The objective of the SMU-TCS iCity Lab is harnessing technology to put people at the centre of city management. Mr. TEO Chin Seng, Executive Director of iCity Lab, highlighted the research plan for the Lab and explained in detail how the lab would create futuristic solutions for delivering citizen services and managing the city of future. The Lab will collaborate with TCS innovation Labs on research and development in the areas of cloud computing, mobile applications, business analytics to enhance the governance experience of city administrators and living experience for citizens in Asia and Worldwide. The Lab will also formulate strategies and business models for cloud-based platforms.
In addition, the SMU-TCS iCity Lab will offer scholarships for qualified SMU post-graduate students currently studying in the Master of IT in Business (MITB) programme, as well as provide research funding for SMU faculty. Scholarship recipients will use their MITB Capstone stage to work on exciting projects to develop new and powerful visual data analytics and applications which will then be showcased at the Experience Centre.
TCS Chief Executive Mr N . Chandra, who jointly officiated the inauguration ceremony with SMU President, Professor Arnoud De Meyer, congratulated the parties involved in the successful tie-up between SMU and TCS. He said, “ Big Data, Mobility, Social and digital media, Cloud computing are the hot technology trends bringing in tremendous change in business and lifestyle and that gives us huge opportunities. We are working on such technologies across the globe and engaged with customers with innovative solutions. There will be newer technologies as we go forward which will bring up newer opportunities. We need to be geared up for the change and ensure that we stay ahead in the innovation curve. I strongly believe that the SMU-TCS iCity lab can do it and I wish them all the very best.”
SMU President, Professor Arnoud De Meyer, said, “The iCity project is a bold step towards applying technology to help cities become more effective and efficient in addressing and serving the needs of their populations. We can look forward to the innovativeness of the work being undertaken as part of this joint effort. There will be risks to manage and uncertainties to navigate around but overcoming such hurdles constitutes the spirit and essence of innovation. I am confident that the dynamism and capabilities of SMU and TCS will create a synergistic and catalytic force to generate novel ideas and new platforms which will provide the foundation for the better planning and management of cities, and for improving the lives of urban residents in future decades.”