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MoU signed to promote data-driven innovations in the public sector of Mongolia

7 September 2021

 

The Lloyd’s Register Foundation Institute for the Public Understanding of Risk (IPUR) at the National University of Singapore signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Academy of Governance (NAOG) of Mongolia to promote data-driven innovations in the public sector of Mongolia.

The signatory from IPUR was its Director, Professor Koh Chan Ghee, and the signatory from NAOG of Mongolia was its Rector, Dr Surenchimeg Dulamsuren ,during the virtual ceremony on 6 September. The event was also attended by Mr Erdenebaatar Dolgion, Advisor, Prime Minister of Mongolia.

The collaboration will see both outfits:

  1. Co-design a short term virtual training programme on the use of data and behavioural insights for public policy and risk communications.
  2. Build capabilities of the relevant authority through short-term advisory support.
  3. Co-creating a case study on Mongolia’s public sector transformation.

The Institute for the Public Understanding of Risk has been at the forefront of data innovation in Asia, partnering the public sector to harness the power of data for evidence-informed policy-making and risk communications. We bring the best-in-class talent and tools to this strategic partnership with the Mongolian government. Our common mission is to build up capabilities in the science of analytics and the art of implementation, that will lead to the vision of better lives and livelihoods for the Mongolian people.”

Spearheading the effort will be Asst Prof Reuben Ng, IPUR Lead Scientist in Data and Technology. Asst Prof Ng noted that the “common mission is to build up capabilities in the science of analytics and the art of implementation, that will lead to the vision of better lives and livelihoods for the Mongolian people.”

“We will bring the best-in-class talent and tools to this strategic partnership with the Mongolian government,” he added.

Prof Koh, in his address, said the partnership will be a key focus area for IPUR in terms of training and outreach over the 12 months and beyond. “We are keen to support Mongolian Government officials in capacity building in terms of data literacy and risk communication through masterclasses and data innovation labs that will encourage and test out innovative ideas.”

Dr Surenchimeg said in her address that the project was “vital in developing digital transformation in Mongolia”. Noting that Singapore was one of the leading countries in digital transformation, she expressed her excitement at the collaboration which would see the exchange of digital knowledge, practices and experiences to Mongolia.

The one-year partnership will see IPUR and NAOG commit to do capacity building in terms of data literacy and risk communication through Blended Innovation Masterclasses that look at strategic and technical perspectives of data policy and artificial intelligence. A Data Innovation Laboratory programme will be developed to actualise ideas and innovations from the masterclasses and translate them into projects and initiatives that help shape the data and technology landscape in the country. The Masterclasses and Data Innovation Laboratory programme are targeted at about 300 mid-senior government officials in Mongolia.

The signing was reported on NUS News.