EXCLUSIVE OPENING REMARKS MAMPU Public Sector CIO Convex 2019: Gaining the edge – Navigating the future

The Public Sector CIO Convex 2019 – Gaining the edge: Navigating the future was held from 8-9 October at the Sime Darby Convention Centre, Kuala Lumpur.

The event saw the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Planning Unit (MAMPU) and OpenGov collaborating for the fourth time on a two-day event which featured a series of case study presentations and panel discussions on several areas of technology.

Welcoming remarks: Gaining the competitive edge

data y OpenGov Asia — Dato Dr Yusof Bin Ismail Timely to address digital transformation

Dato’ Dr. Yusof Bin Ismail, Deputy Director General (Transformation and Management Modernisation) at MAMPU gave the welcoming remarks for the event.

He stressed that it is right and timely to address digital transformation. It is key to have knowledge and embrace emerging technology.

Quoting International Data Corporation, a premier global market intelligence firm, Dr. Yusof said they predicted that by 2022, over 25% of endpoint devices and systems will execute AI algorithms.

AI-enabled user interfaces and process automation will replace one-third of today’s screen-based apps in Malaysia by 2024.

Dr. Yusof posed the question: Are we ready to navigate through this? He pointed out that digital transformation is already happening and creating technology disruption in Malaysia.

Internet Users Survey 2018 conducted by the Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) found that Malaysian citizens are ready for fully digitalised public services.

He said that if people are ready to embrace the digitalised public service, then it is crucial for the government to gain their competitive edge in driving value impact services to the citizens.

Sharing his hopes for the future he said that Chief Information Officers (CIOs) should take away valuable knowledge from the session, make connections and return to their organisations enlightened.

“Let’s get to the right trajectory towards achieving our goals.”

Dato’ Dr. Yusof Bin Ismail

Technology case study 1- Digital explosion: Are you secure?

gavin OpenGov Asia — Gavin Chow believes security should be built in

Gavin Chow, Network and Security Strategist, Fortinet, Malaysia shared about the importance of cybersecurity and of risk management.

He said that with 5G increasing interconnectivity and getting communities close together, security becomes a key aspect for ensuring that these connections are safe. He said that security should be built-in at the foundation level and not bolted on.

Gavin said that while the common understanding is that risks exist over the internet, attackers can infiltrate from within internal organisational networks as well.

Looking again at 5G networks from a government perspective and of their widespread connectivity, the risk lies in the possibility of attacks spreading across all industries. Gavin enforced that cyber defence measures should be taken across all industries.

He listed the profiles of attackers, according to their level of motivation.

Recreational hackers have the least motivations, followed by a criminal, hacktivist, organised and nation hackers with the highest.

Concluding his segment, he shared some key recommendations for ensuring security:

Cyber hygiene
Evolving threat landscape
Policy management
Operational oversight
Broad, integrated, automated approach

Panel Discussion 1- Fit for the Future: Government investment in digital talent

Klaus Felsche, Senior Advisor, OpenGov Asia, Australia moderated the panel discussion. The panellists for this discussion were Brett Aimers, Adjunct Associate Professor College of Public Health Medical and Veterinary Science, James Cook University, Australia, Ts. Azlina Binti Azman, Senior Deputy Director, Public Service Department Malaysia, and Dr. Sumitra Nair, Vice-President Talent Development and Digital Entrepreneurship, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).

People are for important change to happen

Klaus posed panellists with the question: With the availability of technology, what is still missing?

Sumitra said, “There are only three words to this: People, people and people”.

Brett said that governments need to practice intelligent allocation of money for digitalising efforts. He said that it can be best done through understanding the expectations of the community – such as availability of applications for online processing and removing paper-based documentation.

Azlina said that optimising plans is key. She said that people will stay consistently the same while technology and processes will change, with millennials changing the game. Change should not just occur in the technology domain; it must cut across everyone from businesses to decision-makers.

Data-driven mindset

Klaus next brought the session into the topics of technical skills and data literacy.

Sumitra said that data literacy is not limited to the technology department. With data being everywhere, she said that it is important to know how to equip ourselves to be data literate.

She shared that MDEC’s goal is to produce 20,000 data professionals by 2020. They are at 11,000 now. She stressed that having a data-driven mindset change and internalisation is important. Organisations must be responsible and ensure that data literacy is being cultivated within. “Mindset. Continuous. Responsibility”, she said.

Managing fake news

Brett said that the government should capitalise on innovations for mainstreaming and educating and creating awareness of phishing and risks.

Government-follower or leader?

Azlina said that being a follower could be damaging to the government in the long run. She said that the government should be more participative than leading. Co-designing and redesigning existing solutions to suit the government is important.

Sumitra concluded the discussion with the three most important pointers for ensuring that the government is at the top of innovation:

Right people to serve
People to deliver solutions
People to have the right mindset and culture of life-long learning

Singapore: Magnetic Muscle Therapy Reversing Ageing Trends

Digital innovation empowers ageing individuals by promoting better health management, social engagement, cognitive stimulation, safety, and access to resources, ultimately improving their overall quality of life.

While ageing is frequently accompanied by a deterioration in functional mobility, loss of muscle strength, and an increase in body fat, this trend could be reversed thanks to a novel magnetic muscle therapy developed by researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Weekly exposure to very low levels of proprietary pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) using the BIXEPS device invented by NUS researchers in 2019 is associated with significant improvements in mobility and body composition after 12 weeks, particularly in older people, according to a recent community study conducted in Singapore involving 101 participants aged 38 to 91 years old. After three months of magnetic muscle therapy, participants reported reduced pain perception.

Associate Professor Alfredo Franco-Obregón, who led the research team and is a Principal Investigator with NUS iHealthtech and co-founder of QuantumTX, says that the BIXEPS device uses a specific magnetic signature to target the muscles in a user’s leg and create metabolic activity in the cells, just like when a person exercises.

Studies from the past showed that when magnetic muscle treatment was used on one leg after knee surgery, the whole body’s metabolism improved. This was mostly seen as changes in the blood lipid profiles. That is, the effect went beyond just the leg that was treated and led to changes throughout the whole body.

After eight weeks of treatment, 72% of individuals reported improved skeletal muscle maintenance along with reductions in total and visceral fats, with 85% of subjects reporting improvements in functional mobility after 12 weeks, most notably among the elderly.

These encouraging findings suggest that this PEMF-based technology could be a beneficial adjunct to traditional geriatric therapies aimed at lowering the prevalence of frailty and metabolic diseases in the elderly population.

Importantly, visceral fat is an inflammatory fat that has been linked to a variety of metabolic diseases, including diabetes. Previous research has found that people in Southeast Asia retain visceral fat more persistently than persons in other regions of the world, despite exercise.

As a result, people in Southeast Asia get diabetes at a lower BMI than persons of other ethnicities. This has created a significant challenge for the Southeast Asian health business. Researchers finally have a solution to this local healthcare dilemma in the form of magnetic field therapy.

Based on the promising findings of the community study, the team has collaborated with research groups in the United States and Hong Kong to perform randomised controlled clinical studies to further validate the advantages of frailty across various ageing groups.

Since 2022, the team has also begun a senior-focused study with 200 elders across four Singapore community care centres to assess how the technology can improve function and ease chronic problems. This research is projected to be completed in 2023.

Real-world pilot data from current community programmes have also shown promise of improved HbA1c control – the most common measure for diabetes progression – after beginning weekly BIXEPS sessions.

The research team is currently collaborating with the Singapore General Hospital to perform a clinical trial to evaluate further the therapeutic potential of PEMF-based therapies for diabetes progression management.

India’s Urban Future: Innovations in the Smart Cities Mission

The consultative committee of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs was briefed by Hardeep S. Puri, the Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, about the progress made in the Smart Cities Mission. Minister Puri highlighted the significant advancements taking place within the 100 smart cities and their positive impact on India’s urban future. He underscored the vital role played by Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) in effectively managing and implementing the mission at the city level, thus maximising its potential.

The Smart Cities Mission, launched in June 2015, seeks to enhance the lives of citizens by implementing “smart solutions” that focus on core infrastructure, a clean and sustainable environment, and a high quality of life. Under the initiative, 100 cities were selected through a two-stage competition to be developed as Smart Cities. According to the government, the regions are showcasing satisfactory advancements.

The Smart Cities Mission is overseen by an Apex Committee led by the Secretary of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. They regularly provide updates on the implementation status of projects through the Real-Time Geographical Management Information System (GMIS). According to the Smart Cities Mission Statement and Guidelines, each city establishes a Smart City Advisory Forum (SCAF) at the local level to facilitate collaboration and provide guidance. The SCAF comprises various stakeholders such as Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, the Mayor, the District Collector, local youth, technical experts, and other relevant parties. So far, the Smart Cities have convened more than 756 SCAF meetings.

In addition, at the state level, a High Powered Steering Committee (HPSC) chaired by the Chief Secretary has been established. This committee plays a crucial role in overseeing the Smart Cities Mission within the state. Furthermore, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs appoints Nominee Directors to the Boards of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) who actively monitor the progress of projects in their respective cities.

The Committee conducted visits to various project sites in Goa, including the ‘Mandovi Riverfront Promenade’, ‘Flood Mitigation Works’, and the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC). During these visits, the status and progress of the projects were discussed as of 1 May 2023. It was highlighted that the Smart Cities Mission comprises approximately 7,800 projects with a total value of INR 1.8 trillion (US$ 21 billion). Out of these, more than 5,700 projects (73% by number) worth INR 1.1 trillion (US$ 13.3 billion) (60% by value) have already been completed. The remaining projects are expected to be completed by June 2024. Also, INR 38,400 crores (US$ 4.6 billion) have been released under the Smart Cities Mission as of 1 May, out of which INR 35,261 crores (US$ 4.2 billion) has been used.

The Ministry maintains regular communication and engagement with the states and Smart Cities through video conferences, review meetings, field visits, regional workshops, and more. These interactions occur at different levels and serve multiple purposes, including assessing the performance of cities and providing necessary support and guidance for their improvement.

An official said that ICCCs play a crucial role in enhancing situational awareness through the utilisation of advanced technologies. These centres provide comprehensive visualisations that enable civic officials to effectively address various urban functions and handle daily tasks, issues, and emergencies following detailed standard operating procedures. ICCCs have evolved into the central hubs of these smart cities, showcasing the effective application of technology in fortifying urban management.

Enhancing AI Precision for Plausible Explanations and Uncertainty Assessment

Although today’s artificial intelligence systems possess immense size and capability, they frequently struggle to differentiate between what is real and what is a hallucination. For instance, autonomous driving systems can fatally overlook pedestrians and emergency vehicles positioned directly in their path. Similarly, conversational AI systems confidently fabricate information and often provide inaccurate assessments of their level of uncertainty, particularly after undergoing reinforcement learning.

However, a collaboration between researchers at MIT and the University of California, Berkeley, has yielded a novel approach to constructing advanced AI inference algorithms. This method enables the algorithms to generate multiple plausible explanations for data while also accurately gauging the quality of these explanations.

The newly developed method utilises a mathematical technique called Sequential Monte Carlo (SMC). SMC algorithms are commonly used for uncertainty-calibrated AI to propose likely explanations for data and assess their plausibility as more information becomes available.

However, SMC falls short when applied to complex tasks due to the simplicity of generating probable explanations. Particularly in challenging domains like self-driving, where analysing video data, identifying objects, and predicting hidden motion paths are involved, sophisticated algorithms are required to make plausible guesses. Regular SMC cannot support such advanced algorithms.

The newly introduced SMC method with probabilistic program proposals (SMCP3) addresses these limitations. SMCP3 enables more intelligent approaches to generate probable explanations for data, update them based on new information, and accurately estimate their quality. Unlike previous versions of SMC, which only allowed simple strategies with calculable probabilities, SMCP3 allows using any probabilistic program that incorporates random choices. This flexibility enables sophisticated guessing procedures with multiple stages, overcoming the previous restriction.

The research paper on SMCP3 demonstrates that employing advanced proposal procedures can enhance the precision of AI systems in tracking 3D objects, analysing data, and improving the algorithms’ estimations of data likelihood. Previous studies conducted by MIT and other institutions have revealed that these estimations can be utilised to infer the effectiveness of an inference algorithm in explaining data compared to an idealised Bayesian reasoner.

George Matheos, the first co-author of the paper and soon-to-be MIT EECS PhD student, expressed great enthusiasm for SMCP3’s ability to enable the practical application of well-established, uncertainty-calibrated algorithms in complex problem scenarios where previous versions of SMC were ineffective.

Today, many new algorithms propose explanations based on data but often lack uncertainty calibration and fail to consider alternatives or assess their explanations. SMCP3 offers the potential to use these algorithms more effectively by incorporating uncertainty calibration, ensuring trustworthy AI systems for reliable and safe decision-making.

Vikash Mansinghka, the paper’s Senior Author, further explains, “Monte Carlo methods have been fundamental in computing and artificial intelligence since the advent of electronic computers.” However, designing and implementing them has always been challenging, requiring manual derivation of mathematical equations and awareness of intricate mathematical constraints. SMCP3 automates these complex mathematical aspects while expanding the range of possible designs.

The Philippines National Cybersecurity Plan Shaping a Secure Cyber Landscape

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) invites all stakeholders, advocates, and concerned individuals to submit feedback, comments, and suggestions on the drafted National Cybersecurity Plan (NCSP) 2023-2028 to provide a safe and reliable cyberspace for all Filipinos.

The goal of the public consultation on the draught of the NCSP 2023-2028 is to improve the final document, which is expected to be released by the end of 2023. All parties interested may offer their suggestions and comments to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Cybersecurity and Upskilling via email at oascu@dict.gov.ph. The outline NCSP 2023-2028 is organised around six (6) pillars, including:

Enactment of the “Cybersecurity Act” to strengthen the policy framework;
Secure and protect Critical Information Infrastructures (CII);
Proactively defend the government and people in cyberspace;
Operational and well-coordinated network of Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) and SOC;
Capacitate workforce in cybersecurity; and
Enhancing international cooperation.

Ivan John E. Uy, secretary of the DICT, emphasised the importance of concerted action from all interested parties to create a trusted, dependable, and safe online environment for Filipinos.

“The NCSP 2023-2028 shows the importance of convergence among all government agencies in delivering our mission. It outlines steps on how each government agency can coordinate all their cybersecurity initiatives through the National Cybersecurity Inter-Agency Committee (NCIAC). It also harmonises all organisation CERT and defined two national-level CERTs,” said Secretary Ivan.

He also stated that there was a steady increase in internet-based transactions during and after the COVID-19 outbreak. The country gradually evolved to cashless transactions as electronic commerce and e-banking became commonplace, mostly because of inventions from the private sector. Cybercrime incidences rose as these advanced.

Cyberthreat actors took use of flaws and vulnerabilities in processes, technology, and human behaviour. In response to these changes, the National Cybersecurity Plan 2023–2028 (NCSP 2023–2028) was created.

The goal of DICT is to give every Filipino access to a trusted, secure, and reliable online environment. This demonstrates the necessity of protecting the government and the public online, as well as the significance of fostering the kind of trust required for online commerce to flourish.

The NCSP’s second iteration drew on the preceding strategy’s results while also demonstrating a policy shift. DICT is now attempting to establish a Cybersecurity Act to balance the economic linkages impacting noncompliance with cybersecurity legislation.

The new strategy also promotes policy based on standards and risk-based methods. Individual organisations, rather than entire sectors, are designated as CIIs if they fail, depending on their size and influence. A renewed emphasis on developing the cyber workforce, as well as the significance of improving international collaboration in cybersecurity, was also emphasised.

Most particularly, the NCSP 2023-2028 demonstrates the importance of collaboration among all government departments in carrying out its mandate. It details how each government agency can use the National Cybersecurity Inter-Agency Committee (NCIAC) to coordinate all their cybersecurity initiatives. It also unifies all organisation CERTs and establishes two national-level CERTs.

Though the NCSP 2023-2028 has a sublime goal, DICT thinks this strategy can be successful with the assistance of all government agencies, the private sector, and all departments of government.

The National Cybersecurity Plan must be developed by DICT in accordance with RA 10844, hence, the National Cybersecurity Plan 2028 (NCSP 2028) draft is meant to serve as a guide for consultations, with the goal of using comments to improve the final version of the NCSP, which is scheduled to be released before the end of 2023.

New Zealand Balancing Productivity and Privacy in the Age of AI

The Privacy Commissioner, Michael Webster, has issued warnings regarding safeguarding personal information while utilising artificial intelligence (AI), addressing the private and public sectors. In releasing his expectations, Webster emphasised the need for adaptability as technological advancements in AI continue to evolve rapidly.

Webster’s emphasis on organisations exercising caution in handling personal information within the realm of AI highlights the critical need to balance the potential gains in productivity with the inherent privacy risks involved. With the increasing reliance on AI systems like ChatGPT, it becomes crucial to address the challenges associated with managing and controlling the information fed into these systems.

One key concern lies in the difficulty of retrieving information once it has been input into AI systems. Unlike traditional data storage methods, where retrieval is relatively straightforward, AI systems often lack easily accessible mechanisms to retrieve specific information. This poses significant challenges in ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and privacy of the data that has been processed.

Furthermore, the controls governing the usage of personal information within AI systems are often limited in scope. As AI technologies rapidly advance, it becomes imperative to establish robust frameworks and mechanisms to regulate and govern the use of personal data. Without adequate controls, there is a risk of unauthorised access, misuse, or inappropriate handling of sensitive information, leading to privacy breaches and potential harm to individuals.

Webster’s warning reminds organisations to carefully evaluate and address these concerns before implementing AI solutions. Organisations must thoroughly assess AI’s potential risks and implications, especially when handling personal or confidential information. This includes considering the AI system’s privacy impact, security measures, and ethical considerations.

In light of these concerns, Webster emphasised that agencies should conduct comprehensive due diligence and privacy analyses to ensure compliance with the law before venturing into the realm of generative AI. He advised against incorporating personal or confidential information into AI systems unless explicit confirmation is obtained that such data will not be retained or reused. One alternative approach could involve removing any re-identifiable information from input data.

Considering the potential privacy implications, staff members were encouraged to evaluate the necessity and proportionality of using AI and to explore alternative methods if available. Seeking approval from supervisors and privacy officers and transparently informing customers about the use of AI were recommended practices. Additionally, Webster emphasised the importance of human review of any AI-generated information before taking any consequential actions based on it.

Webster further outlined the steps agencies should undertake when considering the implementation of AI. These include conducting due diligence, performing a privacy analysis, and carrying out a Privacy Impact Assessment. Seeking feedback from impacted communities, including Māori, and requesting clarification from AI providers regarding privacy protections designed into their systems were identified as critical components of the evaluation process.

Before this, the commissioner had communicated his concerns to government agencies, cautioning against the hasty adoption of AI without proper assessment. He underscored the need for a holistic, government-wide response to address the emerging challenges posed by this technology.

The Privacy Commissioner’s warnings emphasise the imperative of preserving privacy rights when utilising AI. Organisations must exercise caution, conduct thorough assessments, and implement adequate safeguards to protect personal information in the face of AI’s evolving landscape.

Fuelling Digital Growth: Singapore’s Continuing ICT Investments

Singapore will spend about S$3.3 billion on information and communications technology (ICT) this year. This is on top of the money it has spent in previous years to improve its digital infrastructure and make services better for people, companies, and government workers.

Over the last five years, the government has spent about S$16 billion on ICT. In both FY 2021 and FY 2022, it was expected that S$3.8 billion would be spent on ICT. In the past, attempts to combine the demand for ICT services through bulk tenders and to update the back-end ICT infrastructure of the government through the cloud have saved money.

“Our ICT investments in the past five years have laid a firm foundation for the next bound of digital government,” said Kok Ping Soon, Chief Executive, GovTech.

He added that the Government will maintain a high level of ICT spending in 2023, as they continue to push ahead with the cloud strategy and find more ways to work closely with the industry through co-developed projects and bulk tenders. Providing opportunities for SMEs to take on government projects is also important, as SMEs form a key pillar of our Smart Nation efforts, he continued.

More than 30% (S$1 billion) of what the government plans to spend on ICT in FY 2023 will go towards developing apps for the Government Commercial Cloud (GCC).

Since the “Cloud First” Strategy was announced in October 2018, about 66% of qualified government systems have been moved to the Government Commercial Cloud (GCC). This makes it possible to reach the goal of 70% by the end of 2023.

In FY 2023, co-developed projects with industry are projected to be worth about 45% (S$1.49 billion) of all spending, up from 27% in FY 2022 and 20% in FY 2021.

Co-developed projects save time and money by using the SG Tech Stack and other government platforms for security compliance and interoperability, as well as reusing well-tested software components to build apps quickly.

Currently, 27 companies are qualified to work with the government on projects using the SG Tech Stack. When the S$0.62 billion Agile Co-Development and ICT Professional Services bulk tender is called in FY 2023, this list of providers will be updated.

In co-developed projects, engineers and developers from the government may oversee building one part while their peers from the private sector build another. This is different from the usual outsourced approach, in which a vendor builds the whole project based on what the government agency wants.

As a result of the Government’s planned ICT spending for FY 2023, a lot more projects will be given out through bulk bids. About 76%, or S$2.5 billion, of the planned spending will go to these projects. In FY 2022, only 27% of the spending went to these projects. By putting together all the requests for the same ICT goods and services, bulk tenders have helped public agencies save money, time, and effort.

This year, there are three important bulk contracts worth a total of S$1.85 billion: Enterprise Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Hosting Support Services (HSS), and Personal Computers & Printer.

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) still have a lot of chances, as nearly 80% of all procurement opportunities for FY 2023 will be open to SMEs, which is the same as the previous year.

The Ministry of Sustainability and Environment previously indicated that starting in 2024, government ICT contracts will include environmental sustainability criteria.

Suppliers who participate in the forthcoming PC and Printer bulk tender must follow energy and environmental regulations and reuse packaging and materials.

Additionally, GovTech is trying to optimise code reuse for cloud projects in FY 2023 and reduce the carbon footprint of the cloud infrastructure in GCC and government data centres to satisfy BCA-IMDA Green Mark criteria.

Satellite and Drone Tech for Forest Surveillance

Experts from Flinders University have secured a funding grant of nearly AU$ 1.4 million to enhance specialised satellite surveillance software and drone technology for a ground-breaking forestry research initiative. Over the course of two years, the College of Science and Engineering will conduct the project titled ‘Assessment of remote sensing techniques for monitoring the health of plantations.’ The research is financially supported by both federal and state governments through the Mount Gambier Centre of the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation (NIFPI).

Flinders University’s Associate Professor in Geospatial Information Systems (GIS), David Bruce, has outlined the objectives of the project aimed at enhancing plantation forestry surveillance. The research will involve the utilization of advanced ‘supercomputers’ to process satellite imagery, enabling early detection of underperforming trees for plantation foresters across Australia.

The project aims to identify various issues such as disease, waterlogging, inadequate management, drought, or storm damage by statistically comparing specific clusters of trees within the same age-class and species against the broader population.

In addition, the team plans to incorporate high-resolution satellite data collection to assess poorly performing tree patches and validate their analysis through low-altitude aerial observations using aircraft and drones in specific locations. This comprehensive approach will aid in developing a more effective early warning system for plantation health monitoring.

The Flinders University team comprises Associate Professor Bruce, an expert in remote sensing, and Marcio DaSilva, a PhD candidate who has previously been involved in satellite data collection related to the Kangaroo Island bushfires. Collaborating with computer programmer Michael Hillman, the team has dedicated over 18 months to testing algorithms on desktop computers.

Subsequently, they have progressed to experimenting with cloud computing environments in collaboration with experts from CSIRO. This iterative process has allowed them to refine and scale up their research methodologies effectively.

The AU$1.38 million research project involves collaboration with several key partners. These include experts from the Green Triangle Forest Health Group, NIFPI (National Institute for Forest Products Innovation), the Growers Research Advisory Committee, Forest Corporation NSW, the NSW Department of Primary Industries, UniSA (University of South Australia), as well as numerous forest companies in Australia. The project benefits from the diverse expertise and contributions of these partners.

Furthermore, it is worth noting that the latest round of grants has allocated a total of AU$ 6 million to support eight research projects. This underscores the significant investment being made in advancing research initiatives across various domains.

The Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry emphasised that the funding provided for the third round of projects, amounting to AU$6 million, will not only support ongoing research careers in the forest and wood products sectors but also contribute to the development of future forestry jobs.

These projects are expected to play a crucial role in promoting innovation across various areas, including forest management, worker safety, advanced remote sensing, forest water use, tree breeding genetics, and optimising resource utilisation. The aim is to explore these domains and facilitate advancements that will have a positive impact on the forestry industry and its stakeholders.

In the October Federal Budget of 2022-2023, a significant commitment of AU$ 100 million over a span of five years was made to enhance and expand the National Institute for Forest Products Innovation (NIFPI) throughout Australia. The allocated funds are intended to support research and development endeavours aimed at addressing the national challenges faced by the forest and wood products industries. This substantial investment reflects the government’s recognition of the importance of these sectors and their potential to contribute to the country’s economic growth and sustainability.

May 29, 2023

8th Annual Singapore OpenGov Leadership Forum 2023, 10 - 11 MAY 2023 - CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

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EXCLUSIVE OPENING REMARKS MAMPU Public Sector CIO Convex 2019: Gaining the edge – Navigating the future

Singapore: Magnetic Muscle Therapy Reversing Ageing Trends

India’s Urban Future: Innovations in the Smart Cities Mission

Enhancing AI Precision for Plausible Explanations and Uncertainty Assessment

The Philippines National Cybersecurity Plan Shaping a Secure Cyber Landscape

New Zealand Balancing Productivity and Privacy in the Age of AI

Fuelling Digital Growth: Singapore’s Continuing ICT Investments

Satellite and Drone Tech for Forest Surveillance

Recommended Stories

Singapore: Magnetic Muscle Therapy Reversing Ageing Trends

India’s Urban Future: Innovations in the Smart Cities Mission

Enhancing AI Precision for Plausible Explanations and Uncertainty Assessment

The Philippines National Cybersecurity Plan Shaping a Secure Cyber Landscape

New Zealand Balancing Productivity and Privacy in the Age of AI

Fuelling Digital Growth: Singapore’s Continuing ICT Investments

India’s Urban Future: Innovations in the Smart Cities Mission

Enhancing AI Precision for Plausible Explanations and Uncertainty Assessment

The Philippines National Cybersecurity Plan Shaping a Secure Cyber Landscape

New Zealand Balancing Productivity and Privacy in the Age of AI

Fuelling Digital Growth: Singapore’s Continuing ICT Investments

Satellite and Drone Tech for Forest Surveillance

Digital India Act: Building a Trustworthy Digital Realm

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