Applying Blockchain in Telecom - Technology Leaders magazine May 2019

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Blockchain

Tech Telecom in

NEWS

Emerging Trends to Embrace for Retail Supply Chain Leaders

Transport in 2040: how automation and technology will impact the future of work

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Home safety: Automatic fire alerts in Dubai soon

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EDITOR‘S NOTE

T

he digital world, as we know it, is changing the world every minute of every day. And thankfully, these emerging technologies are changing the world for the better.

One prominent player in this movement is the very powerful blockchain technology. With its slow, but definite, entry into the various sectors of the business world, it didn’t fail to catch the attention of even the huge industry of telecommunications.

Although the said industry is still experimenting on the effect blockchain can do to their system, they are not closing the doors to the potential profit and convenience it can possibly provide. From larger coverage to more secure data transactions, blockchain is truly relevant to the field.

With this technology, customers will be happier with the fast services their communication service providers (CSPs) are giving while the latter will be happier with the cost-effective method blockchain is providing them.

Network infrastructures will be altered for much-advanced coverage and service capabilities. Business models will also be adjusted to accommodate the features blockchain offers.

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Blockchain Disruptive Technology

More transparent and fraud-free transactions will be practiced between participating points in the blockchain system. Even simple switches from postpaid to prepaid will be available for costumers to enjoy.

The technology is not only transforming traditional CSPs, but it is also giving them the opportunity to control more than just mobile networks.

Imagine the Internet of Things (IoT) connected with this massive network. Imagine the capability and security it can provide. Imagine the impact this can do to the society’s current way of living.

Blockchain’s applications do not end there. A multitude of

other existent and potential projects for this technology is also underway. The possibilities are limitless. The near future is certainly the future of blockchain technology in the telecoms.

And we are surely excited to experience this stunning breakthrough.

Regional Office: LG Electronics Gulf FZE, P.O Box 61445, Dubai. Tel: +971 4 279 9222, UAE, Mr. Amjad Abu Alika, Tel: +971 50 450 9808, email: amjad.abualika@lge.com; Fortune International Trading LLC, Mr. Wail Halbouni, Tel: +971 50 481 3570, email: fortintl@emirates.net.ae; Ghantoot Trading, Mr. Nour Haboush, Tel: +971 50 109 4109, email: nour.h@ghantootgroup.ae; District Cooling Company, Mr. Ahmed Henedi, Tel: +971 50 658 4832, email: ahmed@districtcoolingcompany.com; Al Yousuf Electronics, Mr. Moitra, Tel: +971 50 457 6170, email: pmoitra@alyousuf.com; Bahrain, AJM Kooheji and Sons, Mr. Jayachandran, Tel: +973 36888801, email: v.jayachandran@ajmkooheji.com: Al Babtain Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Co., Mr. Naji Kataya, Tel: +965 5 051 5771, email: nkataya@albabtaingroup.com,kw; BLK, Mr. Imad Rhayel, Tel: +965 5 157 1229, email: irhayel@blk.com.kw; Oman, Oman Gulf Enterprise, Mr. Narender Kumar, Tel: +968 9 747 4505, email: narenderk@otegroup.com; Aspire Projects and Service, Mr. Vivek Wagh, Tel: +968 99357694, email: vivekwagh@aspireoman.com; Azerbaijan, NBC LLC., Mr. Elkhan Sadikhov, Tel: +994 50 216 3363, email: elkhan.sadikhov@nbc.com; Al-Con Maxiwell Group, Mr. Vagif Alexperov, Tel: + 994 50 216 2092, email: maxiwellbaku@inbox.ru; Armenia/Georgia, ARAY Gulf, Mr. Vilson Melikjanyan, Tel: +374 9 307 7755, email: vilson@aray.am; Yemen, Modern House Exhibition, Mr. Khaled Jabr, Tel: +967 71 172 0202, email: mail@mhe-yemen.com; Pakistan, Iceberg Industries (Lucky Goldstar), Mr. Imran Jamil Khan, Tel: +923 21 277 6100, email: ceo@icebergindustries.net

CON TENTS

NEWS

16 Blockchain: A Stunning Breakthrough in Telecom

32 Emerging Trends to Embrace for Retail Supply Chain Leaders

36 Transport in 2040: how automation and technology will impact the future of work

38 Home safety: Automatic fire alerts in Dubai soon

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F E AT U R E S T O RY

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How to Comply with Height Safety Regulations

46 265 Hectare Pasay Harbour Reclamation Project is bigger than Palm Jumeirah Dubai

54 Successful WORLDBEX Event for TOSOT Philippines

58 Is the Philippines Ready for Electric-Powered Jeepneys?

60 Top 6 Most Popular Universities In 2019

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S P E C IA L F E AT U R E

This Rechargeable Stand Fan is a Cost-Effective Cooling Solution in the Philippines With summer almost around the corner, portable air coolers are now taking the spotlight. Here’s everything you need to know and more why they are a definite buy this coming season.

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bout a third of the total energy consumed by the average home is solely dedicated to air conditioning.

In fact, Filipinos are addicted to aircon, using them even during the cold months of the year. And while this surely brings more comfort to the occupants especially during the merciless heat wave of the long summer days, it can also wreak havoc on their monthly electricity bills. It is a no-brainer how the regular use of aircon is already consuming a large portion of your bill. What more for an aircon open 24/7 during the hot days?

But have you asked yourselves this: does it need to be that expensive to feel comfy at home this summer season? Here are a few other reasons why switching to TOSOT Rechargeable Stand Fan will be the greatest decision you will ever make this summer.

It Lessens Your Monthly Bills While one fan may not be enough to suit your cooling needs when the temperature 8

starts spiking up, did you know that you can buy around five to six floor fans for the price of a single window type air conditioning unit? Of course, this may only be an approximate as the actual prices can vary,

but having six well-placed fans in a room can actually provide the same comfort an aircon can bring, and for a much lesser cost!

A regular electric fan in the Philippines has an estimated

cost per hour of about Php0.50 to Php0.70 in contrast with the Php2.00 to Php7.00 of the typical aircon used in Filipino homes.

Doing the math, six stand fans with an estimated cost per hour of Php0.70 can only amount to a total of Php4.20, far lesser than the maximum estimated cost per hour for aircon. This approximate may still vary depending on the speed settings and wattage output of your fans, but the difference between the costs of fans and aircon is still significantly greater.

It is Energy-efficient As reported by the Saving Electricity website, the hourly consumption of a medium-sized window type aircon is about 900 watts while a floor fan only consumes nearly 100 watts per hour. The smallest aircon does consume less energy (with about 750 watts per hour) but is still a significant burden in the electricity nonetheless.

Newer fans, on the other hand, are manufactured for around 60 watts consumption only. Inverter type ones are less eaters at about 30 watts consumption. With this fact alone, fans are obviously the better choice in terms of energy efficiency, with it being more than 10 times energy-efficient than typical aircon in the market.

It Is Environmentfriendly If you’re an environmental steward, fans are, of course, the crowd favorite. While the modern-day aircon did evolve to exclude harmful and toxic refrigerants in their systems, they can still affect the environment just by simply running all day long. Since most of the

electricity produced comes from carbon-rich coal, it is a great thing that fans are less electricity-eaters than aircon.

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S P E C IA L F E AT U R E

Why try TOSOT? While the above benefits may already be enough to make you switch to the fan side, this TOSOT rechargeable fan offers you even more. Manufactured with high quality and powerful cooling performance, TOSOT rechargeable fans comes with high efficiency and energy saving capabilities perfect to cool Filipino homes this summer. It comes with a built-in Lithium battery with a five-hour capacity that is suitable for places with frequent power interruptions throughout the year. Its adjustable height and stepless speed adjustments give more freedom and flexibility to the users.

Aside from its elegant stylish design, the stand fan is manufactured with a double mesh safety grill, a 360 waterproof protection, and the all-new generation ultra-slim fan head, making it both safe and attractive at the same time. Users will also love the handy infrared remote control that comes with the unit, together with its other features such as silent operation, soft and gentle wind blow, eight-hour timer, and its DC inverter motor that is known to consume even lesser electricity than AC motors.

Surely, we can never let go of air-conditioning units in our homes. But with the savings and benefits that come with TOSOT Rechargeable Stand Fan is undoubtedly your best bet for a 10

cheaper yet equally refreshing solution to beat this summer’s heat.

To find out the best rechargeable stand fan for your home, office or party event venue, visit TOSOT showroom located at 2162 FB Harrison St., San Jose, Pasay City, Philippines or call +632-8330000 to book an appointment. You may also visit their website (click here) to get more information about the best stand fan in the Philippines.

S P E C IA L F E AT U R E

PH Elected Officials Must Have This Lighting System During Election Filipino Politicians Should Have At least One Pelican RALS

It’s a privilege for the Filipino people to choose the country’s leader. This 2019, we will once again practice our right to vote. Everyone is involved which is apparent on social media where most people share their views and opinions. Even those who are loitering in the streets talk about their favorite candidates.

Sunday drinking sprees also become an avenue to share views and exchange ideas about a particular candidate’s platform.

Yes, Filipinos are very much 12

concerned about the future of our nation. Each one wants to make sure that their vote will not be wasted on the wrong candidate. But what worries most of them is the possible cheating which may mean that their votes intended for their candidate might go to another politician whom they do not like.

Aside from that, politicians and voters alike are anxious about what may transpire during the election day. It’s not just the result that worries everyone but the possibility of a power

outage which will conceivably have a huge impact on the turnout of votes as well as the end result of the election.

Power Outage During Election Brownout or blackouts is imminent in the Philippines, especially during an election.

Others believe that this is intentional while electric companies claim that this situation is inevitable. Many fear that the power interruptions will affect the poll outcome. Although many are complaining about this perennial problem, it appears that the government’s solution is not enough.

In 2016, the Luzon-based Power Task Force Election (PTFE) and the Mindanao Power Monitoring Committee (MPMC) were developed aiming to guard over 1,736 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

These groups also gave assurance of uninterrupted power to about 54 million voters. However, power outage still occurred in different areas.

Some brownouts last for 15 minutes while others last for 10 hours.

Apparently, this has a huge impact on the election process. Voting machines will not be able to function and it would be extremely dark in voting precincts. There will also be delayed transmission of votes from voting machines due to brownouts. As a solution, generators are on standby while others opt for paper ballot voting.

Another worrisome scenario is the increase in crimes during the election. There are shooting incidents for both the politicians and their supporters. Others would illegally acquire guns while the lights are out despite the gun ban.

The situation is heartbreaking.

It is obvious that many unfortunate situations happen during a power outage. That is why it is important that politicians should acquire Remote Lighting Systems so they have a backup source of lighting when power interruptions arrive.

Benefits of Using Remote Lighting System and Tactical Flashlights The Pelican Remote Lighting System (RALS) and Tactical Flashlights will definitely come handy for politicians this

election. They can use it as backup lighting in their own homes and headquarters, thus ensuring safety not just for themselves but also for their supporters and families. When an area is well-lighted, it is easy to deter criminals since they fear that their personalities will be identified.

There are polling places and voting precincts where lighting is not available. The 9430 Remote Area Light can be used here. It can light up an entire room or even a place as wide as a soccer field.

The bright beam from Pelican RALS will make voting more convenient. Voters will feel safe to cast their votes while poll officials will feel secure in counting the ballots even during late nights. In most cases, poll officers need to stay overnight in their respective precincts. Even with the absence of power, they will feel safe because of assured lights at the premises.

It is better if each polling precinct or election watchers have a Pelican RALS like the 9460 Remote Area Light with dual telescoping LED light heads. Once power outage happens, there is an immediate backup lighting.

This will avoid the possible loss of ballot boxes once the precinct resorts to paper ballot voting in case of brownouts.

Theft of ballots is a known dilemma during elections which usually happens during power interruptions.

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S P E C IA L F E AT U R E The group of a particular politician may also carry out roving and inspections in different areas during the election. The Pelican RALS will be very helpful to check dark areas both day and night. It is even more useful during brownouts or blackouts.

On the other hand, two of the best Pelican pocket size lighting are the 2350 Tactical Flashlight and 2360 Tactical Flashlight has 4 Selectable Programs with a lifetime guarantee. The 2360 Flashlight has 375 lu-

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mens while the 2350 Flashlight has 178 lumens. Constructed with the most durable of materials, an aerospace grade aluminum body and an impact resistant LED lamp module, the 2350 and 2360 LED keeps you on point without equipment failure.

Both the 9430 Remote Area Light and the 9460 Remote Area Light, which are available at Coby’s Gear and Gadget and Cobankiat Hardware, can be operated via Bluetooth making it more convenient to use. The versatility of these lightings and its long battery life are another positive thing about it.

All Pelican lighting solutions are sturdy and it can withstand any significant abuse. Even when there is heavy rainfall, the Pelican RALS and Tactical Flashlights can still be used since it is water resistant.

Using a Remote Lighting System is imperative for those who are running for public office. This will not only guarantee them that they get the right results during election despite the power outage, but this will also ensure their safety. We cannot doubt the fact that proper lighting plays a vital role in the security of everyone- politicians or not.

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B l o c k c h a in : A S tunning B re a k t h rough in Telecom

Shifting telecom business models through blockchain integration It is not surprising how fast technology is emerging in this digital age. The smarter and more autonomous they get, the more convenient and efficient it is for us humans. Among these promising technologies, the system behind cryptocurrencies, more widely 16

known as blockchain, practically stands out.

Its immense power is predicted to conquer and shift both the Internet and the world of business in the next few years. In fact, little by little, more sectors in the industry

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COVER STORY

are integrating this kind of power into their business models. From the utility industry to finance and banks, it is very apparent how much this highly secured and reliable network can change the way companies transact with one another.

Utilizing the newly developed programmable type of blockchain for communications, particularly telecommunications, is also seen as a potential game changer.

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Its ability to transform the way communication service providers (CSPs) do business and gain the most profit while giving the most service to their customers will no doubt make the competition in the industry stronger. As a matter of fact, when IBM surveyed 174 C-suite telecom executives, a substantial 36% of these service providers are presently considering, if not already practicing, blockchains in their systems.

COVER STORY

How Blockchain Works?

But how exactly will blockchain make the telecom industry ticking like clockwork?

ETH News’ Dan Cummings mentioned how useful this technology is when transforming the current CSPs network infrastructure.

As the digital age advances, so does the network and com-

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munication across the globe.

With blockchain in telecoms, CSPs have the power to deliver 5G network coverage and secure tens and thousands of data collected in the evolving Internet of Things (IoT).

Blockchain and the Financial Institutions Another notable feature of blockchain is the removal of third-party financial institutions that served as middlemen between the CSP and their customers. Without any middleman, the transactions are faster, more efficient, and more reliable.

Fewer parties involved in the transaction means less dispute and miscalculations, saving the CSP and the customer time and money.

Removing the middleman from the picture also lowers the additional costs of CSPs in hiring financial institutions.

Blockchain Security Internet security is also highly prioritized by blockchain.

Customers’ information, especially money-related details, are intact and free from fraudulent and unauthorized revisions since changes in the record can only be done through a mutual agreement between the parties.

Blockchain is boasting its powers of transparency as the data in the network are distributed and shared between concerned participants. Customers are 22

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Blockchain is boasting its powers of transparency as the data in the network are distributed and shared between concerned participants

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COVER STORY

more confident that their data are not altered without their knowledge because of this highly sophisticated feature.

Blockchain Prepaid or Postpaid Blockchain also provides options for customers to avail of either prepaid or postpaid services, update their balances in real-time and change their billing system hassle-free.

Not only is blockchain beneficial for the CSPs, but it is also making favorable changes for the customers as well. One excellent example is the customer’s ability to use their CSPs outside of its coverage or even abroad.

The key to this revolutionary breakthrough is blockchain’s ability to connect global operators with contracts. With this, blockchain is still able to keep the service a lot more affordable, secure, and still very efficient despite the distance paving way to the displacement of current roaming services CSPs offer.

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Blockchain Disruptive Analysis As Disruptive Analysis points out, blockchain applications in telecoms range from off-grid IoT, smart contracts between parties, micropayments, and network function virtualization management. Most companies are already employing and studying the power of these applications. Some are still un-

der development, while others are already exhibiting great potential for the industry.

With that being said, telecoms should be prepared for this massive change, not only financially, but also in terms of their network infrastructure. A powerful technology this big needs an equally powerful network that can handle it.

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Blockchain Investments If the industry is dedicated to employing blockchain into their systems, huge investments are, of course, the basic requirements.

Investments in knowledge of blockchain are also highly encouraged before fully adopting the system.

Undergo trainings with lead blockchain specialists to understand if the technology is really suitable for the company. Assess the current status of blockchain in the industry and how different each blockchain providers are from one another.

Weigh their regulations and policies and adapt them to the needs of your own company.

The first step in succeeding on any new venture is building up 28

knowledge before building the application.

Summing Up All in all, this technology accounts for the streamlined internal processes that the company and customers can enjoy, blockchain-based services that are faster than conventional ones, and more consistent and safeguarded ecosystem that includes interactions of CSPs with their customers and with one another.

Blockchain is slowly making its name in the field, and one thing is for sure. Blockchain is the future for telecommunication and for the society in general.

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NEWS

Emerging Trends to Embrace for Retail Supply Chain Leaders This is a guest post by Jeff Ashcroft of the Supply Chain Network

I will now speak briefly about each of these and also connect you to additional resources to learn more. Or if you’re connected with me, always feel free to reach out and set up a call as there’s nothing I enjoy more than talking about retail supply chain transformation!

Distributed Logistics What is Distributed Logistics?

The definition I’m running with currently is below, but this rapidly emerging concept continues to evolve literally as we speak: Following the largest single day of snow in 50 years, we continue to plough through 2019 here in Toronto! I think this is an excellent opportunity to take a moment and reflect on some key emerging retail supply chain trends to get everyone’s juices flowing again!

Every year at this time as I prepare to attend the RILA Supply Chain Conference, which has recently evolved to become RILA LINK2019, it’s always a great time to take a step back and look at the bigger picture of the key changes I see coming that have the potential to create step 32

changes in retail supply chains.

Almost all of those issuing prognostications and predictions for the upcoming year seem to focus mostly on TECHNOLOGY, and while technology is important, it’s only the facilitator of positive changes. My goal here is to dig a bit deeper to get at 3 real foundational changes needed to transform your retail supply chains and brand businesses starting this year!

For 2019 these are Distributed Logistics, Flexible Automation and Empowered Brands.

‘A fully integrated and optimized network of two or more fulfillment centers operated in unison to increase sales and customer delivery service levels, which minimizes transportation costs and maximizes inventory optimization’ ~ Jeff Ashcroft

Interesting you say, but why would anyone want to move to a Distributed Logistics network?

Probably the most compelling reasons are that simply put, positioning the right inventories close to customers saves on costs, improves service delivery lead times AND sustainability.

There’s a growing body of work highlighting the fact that allocating stocks to demand flow closest to customers may also increase revenue.

To learn more on this emerging trend and how to take positive steps to start moving forward in this direction check out Discovering the Power of Distributed Logistics and explore all of the supporting linked documentation.

Flexible automation For those in the know in fulfillment it’s clear that Automation is the future of fulfillment to both optimize labor utilization and help with current and growing shortages of people to work in fulfillment centers.

Traditional automation, where major steel sortation systems are bolted to the floor and require massive volumes in one site to cost justify, are anything but flexible and can best be described as brittle. Brittle from the perspective that any changes you need to make can mean lengthy downtime and high costs. Also,

should the system need to be moved it can cost as much or more than the original installation.

Key to the first point on Distributed Logistics this reality means that flexible automation needs to be deployed on a smaller scale and have flexibility to grow/move as and when needed. Suffice it to say, traditional brittle automation solutions do not lend themselves

to this new reality.

Many of the dynamics driving the need for change to flexible automation are described in The Automated Local Fulfillment Imperative and again this is a topic I’m passionate about so feel free to reach out!

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NEWS Empowered Brands As many retailers have optimized their internal network operations over the last decades, for smart operators there doesn’t seem to be a lot of “low hanging fruit” available in your networks.

If you look at the inbound supply chain inclusive of all of your brand supplier operations this couldn’t be further from the truth. If you work with and empower the brands whose products you sell to combine and jointly optimize networks, a significant opportunity presents itself.

Retail Infrastructure Obsolescence is Now Inevitable is post I wrote which captures and shares some context around how collaborating and working more closely to empower brands can result in even lower cost and lower inventory overall networks responsive to both store and consumer ecommerce needs.

Most interesting is when you put these three emerging trends together and begin to imagine, design and then build a Unichannel Distributed Logistics network, as all these pieces are now available to those with the vision to make it happen!

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NEWS

Transport in 2040: how automation and technology will impact the future of work The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the World Maritime University (WMU) launched a flagship report entitled:“Transport 2040: Automation Technology Employment - the Future of Work”.

The forward-looking assessment, produced by WMU, investigates how the global transport industry will change as a result of automation and advanced technologies, forecasting and analyzing trends and developments in the major transport sectors - seaborne, road, rail and aviation - to 2040 with an emphasis on the implications for jobs and employment for transport workers.

This first-ever, independent and comprehensive assessment of how automation will affect the future of work in the transport industry focuses on technological changes that the industry is undertaking to efficiently interconnect the world through international trade. Trends in road, air, rail and maritime transport are presented. The report concludes that the introduction of automation in global transport will be “evolutionary, rather than 36

revolutionary,” and that “despite high levels of automation, qualified human resources with the right skill sets will still be needed in the foreseeable future.”

Key findings indicate that technological advances are inevitable, but will be gradual and vary by region. Workers will be affected in different ways based on their skill levels and the varying degrees of preparedness of different countries. Case studies, as well as comparisons of autonomy scales and automation potential for job profiles in transport provide insight to the future of work.

Regarding maritime transport, the report looks at 17 countries more specifically to assess how prepared they are for technical innovation.

The report notes that new technologies and automation are impacting transport sector workers through both the displacement and creation of jobs, and may result in difficult transitions for many employed in the transportation sector. The future of work needs to ensure that workers are suitably qualified and re-trained to effectively master new technologies and higher levels of automation.

IMO Secretary-General, Mr. Kitack Lim, opened the launch event noting that integrating new and advancing technologies in the regulatory framework for the shipping industry is a key strategic direction for IMO. “Member States and the industry need to anticipate the impact these changes may have and how they will be addressed,” he stated.

Introducing the report, ITF General Secretary, Mr. Stephen Cotton, emphasized that automation, new technology and the future of work are some of the most important challenges facing workers today. He stated, “Transport workers of today and tomorrow must be equipped with the required knowledge, skills and expertise for the jobs of tomorrow.

The study provides the

information needed to support these aims. The ITF remains committed to working in partnership to ensure our unions and members are central to developments in building the future of work.”

The importance of the study was echoed by Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President of WMU, who stated, “There are four takeaways from the launch of this major report today: First, the academic freedom that the University had to undertake this independent report, and which was respected by the ITF. Second, the research undertaken has enabled us to design and develop a repository on the status of technology globally, in all modes of transport. Third, it enabled us to provide a more accurate assessment of technology, the modes of

transport, and their status in the short, medium and long term. And finally, the report represents research on transport modes that is 60 per cent focused on road, rail and aviation, and 40 per cent on maritime.”

Dr. Doumbia-Henry concluded, “The transportation sector is vital to national economies and the global economy as a whole.

We hope this report will help prepare the transportation industry to continue to contribute to the wellbeing of societies and communities worldwide and provide decent work for all.”

To access the full “Transport 2040: Automation Technology Employment - the Future of Work” Report, click here.

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NEWS

Home safety: Automatic fire alerts in Dubai soon Dubai Civil Defence to unveil new fire safety system at Intersec Mandatory fire alert systems will soon be installed at all new villas and apartments in Dubai as the Dubai Civil Defence overhauls fire safety at homes, say fire protection officials.

“The new system will automatically alert the nearest fire station in case of fire or any emergency in any house.

Firefighters will be alerted even if there are people at home or not,” said Lt Col Jamal Ahmad Ebrahim, Director of Preventive Safety Department, Dubai Civil Defence.

In the first phase, the project will involve installation of fire alert systems at new villas and apartments.

No deadline was given for building owners to comply but the initial phase of installations will likely begin before the year is out.

No fire alert system cost estimates for building owners were released on Tuesday.

“The project is part of Dubai government’s efforts to make the city the safest in the world.

We have realised that currently fire safety in villas is not at the highest level. So we are planning to overhaul the safe38

ty system. In the first phase we will start with new villas and buildings and in the next phase will move to existing buildings,” Ebrahim added.

The project will be unveiled during Intersec 2014, where people will also be able to see live demonstration of the advanced safety system.

Organised by Epoc Messe Frankfurt, the event will see participation from 1,210 exhibitors from 54 countries and is supported by Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Police and G4S security firm.

Intersec’s major focus this year will be Dubai’s winning of the Expo 2020 bid and all exhibitors as well as stakeholders will be showcasing products and projects that may add to the success of the mega exhibition.

“Security is the biggest issue for the Expo 2020. Though Dubai is one of the safest cities in the world, our aim is to be number one in safety, particularly keeping an eye on the future developments.

Intersec is a great platform for the experts to come together and exchange ideas,” said Col

NEWS

Humaid Mohammad Al Ansari, Director, Sports Affairs Department, General Department of Community Services, Dubai Police.

He added that plans are already in place to beef up security in the city leading up to the mega event.

“We are evaluating our strategies every year. Dubai Police are looking to increase their force by at least 30 per cent in the next few years and enhance the city’s safety and security infrastructure by at least 50 per cent. We just want people to feel more secure when they go out, whether it’s day or night and in all parts of the city,” he said.

According to market research conducted by international security solutions group G4S, 40

the total Middle East security market is estimated at $6.3 billion (Dh23.12 billion) with a growth of 10 per cent expected in the next four years.

“Private security firms have a major role to play in the safety and security of big cities. Demand for private security is growing at the highest rate in the region. We are working in cooperation with police and government authorities. We are providing training, and we work on security strategies and design,” said Mark Horton, Regional Sales Director, G4S. He added that the growth is being driven by the ongoing development the region is experiencing, particularly in terms of infrastructure.

As part of the exhibition, two major conferences are also taking place. A seminar on Mobile Phone Crime is being organised by the Department of Protective Systems of Dubai Police in association with ICSS while the Safety Design in Buildings Conference is being held under the patronage of the Directorate General of Civil Defence – Dubai.

Also on the conference calendar are the IOSH Middle East Occupational Health Seminar, the IWMA Seminar and the Techtextil Middle East Symposium.

MIDDLE EAST NEWS

How to Comply with Height Safety Regulations Height safety regulations must be adhered by industrial professionals

R

oof anchor points offer crucial protection to people working at heights.

Personal protection equipment (PPE) such as harnesses or lanyard fall protection systems rely on correctly installed anchor points – and so do the people that use them.

Today we’re speaking with Ben from Off Your wall based in Melbourne who perform anchor point testing and installation services. Here’s what he had to say regarding height safety

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regulations.

Falls can lead to serious injury, which could potentially expose you to costly legal action. The only way to ensure the safety of your workers, and to safeguard your reputation and business, is to follow the required legislation and guidelines and use approved anchor points.

When it comes to height safety and fall prevention, compliance with regulations and safety standards is key. Accidents don’t

need to happen, which is why it’s crucial you consult with height safety experts for your roof anchor points. When you are working at heights, or in constricted spaces, you are required to follow the industry protocols and meet the certification required. A compliance assessment service can offer you an inspection to see if your roof anchor points comply with legislation, as well help you achieve annual certification.

For roof anchor point certification the roof anchor

points will need to be checked to make sure they meet all industry legislation and guidelines, are in safe working order and don’t pose any hazards or risks.

Workplace health and safety is an important consideration in any field, but when you are working at heights it can become a matter of life and death. This is why in New South Wales the requirements you need to meet anchor point safety certification includes workplace health and safety (WHS) legislation. It’s about ensuring you protect your team, the structure you are build-

ing and broader members of the public whose safety also needs to be considered as a priority.

The Australian Standards places the responsibility for the health and safety of any person may be affected by the construction work with a broad range of people who may be deemed to be in control of a construction project. This could include people such as principal, head or main contractors, builders, employers or persons with management control.

Educating your entire team about

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height safety regulations is therefore important. It also states: ‘The person with control of the project must ensure that fall prevention is set up to cover all workers on site, whether the fall prevention is provided directly by the person with control of the project, or by individual subcontractors.’

your workplace.

Falls and serious injuries are a risk the industry faces every day. It’s the nature of working at heights! But accidents can put a business at huge legal risk if they do not comply with WHS. The‘Managing the Risk of Falls at Workplaces ‘code of practice that relate to roof anchor points is therefore another important document to familiarise yourself with and implement in

The Australian Standards guidelines also cover a minimum uniform standard when it comes to working with roof anchor points. By adhering to these Standards the industry is further able to minimise injury and even the loss of life. Some of these include:

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Another factor that is important to ensure the safety of roof anchor points is product quality. It’s crucial you only work with high quality roof anchor points and that they are systematically and regularly checked to ensure they are sound.

• Industrial fall arrest systems and devices

• Harnesses and ancillary equipment • Horizontal lifeline and rail systems • Fall-arrest devices • Selection, use and maintenance • Industrial rope access systems • Selection, use and maintenance • Manufacturing requirements for single-point anchor devices used for harness-based work at height.

With many obligations to follow and height safety legislation to adhere to, working with experts in the roof anchor point and heights safety industry can assist you to navigate your requirements and achieve certification.

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A S I A PA C I F I C N E W S

265 Hectare Pasay Harbour Reclamation Project is bigger than Palm Jumeirah Dubai A massive push by the local government to build an entirely new city within the bay area

The Pasay Harbour reclamation project is a massive push by the local government of Pasay City, Philippines to build an entirely new city within the bay area.

Learn the details of this 3 part series report and how to win the construction bidding.

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If you’re one of our advertiser or sponsor of GineersNow, you may obtain the contact person and project details from our APAC regional director, Ms. Ems at 0921 7105796.

A S I A PA C I F I C N E W S Table PD-1. Project Proponent/EIA Preparer

ITEM

Project Information

Project Proponent

City of Pasay, Philippines

Proponent Address

F.B. Harrison St., Pasay City

Telephone Number

Only GineersNow advertisers can have this info

Responsible Officer

Only GineersNow advertisers can have this info

EIA Preparer

Only GineersNow advertisers can have this info

Contact Person

Only GineersNow advertisers can have this info

Address

Only GineersNow advertisers can have this info

Contact Numbers

Only GineersNow advertisers can have this info

Email address

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Table PD-2. Project Fact Sheet/PD Summary

ITEM

Project Information

Name of Project

PROPOSED 265 HECTARE PASAY HARBOUR RECLAMATION PROJECT

Location

Along Coast of Manila Bay in the territorial jurisdiction of the City of Pasay

Nature of Project Nature of Project

Reclamation Project ECP in an ECA (Presidential Proclamation 2146 dated 14 December 1981)

Project Classification & Type

Major Reclamation Project ≥ 50 hectares

Project Classification Code

D.1.

Size/Scale

265 Hectare

Status of ECC

Expansion Project Being Applied For

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areas of Manila Bay. Among the Metro Manila LGUs, Pasay City is one of the smallest in terms of land area. However, it has the potential to expand its land through sea reclamation activities.

Project Description

entities.

The proposed reclamation project covers 265 hectares involving two (2) islands with areas of 210 hectares and 55 hectares respectively. Consistent with the protocol of the Revised Procedural Manual (RPM), the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) application being applied for involves only the horizontal development phase. The operations phase will be subject to the applicable requirements of the Philippine EIS System (PEISS).

Project Rationale

The Private Sector Project Developers for the original (360 hectares) and the new (265 hectares) projects will be different and separate corporate 50

The increasing demand for readily developable lands for urban expansion areas has pushed the real estate market in Metro Manila to its highest since the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Since the other urban centers of Mega Manila has no other way to expand their existing inventory of land, the increasing requirements for areas to accommodate and satisfy the demand for rapid commercial and residential growth falls on the coastal LGUs. This therefore necessitates the creation of more lands for economic activities through reclamation developments along the coastal

The proposed Pasay City land reclamation project along the coast of Manila Bay, near the current SM Mall of Asia complex, can produce some 2,650,000 square meters of additional buildable/developable space. This could be translated into about 1,855,000 square meters of building gross floor area, based on the existing 70% buildable vis-à-vis to 30% open space/public area ratio. The additional 1,855,000 square meters of building gross floor area can be allocated for tourism, office, residential, commercial, and other non-industrial mixed uses in a master planned community including an integrated port facility complex for cruise ships visiting Manila.

The proposed 2,650,000 square meters of reclaimed land is in line with Pasay City Ordinance No. 5768 (Series of 2016), which calls for the reclamation activities covering the identified areas located offshore of the current SM Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City. The project will provide expansion of the City’s current land area for economic activities.

The proponent believes that the proposed 265-hectare reclamation project will bring

about meaningful progress to Pasay City and its people, and shall kick-start the favorable transformation of that section of the Manila Bay, instead of the area’s further degradation. The proponent cites the mega success of its past reclamation projects – the CCP Complex and the Mall of Asia areas – as proof and blueprint for success of similar undertaking. In 2015 alone, the City Government of Pasay was able to collect about PhP3.2 billion in real property taxes, and business and work permits from the existing MOA reclamation area. With the proposed project, the proponent could derive double, or even triple that amount, which will definitely translate to more and better services for the people of Pasay.

The 265-hectare reclamation

project is an expansion of the original 360-hectare project and is intended to enhance further the visions embodied in the original project, i.e.: • Further promote the well-being of the people of the City of Pasay especially in terms of employment and livelihood; • Stimulate city growth by providing a basic infrastructure – land to investors; • Help solve congestion problems; and • Actualize the vision of government through the PRA. Thus, this proposed 265-hectare Pasay Harbor City will satisfy the current and future demands of lands for tourism and commercial activities in accordance with Pasay City Ordinance No. 5768 (Series

of 2016) and in support of the “build-build-build” developmental concept in Pasay City and in Metro Manila as envisioned by the current administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Project Area, Location and Accessibility Location and Political Boundaries- The project, broken down into 2-islands, is located west of Metro Manila, within the municipal waters of Pasay City and adjacent to the City of Manila, as shown in Figure PD-1.

It is adjacent to the Proposed 360 Hectare Pasay City Reclamation Project, which has recently been granted an ECC. The impact barangay for the Proposed Project is Barangay 76 Zone 10,

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as indicated in Figure PD-2.

Geographic Coordinates (Shape File Data) of Project Area – The coordinates are vital for: (a) identifying the scope of the ECC that is being applied for; (b) providing the footprints from which impact assessments may be made, e.g., water circulation, bathymetry; geotechnical investigation and marine surveys; and for (c) ascertaining that the site is indeed within the political boundaries of the City.

Accessibility – The nearest existing major road to the proposed project site is J.W. Diokno Boulevard approximately located at a straight distance of 1.68 km from the nearest corner of the reclamation landform, shown in Figure PD-3.

The Access Ways – Preliminary design works are underway for the link from shore to the reclaimed land.

Connectivity and Associated Transport Systems For the development of the Pasay Harbour City Project, the following components to support the transport system are being planned to be built by third parties with the rationale of supporting the government mass transport system plan: A connection to the airport through the existing NAIA Expressway (already in place); • A connection to the southern gateway through the CAVITEX;

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• A connection to the northern gateway via C1 and C4 then to NLEX; • A connection to the seaport in Manila via Roxas Boulevard; and • A connection to the rest of Metro Manila through existing and planned mass transport system.

Interisland Connectivity A bridge connecting Islands 1 and 2 will be built. A preliminary architectural sketch is shown in Plate PD1 below.

Vicinity Map and Adjacent landmarks- The vicinity map shown in Figure PD-4 indicates the nearest landmarks and shows the adjacent other proposed reclamation project. To date, none of these other proposed project have been implemented yet since the Notices to Proceed

(NTPs) from the PRA have not been issued yet.

Important landmarks adjacent to the project site include: • Cultural Center of the Philippines • Coconut Palace • Philippine Sofitel Hotel • PICC • The Philippine Senate • GSIS • J.W. Diokno Blvd.

• Mall of Asia • Okada Resorts Club • Solaire Resorts Club • Diosdado Macapagal Blvd.

The adjacent other proposed reclamation project are: • The 360-Hectare Pasay Harbour Reclamation Project

A S I A PA C I F I C N E W S

Successful WORLDBEX Event for TOSOT Philippines In the 5-day duration of WORLDBEX, TOSOT received countless of delegations

The Philippine World Building and Construction Expo (WORLDBEX) has finished its 23rd installment. The event, which happened last March 13 to 17, 2019, at the World Trade Center Metro Manila and SMX Convention Center Manila, was bigger and bolder, as promised.

The expected number of attendees were met and many partnerships were built. A memorable event indeed, many corporations bent on upholding product effectivity and efficiency without infringing upon sustainability showcased their 54

life-improving innovations.

One of the companies that acquired numerous delegations and partnerships from various organizations in the engineering, design, architecture, retail, and management industries, among others, was TOSOT. As the leading manufacturer and distributor of high-quality HVAC units and home appliances in the Philippines, TOSOT received hundreds of trade visitors from mechanical engineers to CEOs of multinational companies that

A S I A PA C I F I C N E W S

inquired about their high-tech products.

Their chillers, cost-effective and high-tech wall-mounted and floor-standing air conditioning units, sleekly gorgeous kitchen appliances such as home induction cookers and water dispensers, TMV5s, to name a few, were thoroughly examined by many willing purchasers.

In the 5-day duration of WORLDBEX, TOSOT received countless of delegations from various engineering organizations, HVAC distributors, retailers, building owners, shopping mall directors, facilities management professionals, contractors and interior designers who showed strong interest in TOSOT’s air conditioning units and kitchen 56

appliances.

Those at TOSOT were able to close countless deals during the event amounting to hundreds of thousands of pesos to further their goals of creating more effective, efficient, products while championing sustainably.

With these deals, they can continue to stay ahead of the curve in the industry of technological appliances.

For those who are interested to see TOSOT aircon units, visit their showroom in Pasay.

During the event TOSOT conducted a photo challenge game for every visitors who visited TOSOT booth. Lucky winners will be posted in TOSOT social media accounts.

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Is the Philippines Ready for Electric-Powered Jeepneys?

One group suggested that we take their initiative of turning from diesel engines to lithium-ion batteries in jeepneys.

After the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) in the Philippines enforced the PUJ modernization program by the Duterte administration, several companies responded by showing their designs of a much safer and less carbon-emitting versions of the jeepney.

One of these companies is Japanese truck maker Isuzu. It introduced an 18-seater modern jeepney carrying 12% more cargo than conventional jeepneys.

Theirs has 2,325 kilograms of 58

payload.

“The modern jeepneys are designed to meet regulations in emission, safety and roadworthiness. It will also provide better passenger comfort,” noted Joseph Bautista, a division manager at Isuzu Philippines’ marketing department.

While this Isuzu jeepney still runs on diesel, a local startup wants to pitch a more environmentally-friendly option: get this form of Philippine trans-

A S I A PA C I F I C N E W S portation to run on electricity to be known as green jeepneys.

QEV Philippines Electromobility Solutions and Consulting Group, Inc., or simply QEV Philippines, has designed its own version of the modern jeepney which is powered by lithium-ion batteries.

The company is a satellite office of Singapore-based electromobility holding firm QEV Capital Pte. Ltd. “The jeepney is as much Filipino as all of you,” tells Endika Aboitiz at the unveiling ceremony in July at The Fort in Taguig City. He is an investor in the proposal of powering an initial 50,000 jeepneys over the five years with lithium-ion batteries instead of diesel engines.

“It is like London’s double-decker bus, it in itself is a moving museum,” he added.

“Taking the jeepney away is taking away a piece of our colorful history, an icon that many have come to associate with the Philippines. We can preserve the jeepney and modernize it without taking away its charm.”

The lithium-ion batteries are designed to have a range of up to 140 kilometers, with 80 kilometers at minimum, depending on load and conditions. They can be charged from 20% up to 80% in just 15 minutes, to be facilitated

by Cleanergy network which is AboitizPower’s clean and renewable energy brand.

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Meanwhile, the conversion work will be taken care of by Sarao Motors, a local jeepney manufacturer. It can produce green jeepneys from scratch.

According to a press release, the green jeepney was developed by engineers with ample experience in high-profile electric car ventures. Campos Racing is one of the teams behind the Arcfox-7, an electric supercar by Chinese outfit BAIC, and in the Mahindra entries in the Formula E last season, among others.

If the Philippine government really wants to produce virtually no-emission jeepneys, then this one is the way to go. Not only is this jeepney all electric, it is ex-

pected to seize an estimated 540 tonnes of carbon million trees and earn $35 million in United Nations carbon credits.

Moreover, the charging stations are also expected to help save 375 million liters of oil per year. That is equal to 3% of the country’s total imported Brent crude barrels.

This should not worry jeepney drivers when it comes to costs too, as QEV Philippines assured that they can save about P40,000 a year for energy and maintenance.

It is not the company’s intention to replace the existing jeepneys, but instead only to rehabilitate

S P E C IA L F E AT U R E

through its retrofit kit.

“What we propose is not replacement, but rehabilitation,” said Enrique Bañuelos, a businessman who partnered with Aboitiz and QEV Philippines for this project.

“Rehabilitate old jeepneys and make them like new, complete with electrical motors that will 62

make it run on electricity instead of diesel. Help drivers pay for the rehabilitation, through a special program that the Philippine government will make out for them—and in the end put more money in their pockets because the costs of charging with electricity would be so much cheaper than filling it up with diesel,” he added.

F E AT U R E S T O RY

Top 6 Most Popular Universities In 2019 This post looks at university ranking, with emphasis on the most popular ones

T

housands of universities in the world are always in competition for top slots in the global ranking. And with millions of students yearning to be part of the best learning centers, the only barriers to their dreams is crafting a top-notch admission essay. This post looks at university ranking, with emphasis on the “most popular universities” such as Stanford graduate school.

What makes an institution of higher education a university?

You would want to delve deeper into finding why some institutions are more popular than others. Well, a professional college online essay editing service should help you with this topic by emphasizing the following: High learning institutions that rank high on the popularity index usually register excellent academic performance every academic year.

Universities that have a rich his64

tory are among the most popular on the global index. It could be because they are the oldest or pursue a holistic study tradition that distinguishes them from the rest.

Another basis on which some graduate schools have ranked the range of diploma or degree programs.

An educational institution can also be popular given the numbers of international students it admits and still remain a top institution for higher learning.

State-of-the-art libraries or/and research centers is another aspect that often catapults a learning institution to the global index of most popular learning centers.

Thus far, let’s take a look at a list ranking the world’s most popular universities. Remember, you can always ask a college essay editing service to tweak the list as desired depending on the changes that may take effect in the future.

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Popular known as MIT, Massachusetts Institute of Technology remains a force to reckon with the list of world’s most reputed institutions of higher learning. From a mind-provoking motto, competitive learning system to state-of-the-art teaching methodologies, MIT remains on top for a seventh straight year.

Thousands of research scholars around the world trace their problem-solving skills and critical thinking capabilities to MIT, an Ivy League member.

2. Stanford University Stanford University is popular for many things. From 100 percent academic excellence, high employability ratio of graduates from the institution, tens of scholarly citations every year, thousands of international students to competitive faculties, Stanford is a known for outstanding research.

It sits at the heart of America’s Silicon Valley in California, thereby providing great opportunities to students who would wish to pursue their careers in fortune 500 companies like Google and Yahoo. Moreover, straddling 8, 180 acres of land make Stanford one of the largest US university campuses.

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3. Harvard University Harvard is the oldest higher learning institution in America dating back to 1636, a year in which it was founded. Over the years, it has remained a center of academic excellence, a reputation that keeps soaring on the world stage. It plays host to the world’s biggest library for academicians, not to mention 10 facilities offering quality degree programs.

4. University of Oxford For decades now, Oxford remains an academic center with global appeal. It boasts of great research output and plays host to thousands of students, both local and international. It is remarkable that while the university does not run the main campus, its tradition of instilling distinctive professional character remains impeccable even after tens of decades into its existences.

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5. The University of Tokyo Japan’s history of hardworking citizens and industrial excellence is deeply entrenched into its education system. The University of Tokyo, for example, is one of the most popular in the world housing more than 4000 academic staff and thousands of students.

Dating back to 1877, it remains the most prestigious Japanese University and competes favorably with others such as Yale, Harvard and Cambridge. Thousands of top CEOs around the world are alumni of the institution.

6. Columbia University A Columbia spectator would agree that the institution’s presence on Ivy League is not for nothing. Established in 1754, Columbia is a research-based university that boasts of high acceptance of graduates in the job market. There are also hundreds of Oscar winners among and successful professionals and Nobel Laureates who were once students at the institution.

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The Bottom Line

In a nutshell, there are tens of other universities that would occupy top slots on this list based on their popularity. Therefore, with the help of a good essay editing service, others such as the University of Michigan, the Australian Nation University, the 68

University of Hong Kong, the National University of Singapore, Imperial College London and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology cut above par in ranking.

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