How should the current and future Filipino workforce be equipped to cope with the evolving global landscape amid tech integration? This was the main agenda that was put into the spotlight during the Government-Academe-Industry Network, Inc. (GAIN) 2020 National Convention held on February 7, 2020 at the Dusit Thani Manila in Makati City.
The convention gathered key leaders and decision-makers along with representatives from the academic sector in an effort to help address the impact of technology on the country’s global competitiveness and human capital development.
Identifying challenges
With the theme “The Future Workforce and Graduates for the SMART City Revolution: Towards Global Competitiveness and Human Capital Development,” GAIN 2020 identified the major challenges hounding the country, mapped out potential growth opportunities, and set goals to change the national mindset to achieve a Smart City.
Highlighted during the convention was the Framework developed by the ASEAN Smart Cities Network—a common platform for cities in the Southeast Asia region for collectively working together towards smart and sustainable urbanization using technology. The Framework envisions a Smart City within the region with a balanced high quality of life, a competitive economy, and a sustainable environment.
Special focus areas
The same Framework also identified focus areas for developing a Smart City: Civic and Social, Health and Well-being, Public Safety and Security, Quality Environment, Built Infrastructure, and Industry and Innovation. It also underlined the importance of support by key enablers like Digital Infrastructure and Applications, and Partnerships and Funding.
GAIN 2020 is the third of this annual convention. In 2018, it sparked conversations both in the public and private sectors when it comes to human capital development in the areas of English proficiency digital literacy to boost the country’s global competitiveness.