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A collaboration aimed at establishing Sydney as a global leader in digitally-led metal additive manufacturing was recently made official.
As reported, the University of Sydney and GE Additive signed a 10-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that supports the creation of the first metal additive manufacturing ‘total ecosystem’ in Australia.
This entails having the critical technology and people in place to drive commercial and economic opportunity, education, skills and job development, underpinned by a capacity for fundamental research.
Additive Manufacturing uses a digital design to create a three-dimensional object by depositing material as superfine layers in precise geometric shapes.
The digital development revolutionises industrial production enabling the creation of lighter, stronger parts and systems with digital efficiency and flexibility.
Shapes, sizes and structures, which would be impossible using conventional manufacturing, can be created.
The company will invest up to US$ 1 million annually under the agreement over ten years.
This funding will be used for research and development at the University in order to quicken the adoption of metal additive manufacturing in Australia and the region.
This MoU builds on the University’s world-class expertise in the disciplines essential to advanced manufacturing such as materials engineering and integrated digital systems.
The agenda can be set for this disruptive technology by partnering with the company, an industry leader in this area of manufacturing.
Moreover, it will guarantee that Australia is primed to contribute to this exciting next phase of the industrial revolution.
The collaboration will drive the research and development needed to learn how this disruption to manufacturing can be harnessed for economic benefit.
Additive requires a completely different way of engineering and thinking.
Educating and training current workforces with new skills as well as getting more engineers into additive take time and programs need to be developed over a number of years.
The University recognises this and in order to build the right mindset, the right skills, and the right materials, there is a need to encourage close collaboration between companies, academia and governments.
The MoU comes on the back of the University’s commitment to establish a new 1,000sqm Additive Manufacturing and Advanced Materials Processing research facility that will serve as a focal point for the partnership.
The development of this laboratory is the initial phase of a plan to build greater capacity and capability at the Parramatta/Westmead campus.
This addition to the University’s core research facilities will allow the researchers and research partners to conduct trailblazing fundamental research.
Moreover, it will directly benefit Australian industry, particularly the aerospace, transport, biomedical and defence sectors.
Establishing a world-class capability in Darlington/Camperdown is a key first step for their grand plans for Advanced Manufacturing in Paramatta/Westmead.
The MoU with University complements the company’s global hub-and-spoke strategic approach to research and development.
The approach encourages non-competitive partnerships with leading universities and research organisations on joint initiatives.
A master research agreement is included in the terms of the MoU and covers three areas:
- Materials and powder technologies, including alloy design, alloy modification, powder characterisation and powder characteristic-process response identification, post-processing optimisation and materials gaps in repairs
- Sensing technologies and advanced materials characterisation, which builds on the University’s experience with electron microscopy and the company’s Arcam electron beam melting (EBM) technology
- Image processing and data analytics


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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.
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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$1.85 billion: Enterprise Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Hosting Support Services (HSS), and Personal Computers & Printer.
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) still have a lot of chances, as nearly 80% of all procurement opportunities for FY 2023 will be open to SMEs, which is the same as the previous year.
The Ministry of Sustainability and Environment previously indicated that starting in 2024, government ICT contracts will include environmental sustainability criteria.
Suppliers who participate in the forthcoming PC and Printer bulk tender must follow energy and environmental regulations and reuse packaging and materials.
Additionally, GovTech is trying to optimise code reuse for cloud projects in FY 2023 and reduce the carbon footprint of the cloud infrastructure in GCC and government data centres to satisfy BCA-IMDA Green Mark criteria.
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Experts from Flinders University have secured a funding grant of nearly AU$ 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.
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Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Pham Duc Long, highlighted the country’s recent focus on developing digital infrastructure, including significant investments in data centres and cloud computing. These efforts are aimed at driving national digital transformation and enabling the delivery of digital services to advance the digital economy and society.
At the 31st meeting of the Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT) Wireless Group in Hanoi, Long emphasised that the world is currently confronted with a range of complex issues in the era of wireless devices. APT, in response, is committed to collaborating with member countries to address these problems and effectively overcome the associated challenges.
During the discussions, participants delved into various significant management-related topics. These included potential frequency bands for 6G technology, the effective management of broadband satellite beams, expanding wireless internet coverage through band extensions, and the advancements and implications of 5G technology.
The event serves as a forum for management agencies, organisations, and businesses in the fields of frequency and wireless to discuss and update research activities in the region and around the world. Among the topics discussed, Vietnam is particularly interested in the implementation of new technologies, frequency planning, and trends in the selection of appropriate bands and technologies.
The meeting was held in a hybrid format. The event saw the participation of more than 500 delegates who are leading experts in the field of wireless in the region and the world from member countries, corporations, and large domestic and international telecom enterprises.
In April, the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) announced an auction for frequencies in the 2300-2400 MHz waveband, which will enable network operators to advance their 4G and 5G technologies. The starting price for this waveband was VND 12.88 billion (US$ 548,481) per MHz per annum, and each company had the opportunity to bid for 30 MHz. The companies are allowed to use the wavebands for 15 years for 4G and 5G purposes.
Both mobile service providers and other telecommunication companies were able to participate in the auction if they met the requirements. This means that new players using 4G and 5G technologies entered the mobile market. Companies that do not currently possess licenses for telecom services were also permitted to submit applications to the MIC for consideration and evaluation of their eligibility to participate in the auction.
As OpenGov Asia reported, upon successfully winning the auction and paying the fees in full and on time, the businesses were awarded licenses to use frequencies and offer telecommunication services. Companies that participated in the auction for the right to use radio frequencies in the 2300-2400 MHz waveband were able to establish networks and provide telecommunication services that use IMT-Advanced (4G) or IMT-2020 (5G) technologies.
5G technology offers several benefits that can transform communication, work, and life overall. With its faster data transmission speeds, lower latency, and higher network capacity, 5G can provide seamless connectivity for a wide range of applications, from virtual and augmented reality to autonomous vehicles and smart cities. Digital infrastructure is among the government’s top priorities. Vietnam has set a target to be among the top 30 nations with the most advanced and robust digital infrastructure by 2025. Vietnam’s next wave of socio-economic development will come from innovation, science, and technology, driven by the digital economy.
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The digital economy of China has long played a significant role in enhancing work prospects, streamlining the employment hierarchy, and generating fresh approaches to resolving labour market challenges.
The recent publication “Research Report on China’s Disability Care (2023)” made note of the fact that the emergence of the digital economy era has given rise to the prospect of changing the job structure for the disabled.
Reports cited that with the rise of the Internet, the digital economy has created a lot of new jobs, and the ability of related businesses to take on workers has grown quickly. This has also made it easier for college students with disabilities to find work.
On one side, it illustrates the significance of the digital economy for high-quality employment. The digital economy has currently given rise to a substantial number of new industries, formats, and business models, as well as a significant number of new employment types.
The number of jobs supported by the digital economy will reach 449 million in 2030, according to the report “2023 Frontiers of China’s Digital Economy: Platforms and High-Quality Full Employment” published in February of this year.
The digital economy is inextricably linked to the actual economy. Through the coordinated growth of the digital industry, production efficiency is increased, scale expansion is supported, and old occupations and positions are endowed with new implications, such as online doctors and online vehicle drivers. Workers’ freedom of choice opens additional opportunities for different groups to find work.
At the same time, there are some issues that the nation has addressed immediately in the process of promoting employment in the digital economy. For example, there is a significant shortage of digital talent, inadequate protection of labour rights and interests for new types of employment groups, and employment services that adapt to labour mobility and diversification of employment methods must be improved.
In this regard, it is critical to capitalise on the digital economy’s potential to create new jobs, update the labour structure, and encourage higher quality and fuller employment of relevant talents.
Also, encourage the rapid development of the digital industry and the development of digital skills. Continually promote new formats and models of digital production, cultivate new economic growth points, and create more emerging employment opportunities in emerging industries such as the Internet, the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence (AI).
For China, promoting the deep integration of the Internet, big data, AI, and the real economy, encourage the digital transformation of traditional industries, and encourage more workers to switch careers to increase employment. In addition to promoting digital knowledge and skills education at all school levels and establishing and enhancing a multi-level and multi-type digital talent training system.
Alternatively, strengthen the construction of digital employment service platforms and enhance the employment security system that conforms to the laws of the digital economy. Through legislation that clarifies the labour relationship identification mechanism for new employment forms of workers, improves their labour rights and interests protection measures, and adapts the social insurance system to the characteristics of digital work.
Also, making detailed regulations on standard working hours and social insurance payment for digital practitioners, solving problems such as account transfer connection issues and risk compensation issues faced by flexible employees, and strengthening social security for new employment forms.
The nation also implemented “Internet +” public employment and entrepreneurship services that resulted to strengthen the construction of national public employment information service platforms, enhancing mobile terminal applications, developing an intelligent service system that combines policy interpretation, business management, and consultation as well as enhancing digital public employment and entrepreneurship service capabilities.
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The ASTRI Technovation Centre (ATC) was launched in the presence of the Secretary for Security; the Commissioner of Police; the Director of Crime & Security, the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF); the Commissioner of Correctional Services; the Director of Fire Services; the Deputy Commissioner of Customs & Excise (Control and Enforcement); and the Assistant Director (Information Systems) of Immigration Department.
The event showcased the collaboration between ASTRI and the disciplined services, as they join forces to advance research and development initiatives, with the ultimate goal of establishing Hong Kong as a leading international smart city.
The opening events of the state-of-the-art ASTRI Technovation Centre (ATC) brought together the Security Bureau and Disciplined services, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of the smart city agenda. ASTRI has consistently demonstrated its dedication to transforming Hong Kong into a globally recognised smart city, while disciplined services play a vital role in shaping the city’s fabric.
Through this collaborative effort, both entities aim to leverage their respective strengths effectively. By combining the disciplined services’ extensive experience in law enforcement with ASTRI’s expertise in technology development and transfer, a comprehensive range of smart research and development applications will be introduced. This joint endeavour will undoubtedly contribute to the accelerated development of Hong Kong as a smart city.
ASTRI presented joint projects developed in collaboration with the disciplined services, showcasing remarkable accomplishments that have received prestigious recognition. One such achievement is the 5G communication technology. Another is the “HoneyNet – Early Threat Hunting and Anticipation Network,” aimed at enhancing proactive threat detection capabilities.
Additionally, ASTRI has developed a state-of-the-art speech-to-text recognition engine named “飛謄,” specifically designed to handle voice records of the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF). Furthermore, a document processing system has been implemented to streamline administrative procedures, resulting in increased efficiency.
Moving forward, ASTRI and the disciplined services are committed to further strengthening their research and development collaborations, with a particular focus on key areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), big data, Internet-of-Things (IoT), and blockchain.
Through the delivery of advanced, efficient, and accurate R&D applications, their joint efforts aim to simplify complex work procedures and empower law enforcement officers to effectively tackle future challenges. This collaborative approach will enhance operational efficiency, elevate service quality, and comprehensively improve the safety and stability of Hong Kong as a smart city.
The Chairman of ASTRI emphasised that the essential element of building a smart city is ensuring the safety and convenience of its citizens. In response to the increasing challenges, it is commendable to witness the disciplined services allocating resources towards the development of new technologies, aiming to enhance law enforcement efficiency and service quality. ASTRI is committed to sustaining its partnership with the Security Bureau and disciplined services, striving to deliver innovative solutions that effectively tackle societal challenges.
The CEO of ASTRI highlighted the past achievements resulting from the collaborative research and development efforts with disciplined services. Looking ahead, both ASTRI and the disciplined services will concentrate on addressing technological requirements related to manpower allocation and law enforcement.
By jointly exploring and developing cutting-edge technologies, their aim is to bolster the law enforcement department’s capabilities and enhance service efficiency through the implementation of smart applications. This endeavour aligns with the goal of transforming Hong Kong into a safe and globally recognised smart city, providing its citizens with an optimal environment for living and working.
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A seminar aimed at providing IT Security knowledge to public health groups, schools, and government sectors was inaugurated by Mr Siraphop Maneerat, Manager of Central Region Sales and Operations at the National Telecommunication Public Company Limited (NT), and Mr Sanae Kamphaeng, Telecommunications Officer of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province.
The objective of this seminar is to equip IT officers from government agencies, schools, and local government organisations in the province with the necessary knowledge and understanding to safeguard data and mitigate cyber threats.
NT is prepared to offer a range of services and provide guidance in developing plans and budgets to prevent cyber-attack risks that could significantly impact organisational operations and management.
As the National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) reported, Thailand witnessed a significant surge in cybersecurity threats, from 135 incidents in 2021 to over 772 incidents in 2022. The majority of these incidents involved data breaches, particularly through educational and public sector websites.
According to Mr Sanae, a Prachuap Khiri Khan Province Telecommunications representative, many organisations often neglect the regular maintenance of database security and lack proper protocols for handling cyber threats. In such cases, they require dedicated professionals to manage their systems, as threats continuously evolve, and new vulnerabilities emerge.
The Thai government has been concerned regarding the effectiveness of their organisation’s security protocols in mitigating data leaks. They acknowledge that insufficient personnel can result in significant damage. Seeing this, Thai government legislation, namely the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and some Thai enterprises, passed the Cybersecurity Act in 2019.
The Cybersecurity Act aims to establish legal protections and measures to safeguard cyberspace security. One significant aspect of this act is implementing a cybersecurity risk assessment plan to prevent and address cybersecurity threats that could potentially jeopardise national security and public welfare. These threats encompass the economy, healthcare, international relations, and other governmental functions. The act aims to ensure the stability and integrity of these areas in the face of cybersecurity challenges.
Additionally, the Cybersecurity Act gives the Thai government the authority to monitor and access digital data if it determines that cyber threats pose a risk to the critical digital infrastructure of the country. Private organisations operating in sectors such as national security, financial services, and public services are obligated to provide the names and contact details of key stakeholders who own, use, or possess computer systems, comply with the code of conduct and cybersecurity standards as mandated by law, conduct comprehensive risk assessments, and notify stakeholders about any incidents involving cyber threats.
Basic protection needs to be improved in the current digital landscape, where online threats come in various forms. A comprehensive defence system is crucial. This law and issue is truly new for Thailand itself, so NT allows institutions or even individuals to dig for information regarding cyber security further. “Interested agencies can reach out to the National Telecommunication Company for inquiries and guidance regarding IT Security services,” said Sanae.
Thailand is more serious about bolstering its cybersecurity systems to create a safe environment in a digital era. Supporting this, NT has introduced IT Security services to provide system and equipment security for government and private sector agencies.