From July 14 to 16, 2024, the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, visited Central America and announced $35.75 million in development funding and $5.4 million in humanitarian funding, met with counterparts and saw first-hand the impact of Canadian development projects in Guatemala and Honduras. Minister Hussen began his program in Guatemala with a visit to a migrant and refugee assistance centre, where he heard from representatives of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Guatemalan Red Cross and the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), as well as from local authorities and migrants about the challenges migrants face in their journeys. These partners protect and improve the living conditions of women and girls affected by migration and forced displacement, through services ranging from immediate health and protection services to help for starting local businesses. At Guatemala City’s San Juan de Dios Hospital, accompanied by representatives of Guatemala’s Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance and the Tula Foundation, Minister Hussen saw Tula’s Kawok digital health platform in action. Kawok supports community health workers, nurses, doctors, supervisors and epidemiologists in their daily work. The Tula Kawok digital health platform provides community-level care in remote regions and monitors thousands of pregnant…
The U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity (USAMMDA) has successfully completed rigorous environmental testing of its arctic shelter kit and support systems at the McKinley Climatic Laboratory (MCL) at Eglin Air Force Base. The five-day program, conducted from July 11-15, 2024, exposed the equipment to extreme cold temperatures as low as minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit and hurricane-force winds. In collaboration with industry partners and MCL test engineers, USAMMDA advanced developers subjected multiple shelter kits and support systems to a range of simulated arctic conditions. The goal was to assess the equipment’s ability to withstand the harsh realities of an arctic environment and identify areas for improvement. “We are testing to make sure that the systems will even work under these extreme conditions. At such cold temperatures, screens and fabrics can crack, water will flash-freeze, oils and adhesives can dry and fail, and engines can potentially freeze and not function,” said Jack Philpott, an assistant program manager with USAMMDA’s Soldier Medical Devices Project Management Office. “We also captured temperature data on the shelters, determining how well the systems will keep personnel and casualties warm, looking for leaks, cold spots, and other potential weaknesses and limitations.” The MCL’s unique capabilities, including its…
Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for Community and Corporate Affairs, Nararya Soeprapto, graced the inauguration ceremony of the office of ASEAN-India Project Management Unit (AIPMU) as Chief Guest at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat this month. DSG Nararya also delivered remarks on behalf of Secretary-General of ASEAN. The event was organised at the initiative of the Indian Mission to ASEAN and participated by Ambassador of India to ASEAN, Jayant N. Khobragade, as well as members of the Committee of Permanent of Representatives to ASEAN or their representatives, ASEAN Secretariat, the Indian Mission staff and invited guests. The operationalisation of the AIPMU in Jakarta is expected to greatly enhance coordination and collaboration between ASEAN and India in various sectors of cooperation.
Infosys Public Services, a subsidiary of Infosys, has been awarded a contract by the Delaware Department of Labor to modernize the state’s unemployment insurance tax, benefits, and appeals programs. The company will also develop a new system for the state’s paid family medical leave program. Infosys will implement its LaborForce solution, a Salesforce-based enterprise labor system, to streamline operations, enhance customer service, and improve the overall efficiency of the Delaware Department of Labor. This cloud-native solution will enable the department to adapt quickly to changing economic conditions and strengthen its security posture. Karryl Hubbard, Secretary, Delaware Department of Labor, said, “Facing an aging legacy system characterized by manual processes, incorrect dates and delays, we needed to transform customer experience, optimize and streamline operational processes and provide a technology platform enabling rapid response to quickly changing economic scenarios and an ever evolving federal and state regulatory environment. We are thrilled to collaborate with Infosys Public Services to implement Infosys LaborForce and vastly improve the services we provide.” Lax Gopisetty, President and CEO, Infosys Public Services, said, “We are honored and excited to work with the Delaware Department of Labor and help them navigate their implementation journey with Infosys LaborForce. The solution has been…
The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Finance announced the launch of a series of transformative projects designed to propel the nation towards a future-oriented, globally competitive economy. Aligned with the ambitious “We the UAE 2031” vision, these initiatives aim to solidify the UAE’s position as a global hub for the new economy within the next decade. The projects are specifically crafted to deliver rapid, impactful results across various sectors. They directly support the government’s foresight objectives and financial goals outlined in “We the UAE 2031,” with a focus on achieving key national indicators that positively influence society and the country’s industries. His Excellency Mohamed Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, highlighted that the UAE, in its second 50-year journey, prioritises developing governmental work to be able to meet the future requirements of the nation by adopting new methodologies and ways of working through the digital transformation. He noted that these are pursued by the UAE to achieve a quantum leap in project implementation, budget preparation, and resource management. His Excellency emphasised the Ministry’s efforts to develop government services by focusing on areas that enhance the competitiveness of the economic environment and its ability to attract foreign investments….
The Association for Project Management (APM) has received exciting news, being shortlisted in three categories for the prestigious Memcom Excellence Awards 2024. Celebrating Excellence in the Membership Sector Organised by Memcom, a leadership network dedicated to the professional membership sector, the annual awards recognise outstanding achievements and innovative practices within membership organisations. The awards celebrate the dedication and creativity that fuels the success of these organisations and the individuals who lead them. APM’s Shortlisted Categories: APM’s strong showing in the Memcom Excellence Awards signifies its commitment to excellence across various areas: A Commitment to Value and Impact The Memcom Excellence Awards ceremony will be held on September 26th, 2024, in London. This event serves to celebrate organisations like APM that demonstrably enhance value for their profession and contribute positively to society as a whole. APM’s shortlistings are a testament to their dedication to excellence in both internal initiatives and industry leadership.
Civil engineering surveying and project management professions to gain from newly signed ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ The Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Association for Project Management (APM), to facilitate collaboration between the two organisations that will benefit professionals in both specialisms. This MoU provides a basis for joint action in areas of common interest to those in the project management and civil engineering surveying industries, as well as the general public. These include continuing professional development, education, member services, conferences and training. In addition to encouraging ongoing constructive dialogue between the two organisations, the MOU will foster increased cooperation on matters of interest and future collaboration on areas such as policy initiatives. The MoU was signed by APM’s chief executive, Professor Adam Boddison OBE, and CICES chief executive, Simon Hamlyn. Adam Boddison said: ‘The Association for Project Management is committed to creating a world in which all projects succeed – because when projects succeed, society benefits. ‘The best way to realise this vision is through collaboration with organisations that share similar values and aspirations, so I’m delighted that APM is partnering with CICES. ‘Our partnership will bring together the best…
Researchers at Flinders University are pioneering a new era in public health with the development of SMART-PH, the first AI-driven platform designed to tackle complex healthcare issues in Australia. This critical initiative, funded by a $2.9 million grant from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), comes in response to the growing strain on healthcare systems due to factors like chronic diseases, natural disasters, and unequal access to health services. “The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the power of innovative AI to drive real-time public health data, improving the speed and reach of public health interventions to diverse populations in Australia, allowing agile responses by industry and the healthcare sector to ‘stop the spread’. “We want to employ the same principles to construct a cohesive public health framework that unites relevant authorities, healthcare institutions, and laboratories to be more efficient, more agile and more effective. “SMART-PH will function as a common digital infrastructure to eliminate data siloes and improve healthcare decision making by enabling real-time collaboration and communication of information. “With diligent planning and meticulous implementation, SMART-PH could improve the quality, efficiency, equity, accessibility, and resilience of our health system,” she adds. SMART-PH: A Collaborative Approach SMART-PH (DigitiSing InforMAtion for PRacTice in Public…
Aurigo Software, a software firm for capital planning and construction management solutions, announces significant upgrades to Aurigo Essentials, its user-friendly project management system designed specifically for local and regional public agencies in North America. Originally launched in 2019, Essentials empowers public works departments, water authorities, transit agencies, and other government entities to efficiently plan and execute capital programs, ensuring timely delivery of infrastructure and facilities to their communities. As an added benefit, agencies in the United States and Canada can now leverage a free 30-day trial to experience the platform firsthand before committing. Addressing the Public Sector’s Growing Need The United States Census Bureau reports that the public sector accounts for roughly a quarter of all construction spending nationwide. However, local agencies often face tight technology budgets and limited resources compared to their state and federal counterparts. This can make it challenging to find solutions that align with both their specific needs and financial constraints. “With our latest release, we have transformed Essentials, powered by AI and a new mobile app, to deliver transparency, efficiency, and affordability to local agencies,” said Balaji Sreenivasan, CEO and founder of Aurigo Software. “The release includes a public portal that enhances transparency and a…
The Pemba City Council (CMCP) in Mozambique and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) signed a landmark agreement yesterday to enhance the city’s waste management capabilities. This collaborative effort, valued at approximately 63 million meticais (roughly $1 million USD), will focus on acquiring essential solid waste collection equipment for Pemba’s downtown area. The official signing ceremony, held at the Pemba Hotel Express on June 26th, 2024, was attended by prominent figures including UNDP representative Samuel Akera. Pemba Mayor Satar Abdulgani expressed his gratitude to UNDP and other UN agencies like OIM, UN-HABITAT, OCHA, and PMA for their continued support of local development initiatives. He emphasized the importance of this partnership, which stemmed from extensive discussions aligning with the Pemba City Council’s current priorities. “We, the Pemba City Council, receive with gratitude this gesture of partnership and would like to invite all other United Nations agencies and civil society organizations to follow this example,” he stated highlighting the Council’s commitment to the efficient and sustainable use of the acquired equipment, aiming to extend your useful life.” The ceremony also provided an opportunity for the Pemba Municipality to showcase its ongoing efforts in areas like waste management, road maintenance, licensing regulations, and…
