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The Seniors Go Digital programme has made good progress, with more than 16,000 seniors benefitting from the programme since it was launched in May 2020.
The Infocomm Media Development Authority – IMDA, launched the Seniors Go Digital programme to help seniors embrace digitalization so that they can lead more engaged, informed and fulfilling lives.
IMDA and the SG Digital Office are on track to reach out to and raise the skills of 100,000 seniors by Mar 2021.
Through one-on-one help and small group learning sessions at the more than 30 SG Digital community hubs island wide, SDO’s Digital Ambassadors have helped seniors pick up skills such as using smartphones to communicate online and access government digital services.
In addition, IMDA’s Mobile Access for Seniors scheme for low income seniors, which was rolled out to complement the Seniors Go Digital programme, has benefitted more than 800 low income seniors with smartphones and data plans.
IMDA is also working with partners like the Ang Mo Kio Family Service Centre Community Services Ltd and the Youth Corps Singapore, to provide the smartphones and to guide these seniors through a four-week programme to pick up digital skills so that they can use their smartphones meaningfully.
95% of the seniors who received training were satisfied with the sessions, and about 80% continued to apply the digital skills they have picked up in their everyday lives.
Teaching Senior Citizens to Make Payments Online
To further support seniors in their digital learning, IMDA and SDO will be introducing e-Payment Learning Journeys for seniors. This thematic learning journey helps seniors who are keen to learn how to use e-payments in a more enjoyable and engaging way, via live demonstrations and hands on experiences.
IMDA has also collaborated with corporate partners to roll out the Supermarket Learning Journey, to guide seniors in using commercial apps such as the FairPrice app to make purchases in NTUC FairPrice stores.
These skills complement the growing number of hawker stalls that have adopted e-payment capabilities to improve productivity and competitiveness.
To encourage seniors to continue their learning journey and better keep track of their progress, each senior will receive a Seniors Go Digital Activity Pack for them to collect stamps to redeem for prizes by completing the learning activities. Stamps can be used to redeem prizes such as cooler bags, mugs and reusable containers.
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Having robust, effective, and easily accessible healthcare is essential for enhancing the standard of living, achieving better treatment results and increasing lifespan. Tech-enabled progress made in the field of medicine has been a boon, with groundbreaking innovations and discoveries paving the future of healthcare.
The healthcare sector is witnessing a rapid transformation, with the emergence of new technologies that promise to tackle the most pressing global healthcare challenges. MedTech has become increasingly crucial in this context and has opened up a plethora of possibilities for healthcare professionals to advance their skills and knowledge and expand their reach to underserved regions.
The advent of innovative healthcare technology has empowered doctors to provide better care to a greater number of people, irrespective of their geographical location and help prevent and combat emerging diseases effectively.
Technological advancements offer more effective medication, more accurate diagnostics and improved drug delivery systems giving hope for better patient care and prognoses. Integrating healthcare components through technology can also lead to more efficient and accessible healthcare services while lowering costs.
The healthcare industry hugely benefits from technology, which has been the driving force behind the significant progress made thus far. Technology will continue to play a crucial role in catalysing further advancements in healthcare, enabling healthcare professionals to provide better care, develop innovative treatments and improve patient outcomes.
The Impact of Digital Technology on Healthcare
During an exclusive interview, Prof Lawrence Ho Khek-Yu, a Senior Consultant, Professor, and Director, Centre for Innovation in Healthcare at the National University Health System in Singapore acknowledged the significant influence of COVID-19 on healthcare practices. Social distancing measures have had a profound impact on healthcare delivery both inside and outside the hospital.
“The outbreak has brought about a significant transformation in the digital healthcare landscape. With social distancing measures in place, teleconsultations have become increasingly prevalent, and patients, as well as healthcare providers, have had to adjust to this new format of healthcare delivery,” Prof Lawrence explains.
While the adoption of teleconsultations has seen a good uptake, other digital systems such as digital identification for tracking hospital entry and exit have encountered hurdles during implementation.
Prof Lawrence has identified the lack of an integrated healthcare ecosystem as a major challenge to the successful implementation of telemedicine. While video consultations are prevalent, the scarcity of examination tools and delays in medication delivery remain major obstacles. The limited access to medical information and the inability to provide detailed explanations or drawings further impede the progress of telemedicine.
Additionally, elderly patients, and other segments of society, may have difficulty using technology. Moreover, telemedicine cannot replicate the nonverbal and emotional aspects of in-person interaction. To overcome these obstacles, he feels, telemedicine in healthcare consultations and visits must be refined and expanded.
Prof Lawrence emphasises the need for the medical industry to evolve and improve its diagnostic and treatment capability. Current diagnostic techniques are limited to the five senses but there is a significant potential to collect more accurate and comprehensive patient data through the integration of sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) technology. This could lead to more precise diagnoses and tailored treatment plans, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
“Telemedicine may have some advantages, such as reduced travel time and longer appointments, but it will only be successful if patients see it as a viable alternative to face-to-face consultations,” Prof Lawrence reiterates. “It is important to have a gradual evolution and improvement in the medical industry, as opposed to dramatic changes driven by hype.”
He believes current medical developments primarily focus on the developers and creators rather than the end-users. This approach needs to be reoriented towards a more user-centric model for future medical development, including its cost-effectiveness.
Systems should be developed that take into account the specific needs and preferences of patients, healthcare providers and other stakeholders. This would ensure that healthcare development is better aligned with the needs and goals of those who will ultimately benefit from it
Academia should be incentivised to look out for interests outside of its own research driven solely by academic interests such as self-serving publications and ranking are no longer practical nor justifiable by public funding. There is a growing consensus that the focus of research should shift towards the development of practical applications.
In addition, he stresses the importance of investors in promoting innovation and addressing gaps within the healthcare ecosystem. He suggests that investors should prioritise addressing population-level issues, rather than focusing solely on niche areas.
As people’s lifespans continue to extend, addressing the requirements of an ageing population has become increasingly critical. It is crucial for startups to thoroughly explore this market and develop innovations specifically tailored to the needs of this demographic.
Drawing on the example of Singapore, which has implemented technology to support its elderly population, he suggests investors consider this increasingly important and growing segment when evaluating potential startups for investment.
“To effectively address the complexity national healthcare poses, a systems approach to problem-solving is necessary, where sustainability and equality take precedence over profits,” advocates Prof Lawrence. “Rather than focusing on building more structures, it is important to prioritise addressing issues of affordability and inequality through technology.”
Urban Ideas and Solutions Through LKYGBPC
The Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC), which began in 2001, is a biennial global university start-up competition hosted in Singapore. Organised by Singapore Management University’s Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, focuses on urban ideas and solutions developed by student founders and early-stage start-ups.
Prof Lawrence, who serves as a member of the judging panel, believes assigning mentors to teams based on their area of expertise can offer valuable guidance and support. This is just one of the many initiatives undertaken by the panel to foster, encourage, and sustain the entrepreneurial drive of the LKYGBPC participants.
In his view, when discussing the fundamental contrast between innovation and entrepreneurship, he feels that innovation involves tackling issues with fresh perspectives and novel ways, while entrepreneurship requires both discipline and adaptability in managing growth.
“Many people fail in business because they lack discipline and work independently,” says Prof Lawrence. “Cultivating a larger community of individuals who are adaptable and capable of working as part of a team is critical to entrepreneurship success.”
He considers seeking advice and collaborating with others crucial to surmount obstacles in innovation and entrepreneurship. Innovators should be willing to seek the assistance and counsel of others, particularly those with expertise in areas such as regulation or commercialisation.
People must understand that there are unique challenges at each stage of the process and bringing them to the right people to help solve them is important. Moreover, entrepreneurship demands financial discipline that benefits from the guidance and mentorship of multiple individuals.
Singapore’s drive to remain competitive in the global arena is a case in point. The country, he says, serves as a springboard, connecting people and providing access to other countries. To attract and retain talent and expand into new markets, he recommends leveraging Singapore’s strengths, such as its robust education system and its position as a hub for the Asian ecosystem.
Prof Lawrence co-invented the revolutionary Master and Slave Transluminal Endoscopic Robot (MASTER), which has now been incorporated into Endomaster.
He has mentored three startups in the fields of photonics and medical technology to identify potential failures and early warning signs through his own experiences.
Prof Lawrence has served as co-chair for the Gut & Obesity in Asia (Go Asia) Workgroup, which investigates the correlation between obesity and gastrointestinal and liver ailments in Asia.
In summation, he stresses the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity, as it enables individuals to learn and prepare for future challenges.
“Those who have never failed or struggled in the trenches may not be able to achieve long-term success,” Prof Lawrence concludes.
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Kemajuan teknologi dan sains telah membawa efektivitas dan efisiensi industri kesehatan sehingga bisa menjangkau lebih banyak orang di pelosok wilayah. Kemudahan akses pada layanan perawatan kesehatan ini diharapkan bisa meningkatkan kualitas hidup dan umur warga.
Telemedicine menjadi salah satu perkembangan terbaru di industri ini yang populer imbas pandemi COVID-19. Saat itu, telemedicine berhasil membantu pasien untuk berkonsultasi dengan dokter, melakukan diagnosis, dan pengobatan dari jarak jauh.
Perkembangan kecerdasan buatan (AI) ikut berkontribusi memodernisasi layanan kesehatan. AI berpotensi membantu dokter untuk membuat diagnosis yang lebih cepat dan akurat, memprediksi hasil kesehatan, dan melakukan asistensi rencana perawatan. Layanan berbasis AI seperti chatbots dan asisten virtual, juga bisa dimanfaatkan untuk menjembatani komunikasi layanan kesehatan dengan pasien.
Pengobatan yang efektif, teknik diagnostik yang lebih akurat, dan sistem pemberian obat yang lebih baik diarahkan untuk memperbaiki sistem perawatan, pengobatan, dan prognosis pasien. Selain itu, kemajuan teknologi juga diharapkan bisa mengurangi biaya perawatan kesehatan lantaran operasional yang makin efisien.
Menggali potensi dari celah di teknologi kesehatan
Lawrence Ho Khek-Yu, Konsultan Senior & Profesor National University Hospital, Singapura sepakat kalau COVID-19 memang membantu mempopulerkan telemedicine. Meski demikian, ia merasa layanan ini masih sulit untuk menggantikan layanan konsultasi tatap muka. Menurutnya, telemedicine saat ini memiliki peran penting dalam hal konsultasi, namun masih memiliki sejumlah kelemahan dibanding diagnosis tatap muka.
“Jika Anda menggunakan konsultasi video, Anda hanya dapat melihat tapi Anda tidak dapat memeriksa. Tentu saja pemeriksaan adalah hal yang penting. Semestinya kita bisa memiliki kemampuan yang sama serupa dengan pertemuan tatap muka. Menurut saya, alat pengujian untuk melakukan diagnosa masih kurang pada layanan telemedicine,” jelas Lawrence dalam wawancara dengan CEO & Pemimpin Redaksi OpenGov Asia, Mohit Sagar.
Kedua, layanan telemedicine masih harus mematangkan ekosistem pendukung, salah satunya terkait dengan pengantaran obat. Di Singapura, layanan pengantaran obat bisa dikirim dalam satu minggu. Hal ini tentu akan menghambat proses pengobatan ketimbang langsung datang dan diberi obat ketika melakukan kunjungan tatap muka.
Meski demikian, Lawrence menyebut layanan telemedicine masih dilakukan di masa setelah COVID-19 untuk pasien yang kondisinya sudah cukup stabil di rumah. Sementara sebagian besar pasien sudah kembali melakukan kunjungan tatap muka seperti biasa.
Selain itu, penjelasan yang bisa dilakukan lewat telemedicine menurut Lawrence masih terbatas. Ia merasa kesulitan jika harus melakukan penjelasan dengan tambahan gambar yang dengan mudah dilakukan dalam pertemuan tatap muka secara langsung.
Selain itu, ia pun menaruh perhatian pada kesulitan akses teknologi yang dialami oleh pasien lanjut usia. Telemedicine sulit untuk membaca dan menyampaikan aspek nonverbal dan emosional dari interaksi langsung.
Ia menekankan industri medis perlu mengembangkan dan meningkatkan metode untuk mendiagnosis dan merawat pasien. Ia berharap telemedicine bisa mendukung diagnosis dengan memanfaatkan sejumlah panca indera untuk memeriksa gejala. Dalam pertemuan tatap muka, dokter bisa langsung mengukur detak jantung dengan stetoskop, merasakan dengan sentuhan jari, pendengaran, atau diagnosis sensoris lain untuk mendapat data dari pasien. Kesamaan proses diagnosis seperti inilah yang perlu dikembangkan untuk layanan telemedicine ke depan.
Untuk memperbaiki layanan perawatan medis jarak jauh, semua kekurangan itu perlu ditambal. Tambahan sensor, metaverse dan kecerdasan buatan (AI) dapat dimungkinkan untuk melakukan hal ini dan membantu menganalisa data pasien yang lebih akurat dan komprehensif. Ia optimis kemajuan teknologi bisa mengatasi semua kelemahan itu karena saat ini kita sedang berevolusi untuk meningkatkan layanan telemedicine secara bertahap.
Sebagai seorang investor, menurut Lawrence, inovasi itu menjadi pendorong inovasi yang cukup besar. Namun, agar bisa lebih berdampak, menurutnya baik inovator, akademisi, dan startup mesti benar-benar menyentuh permasalahan di akar rumput. Selama ini, penelitian-penelitian yang dilakukan para edukator kurang peka dengan kebutuhan masyarakat. Mereka melupakan mengapa mereka ada di institusi akademis yang semestinya menelurkan solusi bagi masyarakat. Begitupula dengan para investor. Mereka pun mesti memiliki visi untuk melayani dan menyelesaikan masalah di masyarakat terlebih dulu sebelum menajamkan sasaran ke ceruk pasar yang lebih sempit.
LKYGBPC untuk majukan entrepreneurship
Bagi Lawrence, inovasi berangkat dari inisiatif untuk menyelesaikan masalah dan mengeksekusi ide solusi itu dengan kedisiplinan. Disiplin dalam memperbaiki produk, mengelola konsumen, membangun tim dan organisasi, serta mengelola keuangan. Lawrence menganggap kompetisi bisnis internasional seperti LKYGBPC bisa memberikan kesempatan bagi para pebisnis muda untuk melakukan ekspansi pasar ke negara lain.
Prof Lawrence menjadi investor di tiga startup. Pertama adalah Master and Slave Transluminal Endoscopic Robot (MASTER). MASTER kini telah diintegrasikan menjadi Endomaster, startup MedTech yang paling banyak mendapat kucuran dana di Asia pada 2017. Ia pun mendanai startup di bidang fotonik dan bioteknologi yang mengembangkan peringatan dini dibidang kesehatan.
Berdasarkan pengalaman memiliki tiga startup teknologi kesehatan, Lawrance menyarankan agar startup perlu fleksibel dan membuka diri. Mereka mesti bersedia menerima masukan dari konsumen, tim, dan mereka yang lebih ahli. “Saya merasa bahwa beberapa inovator sangat protektif terhadap produk mereka sendiri, mereka pikir ini adalah bayi mereka.”
Sebab, dari berbagai masukan itu, founder dan tim bisa memetakan dengan cepat berbagai tantangan yang mungkin mereka hadapi di sepanjang jalan. Setelah itu, mereka mesti menemukan orang yang tepat untuk memecahkan tantangan tersebut.
Mereka pun harus berjuang untuk mewujudkan apa yang mereka janjikan dari konsep yang diajukan. Menurut Lawrence, beberapa orang lebih jago menuliskan ide mereka di kertas dan Power Point ketimbang terjun langsung ke lapangan.
“Para pejuang kertas dan Power Point sangat sulit untuk berhasil. Anda harus benar-benar melakukannya hingga berdarah-darah, hingga Anda menguasai dan memenangkan pertempuran,” tegasnya.
Tantangan berikutnya untuk startup kesehatan adalah soal regulasi. Startup perlu menemukan ahli untuk membantu merancang uji klinis agar lolos berbagai uji klinis dan regulasi.
Tantangan yang terakhir adalah masalah komersialisasi produk. Bagaimana menghasilkan pendapatan dari produk yang akan dijual.
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The Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and an online delivery company have formed a three-year partnership to provide students with the digital skills they will need in the future. This collaboration, which is part of SUTD and Ecole 42’s collaboration programme, will give SUTD’s 42 Singapore students access to the online delivery firm’s mentorship and internship opportunities, with the goal of providing tech talent with a launchpad to enter the tech industry once they graduate.
This collaboration is part of the online delivery firm’s PowerUp! Tech Academy, which includes programmes and partnerships to expand the tech talent pool and strengthen the tech ecosystem.
With a SG$600,000 contribution to SUTD’s 42 Singapore programme, the company reaffirmed its commitment to the partnership. This is Singapore’s first tuition-free, no-instructor programme. The funds will be allocated over a three-year period, from 2022 to 2024, and will be used to organise skill-development initiatives such as workshops and events.
According to the SUTD provost, Professor Phoon Kok Kwang, as Singapore strives to realise the full potential of its digital economy, they are eager to collaborate with the online delivery company. Their timely support and collaboration with 42 Singapore programmes enable SUTD to provide a transformative digital skills development path for future tech talent.
SUTD’s mission is to equip and continuously shape socially conscious, adaptable, and responsible talent who will have rewarding careers and catalyse positive change in a world that is rapidly changing.
By bringing together students with aspirations and mentors who share the same passion, the company is committed to creating an inclusive tech ecosystem that they believe will help drive and advance digitalisation not only in Singapore but throughout Asia.
Recent research indicates that Singapore’s Internet economy has the potential to increase by 19% and reach USD 22 billion by 2025, with the highest proportion of digital consumers in the region. Therefore, merchants are more likely to expand their use of digital services.
Therefore, this partnership is essential for the development of a robust tech talent pipeline to support the imminent expansion of Singapore’s digital economy. The three-year partnership encompasses the following:
- Internship opportunities: The online delivery firm will offer 42 Singaporean students internship opportunities in its tech teams over the course of three years. This will allow aspiring talent to gain professional working experience within a world-class technology team and learn how to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios.
- Mentorship programmes: Students will be able to enrol in the online delivery firm’s mentorship programme, which will provide them with direct access to the tech team’s resources and executives. The firm’s one-on-one interactions with senior leaders aim to not only equip them with the necessary digital skills but also to inspire talent.
- Employment opportunities: The online delivery firm will give those who finish the programme first consideration for jobs if there are any that match their qualifications. This makes it possible for the firm to grow its community and give the next generation the technical skills that will be valuable in a world that is becoming more digital.
- Industry guidance: A Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of the online delivery firm will join the Advisory Board of 42 Singapore, offering advice on key industry trends and advocating for other businesses to support the programme. His direction will also ensure that SUTD’s programmes are relevant and valuable to students and the broader tech community.
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The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has formed a strategic partnership with a venture capital investment company to promote the integration of the university’s scientific research with innovative industries. The collaboration’s main objective is to support PolyU research teams and start-ups with high potential, while also advancing the practical application of scientific research and the commercialisation of technology. The partnership is expected to contribute to the innovation and technology (I&T) development of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was witnessed by the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; the President of PolyU; and the Founding Partner of a global private equity firm. The Executive Vice President of PolyU and a partner at the global private equity firm signed the MoU.
During the same event, the Innovation & Investment Connect Panel Session was conducted. It gathered industry leaders and I&T stakeholders to participate in a stimulating panel discussion titled “How to facilitate research commercialisation from policymaker and investor perspectives.”
The panellists deliberated on the opportunities and challenges associated with the commercialisation of scientific research. Furthermore, two parallel thematic sessions were organised, where PolyU scholars and representatives from six investees at the venture capital investment company engaged in roundtable discussions on biomedical and sustainable innovation. The discussions highlighted the opportunities in the biomedical innovation ecosystem in Hong Kong, as well as the development trends in clean energy technologies and related industries.
According to the Hong Kong Innovation Activities Statistics 2021, Innovation plays a crucial role in promoting economic growth and development. It encompasses not only research and development (R&D) but also product and business process innovation, which are vital in enhancing competitiveness and business performance.
The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) has been gathering various statistical indicators to measure the progress of innovation activities in Hong Kong. Among these indicators, the most significant ones are related to R&D activities.
Hong Kong’s gross domestic expenditure on research and development (GERD) in 2021, which includes total spending on in-house R&D activities performed locally in the business, higher education, and government sectors (including public technology support organisations), amounted to HK$27,827 million. This represents a 5% increase compared to 2020. During the same period, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 7%. The GERD to GDP ratio slightly decreased from 0.99% in 2020 to 0.97% in 2021.
In recent years, the total spending on in-house R&D activities in the higher education sector has been consistently increasing. In 2021, the total expenditure on such activities in the higher education sector amounted to HK$14,735 million, representing a 4% increase compared to 2020.
On the other hand, the total expenditure on in-house R&D activities in the government sector, which mainly includes public technology support organisations, was HK$1,392 million in 2021, showing a 1% increase when compared with 2020.
The majority of in-house R&D activities in the business sector were focused on information technology and engineering technology. Specifically, computer software technology, information system and technology, and electrical and electronics engineering technology areas accounted for 21%, 17%, and 16% of the total expenditure on in-house R&D activities in the business sector, respectively.
Rather than being a significant performer of R&D activities, the government primarily serves a facilitative role in driving the economy’s technology and innovation advancement. This is achieved through the provision of funding support and technological infrastructure.
In 2021, the government sector, which primarily includes public technology support organisations, spent a total of HK$1,392 million on R&D activities. This amount represents a 1% increase compared to 2020. Additionally, the ratio of this expenditure to GDP remained the same at 0.05% in 2021.
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Through a series of workshops, Taipei Tech College of Management is collaborating with the world’s largest software corporation and an artificial intelligence (AI) company to cultivate students’ core digital and AI competencies.
The workshop, according to Fan Shu-kai, Dean of Taipei Tech College of Management, will cover ChatBot and its application in digital marketing, generative AI technology, Azure Open AI service and its application, and API (application programming interface).
The workshop will show how generative AI technology can be used in education and research, as well as how students can use AI tools for their senior projects. It is in high demand among students and teachers, and registration fills up within 24 hours.
The future of higher education is being shaped by generative AI technology. The new technology has the potential to boost efficiency and productivity while also improving the quality of student projects. As a result, it was provided with the Azure Open AI service for the College of Management’s students and faculty to use and strengthen their application capabilities.
Taipei Tech Provost Huang Yu-hsien stated that in order to stay current and relevant, they should develop competency in working with AI tools. As a result, Taipei Tech intends to incorporate content from an AI application into existing courses on deep learning, natural language processing, and neural networks.
Likewise, Taipei Tech will launch a microprogramme on AI and cross-disciplinary applications this year, with the goal of developing students’ AI application skills and career readiness. Students will be encouraged to use AI technology as a learning aid in an effective and responsible manner.
Huang stated that teachers will evaluate student performance through oral reports or on-site written tests at least twice a semester to prevent plagiarism. Multiple criteria, including interviews, practical projects, and screening tests, will be considered in the recruitment process.
In addition, during the 2023 academic year, Taipei Tech will launch a new graduate programme in aerospace and system engineering. The new programme will address the growing demand for aerospace technical talent by focusing on technology development in the fields of the satellite system, communication payload, and earth stations in motion.
President Wang Sea-fue of Taipei Tech stated that Taipei Tech is the first technological university to offer a graduate programme in aerospace technology. The new programme will promote cross-disciplinary technology development by bringing together the resources and faculty of the Colleges of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Mechanical and Electrical Engineering.
Taipei Tech will collaborate with academic and industrial partners such as the Georgia Institute of Technology and computer firms, as well as government agencies such as the Institute for Information Industry and Taiwan Space Agency, to develop professional talents with strong aerospace engineering skills and knowledge.
The new curriculum will include courses in satellite engineering, space mission and system design, spacecraft dynamics, and aerospace system management. Students will be equipped with theoretical and practical knowledge in aerospace engineering through internships and research projects.
It is expected to prepare students for careers in the aerospace industry by providing practical training and equipping them with problem-solving and mission-planning skills.
In Taiwan, there are numerous initiatives and programmes aimed at improving students’ AI skills. AI for Youth Programme, AI Bootcamp for Students, and AI Education Project are a few examples. Taiwan’s commitment to developing AI talent and preparing its youth for the future workforce is exemplified by these programmes and initiatives.
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The Thai government’s Office of Economic Promotion and Assistance (depa) is preparing to train a new generation of technologically savvy farmers. The team led by Apichatbut Rodyang, Director of the Central and Eastern Regions, met with Chanawat Sitthoon, Agriculture and Cooperatives of the Chanthaburi Province, to explore ways to increase farmers’ and enterprises’ use of digital technology.
During a meeting of the Chanthaburi Integrated Provincial Administration Committee, which consists of government agencies and business agencies, Apichatbutr brought up the need for a plan to boost the digital economy in Chanthaburi Province. Many efforts for local agricultural communities and independent company owners have been nurtured and supported by the depa and the New Age Fruit Trade Association (MAFTA), and he updated the progress.
Seksan Phanboonmee, head of the digital economy strategy depa in Chanthaburi Province, proposed developing smart agriculture to boost the digital economy. In this way, the province’s potential and needs are met by its preparedness to join the digital economy.
New agricultural products and services may be created with the help of digital innovation, which benefits the commercial and service sectors and the smart tourism industry. In subsequent phases, the initiative integrated commercial and service sectors with the technology-reliant “smart tourism” field.
The notion may be put into action through the cultivation of human resources, the promotion of digital technology, and the construction of digital infrastructure and facilities. The next phase is for Chanthaburi to establish a city data platform, enhance cyber security, and construct a smart city.
In his role as meeting chairman, Chanthaburi Province Governor Monsit Phaisanthanawat expressed gratitude to depa for its contribution to the growth of the digital economy in the province. A strategy to enhance the digital economy in Chanthaburi Province was accepted during the meeting and prepared to be bundled with the provincial development plan.
Using the umbrella term “Digital Infinity,” the Chanthaburi Provincial Chamber of Commerce is preparing to promote various initiatives. In May, they’ll display alongside the Chanthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation showcase their findings at the provincial agricultural fair.
Concurrently, in Suphan Buri province, depa kicked out a workshop to train company owners on “wing SMEs to drive business with digital” as part of the initiative “Transform Fresh Market in the New Normal (Expansion). Small business owners, shopkeepers, vendors, farmers’ market sellers, street vendors, and proprietors of other similar establishments were targeted by the Digital Economy Promotion Agency, which thus initiated the initiative. Bringing in more money while cutting expenses is essential.
The workshop’s agenda includes the following:
- Training in digital marketing strategies.
- Access to financial resources.
- The pairing of businesses with suppliers of digital services.
By introducing these applications, we hope to inspire local company owners to use digital tools better.
Up to 70% of the total participants at such events can be expected to develop business matching quickly. The provinces of Thailand will continue to host events for the Transform Fresh Market in the New Normal Era (Expansion) initiative.
Separately, the Director of Central and Eastern Regions Apichatbut Rodyang met with the Eastern Province Group 1 Public-Private Joint Committee to discuss economic issues. (Chachoengsao, Chonburi, Rayong). Regarding smart city development, Apichatbutr lays the groundwork by offering digital infrastructure, city data gathering and administration (City Data Platform), and management procedures.
Depa encouraged the eastern provinces to work together on creating a “smart city” to improve the effectiveness of municipal administration. For up to 13 years, he said, the Office of the Board of Investment (BOI) will exclude a portion of the Smart City area in the Eastern Economic Corridor’s (EEC) earnings from taxes.
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To increase efficiency and productivity, leverage better insights for decision-making and provide seamless digital services for citizens, Singapore’s government is investing in digital technologies such as robotic process automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics.
The government is prioritising modernisation, transformation and digitalisation of its corporate shared services to improve service quality and efficiency and the overall customer experience. By reducing manual workloads and eliminating errors, these technologies will enable the development of new skills in its employees and create capacity for new priorities.
OpenGov Asia is pleased to recognise VITAL for its innovative and disruptive use of technology in the public sector through the optimisation of government processes and the pushing of new limits.
Providing common services in human resource, payroll, finance and procurement to over 100 public service agencies, VITAL, a department under the Ministry of Finance and the central agency for corporate shared services, has earned a stellar reputation over the years as an organisation that actively leverages digitalisation and automation at the enterprise level. Through the use of digital technology and robotic automation, the agency has successfully managed and transformed corporate service delivery for the Whole-of-Government (WoG).
VITAL has worked to expand and propagate its digital and automation capabilities internally and among Whole-of-Government (WoG) agencies. This is aimed at achieving economies of scale, enhancing efficiency, strengthening governance, and improving the quality of service.
All these endeavours have led VITAL to being awarded the prestigious OpenGov Asia’s Recognition of Excellence Award which will be conferred during the 8th Annual Singapore OpenGov Leadership Forum 2023.
VITAL’s Digitalisation Strategy for Enhanced Service Delivery
Alex Tang, Director (Service, Innovation, and Compliance), VITAL, Ministry of Finance in Singapore, said that VITAL’s Digitalisation Strategy led to the transition from manual, paper-based processes to digital services and operations. These services are provided to their service partners and public agencies that they have collaborated with over the years.
“To encourage greater adoption of these tools, we developed an in-house ‘Digital First’ microsite to share use cases, tips, and resources with VITAL officers and conducted frequent brown-bag sessions to generate greater awareness of digital tools,” Alex explains.
VITAL has dedicated significant efforts to upskilling its officers in automation. In addition to training 28 officers in Robotics Process Automation (RPA) developer software to automate complex tasks, they have trained and provided low-code RPA developer software training to over 140 officers. This approach enables a broader group of individuals to use automation to improve processes effectively.
As the Robotics and Automation lead in Whole-of-Government (WoG) for corporate services, VITAL has also developed a service-wide microsite called “Robotics and Automation Hub (R&A Hub)”. This platform provides WoG Agencies with access to RPA resources, common automation scripts and other offerings to promote the use of RPA.
As of February 2023, more than 2,300 different people had visited the hub’s site since it opened. As part of its citizen development initiatives, VITAL has taken the lead in WoG efforts in trialling low-code RPA tools.
Their automation journey included tabletop research, learning journeys, consultations, solution identification, proof of concept followed by a pilot, and gradual scaling up of implementation across multiple processes over the initial 2 to 3 years.
“In the early phase of our automation journey, we visited organisations to learn from them, consulted our advisory panel and industry experts and performed extensive research. Throughout our journey, we continually learned and adapted as we implemented RPA,” Alex recalls.
To reap the most benefits and ensure the long-term viability of the automation initiative, it was critical for process owners and developers to align their understanding to ensure robust process selection – focusing on those that were manual, tedious, repetitive and rule-driven to reduce abortive work and building scripts that do not meet business needs.
VITAL’s digitalisation is the result of an ecosystem that includes a central innovation team that is supported by Ops-Tech specialists and process experts in the Operations functions.
The VITAL Innovation Hub is made up of a group of specialists who conduct technology exploration and agile experimentation to source, test and scale up innovative solutions that improve VITAL’s efficiency and effectiveness. This team drives the digitalisation and automation agenda, collaborating with operations functions to identify appropriate processes for testing, scaling up and spreading automation adoption throughout the organisation.
Initially, the Innovation Hub led by Jessica Ong, Deputy Director (Innovation Hub) has played a critical role in the early stages of the project as the developer, working closely with process experts in operations to collect business requirements, develop scripts, and deploy them. However, as the RPA developer capability within Operations grew, the Ops-Tech specialists in the line functions took over this role.
At the same time, the Innovation Hub shifted to a governance and advisory role, responsible for reviewing and deploying scripts, upgrading applications, troubleshooting incidents, providing guidance, and building capabilities.
Alex summarises the top five crucial points for successfully integrating and streamlining digitalisation and automation projects as follows:
- Speak with industry early adopters to determine the benefits and drawbacks of a solution, determine if it meets the organisation’s needs, start small and validate efficacy before scaling up.
- Deploy solid policy-operations-technology integration. Collaborate with central teams to review policy and system requirements to use technology tools.
- To reap greater benefits across the entire government, processes must be standardised and consolidated through the use of shared services and common central systems.
- Verify software and solution compatibility with key internal and external systems and applications, as well as the hosting environment.
- Avoid automating inefficiencies. Before developing a script, examine the selected process and streamline it by eliminating unnecessary steps.
Alex and his team discovered that RPA is extremely sensitive to changes in system or application performance – the more applications and systems a script integrates, the more complex it becomes. Deploying patches can have an impact on performance, including success rate, and may require more script changes.
“We found it useful to plan early and assess the complexity of the integration scope during script development,” Alex explains.
Although automation is often touted as a means to increase efficiency, it can also cause anxiety and uptake-hesitancy among employees. To overcome stress and resistance, effective communication is necessary.
VITAL took a different approach and presented Robotic Process Automation (RPA) as an enabler, freeing its people from manual and tedious tasks. This allowed them to focus on more valuable work, professional growth, and innovation.
Developing the skills and capabilities to become an RPA developer can be challenging, especially when coding knowledge and experience are required. Fortunately, the shift towards democratising automation development through low-code or no-code tools has made it easier.
“Currently, we are upskilling more officers to be Citizen Developers who can tap on low-code RPA tools to automate simple, manual tasks,” Alex reveals.
Key Factors That Lead to Success
In addition to the innovation structure, Alex identifies two crucial factors for success: effective change management and a robust ecosystem that encourages bottom-up innovation.
“As a shared services outfit, we aggregate and process many transactions across WoG, which makes VITAL a fitting target for automation,” Alex states.
There are abundant automation opportunities in Operations functions, as these teams are often eager to ease their daily workload through tech solutions. To meet this immediate need, VITAL invites successful automation projects to apply for its annual innovation project awards, which recognise credible innovation efforts and successful use cases.
VITAL had also created a dashboard to track RPA script success rates and time savings – useful metrics that validate the efforts and serve as “fuel” for further automation adoption and growth.
The automation initiative is continuously monitoring the external environment for potential changes in the technology industry that could impact the solutions they use, the systems landscape and the corporate services space in WoG as part of future-proofing. This allows them to anticipate the impact of the automation programme and adjust their strategy accordingly.
“We are moving up the value chain in our automation journey by exploring the integration of RPA with the use of other intelligent tools,” Alex concludes.
He is confident that VITAL is vital to Whole-of-Government (WoG), as their efforts are intended to future-proof automation strategies across the public sector. Ultimately, they want to work more intelligently, smarter and safer to provide the best service experience they can.
