Upskilling ASEAN & Asia: Collaborative Training for Regional Progress

In supporting IPOS’ initiatives to strengthen regional collaboration among ASEAN nations, IPOS International recognises that training initiatives play a crucial role. These initiatives not only facilitate knowledge exchange but also enhance regional economic development by equipping individuals with skills to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

IPOS International as a Training Partner under the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP)

IPOS International, through the IP Academy, works closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Singapore (MFA). It serves as one of the local training partners delivering selected training programmes under the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) for foreign government officials, including those from the ASEAN region. Established in 1992, the SCP provides technical assistance to developing nations, offering courses, workshops, and study visits designed to share Singapore’s expertise in various fields. Each year, the SCP conducts over 250 programmes across several key themes and training initiatives.

Key Initiatives and Focus Areas under the SCP

Thematic Training Clusters:

Thematic training courses form the bulk of the SCP training offerings. They are categorised into several focus areas, including digitalisation, trade and economy, sustainability, education, leadership, and governance. IPOS International has partnered closely with MFA to conduct several training courses under the digitalisation and trade and economy clusters of programmes for the past few years. Key programmes for participants from all regions, including ASEAN countries, include:

Fintech Governance: Building a Sustainable Future of Finance

This course equips participants with the latest insights into Fintech developments, adoption strategies, and regulatory challenges. Participants learn to sustain an environment that balances the benefits and risks of Fintech.

Transforming Public Service with the Power of AI

This course provides an understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI), enabling participants to stay current with technological changes and implement new operational methods to better serve the public.

Industry 4.0 and Innovation Management

Participants explore the evolving innovation landscape, the transformative potential of emerging technologies, and Singapore’s strategies for harnessing innovation to achieve sustainable economic growth in a knowledge-based economy.

Creating a Business-Friendly Regulatory Environment for Economic Growth

This course offers Singapore’s insights on the evolving regulatory landscape and strategies for designing and implementing regulatory environments that promote social benefits and minimise adverse impacts on businesses and investments.

Caption: Transforming Public Service with the Power of AI – Participants during a learning journey to The GEAR (Kajima Lab) observed how real-time data optimisation enhanced the indoor environment, gaining insights into smart building technologies. [Photo Credit: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore]

Third Country Training Programmes (TCTP):

Singapore collaborates with other developed countries, including the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK), Japan, Australia, and Korea, to co-organise training programmes for developing nations under the SCP. Over recent years, IPOS International has worked with these countries to deliver courses for ASEAN participants:

• Singapore-US TCTP: Adapting IP Laws to Promote Innovation and Creativity in New Technologies
• Singapore-US TCTP: IP and the Digital Economy
• Singapore-UK TCTP: Intellectual Property (IP) Enforcement Seminar
• Singapore-UK TCTP: Workshop on IP, Innovation and the Digital Economy
• Japan-Singapore Partnership Programme for the 21st Century (JSPP21): Fostering the Digital Economy through AI and Data Governance

Caption: Singapore-UK TCTP: Intellectual Property (IP) Enforcement Seminar – Participants engaged in group discussions and presentations.

Region-Specific Initiatives:

Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI):

The IAI aims to narrow the development gap within ASEAN by enhancing the capabilities of newer member states, such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Under this initiative, Singapore provides support by offering outbound courses at training centres such as the Laos-Singapore Cooperation Centre and the Vietnam-Singapore Cooperation Centre. IPOS International has supported this initiative under the Singapore-Japan IAI by conducting the Workshop on Intellectual Property (IP) Rights Enforcement & Policy annually since 2020.

Asia-Middle East Dialogue (AMED):

The training initiative under AMED involves cooperation with Qatar and Jordan to conduct courses at the Regional Training Centres in Doha and Amman, targeting ASEAN and other AMED member countries. IPOS International partners with MFA and Jordan to deliver an outbound session of the Transforming Public Service with the Power of Artificial Intelligence programme at the Regional Training Centre for Public Administration (RTCPA) in Doha, Qatar.

Caption: Asia-Middle East Dialogue (AMED): Transforming Public Service with the Power of Artificial Intelligence – A trainer led an interactive demonstration using VR technology to showcase cutting-edge AI applications, eliciting enthusiastic responses from the audience.