The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work together in the areas of telecommunications and information communication technologies (ICT) to boost indigenous technological design and development.
According to a press release, the MoU was inked at SemiconIndia 2022 and is expected to help the organisations leverage each other’s strengths in their respective tech domains. C-DOT and C-DAC have agreed to collaborate on activities in 4G/5G services, broadband, IoT/M2M, packet core, and computing. The two sides will also sign Specific Project Agreements as and when required to enumerate the specific roles and responsibilities.
C-DOT is a premier telecom research and development organisation under the Ministry of Communications. It conducts advanced research and developmental activities in narrowband and broadband switching and transmission networks, terrestrial radio systems, satellite systems, optical communication equipment, network protocols, advanced security solutions, and network management systems.
C-DAC is a leading institute for the design, development, and deployment of electronic and ICT technologies and applications for socio-economic advancement. It aims to expand the frontiers of ICT in the country, and evolve technology solutions, architectures, systems, and standards for India-specific problems. It rapidly and effectively spreads digital knowledge by overcoming language barriers through cutting-edge technologies, sharing IT experience and expertise, fostering digital inclusion, and utilising the intellectual property generated by converting it into business opportunities.
An official stated that C-DOT is keen on aligning its indigenous R&D endeavours with C-DAC’s to meet the overarching objectives of national development. Both C-DOT and C-DAC are leaders in their respective areas and this MoU will foster strong cooperation and develop state-of-the-art technologies. The agreement will strengthen and secure national networks, boost seamless connectivity, and deploy advanced tech-based applications to make India self-reliant. During the event, C-DOT and C-DAC reiterated their commitment to building indigenous capabilities for the digital transformation of the country.
Earlier this year, government officials announced that spectrum auctions will be conducted very soon, and next-generation 5G services are expected to commence before the end of the year. A survey from February claimed that India is the third-largest 5G smartphone market globally with 7% of worldwide 5G shipments, shipping 10 million units at an ASP (average selling point) of US$ 401 in the third quarter of 2021.
Last month, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) invited participants for the 5G Vertical Engagement and Partnership Programme (VEPP), which aims to foster strong collaborative partnerships across 5G use-case ecosystem stakeholders and address vertical industry needs. To multiply 5G opportunities in the field, the centre created an inter-ministerial committee that includes representatives from the ministries of electronics and information technology, science, agriculture, health, urban affairs, education, power, mines, commerce, ports, railways, heavy industries, road transport, and tourism. The committee will facilitate cooperative efforts across stakeholders.
As OpenGov Asia reported, VEPP targets industry verticals that have the potential to be testing/breeding grounds for innovative 5G use cases. Through expressions of interest, the programme intends to boost collaborations between user verticals and 5G tech stakeholders, including service providers, solution providers, and partner original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The government expects this to trigger a multiplier effect, which will tweak 5G digital solutions in economic verticals.
Thailand’s Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) has launched “ETDA Digital Citizen” – an awareness-raising course on the use of the internet. This is in line with the context of Thai society as a guide for the transfer of knowledge to develop digital skills in interesting ways.
ETDA’s mission is to better the lives of Thai people through the use of digital technology and online transactions that are secure, safe, and dependable. To achieve this goal, ETDA continues to operate both the production and dissemination of teaching materials, videos, and infographics, and also travel to the areas where Thai people live in order to transfer knowledge and develop skills among them.
Elevating Thai people to use the internet creatively and knowingly about cyber threats towards quality digital citizenship is one of the important missions of ETDA as an agency.
– Chaichana Mittrapan, Director of ETDA
Recently, ETDA organised the “EDC Trainer Showcase” as part of their network building and unveiled the first 23 EDC Trainers that have received the certificate to guarantee their readiness to share their knowledge and to build digital citizens using the internet. EDC Trainers receive theoretical training from digital professionals and are expected to meet the needs of people in their society while also ensuring a long-term knowledge transfer.
The ETDA desires for the localities to have knowledge of digital skills and to remain aware of hazards posed by the internet, particularly those posed to youngsters and the elderly, who are at the greatest risk. Participation in EDC Trainer is something that people of all walks of life in Thailand are showing interest in.
This offers locals of all ages the opportunity to participate in learning, training, and knowingly enhancing their digital abilities and potential to become a digital trainer or EDC Trainer who is prepared to act as a bridge to pass on information to other members of society. The entire training process takes more than three months, including a practical exam, and recruits individuals ranging in age from youngsters and teenagers to senior citizens.
The ETDA Digital Citizen or EDC programme will consist of activities such as the dissemination of knowledge from ETDA experts who have been on the ground to impart knowledge to target groups in various areas across the country. EDC Trainer is one of the activities that will be included in this project.
In addition to ETDA, there are several other agencies that provide training like what ETDA has provided. However, the agency provides an additional opportunity to participate in the promotion of the development of high-quality digital citizens who are knowledgeable by providing a central platform for the collection of information pertinent to digital people.
Furthermore, DEPA, along with the local agencies, private sectors, and institutes, have worked together on the preparation of labour development plans in Chonburi Province. These plans aim to develop essential digital skills for businesses, freelancers, and vulnerable groups by implementing a programme called “New Skill, Up-Skill, and Re-Skill.”
Around Chonburi Province, DEPA wants to foster the growth of a digital sector that is staffed by digitally skilled workers. It recognises the demands of the province as well as the small and large business owners for the employment of a workforce with digital skills to enhance the number of chances available in the business world.
The Ministry for Communications and Information (MCI) has launched the Digital Trust Centre (DTC) along with the A.I. Verify to lead Singapore’s research and development efforts for trust technologies and to support talent development as well as establish the future of AI standards and governance with global partners.
MCI Minister Josephine Teo emphasised that as technology evolves, new risks will emerge, and it is critical to invest in trust technologies such as Privacy Enhancing Technologies (PETs), which protect data privacy while it is being analysed; and trustworthy AI technologies, which help verify and explain the expected performance of AI systems.
Under the Research, Innovation, and Enterprise (RIE) 2025 initiative, the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the National Research Foundation (NRF) have invested S$50 million in the Centre. Hosted by the Nanyang Technological University, the Centre is a national initiative that will focus on four major areas of trust technologies:
Singapore is one of the founding and active members of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) -a multi-stakeholder project that encourages international cooperation to bridge the gap between AI theory and practice.
On the other hand, IMDA and the International Centre of Expertise of Montreal for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (CEIMIA) inked a Memorandum of Understanding for the first cross-border collaboration on PETs in the world.
Under this initiative, solutions will be created to demonstrate how PETs may overcome privacy and compliance obstacles for organisations developing unique applications that exploit cross-organisational and cross-border data. The experience will guide future research and development, promote the acceptance of PETs by businesses, and contribute to the establishment of worldwide standards.
This collaboration between the IMDA and CEIMIA, one of two centres of excellence for GPAI, will have the DTC as its implementation partner.
Meanwhile, the A.I. Verify, the world’s first AI Governance Testing Framework and Toolkit, was recently presented, and because of close collaboration with worldwide industry partners, 10 businesses from a variety of industries participated in testing its Minimum Viable Product and feedback process.
Minister Teo announced Singapore’s intention to collaborate with an even broader group of stakeholders via an international pilot to enhance A.I. Verify, co-develop benchmarks and improved methods for verifying trustworthy AI, and devise more efficient ways to explain to internal stakeholders, business partners, and customers what factors influence the behaviour of AI applications.
In an effort to advance its regional cooperation, Singapore and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members won the highest award at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes Ceremony 2022 in the category of “International and Regional Cooperation” for their ASEAN Data Management Framework (DMF) and Model Contractual Clauses for Cross-Border Data Flows (MCCs).
The toolkits will assist ASEAN businesses to transact and collaborate with confidence in the digital economy. DMF provides SMEs with a step-by-step approach for implementing a data management system with data governance structures and protections.
Minister Teo also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on digital cooperation with Brunei’s Minister of Transport and Information, H.E. Abdul Mutalib Yusof, as part of Singapore’s robust network of digital economy government-to-government MOUs in the Asia Pacific region and beyond, to advance collaboration in the digital economy and digital connectivity.
Future autonomous vehicles and industrial cameras may have a human-like vision, as a result of a recent advance by scientists from Hong Kong and South Korea. Researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and Yonsei University in Seoul have developed vision sensors that emulate and even surpass the human retina’s ability to adapt to various lighting levels.
The new sensors will greatly improve machine vision systems used for visual analysis and identification tasks, according to Dr CHAI Yang, Associate Professor, Department of Applied Physics, and Assistant Dean (Research), Faculty of Applied Science and Textiles, PolyU, who led the research.
Machine vision systems are cameras and computers that capture and process images for tasks such as facial recognition. They need to be able to “see” objects in a wide range of lighting conditions, which demands intricate circuitry and complex algorithms. Systems like there are rarely efficient enough to process a large volume of visual information in real-time – unlike the human brain.
The new bioinspired sensors developed by the research team may offer a solution via the direct adaptation of a variety of light intensities by the sensors, instead of relying on backend computation. The human eye adapts to different levels of illumination, from very dark to very bright and vice versa, which allows us to identify objects accurately under a range of lighting conditions. The new sensors aim to mimic this adaptability.
“The human pupil may help adjust the amount of light entering the eye,” Dr Chai explained, “but the main adaptation to brightness is performed by retina cells.” Natural light intensity spans a large range, 280 dB. Impressively, the new sensors developed by the team have an effective range of up to 199 dB, compared with only 70 dB for conventional silicon-based sensors. The human retina can adapt to environments under sunlight to starlight, with a range of about 160 dB.
The research team achieved this by developing light detectors, called phototransistors, making use of a dual-layer of atomic-level ultrathin molybdenum disulphide, a semiconductor with unique electrical and optical properties. The researchers then introduced “charge trap states” – impurities or imperfections in a solid’s crystalline structure that restrict the movement of charge – to the dual-layer.
These trap states enable the storage of light information, the researchers noted. They dynamically modulate the optoelectronic properties of the device at the pixel level. By controlling the movement of electrons, the trap states enabled the researchers to precisely adjust the amount of electricity conducted by the phototransistors. This in turn allowed them to control the device’s photosensitivity, or its ability to detect light.
Each of the new vision sensors is made up of arrays of such phototransistors. They mimic the rod and cone cells of the human eye, which are respectively responsible for detecting dim and bright light. As a result, the sensors can detect objects in differently lit environments as well as switch between, and adapt to, varying levels of brightness—with an even greater range than the human eye.
Dr Chai also noted that the sensors reduce hardware complexity and greatly increase the image contrast under different lighting conditions. This, thus, delivers high image recognition efficiency.
These novel bioinspired sensors could usher in the next generation of artificial-vision systems used in autonomous vehicles and manufacturing, as well as find exciting new applications in edge computing and the Internet of Things.
The National Health Authority (NHA), under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), has launched a public dashboard for real-time information about ABDM core registries, including Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) numbers, the Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR), and the Health Facility Registry (HFR).
According to a press release, the dashboard displays data related to the number of ABHA generated, healthcare professionals registered, and digital health records linked with ABHA. As of 30 May, there were 221 million health accounts. Over 16.6 thousand healthcare professionals registered on the HPR, more than 69.4 thousand health facilities registered on the HFR, and over 180,000 health records linked by users.
The dashboard also has granular details about the number of health facilities (such as hospitals and laboratories) that are registered daily as well as the total number so far. It provides information on national and state/union territory levels. The information is further segregated based on gender and age. For HFR, the dashboard presents the data through infographics based on ownership (government or private), systems of medicine, and state-wise facilities registered under the ABDM. Similarly, for the HPR, the dashboard segregates data based on the professional’s employment type (government or private sector), systems of medicine, and the state/union territory from where the applications have been received.
The NHA CEO, R.S. Sharma, claimed that ABDM is built on the principles of accessibility, transparency, inclusivity, and interoperability. The ABDM public dashboard makes updated information related to the scheme public domain. “This gives a clear picture of the progress made by ABDM ecosystem partners since we have included the data related to [the] number of ABHA created by different partners as well as the number of health records linked platform-wise,” he stated.
The ABHA number generation facility is also available via popular digital health applications like the COVID-19 vaccination registration portal CoWIN, Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), and Aarogya Setu. The dashboard also displays each partner’s performance and the number of health records linked by each partnering app.
ABHA is an upgraded version of the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) health records application. It was released last week and is available on the Google play store. So far, the new version has been downloaded more than 510,000 times.
As reported on OpenGov Asia, the upgraded ABHA app has a new user interface and added functionalities that enable individuals to access their health records at all times. Users can create an ABHA address that can be linked to a 14-digit randomly generated ABHA number. The application also allows users to link their health records created at ABDM-compliant health facilities and access them on their smartphones. Users can upload physical health records in ABDM-compliant health lockers and share digital health records (diagnostic reports, prescriptions, COVID-19 vaccination certificates) through the ABDM network. Other features include the ability to edit profiles and link or unlink the ABHA number with the ABHA address. Soon, users will be able to log in using biometric data like face or fingerprint authentication or by scanning a QR code at the counter of an ABDM-compliant facility for express registration. The iOS version of the ABHA mobile application will be launched shortly.
The ABHA app will be instrumental in helping citizens create longitudinal health records. Patients can access their health records in seconds by saving their health history on a single platform. The digitisation of data exchange will ensure information security and better clinical decision-making.
A Johns Hopkins University-developed COVID-19 sensor could revolutionise virus testing by improving accuracy and speeding up a process that many people found frustrating during the pandemic. The sensor, according to the researchers, combines PCR-like accuracy with the speed of fast antigen tests and might be used for mass testing in airports, schools, and hospitals.
The sensor, which requires no sample preparation and little operator knowledge, offers a significant advantage over conventional testing methods, particularly for population-wide testing, according to the researchers.
“The technique is as simple as putting a drop of saliva on our device and getting a negative or a positive result,” claimed the senior authors of the study, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Ishan Barman and Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, David Gracias.
According to Barman, the new method, which is not yet on the market, addresses the shortcomings of the two most often used COVID-19 tests -the PCR and fast tests. The approach is unique in that it is label-free, requiring no further chemical changes such as molecular labelling or antibody functionalisation. As a result, the sensor could be used in wearable gadgets in the future.
PCR tests are extremely accurate, but they need a time-consuming sample preparation, with results taking hours or even days to analyse in a lab. Rapid tests, on the other hand, which check for the presence of antigens, are less effective in detecting early infections and asymptomatic cases and can result in incorrect results.
The sensor is almost as sensitive as a PCR test and just as quick as a fast antigen test. The sensor achieved 92 per cent accuracy in detecting SARS-COV-2 in saliva samples during the first testing, which is comparable to PCR techniques. The sensor was also extremely effective at detecting the presence of other viruses, such as H1N1 and Zika.
Large area nanoimprint lithography, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), and machine learning are used to create the sensor. It can be used for mass testing on rigid or flexible surfaces in disposable chip formats.
Another significant feature of the technology is its use of modern machine learning algorithms to detect very tiny signs in spectroscopic data, allowing researchers to pinpoint the virus’s presence and concentration.
The large-area, flexible field enhancing metal-insulator antenna (FEMIA) array is the essential component of the method. Within this array, a sample of saliva is applied to the material and analysed using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. This technique makes use of laser light to investigate the manner in which the molecules of the examined specimen vibrate.
The nanostructured FEMIA significantly strengthens the virus’s Raman signal, allowing the system to detect the presence of a virus even if only minor traces exist in the sample. From doorknobs and building entrances to masks and textiles, the sensor material can be applied to any surface. It might also be used with a hand-held testing device for quick checks in congested areas such as airports or stadiums.
Researchers are still striving to improve the technique and test it with patient samples. The intellectual property connected with it has been patented by Johns Hopkins Technology Ventures, and the team is looking for licencing and commercialisation prospects.
The study was funded by the National Science Foundation’s Early-concept Grants for Exploratory Research (EAGER) programme and the Director’s New Innovator award from the National Institute of Health.
The Department of Enterprise Development, under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, has launched a portal to provide information and support services to businesses in Vietnam, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
According to a report, the portal is a modern and intelligent digital platform that offers timely, accurate, and high-value information about the governmental mechanisms, initiatives, programmes, and policies created to support businesses. Local and international business communities can access training documents and business guides on the website. It enables users to easily search, participate in, and benefit from these business support packages.
Additionally, the portal will allow businesses to connect with the government or other businesses, and SMEs with leading firms or with FDI enterprises. It will also link Vietnamese businesses and the international community through the ASEAN SMEs gateway (ASEAN Access), creating opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises to expand into other markets in Asia.
The portal is built on an open platform and the government is inviting stakeholders to participate in creating a smooth, multi-dimensional information system. The portal will be a source of research and reports on various topics from leading agencies, research units, and consulting organisations, helping local businesses quickly and easily access relevant information about the industry and market.
A network of Vietnamese consultants from fields like science and technology, finance and planning, and investment and law are ready to support and answer any user questions. The portal will regularly update training materials and guides compiled by leading experts to spread new business knowledge, contributing to raising awareness and enhancing skills and business experience in the Vietnamese business community.
Earlier this year, a government official stated that the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) could surge by US$30 billion if the country successfully digitally transforms its SMEs. Firms engaging in digital transformation have reported higher productivity and profits two-fold compared to their peers. Statistics showed that US$3.1 trillion will be added to Asia-Pacific’s GDP by 2024 if digital transformation for SMEs is accelerated.
The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) has also announced it would work with localities nationwide to carry out a programme to bolster digital transformation among SMEs this year and set up a consultation network for the digital economy at the district level. Under the programme, the MIC will evaluate the digital transformation rate of 100,000 firms across the country based on the Digital Business Indicators (DBI). The assessment is projected to help fine-tune specific action plans and step-up digital transformation among enterprises as well as digital economic development, OpenGov Asia reported.
As of April, there were around 785,000 SMEs in the country, accounting for nearly 98% of the total enterprises and contributing approximately 50% of gross domestic product (GDP). This year, MIC aims to increase the total quantity of digital technology businesses in Vietnam to 70,000. By 2025, it aims to have 100,000 digital technology firms, of which at least ten firms must be able to compete in global markets. MIC also wants to have 10 localities with revenues of over US$1 billion from ICT and 10-12 IT zones.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) aims to create an enabling environment for its Satellite Systems Providers or Operators (SSPOs) and will support policies that will protect and support their digital transformation initiatives prescribed and guided by its Circular No. 001, s. 2022, which rationalises, streamlines, and liberalises the registration, regulation, and monitoring of qualified SSPOs, allowing them to participate at a faster pace.
We are in the right direction. Let us continue what we have started and let us work towards our common goal of providing faster and secure connectivity for everyone.
– Emmanuel Rey “Manny” R. Caintic, Acting Secretary, Department of Information and Communications Technology
Manny added that even a good ICT infrastructure is vulnerable to natural disasters. This is when the benefits of satellite connectivity are most apparent. Obtaining bandwidth from satellite providers is also a viable option for Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA) where laying fibre cables is difficult.
In addition to these initiatives, the Philippine Space Council (PSC) has recently presented updates on the Agency’s progress in carrying out its functions in accordance with the Philippine Space Act. These include advancements in research and development, capacity-building, international cooperation and policy, and the expansion of the local space industry through coordinated inter-agency efforts aimed at strengthening the local space ecosystem.
In 2021, the Agency has continued to focus on making the country a good place for innovation in space science and technology applications (SSTA) by improving access, sharing resources, and making SSTA policies.
ISKUELA (Inclusive, SSTA, Knowhow, Utilization, Exchange, and Localization Activities) is the main goal of the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) for the year 2022. Cascading PhilSA’s know-how and extending it to various sectors of Philippine society, from the academic world and government agencies to industry and the private sector would result in an increase in the value of the country’s existing space capabilities.
The expansion of local initiatives in the space industry was one of the most important takeaways from the Philippine research. The INCENTIVISE project -Introducing Non-Geostationary Satellite Constellations Test Deployments to Improve Internet Service – was launched by the PhilSA late last year, and is currently in the process of being put into action.
In accordance with the Agency’s mandate to develop and put into practice national and international space policies, PhilSA has been working toward ratifying and adhering to the United Nations’ liability and registration conventions. This is in addition to the Agency’s mandate to develop and implement national and international space policies.
A multi-stakeholder consultation was also conducted that took place in the latter half of 2021, all participants from different government bodies voiced their agreement with the proposition to ratify the UN Treaties.
It was also emphasised that PhilSA participates in a variety of national government task forces and committees, which demonstrates the government’s growing reliance on SSTA through the mobilisation of space data in the areas of national security, environmental conservation, food security, and livelihood. Towards this aim, the Agency is continually working to improve public access to SSTA resources and the sharing of those resources by increasing the country’s efficiency in gaining access to a variety of satellite research.
The creation of the Philippine Space Council was authorised by the Philippine Space Act (Rep. Act No. 11363) as the primary advisory body for the coordination and integration of policies, programmes, and resources affecting space science and technology applications.
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