Latest news with #digitalgovernance
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Jim Balsillie donates $5 million to Wilfrid Laurier University to kick start digital sovereignty
Jim Balsillie, the Canadian businessman and philanthropist, has donated $5 million to Wilfrid Laurier University for the establishment of a digital governance initiative to build economic resilience and digital sovereignty. 'The nature and the structure of the global economy and global security has shifted foundationally in the last 30 years in a degree and rapidity that's unprecedented in mankind,' said Balsillie in an interview. 'And if you want to be a sovereign and secure and prosperous nation, you need the capacity for navigating that on a front-footed basis. So, this investment is all about that.' In a news release, the university in Waterloo, Ont., said Canada needs to 'shape policy and increase productivity amid growing threats to sovereignty and security.' It said the Balsillie donation will go toward setting up a legal advisory centre that tackles international trade and technology governance, and establishing professional training programs and a proposed graduate degree that focuses on 'law, digital sovereignty and global technology governance.' 'This is about building capacity to manage the expertise into these realms that are digital, whether it's AI, data, blockchain currencies, intellectual property, trade agreements, all of these things are the realms that this is contended, and Canada has had an eroding prosperity, it's had an eroding sovereignty because the terrain of protecting and advancing those is the digital realm,' said Balsillie, the former co-CEO of Research in Motion, the company that developed the Blackberry. He said the digital initiative is a 'natural addition' to the school, which is also home to the Balsillie School of International Affairs, a joint project of Laurier, the University of Waterloo and the Centre for International Governance and Innovation. Deborah MacLatchy, the president and vice-chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier, said the funding will 'stand up' the work students and faculty are doing on the topic of the digital future. While figures aren't yet known, the university hopes to add faculty and more students because of the new research and educational initiative. 'We're hearing a lot from companies, from government, about their capacity needs, meaning that they just don't feel that they have all the internal expertise or the up-and-coming expertise of students and grad students who have experience in this area,' said MacLatchy. 'And this gift will really allow us to really take a take a run at this in a way that will be unique across the country.' The hope is that other Canadian universities will eventually follow Laurier's lead, doing more research and education in the area. The issue of digital sovereignty, said Ann Fitz-Gerald, director of the Balsillie School of International Affairs, is 'about taking control of a state or any organization's digital destiny and autonomy.' This includes not just corporate data security or intellectual property or cross-border data transfer but also issues of national security, Fitz-Gerald said. 'There's a big policy shift towards the intangibles from the tangibles, and we need to make sure policymakers worldwide, not just in Canada, have the knowledge and skill sets to operate in this space,' Fitz-Gerald said. So much of what happens in a modern society, from immigration to business to justice, happens in the digital world and is driven by data. And so Balsillie's donation, Fitz-Gerald said, will help position Canada and Wilfrid Laurier and the Waterloo region at the forefront of that economic, social and political revolution. Indeed, as data can be siphoned off by corporate giants to aid foreign economic development, Canada could wind up being a loser unless it builds expertise in digital sovereignty. 'The best way that I have come to be able to explain it is that we have had, for time immemorial, a policy orientation and governance structures that are fit for a tangibles world. We now live in an intangibles world,' said Fitz-Gerald. 'We want to be able to manage its development and have a real … say in its safe and responsible development, and the safety and responsibility relates to the preservation of our sovereignty and national security and prosperity.' 'Fear and gratitude': Iconic photo captures Canada's role in a forgotten war Canada's first evacuation flight leaves Middle East amid Israel-Iran strikes Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here.
National Post
a day ago
- Business
- National Post
Jim Balsillie donates $5 million to Wilfrid Laurier University to kick start digital sovereignty
Jim Balsillie, the Canadian businessman and philanthropist, has donated $5 million to Wilfrid Laurier University for the establishment of a digital governance initiative to build economic resilience and digital sovereignty. Article content 'The nature and the structure of the global economy and global security has shifted foundationally in the last 30 years in a degree and rapidity that's unprecedented in mankind,' said Balsillie in an interview. 'And if you want to be a sovereign and secure and prosperous nation, you need the capacity for navigating that on a front-footed basis. So, this investment is all about that.' Article content Article content In a news release, the university in Waterloo, Ont., said Canada needs to 'shape policy and increase productivity amid growing threats to sovereignty and security.' It said the Balsillie donation will go toward setting up a legal advisory centre that tackles international trade and technology governance, and establishing professional training programs and a proposed graduate degree that focuses on 'law, digital sovereignty and global technology governance.' Article content Article content 'This is about building capacity to manage the expertise into these realms that are digital, whether it's AI, data, blockchain currencies, intellectual property, trade agreements, all of these things are the realms that this is contended, and Canada has had an eroding prosperity, it's had an eroding sovereignty because the terrain of protecting and advancing those is the digital realm,' said Balsillie, the former co-CEO of Research in Motion, the company that developed the Blackberry. Article content Article content He said the digital initiative is a 'natural addition' to the school, which is also home to the Balsillie School of International Affairs, a joint project of Laurier, the University of Waterloo and the Centre for International Governance and Innovation. Article content Article content Deborah MacLatchy, the president and vice-chancellor of Wilfrid Laurier, said the funding will 'stand up' the work students and faculty are doing on the topic of the digital future. While figures aren't yet known, the university hopes to add faculty and more students because of the new research and educational initiative. Article content 'We're hearing a lot from companies, from government, about their capacity needs, meaning that they just don't feel that they have all the internal expertise or the up-and-coming expertise of students and grad students who have experience in this area,' said MacLatchy. 'And this gift will really allow us to really take a take a run at this in a way that will be unique across the country.'
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Oman: Self-service platform for issuing property title deeds launched
Muscat: In a major stride towards enhancing digital governance and streamlining public services, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning has officially launched a new self-service platform for issuing digital property title deeds. The service allows beneficiaries to obtain their title deeds instantly and electronically, eliminating the need for in-person visits to service halls. This initiative marks a significant shift in simplifying procedures. By enabling immediate issuance of ownership documents online, the ministry anticipates reducing the time spent on such services by over 70 per cent and cutting in-person visits by 60 per cent in the first year alone. In addition to efficiency and speed, the initiative aligns with the ministry's sustainability goals. It complements a broader digital transition strategy that includes internal communications, external documentation and now the issuance of secure digital title deeds. Each document is embedded with an electronic verification code, ensuring both accuracy and authenticity. Users can access the traditional version of their property deed through the 'Amlak' platform. Dr Moamen bin Abdullah al Busaidy, Adviser to the Minister for Smart Cities, emphasised the significance of the launch, stating: 'This is a critical step towards a fully digital ownership system. Our ambition is for the majority of the public to adopt electronic title deeds by the end of next year. It will save both time and effort for users, who previously had to physically visit various service locations.' Dr Al Busaidy added that the ministry is currently developing smart services designed to anticipate citizens' needs and deliver information and entitlements proactively — without requiring formal requests. Future enhancements will also enable mobile access to services and real-time interactions with intelligent data systems, further reducing the need to contact support staff directly. Dr Rashid bin Mohammed al Ghilani, CEO of the Oman National Engineering and Investment Company (Oneic), which is partnering with the ministry on the project, commented: 'This strategic collaboration marks a transformative milestone in Oman's digital journey. We are committed to delivering secure and efficient technological solutions that enhance citizen experience and drive public sector innovation. We are proud of the trust placed in us by the ministry and look forward to further partnerships in line with Oman Vision 2040. To maximise accessibility and inclusivity, the new service will gradually be rolled out across more than 300 locations. These include all ministry service halls, Oneic branches and self-service kiosks operating around the clock in all governorates. This expansive rollout is expected to improve operational efficiency and raise customer satisfaction levels to 95 per cent.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
GVG Takes Legal Action Through Carter-Ruck to Counter Alleged Disinformation Campaigns
GVG has instructed leading London law firm Carter-Ruck to formally address articles published by Commsrisk. LONDON, June 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Voice Group (GVG), a pioneer in regulatory technology and digital governance, has initiated legal action through top-tier law firm Carter-Ruck against Commsrisk. This action follows a series of strategically timed publications that GVG asserts are defamatory and threaten its international partnerships with governments and regulators in Africa, Latin America, and emerging markets worldwide. Misinformation threatens cross-border digital governance Over an extended period, Commsrisk and its editor have published a series of allegations which GVG vehemently denies. These publications, which have surfaced around significant commercial milestones and international tenders involving GVG, have raised concerns about alleged misinformation and its impact on public discourse in the sectors GVG serves. While GVG embraces fair scrutiny of its activity, it believes in upholding the integrity of factual reporting. The company is therefore taking steps to ensure that any public commentary about its operations meets basic standards of accuracy and fairness. "In an era of increasing digital accountability, trust is everything," said James Claude, CEO of GVG. "We welcome open dialogue and critical review of our work. However, we believe that any such dialogue must be rooted in facts. Misinformation doesn't just harm our reputation, it undermines the credibility of the digital infrastructure that countries rely on to fight fraud, increase transparency, and build self-reliant economies. We cannot remain silent when targeted by baseless accusations." GVG's commitment to digital integrity GVG invites all media and stakeholders to consult verified information and encourages responsible journalism that serves the global digital public good. Furthermore, the company reaffirms its commitment to transparency, ethical practices, and remains focused on empowering governments and regulators through trusted, inclusive solutions. GVG is prepared to pursue further legal remedies to ensure full accountability and defend the integrity of cross-border digital governance worldwide. About GVGFounded in 1998 and operating in 11 countries, Global Voice Group delivers ICT and RegTech solutions that empower governments and regulators through data-driven digital transformation. By leveraging Big Data analytics, GVG helps build compliant, inclusive digital ecosystems and turns critical sector data into actionable insights. Logo - View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Global Voice Group Sign in to access your portfolio
Zawya
18-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
UAE, Pakistan launch strategic partnership to modernise government operations
The governments of the UAE and Pakistan have launched a strategic partnership aimed at modernising government operations, marking a new milestone in bilateral cooperation between the two nations. Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, affirmed his country's commitment to strengthening its long-standing friendship with the UAE and expanding cooperation across sectors. He emphasised Pakistan's intention to benefit from the UAE's pioneering government practices, which have positioned it among the world's most advanced nations in administrative modernisation. Speaking during a meeting with a UAE government delegation, Prime Minister Sharif noted Pakistan's recent reforms, such as advancing digital governance, paperless economic systems, and implementing identity-less customs protocols. He highlighted Pakistan's eagerness to adopt successful UAE models to promote data-driven decision-making and good governance. The UAE delegation included Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange, and Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan. Sharif recalled his recent visit to Abu Dhabi and his meeting with President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, describing the meeting as 'highly fruitful' and praising the UAE's ongoing developmental support and strategic initiatives in Pakistan. During the visit, Prime Minister Sharif witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalising the UAE–Pakistan strategic partnership for government modernisation. The MoU was signed by Abdulla Lootah and Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives of Pakistan, in the presence of senior officials including Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan; Jam Kamal Khan, Federal Minister for Commerce of Pakistan, and Ambassador Al Zaabi. Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, described the partnership as a continuation of the strong bilateral ties established by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. "Underscoring the commitment of the wise leadership to build upon these strong bilateral relations in a manner that ensures the sustainability of constructive cooperation aimed at promoting prosperity and mutual benefit for the peoples of both friendly nations," he added. Mohammad Al Gergawi stated that under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE continues to advance cooperation and strengthen its fruitful and positive partnership with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. He also emphasised the country's commitment to broadening the scope of collaboration across various fields, in a manner that supports the shared vision and aspirations of both friendly nations. Al Gergawi emphasised that this partnership will enhance bilateral cooperation through the sharing of best practices in governance, public administration, and institutional innovation. The strategic partnership covers a wide range of fields including: Good Governance, Development Planning, Public Sector Reform, Human Capital Development, Urban Planning, and Science and Technology. Through this partnership, the two countries aim to foster mutual learning, institutional capacity-building, and implementation of modern, agile government systems. Lootah remarked that the partnership reflects the shared strategic vision of the UAE and Pakistan to advance bilateral cooperation, especially in public sector excellence. In a related context, Muhammad Ishaq Dar met with the delegation from the UAE Government. The delegation also held a separate meeting with Ahsan Iqbal in the presence of Bilal Azhar Kayani, Minister of State for Finance. Both meetings focused on exploring the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and exchanging views on strengthening cooperation in governance, institutional development, and public sector innovation.
