2045 through technology mastery, innovation, and indigenous manufacturing capabilities.
Moreover, the nation is working to harmonise its regulations, streamline laws, and promote consistency in its legal framework to foster a more favourable and appealing cyber environment.
As the country continues to embrace technology-driven solutions to address emerging challenges, VNPT eKYC stands as a testament to the potential of domestic innovation in driving progress and excellence in the digital era.
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In a significant scientific breakthrough in a space sector, Dr Sarah Kessans has developed hardware designed to operate autonomously in orbit, transforming the study of protein crystallisation in microgravity. This technology provides scientists on Earth with unprecedented insights into protein behaviour, with far-reaching implications for developing more effective medicines and vaccines, among other applications.
Minister for Space Dr Megan Collins lauds Dr Kessans’ research as an inspiring example of how space technology can drive innovation on Earth. This achievement follows the recent successful launch of MethaneSAT, a satellite designed to track and monitor global emissions from space, highlighting the significant potential of space technology in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges while bolstering our globally competitive space sector.
The MethaneSAT satellite will be equipped with a highly sensitive spectrometre that can detect concentrations as low as two parts per billion, and it will have high-spatial resolution coupled with a broad, 200-kilometre view path, allowing it to quantify even small emission sources over large areas.
Dr Kessans’ research culminated in successfully launching her hardware on a rocket from the Kennedy Space Centre at Cape Canaveral, USA. This mission also included protein experiments from leading New Zealand universities, including Canterbury, Otago, Victoria, and Waikato, showcasing the collaborative efforts of the country’s academic institutions in advancing space science and technology.
The launch of Dr Kessans’ project results from a strategic agreement between the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the US commercial space company Axiom Space. This partnership aims to facilitate New Zealand researchers’ advancement in space science and technology, fostering innovation and driving collaboration between academia, government, and private enterprise.
Dr Kessans’ project has also received government funding for further development through the MBIE-administered Endeavour Fund, highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting cutting-edge research and innovation in the space sector. This collaborative effort between academia, government, and private enterprise is a testament to New Zealand’s growing presence in the global space economy, positioning the country as a key player in space research and technology development.
Previously, New Zealand had collaborated with several countries, including Australia, to advance space research, as reported by OpenGov. The collaboration between SmartSat and the New Zealand Space Agency (NZSA) is an important development. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two entities aims to accelerate the growth and technological advancement of the Australian and New Zealand space industries, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of space exploration and innovation in the Australasian region.
This partnership is underpinned by a shared commitment to fostering innovation, driving research and development (R&D), and nurturing a skilled workforce capable of propelling technological breakthroughs in the space sector. The MoU, ceremoniously signed at the NZSA headquarters in Wellington, signifies a strategic alignment between SmartSat and NZSA to leverage their combined resources and expertise.
At the core of this collaboration, it is designated to support joint research initiatives in three key technological domains: Earth Observation, Space Situational Awareness, and Optical Communications. These areas represent the forefront of space exploration, offering immense potential to revolutionise humanity’s perception and interaction with the cosmos.
Minister Judith Collins, New Zealand’s Minister for Space, praised the new agreement as a testament to the enduring collaboration between Australia and New Zealand in space exploration. In a statement on her official website, she reiterated her commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration, recognising the transformative potential of space technology in addressing global challenges.
Minister Collins reaffirmed the government’s dedication to developing the country’s space sector, promoting innovation, and strengthening partnerships with the New Zealand research community, international space agencies, and commercial collaborators. These collaborative approaches underscore New Zealand’s commitment to advancing space science and technology to benefit society and the economy, paving the way for future breakthroughs in the field.
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In a significant stride towards bolstering research efforts in offshore wind power technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and the Yangjiang Offshore Wind Energy Laboratory have inked a collaborative agreement to establish the PolyU-Yangjiang Laboratory Joint Research Centre for Offshore Wind Power (JRC).
The joint initiative, officially announced through a signing ceremony held at PolyU’s campus, marks a pivotal moment in the burgeoning partnership between the two entities. With the JRC set to be jointly operated and managed by the PolyU Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) and the Laboratory, the collaboration signifies a concerted effort to deepen research collaboration and foster innovation in offshore wind power technology.
Under the ambit of this new partnership, researchers from PolyU and Yangjiang will synergise their expertise, resources, and laboratory facilities to undertake pioneering research projects. These projects will focus on developing novel technologies and materials tailored for offshore wind power applications, with a paramount aim to translate research outcomes into tangible solutions for industry implementation.
The signing ceremony, attended by a delegation from Yangjiang in Guangdong province alongside PolyU representatives, saw the presence of Prof. Christopher Chao, PolyU Vice President (Research and Innovation) and Mr. Liu Dewei, Vice Mayor of Yangjiang Municipal People’s Government. Their attendance underscored the significance of this collaborative endeavour in driving forward advancements in renewable energy technology.
In his welcoming address, Prof. Christopher Chao highlighted the pivotal role of wind power in the global transition towards carbon neutrality. He emphasised that the collaboration between PolyU and the Yangjiang Offshore Wind Energy Laboratory not only serves to advance offshore wind power expertise but also fosters a robust platform for mutual engagement in research, talent development, and knowledge exchange.
Prof. Chao expressed optimism that the JRC would harness the collective research capabilities of both organisations to tackle pressing scientific challenges and overcome technical barriers in the energy sector, ultimately contributing to the establishment of a world-class research and innovation hub for wind power and clean energy.
The partnership between PolyU and the Laboratory holds particular significance for Hong Kong’s energy landscape. With the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department of the HKSAR Government estimating that wind power could potentially satisfy a significant portion of the city’s electricity demand, the collaboration is poised to address critical engineering challenges in the construction of offshore wind farms. By facilitating interdisciplinary research and engineering solutions, the collaboration aims to benefit not only Hong Kong but also the wider region and beyond.
The Yangjiang Offshore Wind Energy Laboratory, comprising leading experts from esteemed mainland universities, is dedicated to advancing fundamental science and technology in the offshore wind power sector. Leveraging the collective expertise of institutions such as Zhejiang University, Sun Yat-sen University, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, among others, the Laboratory is at the forefront of research in this domain.
Established in 2021, PolyU’s Research Institute for Land and Space (RILS) has been actively engaged in interdisciplinary research undertakings, with offshore wind power emerging as a focal area of interest. A delegation from RILS visited wind energy-related facilities in Yangjiang in November 2023, laying the groundwork for potential collaboration opportunities with the Yangjiang Offshore Wind Energy Laboratory.
As the PolyU-Yangjiang Laboratory Joint Research Centre for Offshore Wind Power takes shape, it symbolizes a collaborative initiative aimed at driving innovation and addressing the energy challenges of tomorrow. Through concerted research efforts and knowledge exchange, the partnership between PolyU and the Laboratory is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing offshore wind power technology, thereby contributing to a sustainable energy future.
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In a landmark display of indigenous innovation, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) unveiled its latest breakthrough: the NeoStand Electric Standing Wheelchair. This cutting-edge mobility solution promises to redefine accessibility for wheelchair users across India.
With its emphasis on user empowerment and well-being enabled by technology, NeoStand stands poised to usher in a new era of accessibility, where every individual, regardless of ability, can realise their full potential.
Led by Professor Sujatha Srinivasan, Head of the TTK Center for Rehabilitation Research and Device Development (R2D2) at IIT Madras, the development of NeoStand represents a significant milestone in the quest for inclusive technology.
At the heart of NeoStand lies a commitment to user-centric design and functionality. Unlike conventional wheelchairs, NeoStand features a motorised standing mechanism that allows users to effortlessly transition between sitting and standing positions with the push of a button. This innovative feature opens up a world of possibilities for individuals with mobility impairments, enabling them to engage in face-to-face interactions, access higher shelves, and experience the physical and psychological benefits of standing.
The launch event illuminated the profound societal impact of NeoStand, showcasing its potential to redefine accessibility and inclusivity for individuals with mobility impairments. By bridging the gap between innovation and social responsibility, NeoStand symbolises a transformative shift towards a more equitable and empowering future
“These translational research endeavours underscore our commitment to fostering social impact through innovative solutions,” remarked Professor Kamakoti. “Indeed, NeoStand represents more than just a mobility aid; it symbolises a paradigm shift in how we perceive and address the needs of individuals with disabilities.”
One of the key drivers behind NeoStand’s development is its emphasis on promoting user independence and well-being. For many wheelchair users, the ability to stand remains an elusive goal, often hampered by physical limitations and reliance on external assistance. NeoStand seeks to address these challenges head-on, offering users the freedom to stand comfortably whenever needed. This not only enhances their physical health by improving blood circulation and digestion but also fosters a sense of empowerment and autonomy.
The journey from concept to reality has been made possible through a collaborative effort involving various stakeholders. Sponsored by a company as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative and developed in partnership with NeoMotion, an IIT Madras-incubated startup, NeoStand exemplifies the transformative potential of public-private collaboration.
“The launch of a new product this evening for the differently abled signifies a turning point in our endeavour to foster inclusiveness and empowerment,” remarked Mr. Sudhakar Rao, IAS (Rtd), Member of the Board of Directors at the company.
Professor Srinivasan, the driving force behind NeoStand’s development, highlighted the device’s therapeutic benefits and ease of use. “Integrating standing functionality into a wheelchair provides health benefits as well as functional and psychological benefits to the user,” she explained.
Testimonials from users like Mr. Justin Jesudas, a quadriplegic individual, further attest to the life-changing impact of NeoStand who noted that, “The ability to stand with just a push of a button makes the wheelchair even more inclusive, helping quadriplegics to stand independently.”
Looking ahead, NeoStand stands out for individuals with mobility impairments, promising a future where accessibility knows no bounds. As India continues to embrace innovation and inclusivity, initiatives like NeoStand serve as a testament to the transformative power of technology in shaping a more equitable society.
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Mudik is a tradition of returning to one’s hometown that is widely practised by the Indonesian community, especially when Eid al-Fitr celebrations approach. This tradition involves a massive population movement from big cities to their origin areas or hometowns to celebrate the holiday with family and relatives.
The phenomenon of mudik also shows the importance of family values and togetherness in Indonesian culture. It becomes a moment to reconnect social and cultural ties among family members who might have been separated by distance for various reasons, such as work or education.
The Indonesian government often takes special measures to accommodate the travel surge during the mudik period, such as increasing public transportation capacity, providing emergency health services on the mudik routes, and maintaining and repairing road infrastructure.
This year, as a State-Owned Enterprise, the cellular operator Telkomsel provides 4G networks on 14 mudik ships operated by the Indonesian National Shipping Company (Pelni).
Over the years, mudik travellers choosing to travel by sea have faced significant obstacles related to internet access. This condition has left them disconnected from the outside world. At the same time, in the middle of the sea, thus unable to access up-to-date information, communicate with family, or even enjoy entertainment.
“With this latest development, we can provide high-quality services to our customers, ensuring that they remain connected even while in the middle of a sea journey,” said Saki Bramono, Telkomsel’s Vice Director of Corporate Communication and Social Responsibility.
Further, Telkomsel’s 4G service has now successfully reached as many as 1,100 shipping routes served by 14 ships and 83 ports across Indonesia. This innovation results from a strategic collaboration with Telkomsat, a Telkom subsidiary specialising in satellite internet services. Through this collaboration, Telkomsel and Telkomsat present a strong and stable 4G LTE signal on ships, allowing passengers to stay connected to the internet during their mudik journey.
Telkomsat uses the Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) Landing Rights to ensure broad and reliable satellite internet coverage. Saki stated that the initiative to provide 4G internet services on ships, chosen by the community for mudik, is the first time Telkomsel has implemented satellite internet technology. This move not only revolutionises the sailing experience for mudik travellers by sea by ensuring smooth and continuous communication access but also marks a new chapter in Telkomsel’s efforts to overcome connectivity challenges in Indonesia, especially in hard-to-reach locations like the middle of the sea.
To improve service quality and customer experience during the crucial mudik Lebaran period, Telkomsel focuses on upgrading and optimising telecommunications networks and proactively expands and strengthens its network infrastructure. As part of these efforts, Telkomsel strategically increased the 4G network capacity at 70 existing Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) and took a significant step by building 325 new 4G BTS.
These measures ensure that customers enjoy smooth connectivity and high-quality communication in urban areas and mudik routes that often cross areas with limited telecommunications access.
Telkomsel estimates a 15.22% increase in internet traffic during the Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 2024 period compared to regular days. Of the total increase in internet traffic, the cellular operator estimates the highest increase comes from the areas of Java, Bali, and Nusa Tenggara, popular mudik destinations, at 26.25%.
The second highest increase is estimated from Sumatra, at 16.99%. An increase in internet traffic is also expected in Papua, Maluku, Sulawesi, and Kalimantan by 13.11%. Meanwhile, the increase in internet traffic in the Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, Bekasi, and West Java areas is estimated to reach 4.28%.
Telkomsel has prepared a customer service team that works tirelessly, ready to serve customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Customers can easily access this service through various channels, including social media, customer service calls, the MyTelkomsel mobile app, and a virtual assistant named Veronika. Customers can also visit GraPARI outlets spread across various locations for face-to-face services.
These comprehensive measures affirm Telkomsel’s commitment to providing high-quality and reliable telecommunications services, especially during important moments like the mudik Lebaran, where smooth and fast communication is critical.
With the improvement of network infrastructure and strong customer service support, Telkomsel strives to ensure that every customer can connect with family and loved ones without obstacles, making their mudik journey safe and enjoyable.
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Da Nang, a central city in Vietnam, is gearing up to bolster its semiconductor industry with a targeted focus on human resource development. The Vietnam–Korea University of Information and Communication Technology (VKU) recently launched a comprehensive programme aimed at training professionals in integrated circuit (IC) design.
The initiative underscores the city’s commitment to advancing its semiconductor sector. In 2024, Da Nang will concentrate on cultivating a pool of qualified teaching staff through collaborative efforts with the Viet Nam-Korea Information Technology (IT) and Communications University, the Institute of Information Technology under the Viet Nam National University – Ha Noi, and the Da Nang Semiconductor and Artificial Intelligence Centre for Research and Training (DSAC). Support from Synopsys Vietnam Company will further bolster these endeavours.
The training programme, spanning six months, comprises both theoretical learning and project-based training. It encompasses four modules covering Very-large-scale integration (VLSI) Design, SystemVerilog/Verilog/Very High-Speed Integrated Circuit Hardware Description Language, basic digital integrated circuits, and basic analog circuit design.
The inaugural training course for lecturers will host 25 participants selected from prestigious institutions including the Viet Nam-Korea Information Technology (IT) and Communications University, Da Nang University of Science and Technology, University of Technical Education, Duy Tan University, and FPT University. A significant highlight of the programme is the access granted to lecturers to Synopsys’ extensive library and teaching materials, enabling them to develop practical IC design curricula upon completion.
Huynh Cong Phap, Principal of VKU, emphasised the programme’s objective of equipping students with practical IC design skills to facilitate training deployment at universities in Da Nang. Additionally, the university plans to offer short-term training courses in semiconductor circuit design for junior and senior students pursuing majors such as computer engineering, technology, embedded systems and IoT, and technology information.
Speaking at the event, Ho Ky Minh, Standing Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, hailed the programme as a significant stride in the city’s strategy for high-quality human resource development. He commended the collaborative efforts between DSAC, VKU, Synopsys Group, and the Information Technology Institute under the Vietnam National University in swiftly launching the city’s inaugural IC circuit design instructor training course.
In line with the city’s ambitions, Ho Ky Minh, the Standing Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Da Nang, welcomed Susan Burns, the US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, expressing his aspirations for enhanced collaboration with the United States within the semiconductor industry.
Susan Burns lauded the programme as a testament to the robust cooperation between government bodies, private enterprises, and universities in nurturing high-tech talent in Vietnam. This collaboration aims to fortify Vietnam’s position in the global semiconductor supply chain. The United States acknowledges Vietnam’s pivotal role in fostering flexible semiconductor supply chains and extends strong support for the industry’s development in the country.
In tandem with the programme launch, the university unveiled the VKU – SSTH centre, dedicated to semiconductor circuits and smart technology. Equipped with 30 computers and proprietary circuit design software from Synopsys, the centre is poised to serve as a hub for training and research in semiconductor circuits and smart technology.
OpenGov Asia reported that Da Nang inaugurated the Da Nang Semiconductor and Artificial Intelligence Center for Research and Training (DSAC) in January this year, marking a significant stride in technological advancement. This initiative underscores Da Nang’s dedication to enhancing its capabilities in integrated circuit (IC) design and artificial intelligence (AI).
The decision to establish DSAC was announced on January 26 by Le Trung Chinh, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, highlighting the centre’s role in realising the city’s strategic objectives. DSAC is poised to engage in research, training, and technology transfer in microchips, semiconductors, and AI development, while also fostering international cooperation in these critical domains.