Bangkok--1 Oct--IBM
Project is part of the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge grant to help cities find smarter solutions for urban issues
IBM announced its collaboration with Khon Kaen Province in Thailand, to work on the city’s two key priorities through the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge grant. Under the grant, a team of executives from IBM will work with city officials to develop strategies to help Khon Kaen to become a preferred MICE city supported by Smarter Traffic and Smarter Public Safety Management, and to be the country’s hub for Data Analytics education. Work will begin on 1 November, and the IBM team will present their findings report at the end of the month.
Launched in 2011, the Smarter Cities Challenge is a three-year, 100-city US$50 million programme. It is IBM's single-largest philanthropic initiative, which funds in-person engagements staffed by teams of top IBM experts, who study and then make detailed recommendations addressing locally important urban issues. Khon Kaen was one of the 2013 winning cities to receive the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge grant (#smartercities).
“Khon Kaen Province has long been a business hub of the northeastern region. As Thailand is entering a new era through international economic integration, we have to address technological changes, and cope with the challenges of globalisation. Officials and private organisations have been supporting the move to make Khon Kaen one of the leading cities in ASEAN within the decade, “ said Mr. Somsak Suwansucharit, Governor of Khon Kaen province. “We see the potential for Khon Kaen to be a centre for the MICE industry (meetings, incentive travel, conferences and exhibitions), as well as data analytics education. We are excited to work with IBM through the Smarter Cities Challenge programme.”
Under the Data Analytics Education project, the team of IBMers will work with Khon Kaen University to deliver a strategic roadmap to build a centre for education and research in big data and analytics, as well as mobile technologies. This centre will lead the local and international academic institutions from Kon Kaen University’s network in providing IBM coursework and knowledge sharing opportunities. Moreover, this learning centre will provide consulting services on data analytics to government agencies and private organisations for social development and business purposes.
The project of Smarter Traffic and Smarter Public Safety Management will see the IBM team working closely with the Khon Kaen Municipality to uncover and develop a plan to transform the traffic and public safety systems in the city, which will be key competitive advantages to becoming a preferred MICE city.
“Khon Kaen is considered one of the key strategic cities in Thailand. The city’s commitment to improving the quality of living and education is well aligned to IBM’s Smarter Planet vision. We are pleased to share the talent and expertise of top-performing IBM leaders with the city of Khon Kaen,” said Parnsiree Amatayakul, Managing Director of IBM Thailand. “Especially in the area of data analytics education, we strongly believe in developing and growing the local talent pool, and have actively supported numerous academic initiatives projects and activities throughout the country.”
Other cities in Thailand that have benefited from the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge grant include the following:
In 2012, IBM provided expert counsel to Chonburi, where IBM outlined a traffic management and public safety plan for its Pattaya city and suggested ways for its Laem Chabang port to become a major logistics hub and gateway to countries in the Mekong Sub-region.
Chiang Mai won the grant in 2011, the IBM team focused on Smarter Healthcare and Smarter Food. Smarter Healthcare was focused on making both Chiang Mai and the University Medical clinic a medical hub as well as improving hospital efficiencies. Smarter Food was focused on creating insight on agriculture data for farmers, helping with pricing, weather forecasting, crop supply and demand, and the branding of Chiang Mai produce.