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Business Continuity and Preparedness is essential for any organisation to have in place.
In New Zealand, this is even more important within the public sector. This is due to many central Government offices being located in one of the most vulnerable parts of New Zealand, within the city of Wellington.
OpenGov had the pleasure of speaking to Mr. Matthew Shaw, Senior Advisor – Business Continuity, Ministry of Social Development, New Zealand this past week.
Mr. Shaw told OpenGov more about what his position as Senior Advisor entails, the BCI Good Practice Guide, what the future holds for him, and his role as Chair in the Government Sector Business Continuity Group.
Consolidating Business Continuity: Business as usual in the Ministry of Social Development
Mr. Shaw plays a huge part in facilitating business continuity preparedness and management in his role as Senior Advisor for Business Continuity.
For the last 8 years, Matt has led the business continuity management programme at the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). This is New Zealand’s largest government department. They provide employment services, income support and care and protection of vulnerable children and young people.
Some highlights during this time have included implementing an across-Ministry Crisis Management and BCM programme, facilitating crisis exercises and training staff along with contributing to the Ministry’s emergency management responses to numerous events including the Canterbury earthquakes. During this time Matt has also been seconded to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Ministry of Education to lead crisis management and business continuity planning.
Mr. Shaw is using his role as a platform to transform the business continuity management common practices. “We are looking for a process to revalidate all critical functions,” Mr. Shaw tells us. “We are taking a different approach now. We have done business impact analysis where we go to people and ask questions like what are the resources you need, what is the strategy you have in place… Now, we are loading it all in one and asking questions like, what is it you do that is critical? We use to delve into so much detail but this allows for a more efficient evaluation process.”
In discussing standards, the BCI Good Practice Guide has been around for a number of years. It incorporates terminology from the ISO 22301:2012 International Standard for Business Continuity management systems. It is a practical guide for a building a business continuity framework within an organisation.
“This is a resource made available to the members of the BCI. They also provide a light version, free to anyone on their website. It is a practical way for implementing a BCM framework,” said Mr. Shaw. Mr. Shaw uses this guide to organise the crisis management arrangement. His team plays a huge role in supporting colleagues and corresponding emergency management.
Moving forward, Mr. Shaw and his team are looking forward to launching a new client management system for their staff to use. “This has more of an angle of helping the business implement a good system, which is reactive,” says Mr. Shaw, “This will be out early next year. It is quite a significant change in the management of day to day business.”
Contingency Planning for better Business Continuity Management
Due to the number of fault lines that are sitting beneath the government capital of Wellington, working in the realm of business continuity management has required Mr. Shaw to look at contingency planning as well.
Mr. Shaw emphasised the importance of being able to pick up and transfer their network, in case there was a crisis to occur. “A piece of work for me is writing a contingency plan,” says Mr. Shaw, “To run exercises for this requires a lot of planning. We are aiming to start running these at the end of quarter 1 for 2016. From this, we will identify the gaps and work on them through this exercise. This will drive the [contingency planning] program for a year.”
Moving to his across-Ministry Crisis Management and BCM programme, Mr. Shaw says, “We are trying to create a more collective across government approach to Business Continuity. The approach is basically the same all across but people have different critical priorities which deviate from a standard. This project will drive a lot of work going forward but the initial phase is to begin next April.”
In the Business Continuity area, Mr. Shaw is trying to get people to adopt the thinking that they are not safe from any threats. This mentality is very similar to what the world of cybersecurity is emphasising, which is to assume that you are vulnerable. As Mr. Shaw said, “It is starting to process through. Now, working in the eProcurement space, are starting to think about contingency as a service… It is becoming more common that people are thinking about this space but we still have a long way to go”
Bringing the Business Continuity community together
In addition to his day job, Matt is the current Chair of the Government Sector Business Continuity Group, a networking forum with over 90 BC practitioners from 40 government agencies, local government and state-owned enterprises.
Mr. Shaw helps to facilitate regular meetings between members of the group every second of the month. In the meetings, members discuss their area of business continuity in more detail, or simply give each other updates on their work. The meetings provides a space for members to network with each other in their common field.
“We have a steering committee formed by 9 of our members. We get together in between meetings to plan the program and formulate strategic goals of the group,” “We are creating common goals, cross-agency programs, doing work with the property sector and banking sector…It is very much a community of interests, where we do not have a mandate but we look at how government is dealing with Business Continuity Management.”
Through his leadership roles and management, Mr. Shaw has created a shift in mindset. He challenges people to think more about the overall picture when it comes to Business Continuity. This allows for Mr. Shaw to create a high-level consolidated view of the business continuity management practices across the Ministry of Social Development and in the Government Sector Business Continuity Group.
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In a significant scientific breakthrough in a space sector, Dr Sarah Kessans has developed hardware designed to operate autonomously in orbit, transforming the study of protein crystallisation in microgravity. This technology provides scientists on Earth with unprecedented insights into protein behaviour, with far-reaching implications for developing more effective medicines and vaccines, among other applications.
Minister for Space Dr Megan Collins lauds Dr Kessans’ research as an inspiring example of how space technology can drive innovation on Earth. This achievement follows the recent successful launch of MethaneSAT, a satellite designed to track and monitor global emissions from space, highlighting the significant potential of space technology in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges while bolstering our globally competitive space sector.
The MethaneSAT satellite will be equipped with a highly sensitive spectrometre that can detect concentrations as low as two parts per billion, and it will have high-spatial resolution coupled with a broad, 200-kilometre view path, allowing it to quantify even small emission sources over large areas.
Dr Kessans’ research culminated in successfully launching her hardware on a rocket from the Kennedy Space Centre at Cape Canaveral, USA. This mission also included protein experiments from leading New Zealand universities, including Canterbury, Otago, Victoria, and Waikato, showcasing the collaborative efforts of the country’s academic institutions in advancing space science and technology.
The launch of Dr Kessans’ project results from a strategic agreement between the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) and the US commercial space company Axiom Space. This partnership aims to facilitate New Zealand researchers’ advancement in space science and technology, fostering innovation and driving collaboration between academia, government, and private enterprise.
Dr Kessans’ project has also received government funding for further development through the MBIE-administered Endeavour Fund, highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting cutting-edge research and innovation in the space sector. This collaborative effort between academia, government, and private enterprise is a testament to New Zealand’s growing presence in the global space economy, positioning the country as a key player in space research and technology development.
Previously, New Zealand had collaborated with several countries, including Australia, to advance space research, as reported by OpenGov. The collaboration between SmartSat and the New Zealand Space Agency (NZSA) is an important development. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two entities aims to accelerate the growth and technological advancement of the Australian and New Zealand space industries, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of space exploration and innovation in the Australasian region.
This partnership is underpinned by a shared commitment to fostering innovation, driving research and development (R&D), and nurturing a skilled workforce capable of propelling technological breakthroughs in the space sector. The MoU, ceremoniously signed at the NZSA headquarters in Wellington, signifies a strategic alignment between SmartSat and NZSA to leverage their combined resources and expertise.
At the core of this collaboration, it is designated to support joint research initiatives in three key technological domains: Earth Observation, Space Situational Awareness, and Optical Communications. These areas represent the forefront of space exploration, offering immense potential to revolutionise humanity’s perception and interaction with the cosmos.
Minister Judith Collins, New Zealand’s Minister for Space, praised the new agreement as a testament to the enduring collaboration between Australia and New Zealand in space exploration. In a statement on her official website, she reiterated her commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration, recognising the transformative potential of space technology in addressing global challenges.
Minister Collins reaffirmed the government’s dedication to developing the country’s space sector, promoting innovation, and strengthening partnerships with the New Zealand research community, international space agencies, and commercial collaborators. These collaborative approaches underscore New Zealand’s commitment to advancing space science and technology to benefit society and the economy, paving the way for future breakthroughs in the field.
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Cybersecurity in New Zealand is a significant concern for the government, businesses, and individuals. The New Zealand Government has introduced a new cybersecurity strategy to ensure the country is secure, resilient, and prosperous online. The strategy has four main goals: Cyber Resilience, Cyber Capability, Addressing Cybercrime, and International Cooperation.
New Zealand has demonstrated a commitment to enhancing its national security across various industries, including healthcare, finance, government, and education. This commitment is evident in the proactive measures taken by regulatory bodies, such as the Financial Markets Authority (FMA), to address vulnerabilities and strengthen resilience in key sectors.
For instance, as reported by OpenGov, the financial industry is particularly vulnerable, prompting the FMA to publish a consultation document outlining its proposal for a new standard condition for specific holders of financial market licenses. This proposed license condition ensures that licensed entities maintain robust business continuity and technology systems.
The FMA’s initiative underscores the importance of cyber resilience and effective risk management in the financial sector. By focusing on business continuity and technology systems, the FMA aims to mitigate potential risks and vulnerabilities, thereby protecting investors’ interests and maintaining the stability of the market.
This approach aligns with New Zealand’s broader strategy to enhance national security and resilience across critical sectors. By addressing vulnerabilities and implementing robust measures, New Zealand aims to safeguard its economic interests and maintain a secure and stable environment for businesses and individuals. Besides strengthening the country’s security from malicious national actors, New Zealand also fortifies the security from international attackers.
In recognition of the importance of cybersecurity, New Zealand has again demonstrated its commitment to strengthening its cybersecurity posture this year. This commitment was underscored by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), which took a significant step forward in international cooperation. The NCSC collaborated with partners worldwide to publish a Cyber Security Advisory focusing on the activities of the cyber actor known as ‘Volt Typhoon’.
This advisory not only highlighted the observed activities of this actor but also provided valuable insights into how network defenders can effectively mitigate these efforts.
Expanding upon the successful collaboration established earlier, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and its coalition of 10 international partners are taking another significant step forward in cybersecurity. They are releasing an additional fact sheet strategically designed to provide targeted guidance to the owners and operators of critical national infrastructure. This fact sheet aims to assist these key stakeholders in enhancing the security of their assets.
The fact sheet provides an executive-level overview of the urgent risk posed by the ‘Volt Typhoon’. It serves as a reminder of the critical importance of cyber security for organisations in the United States and allied countries. The fact sheet also emphasises the need for organisations to recognise cyber risk as a core business risk, essential for good governance and national security.
These advisories have highlighted the actor’s efforts to pre-position themselves on U.S. critical infrastructure organisations’ networks. The release of this fact sheet underscores the commitment of the NCSC and its partners to providing leaders of critical infrastructure entities with the guidance they need to prioritise the protection of critical infrastructure and functions. By recognising cyber risk as a core business risk, leaders can take the necessary steps to ensure the resilience of their organisations in the face of evolving cyber threats.
The collaboration between the NCSC and its international partners represents a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to enhance cybersecurity and protect critical infrastructure. By working together and sharing information, New Zealand can strengthen its defences against cyber threats and ensure the security and resilience of the country’s critical infrastructure.
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With the rapid advancement of digital technology and the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) in various facets of society, the legal landscape surrounding these innovations remains uncertain. The legal framework for AI systems is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive approach, combining binding and non-binding legal instruments that complement each other.
In light of this, Dr Olivia J Erdélyi, a Senior Lecturer at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) in the Faculty of Law, emphasises the role of mathematical modelling in identifying gaps in legislation and shaping policies to safeguard society.
“The legal framework for AI systems should cover various aspects, including categorising the risk level of each use case for AI, such as prohibited use, high risk, and minimal or low risk,” she explained. “High-risk AI systems are required to undergo continuous testing, monitoring, and auditing in areas like privacy, cybersecurity, intellectual property, antitrust, algorithmic bias, accuracy, and consumer product/health/safety.”
Dr Erdélyi highlights the challenges posed by legal uncertainty in the context of AI, noting that without specific provisions addressing AI-related issues, predicting court decisions becomes exceedingly difficult.
Drawing attention to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, where a political consulting firm utilised personal data from social media platforms to influence the 2016 United States presidential election, Dr Erdélyi’s research demonstrates how mathematical modelling can illuminate vulnerabilities in privacy and data protection regulations.
In her study, Dr Erdélyi illustrates how anonymised data, which initially conceals personal identities, can be manipulated through AI processing to uncover identifiable connections, thus breaching privacy regulations. This revelation underscores the inadequacy of current rules, which focus solely on personally identifiable information, failing to address the potential risks posed by anonymised data manipulation.
The interdisciplinary approach adopted by Dr Erdélyi’s team integrates mathematics, computer science, and law to formulate effective policy responses to AI-related challenges. By combining diverse expertise, they aim to bridge the gap between technological advancements and legal frameworks, ensuring robust regulatory measures.
UC’s Mathematics and Statistics Associate Professor, Gábor Erdélyi, collaborates with Dr Erdélyi, emphasising the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing AI complexities. Despite the benefits of such collaboration, he acknowledges the communication barriers that impede practical cooperation between scientific fields and policymakers. Overcoming these barriers necessitates mutual understanding and effective communication channels between stakeholders.
While awaiting comprehensive AI legislation, Dr Erdélyi advocates for leveraging existing laws as a foundation for addressing AI-related challenges. However, she underscores the imperative of designing new laws tailored to the unique demands of AI technologies to prevent potential loopholes and mitigate adverse consequences.
Despite the absence of a dedicated AI strategy in Aotearoa, New Zealand, Dr Erdélyi emphasises the importance of developing indigenous policies that align with international standards while catering to local needs. Striking a balance between international consensus and national sovereignty, she calls for the enactment of binding laws that safeguard individuals’ rights and provide avenues for legal recourse.
The integration of mathematical modelling and interdisciplinary collaboration emerges as crucial strategies in navigating the complex legal terrain surrounding AI. By identifying legislative gaps and formulating targeted policies, stakeholders can harness the potential of AI technologies while safeguarding societal values and individual rights.
The evolving legal landscape demands proactive measures to adapt regulatory frameworks to the challenges posed by digital innovation, ensuring equitable and transparent governance in the AI era.
As artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly influences society, regulatory frameworks will be essential in determining the trajectory of this impactful technology. Dr Erdélyi concluded that cooperation among governments, industry players, and the general public is vital for creating regulations that encourage the responsible development and application of AI, especially for New Zealand and beyond.
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In developing the technology and accelerating the nation’s economy, the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) School of Sport and Recreation has launched its two cutting-edge sports tech inventions internationally. It marks a significant milestone in New Zealand’s foray into the global sports technology market. The licensing deals with American and Australian companies underscore AUT’s position as the leading university of technology in New Zealand and a world leader in sport and recreation research.
One of the pioneering inventions, Hawkin TruStrength (HTS), is an invention from a collaboration between Professor John Cronin, a renowned sports scientist at AUT and Kiwi Texas. Initially funded by Kiwi Texas for early prototype development, the project has recently partnered with the US sports tech company Hawkin Dynamics for commercialisation. HTS is a high-spec, portable device that revolutionises athlete training and rehabilitation by removing subjectivity and introducing a data-driven approach.
Designed by Prof Cronin, an expert in strength and conditioning and sports technology, TruStrength is a portable fixed dynamometer, roughly the size of a fist, capable of measuring pushing (compressive) and pulling (tensile) forces from 1 N (100 gm) to 10,000 N (1000 kg). This innovative tool provides quantitative accuracy to training and rehab processes, optimising patient outcomes and enabling previously hard-to-measure movements to be quantified.
“This technology aims to bring more quantitative accuracy to what professionals do and assist them in optimising patient outcomes,” said Prof Cronin. TruStrength also serves as a training tool, allowing even low-tech training aids like rubber-based resistance TheraBands to be attached to the dynamometer, producing objective data.
Prof Cronin explained that the idea for TruStrength originated on the SPRINZ campus in Auckland, where he collaborated with a PhD student seeking better isometric force measurements for high-performance athletes. This collaborative ethos is central to AUT’s approach. As Prof Cronin explains, “We’re a campus where industry and a university have come together. Our mantra is ask, answer, share.”
The second innovative technology is DynaSled. This breakthrough has been licensed to an Australian company. This wireless force-sensing device measures strength and leg imbalances, optimising athletic performance training and assessing sports injury risk.
Developed by AUT sports and exercise science researchers Dr Matt Brughelli, Dr Matt Cross, and High-Performance Sport New Zealand PhD graduate Dr Farhan Tinwala, the DynaSled project received early-stage funding from KiwiNet, a government initiative supporting the commercialisation of university research.
The DynaSled, equipped with a wireless force sensor, is a cutting-edge tool to assess force production during functional movements, including sprinting overground. This innovative technology evaluates overall force production and allows for determining leg asymmetries, a critical factor in preventing lower limb injuries.
Dr Brughelli emphasises DynaSled’s unique ability to determine the optimal loading for each athlete based on their individual goals. This capability sets it apart as a distinctive and valuable tool in sports technology, promising to revolutionise how athletes train and perform.
With support from AUT Ventures, the researchers collaborated with an Australian company to develop the commercial version of DynaSled. Swift Performance has now licensed the technology from AUT and will market the product worldwide. The company will also fund postgraduate research on the DynaSled with athletes, furthering the technology’s development and application.
Mark Fisher, founder and CEO of that Australian company partner, expressed optimism about collaborating with AUT researchers and the potential for long-term cooperation. “It is great working with industry-leading sports science researchers, and we hope to have a long-term partnership with AUT going forward to help commercialise the Sled technology,” Fisher said.
DynaSled and Hawkin TruStrength (HTS) technologies showcase AUT’s expertise in sports technology and demonstrate New Zealand’s global sports tech market potential. With AUT at the forefront, the future of sports technology appears more promising than ever, with continued innovation and advancements on the horizon.
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The increasing prevalence of internet usage among young people presents a pressing need to protect them from exposure to harmful content, necessitating stronger regulations and heightened parental awareness to ensure their safety online. A recent report from a prominent advocacy organisation in New Zealand, urging more comprehensive and stringent regulations on online content, underscores the pressing need to bolster safeguards ensuring the safety of children’s digital interactions.
With the advent of the internet, young individuals have gained access to an unprecedented array of content, ranging from educational and informative to entertaining; however, this digital landscape has also exposed them to graphic imagery, adult material, and objectionable content, posing challenges in safeguarding them from such risks, including exposure to illegal sexual content, a concern faced not only by New Zealand but also by numerous countries worldwide.
The voluntary system administered by the Department of Internal Affairs in New Zealand currently blocks more than 400 websites depicting child sex abuse. Social Worker Rachel Taane has observed the psychological harm caused by exposure to illegal sexual content, noting that it can normalise harmful behaviours and create significant distress. She emphasises that children often feel embarrassed or afraid to seek help, fearing punishment or having their devices taken away.
Despite efforts by most internet providers to participate in a voluntary digital child exploitation filtering system, there is still much to be done. Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden acknowledges the system’s successes in blocking harmful material but recognises the need for improvement. She emphasises the importance of balancing censorship and protecting children from harmful content while respecting freedom of expression.
The Makes Sense campaign has been actively advocating for better protection for children online, with an online petition signed by 10,000 individuals calling for stronger filters on illegal sexual behaviour. Organisers like Holly Brooker highlight the need for New Zealand to catch up with international standards, citing the UK foundation as an example of effective web-crawling and hashing technology to block child sexual abuse material.
The petition co-founder, Jo Robertson, echoed the concerns raised by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) about the alarming increase in this type of content, emphasising the need for immediate action to address the issue. Despite the challenges, there is a collective call for greater protection for children online and a recognition that more can be done to prevent accidental exposure to harmful content. Children are frequently targeted by cyber risks, making them vulnerable.
OpenGov Asia has reported that New Zealand has prevented harm to vulnerable communities. At the start of the 2024 academic year, law enforcement agencies urged parents and caregivers to be cautious when sharing back-to-school photos of their children online. While it is common to celebrate such milestones, authorities stress the importance of taking privacy precautions to shield children from potential risks in the digital realm.
Parents often share images of their children in school uniforms or at educational institutions, unknowingly disclosing identifying details that could be exploited. While such incidents are relatively rare, instances of inappropriate image use, including their inclusion in child exploitation material, underscore the importance of heightened awareness.
In response to these potential dangers, authorities advise parents and caregivers to take proactive measures to ensure their children’s online safety and protect their personal information. Police are recommending some essential tips to enhance online safety.
Similarly, as the government endeavours to enhance filters and upgrade the current system, it is paramount for parents to maintain vigilance over their children’s online activities. Utilising accessible parental control filters can help restrict access to inappropriate content and mitigate potential risks.
Safeguarding children from online harm requires a collaborative effort from all stakeholders, including governments, internet service providers, and families. Together, they can work towards creating a safer online environment for everyone.
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Dr Sylwia Kolenderska, a Senior Research Investigator in Physics at the University of Canterbury, spearheads a pioneering project to transform the ophthalmology landscape. Her innovative work harnesses the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionise the accessibility and affordability of optical coherence tomography (OCT), a pivotal imaging technique in assessing eye health. This endeavour holds immense promise for advancing ophthalmic care and underscores AI’s profound impact in pushing the boundaries of medical innovation.
OCT is often described as a light-based counterpart to ultrasound imaging and generates three-dimensional internal images of the eyes. These images are invaluable for ophthalmologists in diagnosing and monitoring various eye conditions. However, the high cost of traditional OCT equipment has limited its accessibility, particularly for researchers and clinicians in resource-constrained environments.
Dr Kolenderska’s research addresses this issue by leveraging AI to improve the data processing capabilities of OCT machines. She identified a key bottleneck in current expensive machines: the time-consuming process of calculating high-resolution images from raw signals. She aims to enhance the image quality of cheaper, lower-resolution OCT machines to match or surpass that of expensive models by developing a neural network algorithm akin to a sophisticated software update.
“The potential impact of this technology is enormous,” said Dr Kolenderska. “Not only will it make high-quality OCT imaging more affordable and accessible, but it could also lead to significant improvements in early detection and treatment of eye conditions.”
The application of AI in OCT data processing offers several advantages. AI algorithms identify complex patterns in data, enabling them to produce sharper and more detailed images than traditional algorithms. Dr Kolenderska estimates that the images generated by AI-enhanced OCT machines could be up to six times better than current images.
Moreover, the scalability of AI technology opens up possibilities for future hardware integration. Dr Kolenderska envisions a future where AI modules could be seamlessly attached to existing OCT machines, much like a USB stick, further democratising access to high-quality imaging capabilities.
In Asia Pacific, eye healthcare technology is making significant strides globally. According to a report by OpenGov Asia, in 2022, the Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) announced a partnership with the Centre for Eye and Vision Research (CEVR) to develop at least two projects aimed at treating patients of different ages suffering from lazy eye and other eye conditions. CEVR, established under the Innovation and Technology Commission’s platform for research and innovation, InnoHK, is at the forefront of innovative research in eye health care.
Amblyopia, a common visual impairment that reduces vision and 3D perception, requires retraining the brain to use information from both eyes. This is particularly challenging in adults due to reduced neuroplasticity and the brain’s full maturation with age.
In 2023, Hong Kong continued its innovative efforts in eye health care. A partnership between CEVR and DEFTA Partners was announced to advance technology transfer and commercialise eye and vision health research. Celebrated at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), this partnership will leverage DEFTA’s business network and CEVR’s research achievements to translate research outcomes into globally impactful products. The collaboration is expected to drive innovation in the eye and vision health field, addressing critical issues in the industry.
Dr Sylwia Kolenderska’s work in eye health care represents a significant advancement in the intersection of AI and medical imaging.
In the future, Dr Sylwia Kolenderska’s work is poised to have an even greater impact on the field of ophthalmology in New Zealand and beyond. As AI continues to evolve in this rapid technology landscape, its integration with medical imaging technologies like OCT holds immense promise for improving diagnostic accuracy, treatment efficacy, and patient outcomes.
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Climate change is indeed a significant problem in the Asia Pacific region. The area is home to some of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate-related extreme weather events. The area is also a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 39% of the world’s emissions and 60% of the world’s coal consumption.
Rising sea levels from global warming are eroding arable land in low-elevation coastal zones, posing a severe risk to rural incomes, food security, and commodity exports. Many countries in the area have been at the forefront of adaptation efforts. However, the challenges are significant and urgent, requiring substantial investment and tough choices about what to protect and relocate.
New Zealand recognises this issue. Especially in the digital technology transformation, the nation is poised to play a significant role in the MethaneSAT space mission through the new mission control centre at Te Pūnaha Ātea-Space Institute at the University of Auckland.
The global methane tracking satellite, MethaneSAT, will launch soon from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Designed to combat climate change, the satellite uses advanced technology to detect methane emissions from oil, gas, agriculture, and landfill.
Te Pūnaha Ātea-Space Institute will take over mission control operations of the spacecraft up to 12 months after launch. Chris Jackson, Mission Operations Centre Lead at Te Pūnaha Ātea, highlighted that the University of Auckland is the first university in Aotearoa to operate a satellite, providing students an excellent opportunity to kick-start their career in New Zealand’s growing space industry.
Over the past few years, the university has collaborated closely with partners within the space industry and research fields in New Zealand and abroad to build the operations infrastructure, knowledge, and experience required to operate spacecraft like MethaneSAT. With the upcoming launch, the institute is excited to move to the next phase of running the spacecraft and involving students in the operations, enabling them to take their experience into the local space sector.
The Mission Operations and Control Centre (MOCC) at the University will be responsible for the routine operations of the spacecraft, including payload operations, spacecraft health and safety, and collision avoidance. The university has recruited experienced spacecraft operations staff for the MOCC and will introduce student involvement in day-to-day operations. This hands-on experience, coupled with courses such as aerospace engineering, provides a unique combination of practical and academic training to students looking to join the space sector.
The MethaneSAT mission is led by a non-profit subsidiary of the United States-based Environmental Defence Fund – a leading global environmental organisation. It fills a critical gap in the capabilities of other satellites by being able to identify methane emissions across large geographic areas and measure them at predetermined locations. MethaneSAT will cover a comprehensive, 200-kilometre view path with a high-precision instrument, passing over important target regions every few days.
A multi-institution, multidisciplinary team of New Zealand’s leading researchers in atmospheric science and remote sensing, led by Dr Sara Mikaloff-Fletcher of NIWA, will use the MethaneSAT satellite to demonstrate the potential to use satellites to accurately measure methane emissions from agriculture, both in New Zealand and around the world. Funding for the MOCC is administered by the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) on behalf of the Government.
Te Pūnaha Ātea-Space Institute is a multidisciplinary centre of space science and engineering expertise at the University of Auckland. It aims to enhance the growth of the New Zealand space sector with world-leading applied research and development and educational programmes that shape the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Institute academics and staff have deep expertise and decades of experience in delivering and operating successful space missions, with facilities available to the New Zealand space industry for building, testing, and operating spacecraft.
By fostering this, institute academics and staff possess extensive expertise and decades of experience executing and managing successful space missions. Additionally, the institute offers facilities accessible to the New Zealand space industry, enabling spacecraft’s building, testing, and operation. This commitment to fostering a collaborative environment supports the growth and advancement of space exploration in New Zealand.