Earlier this week, I'd joined in the ESG Trade Mission in Dubai with Samuel, Anderson and his SSGV folks, spent a good 2 days understanding the UAE Education and TAE landscape and the training needs of the businesses here. Also, spent some time catching up with Anderson, and a few others. I am very thankful for a supportive boss in SJ, for this, is in a sense, job-crafting, and of learning. The more I can connect the dots, understand the local landscape, the TAE businesses and the needs of the businesses here, the more I feel my work is meaningful.
With their Ministry of Higher Ed - and they are inspired by our SkillsFuture Movement.
The group visited so many different training institutions, local government agencies, businesses (including conglomerates), and discussed skills-in-demand, skills supply and skilled manpower issues. All these point towards one key thing - skills fuel an industry, an economy. The skills development agenda in UAE is 2-fold - a focus on the Emriatis, and then on the foreign workforce. Their government's key challenge is Emiratisation. Throughout the discussions and conversations, there was also great interest in training relating to Data analytics, Blockchain, Smart solutions applications, Digital Skills, AI applications, etc.This mirrors the skills-in-demand in Singapore as well as other parts of the world.
Of course - there's so much to talk about. Just thankful that I was able to join in a part of this trip, and I gleaned a lot out of it.
And then, I joined in the Abu Dhabi FinTech Summit 2018 today (and perhaps tmr). :)
Super glad to be able to join in last minute, and saw Abu Dhabi Global Markets (ADGM) organise their 2nd summit, with today's focus on FinTech Innovation. The CEO and ED are Singaporeans - and explained that the event would provide a strategic platform for financial institutions,start-ups, investors, regulators and the business community to network, collaborate and exchange knowledge.
For me, relating to Futures Office work - 3 things struck:
First, it is about solving a problem (making life less burdensome, more convenient, frictionless, seamless); Second, that innovation leverages technology (think faster, cheaper, better); Third, sandboxes create that space for innovation and the ecosystem to enable the start-up to succeed is very important.
Day 1 centered around the various FinTech start-ups, their ideas and solutions at the ADGM RegLab. The ADGM RegLab provides a controlled environment to allow FinTech innovation to be tested without being subjected to the full suite of regulatory requirements. The safeguards thus allow FinTech start-ups to explore and develop FinTech Solutions in a risk-free and cost-effective environment. Saw a few of these firms today - including those that focus on Robo-Advisory platforms, AI in Digital IDs, Credit Risk Assessments, Digital Lending Platform, etc.
There were also Masterclasses on AI and Blockchain (IBM Blockchain Platform), etc.
One thing is for sure - there is great innovation and disruption and change is here.
@FO, we are looking at what the Future of Health, Finance, and Software / ICT would be like for SG100. Hence for me, it is also imperative that I become acquainted with such concepts (and its language too), and the technological areas. As I am visual - the seeing makes everything more impactful. :)
And oh - I also had a chat with this super innovative firm who had an idea to provide web access for the sea and ocean.
So... this week has been great. :)
I am definitely resettled back into the AD life. Even the summer seems to be treating me kindly (and I don't feel it is as scorching or as humid compared to last year). I am looking forward to the last quarter of this year, where some of our FO projects and work will see some fruition.
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