In continuation to last week’s lesson, we learnt another aspect of the bio-business revolution- Agribiology , environmental life sciences and industrial biology. This aspect of technology reinforced to the class another aspect of what sustainable development can be as the world takes on an ever-increasing toll of human population, by as much as 9.2 billion by the 2050. Today, I learnt about the vast impacts of the bio-business revolution and how it integrated it is, as part of our lives and economy. It is such a large market that has formed, not only in contributing to 25% of the world’s GDP or creating job employment for people but the fact that it is an integral part of human life. Ever since the 1990s, research has been carried out, allowing people now to enjoy the benefits such as healthier food options as well as job options. In a time like this, it is hard to say that we haven’t been in contact to genetically modified foods, much less that we haven’t eaten them.
One of the interesting observations that I had today was what food security is. It is a condition where all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. It is safe to say that we are food secure, we simply do not have much to fear about whether we have food on the tables for the next meal, we probably need to fear whether we have the time to sit and eat our meals. Food security however, is affected by a few factors such as physical, economic, socio-political and physiological. As illustrated in one of the presentations, climate change drastically affects food security per se. We are definitely affected by climate change in almost every aspect of our lives. But as humans, we can think of ways and technology to help curb such possible problems and one of such is using technology eg. The wema project for Africa. It is interesting to see how firms invent new technology that is resistant to droughts, avoiding imminent problems to the crops that farmers grow.
Another observation I found interesting during class was the extensiveness of genetically modified foods. I haven’t really realised how large a part that GM foods have been part of our world since the 1990s. And how we have actually eaten them at some parts of our lives even though we might not know it, take for example kiwis. And GM foods usually are better, in the sense that they may have higher vitamin content, protein, are technically more nutritious. However, more importantly is that it can solve the problem of limited food supply especially in this times where the sustainability of foods is at a risk and GM foods can help to solve the above problem to a certain extent, by ensuring that people have sources to turn to and look for.
Subsequently, prof also talked about the different colours of technology, ranging from blue to red to white to green etc, I’m sure the list goes on but it sure is a whole range and aspect of how technology is used in our society these days.
Issues I wished had been given some airtime or discussion as part of the class was that of environmental life sciences technology because it hadn’t been very much addressed in the presentations etc. I feel that waste management is pretty important especially in our context and the kind of lives we lead, there is definitely a lot to the area of waste management that we can look into and how we can help the Earth or ways in which we can.
Overall, I feel the lesson was quite interesting as we explored in what ways are we affected by environmental and other factors and then how people harness technology to turn things around to help ourselves. I’d rate it a 8 out of 10 :)
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
BioBusiness Revolution: Healthcare and Biomedical Sciences
Biobusiness is commercial activity based on an understanding of life sciences and life science processes. It has and is an integral part of human life, dealing with areas such as biomedical, agri-veterinary, environmental and industrial. The presentations and slides showed the class a greater insight into the pharmaceutical industry in Singapore and developing countries and mainly, the technology in the area of healthcare. We learnt more how technology has affected the pharmaceutical industry and how it has advanced.
Few of the observations i found interesting was how healthcare systems have transformed and changed according to times. Moving on from disease-oriented healthcare systems from the past to the wellness-oriented healthcare systems presently, it has indeed faced a profound change according to how people’s mindsets and cultures have evolved over the times. As we move into a more advanced times, people are moved to expect, and then to take precautions to prevent possible health problems.
The key takeaways of the lesson is that the BioBusiness revolution will transform our life and economies- in the areas of improving our standard of living, our possible life expectancy and the overall quality of the healthcare system and ensuring that we the best standards of treatment. Hence this very fact itself transforms our life in an aspect that has a direct impact on our lives. For without life, there would not be even a need for people to transform and create more technology. Without health, all the possibilities of how technology can affect or help the human race would be essentially of no use. Also, the BioBusiness revolution indeed is a transformer of the economy because of the very effects that it can bring to the economies and how people require healthcare and biomedical sciences in any aspect of their lives they are at and even more so in the future.
Secondly, is that BioBusiness may well be our best hope in achieving sustainable development. Apart from industrial development as covered in the lesson a few weeks back, the BioBusiness revolution is an integral part of innovation management. Not only do doctors or scientists have to research on how to improve on their existing processes or methods of surgery, there is a need to continue innovating and create substantial breakthroughs in the medical fields and helping other countries with their valuable findings.
Issues that I wished had taken some airtime during class, is on the biomedical aspect of BioBusiness, it would definitely have allowed me to have a greater understanding of the BioBusiness per se.
I’d rate the lesson a 8 out of 10 because I do feel that I have gained a substantial knowledge of how technology affects the medical arena and a greater detail into what BioBusiness is essentially about.
Biobusiness is commercial activity based on an understanding of life sciences and life science processes. It has and is an integral part of human life, dealing with areas such as biomedical, agri-veterinary, environmental and industrial. The presentations and slides showed the class a greater insight into the pharmaceutical industry in Singapore and developing countries and mainly, the technology in the area of healthcare. We learnt more how technology has affected the pharmaceutical industry and how it has advanced.
Few of the observations i found interesting was how healthcare systems have transformed and changed according to times. Moving on from disease-oriented healthcare systems from the past to the wellness-oriented healthcare systems presently, it has indeed faced a profound change according to how people’s mindsets and cultures have evolved over the times. As we move into a more advanced times, people are moved to expect, and then to take precautions to prevent possible health problems.
The key takeaways of the lesson is that the BioBusiness revolution will transform our life and economies- in the areas of improving our standard of living, our possible life expectancy and the overall quality of the healthcare system and ensuring that we the best standards of treatment. Hence this very fact itself transforms our life in an aspect that has a direct impact on our lives. For without life, there would not be even a need for people to transform and create more technology. Without health, all the possibilities of how technology can affect or help the human race would be essentially of no use. Also, the BioBusiness revolution indeed is a transformer of the economy because of the very effects that it can bring to the economies and how people require healthcare and biomedical sciences in any aspect of their lives they are at and even more so in the future.
Secondly, is that BioBusiness may well be our best hope in achieving sustainable development. Apart from industrial development as covered in the lesson a few weeks back, the BioBusiness revolution is an integral part of innovation management. Not only do doctors or scientists have to research on how to improve on their existing processes or methods of surgery, there is a need to continue innovating and create substantial breakthroughs in the medical fields and helping other countries with their valuable findings.
Issues that I wished had taken some airtime during class, is on the biomedical aspect of BioBusiness, it would definitely have allowed me to have a greater understanding of the BioBusiness per se.
I’d rate the lesson a 8 out of 10 because I do feel that I have gained a substantial knowledge of how technology affects the medical arena and a greater detail into what BioBusiness is essentially about.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
ICT
Information and communication technologies (ICT) has indeed changed the landscape of countries- in the areas of environment, economic and even socially. Through the lesson, I have come to realise the vast impact of ICT and how effective its role is in our society. It is definitely a key element of infrastructure in many areas of an economy, such as the increasing a company’s competitiveness and network. It then goes on to how people are able to acquire the vital data which they would be able to utilise such information and applying them as knowledge eventually spurs the company’s competiveness in the market. This is a small area of how ICT can impact the economy and the list goes on.
One of the things I have learnt through the lesson is “cloud computing”. Cloud computing is an Internet-based technology through which information is stored in servers and provided as an on-demand service to clients. Cloud computing is interesting because it serves as a very convenient and advantageous technology for all to utilise because it is easily accessible as long as one has internet connection. As seen in the EU countries, the impact of cloud computing is obvious, with its increases in GDP and positive economic impacts with increases in job creations, framework and in the competitive conditions in the goods markets that create the conditions for rapid business creation. However, the impact of cloud computing too, has to depend on the rate in which countries and companies decide to undertake such technology.
Also, one of the other things I have learnt is how ICT can impact environmental sustainability. Having always thought that both technology and environmentalism are vastly different aspects, I have learnt how technology can improve environmental sustainability. From assessing emission levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other toxic substances and measuring success rates to telling us where we stand and what is the ideal state to be in, technology helps us step into a safer tomorrow. There is indeed, much to what companies can take action to do, to help preserve Mother Earth.
The key takeaways of today’s lesson were mainly on the pervasiveness of technology and the broad scope of impact it has on societies. And that only if countries were to undertake it within their fastest possible means, such technology would be deemed as redundant. The fact is, that technology would never cease advancing and changing and we need to keep up with it, we need to have the right policies in place that keeps and spurs companies into keeping up with the advancements and change when there is a need to.
Stuff that I hoped had a little more airtime is that of cloud computing. About how the effects of cloud computing was and what it was in a little more detail because I didn’t exactly understand how it worked then!
Overall, I felt the lesson was an enriching one, as it reminded me not only on the effects of what technology can help our society but also increasing my knowledge overall. I’d rate it a 8 out of 10.
One of the things I have learnt through the lesson is “cloud computing”. Cloud computing is an Internet-based technology through which information is stored in servers and provided as an on-demand service to clients. Cloud computing is interesting because it serves as a very convenient and advantageous technology for all to utilise because it is easily accessible as long as one has internet connection. As seen in the EU countries, the impact of cloud computing is obvious, with its increases in GDP and positive economic impacts with increases in job creations, framework and in the competitive conditions in the goods markets that create the conditions for rapid business creation. However, the impact of cloud computing too, has to depend on the rate in which countries and companies decide to undertake such technology.
Also, one of the other things I have learnt is how ICT can impact environmental sustainability. Having always thought that both technology and environmentalism are vastly different aspects, I have learnt how technology can improve environmental sustainability. From assessing emission levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other toxic substances and measuring success rates to telling us where we stand and what is the ideal state to be in, technology helps us step into a safer tomorrow. There is indeed, much to what companies can take action to do, to help preserve Mother Earth.
The key takeaways of today’s lesson were mainly on the pervasiveness of technology and the broad scope of impact it has on societies. And that only if countries were to undertake it within their fastest possible means, such technology would be deemed as redundant. The fact is, that technology would never cease advancing and changing and we need to keep up with it, we need to have the right policies in place that keeps and spurs companies into keeping up with the advancements and change when there is a need to.
Stuff that I hoped had a little more airtime is that of cloud computing. About how the effects of cloud computing was and what it was in a little more detail because I didn’t exactly understand how it worked then!
Overall, I felt the lesson was an enriching one, as it reminded me not only on the effects of what technology can help our society but also increasing my knowledge overall. I’d rate it a 8 out of 10.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
drivers of change and leadership management
The themes that we touched on in class in today are very relevant in our modern day society. Without the drivers of change in our dynamic and progressive society, there is no way any company or country can survive and keep up to competition. There is definitely a need for people to ensure that they are equipped to not only be a leader of change but also being flexible to responding and reacting to changes. This is so because there is a wide array of world changes ranging from climate to new technologies, to demographics, to governance, to health and well-being, to resources and the list goes on and on. People need to hinge on the fact that there is definitely a need to be flexible and make things happen.
One of the few ideas that have caught my attention was how plagues and epidemics such as the Dark Ages/Renaissance, Spanish Flu and even SARS or the H1N1 which are closer to home, are drivers of world change. We have to be alert of such problems and take necessary precautions to ensure that our country would not suffer as a result of any of these epidemics because Singapore already has a relatively small population and such problems would prove disadvantageous and possibly a disastrous effect on our economy and even the people’s morale.
Few of the main ideas that I intend to keep in mind is that yes, despite it being important that we should be drivers if change, we need to always keep in mind the need for us to respond quickly to new innovations or changes. We should have the adaptability to change before we can rise up above and to think of new changes that we can make eventually.
Furthermore, in our society, change is the only constant. Frameworks and organisations don’t change but people, and the way people manage things can change. In fact, I feel the modern approach is indeed a useful approach in encouraging people to have continuous monitoring and renewal of their leadership management in terms of managing their companies or the other aspect of innovation. As such, it sets out a clear direction and purpose for its employees, setting a goal and an expectation for workers to live up to.
Indeed, as stated in the video that we watched during class, it takes great courage for the first follower to start following. I feel this is very relevant and true because it does take something out of a person to be a follower and even more so, something that the leader possesses to become a leader. I feel that this issue does have something discussable as we could define and explore what it takes to be someone who can spot who is worth following and what causes people to follow.
Overall, I feel that this lesson is one that is very relevant in our society, essential in our decision makings and it defines what needs to be done so to become a driver of change or even managing the change. An applicable lesson, I’d rate it a 8/10 :)
One of the few ideas that have caught my attention was how plagues and epidemics such as the Dark Ages/Renaissance, Spanish Flu and even SARS or the H1N1 which are closer to home, are drivers of world change. We have to be alert of such problems and take necessary precautions to ensure that our country would not suffer as a result of any of these epidemics because Singapore already has a relatively small population and such problems would prove disadvantageous and possibly a disastrous effect on our economy and even the people’s morale.
Few of the main ideas that I intend to keep in mind is that yes, despite it being important that we should be drivers if change, we need to always keep in mind the need for us to respond quickly to new innovations or changes. We should have the adaptability to change before we can rise up above and to think of new changes that we can make eventually.
Furthermore, in our society, change is the only constant. Frameworks and organisations don’t change but people, and the way people manage things can change. In fact, I feel the modern approach is indeed a useful approach in encouraging people to have continuous monitoring and renewal of their leadership management in terms of managing their companies or the other aspect of innovation. As such, it sets out a clear direction and purpose for its employees, setting a goal and an expectation for workers to live up to.
Indeed, as stated in the video that we watched during class, it takes great courage for the first follower to start following. I feel this is very relevant and true because it does take something out of a person to be a follower and even more so, something that the leader possesses to become a leader. I feel that this issue does have something discussable as we could define and explore what it takes to be someone who can spot who is worth following and what causes people to follow.
Overall, I feel that this lesson is one that is very relevant in our society, essential in our decision makings and it defines what needs to be done so to become a driver of change or even managing the change. An applicable lesson, I’d rate it a 8/10 :)
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