Australian ICT literacy report reveals ICT literacy in primary and secondary schools could be on the decline
Australia’s Education Council has reported that ICT literacy for primary and secondary school students has begun to decline. This was revealed in the 2014 National Assessment Program (NAP) ICT literacy report.
Role of INTAN in spurring Government Digital Transformation in Malaysia, IDEX 2015
This past week, OpenGov was invited to participate in INTAN Digital Exploration (IDEX) 2015 event celebrating the government’s journey towards digital transformation, while reminding the public servants of the opportunities provided by advanced technology.
Malaysian Government Data Ocean, hosted by MAMPU, is not just a ‘pool’ of data
This past week, while in Malaysia attending the IDEX 2015 event, OpenGov had a chance to catch up with Dr. Suhazimah Binti Dzazali, Deputy Director General ICT, MAMPU. Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Planning Unit (MAMPU) is the guiding force behind ICT integration and utilization in the Malaysian public sector.
Australia Digital Transformation Office releases handbook to Discovery Stage for projects
Since the Australian Digital Transformation Office (DTO) announced its nine-week design process to improve government service delivery, they have received a lot of feedback and inquiries as to how this process is being carried out.
Philippines Elementary School Principal wins international award for his Innovative Energy Sustainability Projects
San Jose, General Santos City, is home to the Blaan and T’boli indigenous communities of the Philippines. It is also home to William Moraca, Principal of Datal Salvan Elementary School, who has recently been recognised with an international award for his innovative work.
New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment announces that more than 1 million can access high speed broadband
New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment released its latest full quarterly update after the first phase of the Ultra-Fast Broadband initiative rollout. The report revealed that more than 1 million New Zealanders can now access high speed broadband connectivity through its Ultra-Fast Broadband Initiative (UFB).
Digital India: Department of IT and Electronics to fund indigenous projects in IoT, wearables, and more
The Digital India project, unwaveringly produced and supported by the Prime Minister Modi administration, is driving India to the forefront of the global smart cities trend. When you think of smart cities, you must consider the integration of IoT. With this, the Government is pushing to attain 5 to 6 percent of the global IoT market by the year 2020.
Innovative Flood Detection project launches trials as Singapore heads into Monsoon Season
The rain has been pouring down on Singapore for the last few days, which means we have hit the RAINY season! The Public Utilities Board (PUB) and the National Environment Agency (NEA) announced recently that the agencies are working with A*STAR’s Institute for Infocomm Research to trial a flood detection system this season.
Final Update on NSW Government ICT Strategy for Digital+ 2016 focuses on Data Analytics
The final update to the New South Wales Government ICT Strategy was announced yesterday, after passing the NSW Parliament last week. The efforts of this strategy hopes to usher in an era of forward thinking for the state while the whole of Australia is making great leaps in digital transformation.
Senior Population in Singapore adopts Tech at a rapidly increasing rate, IDA survey shows
Based on IDA’s Annual Survey on Infocomm Usage in Households 2014, there has recently been a substantial increase in computer usage by seniors ages 50-59 and 60 & above, by 14 and 11 percent for each group. It was found that in 2014, the total computer usage by elderly citizens is 60 percent for 50-59 year olds, and 27 percent for those 60 years & older.
Bappenas and United Nations collaborate on Development Framework and host Hackathon competition held in Indonesia
Jakarta’s Smart City initiative is growing and the citizens are being directly involved in the government’s efforts to transform Jakarta, through hackathons. Hackathons are software development competitions focused towards a particular topic set by the organisers. Over the past 2 years, 8 hackathons have been held in Indonesia.
Singapore and India strengthen cooperation on Cyber Security
It was just last week that Singapore was graced by a visit from Indian Prime Minister Modi. He made a great impact during his visit, signing 10 Memorandums of Understanding with Singapore which ranged from defence cooperation to urban planning and civil aviation
Singapore Pasir Ris Public Library reopens, revealing the Library of the Future, complete with a Robot and Self-Service Capabilities
This past Saturday, the National Library Board reopened the doors to the Pasir Ris Public Library, welcoming a community of old and young alike. The library, located on level 4 of the White Sands mall, is the first of its kind to have a dedicated area for teens, managed by teens. It also hosts a bevy of new technology such as the Shelf-Sorting Robot, Self-Service Centres, Digital Book Trailer Screen, and Newspaper Reading Computer.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib urges youth to capitalise on growth of e-commerce at launch of MDeC eUsahawan programme
Malaysia’s Multimedia Development Corp (MDeC) has partnered with the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institution to initiate the eUsahawan programme. This programme works to encourage and educate vocational college students and micro entrepreneurs on digital entrepreneurship. MDeC aims to drive youth towards the economic opportunities posed by digital technologies.
HDB Greenprint @ Yuhua welcomes Singapore’s first green neighbourhood
Last week, the HDB Greenprint @ Yuhua project completed the estate transformation, becoming Singapore’s first green neighbourhood. This project was first initiated in 2012, aiming to introduce sustainable, energy-efficient, water and waste management features. Yuhua HDB residents will be the first in Singapore to participate in the sustainable living environment.
Royal Malaysian Police Deputy Director Operations to improve conservation through cross-agency group, camera traps, data sharing, and GIS technology
During our time in Malaysia, OpenGov caught up with Dato’ Zainal Abidin Bin Kasim, Deputy Director (Operations), Royal Malaysian Police to discuss his drive to conserve Malaysian natural resources. When we walked into his office, Dato’ Zainal Abidin Bin Kasim had told us how he has been working to put a cross-agency leadership group together,looking at data sharing, and more, all to address conservation concerns.
Future of Us exhibition, packed with nostalgia and inspiration, showing the potential of innovation to transform Singapore
This year marks Singapore’s Jubilee anniversary, one which many have celebrated throughout the course of the past few months. With the Smart Nation initiative well under way, the nation is preparing itself and future generations for what is to come. Resting in the heart of Gardens by the Bay, ‘The Future of Us’ exhibition opened its doors to the general public yesterday, 1 December.
Asia’s first fully operational Autonomous Vehicle running at Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
From 1 December, public trials of Asia’s first fully operational Autonomous Vehicle (AV), self-driving vehicle, will be running at Gardens by the Bay. The AV is adjacent to ‘The Future of Us’ exhibition and visitors to the Gardens can request to ride the AV on a first come, first served basis.
COP21: Green Technology at the Forefront of Discussions, Mission Innovation for International Clean Tech, India and France initiate Global Solar Alliance
It was announced yesterday at COP21 climate conference being held in France, that the program “Mission Innovation” would be launched as a global public and private partnership to combat climate change. Mission Innovation is a group of 19 countries and 28 leading investors pledging to contribute billions to support innovative developments in clean technology.
Thailand and Japan sign MOU to launch joint energy and environment Research Centre
It was announced just this past week that Thailand and Japan signed an MOU, agreeing to work together and initiate a joint energy and environment research centre dedicated to energy and environmental causes.
Crowdshared Transit: IDA’s Feng-Yuan Liu talks Data Analytics behind Singapore’s Beeline app
Two government agencies, the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) and the Land Transport Authority (LTA), came together and launched the Beeline mobile app experiment earlier this year. The Beeline mobile app allows commuters to book advance spots on express bus rides. The purpose of the experiment is to discover how transportation systems can adapt to the commuter demand. This may pacify some frustration among commuters, concerning the traffic congestion on Singapore roads during peak travel hours.
Jakarta launches mobile app-based flood early warning system
It was announced this past week that the Jakarta City Administration will be introducing a mobile app flood early warning system, Jakarta Flood Information Platform (JAFIP). This app will enable residents to receive or deliver information on floods- in real-time. JAFIP will be limited to the android operating system devices, for the time being.
Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan speaks on how data will drive Singapore’s Smart Nation vision
Data Analytics is thought to be a main driver for Smart City initiatives across the world. As we know, data insights are generating novel ideas and innovations, which are catalysts to the development of these initiatives. In his keynote address at Strata + Hadoop World, Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister-in-charge of the Smart Nation Programme Office, spoke about how data is driving Singapore’s Smart Nation vision.
Most connected countries in the world: South Korea on top, Hong Kong resting at 9th place, and Singapore ranks 19th
The United Nations International Telecommunication Union (ITU) released their seventh annual report ranking countries based on their infocomm development. This report revealed a few surprising measures as South Korea sat on top of the rankings, while Singapore inched their way into the top 20.
IDA calls for data experts and startups to get involved in the New Data City: Data Nation project
This past week, the Infocomm Development Authority made a presence in London to help launch the Data City, Data Nation initiative from the Digital Catapult Centre. This initiative launch was hosted last week by British High Commissioner Mr Scott Wightman at Eden Hall, London.
Mrs. Marsineh Binti Jarmin ushers in a new era of Digital Transformation through her new capacity at INTAN Malaysia
OpenGov recently spoke to Mrs. Marsineh Binti Jarmin, Head of the Innovative Technology Cluster (i-IMATEC), National Institute of Public Administration (INTAN) in Malaysia. We caught up with her following the INTAN Digital Exploration 2015 event. This event was held over the course of two days where public servants would attend a series of sessions relating to technology solutions for the public sector.
A*STAR prepares for launch of the National Supercomputer Centre in Singapore
This past week, OpenGov caught up with Dr. John Kan, CIO, A*STAR, to discuss the role A*STAR plays in Singapore’s greater research ambitions. The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) bridges the gap between academia and industry as a Science and Technology Organisation. The research conducted at A*STAR aims to spur economic growth and jobs for Singapore.
Geospatial application specialists at SLA create Historical Map App for Singapore
It was announced this past weekend that the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) has launched the One Historical Map app to allow users to compare the modern landscape of Singapore to that of former times. The mobile app was created by a team of geospatial application specialists within SLA, in collaboration with the National Heritage Board (NHB).
Renewable energy technology receives funding boost from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) just announced it would support the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) project to specify guidelines for measuring the performance of Perovskite solar photovoltaic (PV) cells. This technology is thought to have the potential to drastically reduce the cost of renewable energy. This is due to the nature of it being a cheaper alternative to traditional silicon cells.
Pia Waugh discusses Government as an API, Australia’s Public Data Policy Statement, and her upcoming Public User Needs Webinar
OpenGov recently spoke to Pia Waugh, Director of Data Infrastructure and Government Engagement, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Australia, about her idea of Government as an API, the recent release of Australia’s Public Data Policy Statement, and her upcoming webinar on Public User Needs.
