imbX2007 To Explore Digital Convergence

Business visionaries, Government leaders, policy regulators and professionals will be congregating at this year's Infocomm Media Business Exchange (imbX) to discuss emerging Convergent issues and applications in the infocomm and Internet industries. imbX2007 is Asia's largest infocomm and media event and will take place from 18-22 June 2007 in Singapore.

The topic of choice for 2007 is 'Digital Convergence in Reality', which will be explore in depth by the international ICT community. The New Media Conference will examine the impact of user-generated content and its influence on traditional broadcasters and the media sector. The IPTV Forum will feature insights from operators, technology and content providers on the deployment and marketing of IPTV services in Asia. The Mobile TV Forum will showcase case studies and business models from successful mobile TV trials from different parts of the world, as well as addressing standardisation and content delivery issues.

For the third consecutive year, imbX will also host the Ministerial Forum on ICT Ministerial forum, a closed-door meeting for Ministers and senior government officials throughout the Asia-Pacific and Middle Eastern regions. This year, these dignitaries will discuss the impact of new technologies on socio-economic developments and public policy. The theme will be "Web 2.0: Rise of the Empowered User".

June 2007 marks the one-year milestone for Singapore's ICT master plan, iN2015, which was announced at imbX last year. The iN2015 master plan lays the groundwork for a seamless, secured and intelligent infocomm infrastructure that empowers the various vertical sectors such as healthcare, financial services, tourism, education, media and government with the opportunity to tap into the global networked economy. The master plan seeks to bridge the digital divide, and to create opportunities for all in Singapore, including the elderly, less privileged and people with disability.

"imbX was indeed a fitting platform for us in launching Singapore's 10-year infocomm masterplan in June last year. This year, as we mark the first anniversary of iN2015's launch at imbX 2007, I am happy to share that we are beginning to realise the infocomm benefits of the masterplan," said Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Chief Executive Officer, Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA).

imbX will also be the venue for a series of thought leadership forums and inter-government meetings, including the iX2007 Conference, CommunicAsia2007 Summit, BroadcastAsia2007 International Conference and the Asia Pacific Media Regulatory Roundtable. This is in addition to the established exhibitions of CommunicAsia, EnterpriseIT and BroadcastAsia. Taking up a total of eight halls at Singapore Expo, 2,320 exhibiting companies will be demonstrating cutting-edge technologies in the telecommunications, networks, enterprise solutions and entertainment arenas.

CG Overdrive (or Computer Graphics Overdrive) will also be held in conjunction for the first time - a reflection of the exploding interest in animation and demand for made-in-Asia animated content. One of the key highlights of CG Overdrive is a knowledge-centric conference that will address topics such as character animation techniques, character modeling and production of CG cinematics for gamers. High-definition (HD) TV studio will be a much-anticipated highlight at BroadcastAsia this year. The fully-functional 100 square metre studio is equipped with state-of-the-art HD equipment that showcases the end-to-end technology of this emerging new application.

Innovations in key enabling technologies such as Broadband/Wireless, Fixed-mobile convergence, 3G/HSDPA to be showcased at the CommunicAsia exhibition will bring visitors closer to Digital Convergence. Among the technologies taking centre stage at BroadcastAsia will be compelling content geared for non-traditional screen outlets (such as the mobile and other handheld devices); while content leveraging the latest in computer graphics know-how will further enrich the Convergent experience. Enterprises seeking to sharpen their competitive edge can look towards EnterpriseIT for emerging Convergent IT solutions to support staff mobility, enhance network security and optimize operational efficiencies.

"CommunicAsia, BroadcastAsia, EnterpriseIT, InteractiveDME have established a firm reputation as the go-to trade shows for ICT and broadcasting industry professionals looking for the latest, critical technologies that are driving the world forward and changing the way we live. We have built the ideal platform for exhibitors from the telecommunications, broadcasting and the computing industries to showcase their leading-edge enabling technologies on Digital Convergence to the global market," said Mr Stephen Tan, Chief Executive of Singapore Exhibition Services.

The Government has selected five schools to pioneer its new FutureSchools@Singapore programme that will see more widespread use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to spearhead innovative teaching approaches.

Students at Canberra Primary School, Crescent Girls' School, Jurong Secondary and Hwa Chong Institution along with those attending a new primary school, Beacon Primary School, will harness the capability of ICT to facilitate connectivity, interaction and collaboration in their education.

Rear Admiral Lui Tuck Yew, Minister of State for Education, shares a learning experience with local students at the launch of the FutureSchools program

While computers are already found in schools in offices, libraries and classrooms the new program will go a step further by incorporating ICT across all subjects and years, announced Rear Admiral Lui Tuck Yew, Minister of State for Education at the launch of the FutureSchools program.

Rear Admiral Lui said that the five schools were chosen from 26 proposals received by the Ministry of Education (MOE). The criteria was based on their proposed teaching and learning programmes showing how ICT can be effectively integrated into the curriculum, readiness of the school leadership, staff and culture and the innovativeness and effectiveness of the physical learning environment to support innovative approaches to teaching and learning. Rear Admiral Lui said that they aim to have 15 FutureSchools by 2015 based on the experiences garnered and shared by the pioneer five.

While the project will not be cheap - Canberra Primary, for example, has spent nearly S$200,000 on equipment such as tablet PCs, interactive whiteboards and broadband Internet access - funding will be made available from the Government and industry partners although no exact figures are available.

Rear Admiral Lui said that infocomm technology can be used to support innovative approaches to teaching and learning

Students at Canberra Primary are able to solve puzzles in spelling and science on a touch screen whiteboard and remote devices. Blogging is also part of some English lessons with teachers moderating the posts to ensure that things like cyber-bullying do not occur. Teachers on the other hand are empowered with tools such as 3-D software, games and digital music players to teach subjects including English, Chinese, mathematics and science.

The MOE plans to examine and apply aspects of what Canberra and other schools learn to other institution and will provide the consultants and training to staff to help more schools integrate technology into their curriculum.

The two primary FutureSchools will follow existing school admission procedures for all primary schools while the secondary schools will also follow existing procedures based on merit. Rear Admiral Lui also assured parents that while innovative education programmes that fully leverage on ICT will be a characteristic of the schools, the FutureSchools will stay focused on MOE's core goals in education, and develop students holistically keeping an eye on the students' emotional and social development. "The FutureSchools will also plan lessons around the national curriculum, preparing students for national exams, namely, the Primary School Leaving Examination, GCE "N", "O" and "A" Levels," he added.

With the first five FutureSchools@Singapore announced by the MOE, the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) has issued a Call-for-Collaboration (CFC) inviting industry partners to form consortia to architect, develop and deploy full solutions for the FutureSchools@Singapore programme. The CFC's objective is to generate an open exchange of ideas and possibilities, and foster greater collaboration among industry partners to meet the needs of FutureSchools@Singapore. Through the CFC, industry partners can look to enjoy R&D and intellectual property (IP) creation opportunities arising from FutureSchools@Singapore.

This year's National Infocomm Competition (NIC) brings together nine existing and three brand new infocomm challenges to attract infocomm talents.

Mr Leong Keng Thai, Deputy Chief Executive & Director-General (Telecoms) of IDA said that Singapore is seeing increasing success from the Government's efforts in promoting Singapore as an infocomm hub

With Singapore's Second National Infocomm Competition, organisers are expecting even more competition and interest from schools and students.

An initiative launched by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) in line with the Singapore Government's iN2015 vision, the annual NIC seeks to attract top talent from schools to form part of the future infocomm talent pool needed to drive Singapore's global competitiveness. Supported by the Ministry of Education, the NIC is jointly organised with three Universities, five Polytechnics, ITE, Singapore Computer Society, Singapore Institute of Management, SUN Microsystems and Singapore Science Centre.

This year, the NIC brings together nine existing and three brand new infocomm challenges to expose budding talent to "hot" growth areas such as mobile technologies, security, robotics and software programming. Up to 2,500 students are expected to participate, an increase from the 2,000 students from some 100 schools who participated last year.

Competitors will be divided into three circuits depending on whether they are from secondary schools, junior colleges or polytechnics/ institutes of technical education (ITEs). To emerge winners in each circuit, schools will have to accumulate points for each challenge. Points will be given to the top six positions in each challenge and the school which accumulates the highest number of points in each circuit will emerge as the circuit champion

This year, more than S$300,000 worth of cash and prizes are up for grabs including Sony PlayStation 3 sets, XBOX 360 game consoles, iPod MP3 players, digital cameras and mobile phones. The circuit champions can also look forward to an all-expense paid trip to top infocomm companies where they get to meet key executives and learn about the latest trends in infocomm. The circuit champions of last year's NIC will be going on an all-expense paid trip to Redmond, Microsoft's headquarters and meet with its key executives to learn more about innovations for the future. They will also get to meet Bill Gates, in an exclusive meet and greet session for these aspiring infocomm professionals.

Mr Harin S Grewal, Deputy Director of Manpower Development, IDA shared that to attract infocomm talents, this year's National Infocomm Competition will bring together nine existing and three brand new infocomm challenges

According to Mr Leong Keng Thai, Deputy Chief Executive & Director-General (Telecoms) of IDA, "Singapore is seeing increasing success from the Government's efforts in promoting Singapore as an infocomm hub. Google, Lucasfilm and Yahoo are setting up bases here that will provide aspiring infocomm professionals a host of opportunities".

Mr Leong also touched on the Government's plans to ensure that all Singaporeans can leverage infocomm to embrace a digital lifestyle. The Next-Generation National (NGN) Broadband Network will increase broadband speeds ultimately to 1Gbps or beyond, more than 200 times faster than what is commonly used today. "The speedier access will allow large video files, even high-definition ones to zip through networks, and make online connections more seamless and without lag," Mr Leong added.

Mr Leong also added that more important than the infrastructure coming in the future are the innovations and possibilities that can be enabled. "The infocomm industry has put in a sterling performance. Its revenue grew from $38 billion in 2005 to cross the $40 billion mark for the first time in 2006. Such growth can only spell more job opportunities for aspiring infocomm professionals like you," he encouraged.

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