GovTech and NUS will also launch a programme to facilitate personnel exchanges

The Government Technology Agency of Singapore and National University of Singapore, announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) to develop innovation and technology capabilities within public agencies.

The cornerstone of the agreement is a pledge from NUS to train at least 2,000 public servants annually to help them use data-science in their jobs. The goal is to eventually train around 10,000 people under the agreement.

“This will help us improve and quicken our efforts in building Singapore into a Smart Nation. We look forward to working with more parties to make this happen,” said Jacqueline Poh, the GovTech Chief Executive in an official statement.

Also Read: Singapore govt establishes Smart Nation and Digital Government Group in the Prime Minister’s Office

The government agency plans to sign many more MOIs like this in the future (this is the eighth agreement between GovTech and the city’s higher-education institutes since February).

Other agreements

The two parties plan to launch a GovTech-NUS Exchange Programme that will facilitate workers to be transferred and ‘attached’ to the other’s organisation. The idea is to help NUS develop processes to strengthen cybersecurity while simultaneously allowing the public sector to find innovative solutions in the fields of AI, cybersecurity and data science.

“Our exciting collaboration with GovTech will train the country’s public officers in the meaningful interpretation and use of big data, and enable a broad and deep exchange of ideas and talent,” said NUS Deputy President (Academic Affairs) and Provost Tan Eng Chye.

“This new partnership will deepen the technological capabilities of public sector agencies, and be the springboard for co-created innovative solutions to pressing issues of national concern,” he added.

There will also be a focus on training students to be prepared to enter the workforce as well as initiatives to share information on technology projects.

Also Read: Singapore, Bangalore climb down the world startup ecosystem ranking as two Chinese cities rise to the top

GovTech is a statutory board formed in October 2016 following the restructuring of the Infocomm Development Authority. This month, the agency was part of another restructuring that placed it within the Smart Nation and Digital Government Office.

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