According to the comprehensive plan to develop the IT human resources, Vietnam needed 1 million workers in the IT field in 2020. Yet the reality shows that there are only 600,000 IT students being trained in 400 higher educational institutes and 8 key IT training centers nationwide.

Statistics from the Institute of Information Technology Strategy (under the Ministry of Information & Communications) show that 72 percent of IT students lack practical experience, while 42 percent are weak at team work. Only 15 percent of IT graduates satisfy the demands of employers.

Vietnam now has over 700 IT companies working in key fields of the IT industry, including 220 foreign ones. They mostly locate in major cities or software parks.

Notably, despite a high job potential, the AI field still attracts little attention from both learners and trainers. There is no formal university department or school to specifically provide tertiary education in this field. Most curriculum focus on software developing, which is a rather old trend of the previous decade. This calls for a serious curriculum redesign to answer the current needs of IT companies, both domestic and international.

There should be an establishment of AI departments in universities or the development of such majors as computer vision, natural language processing, Big Data, robotics. Tertiary educational institutes should cooperate with IT businesses for internship programs, career guiding fairs, academic challenges, and training equipment provision (like server clusters, computing clusters, GPU, robots, IoT devices).

Experts voiced that in order for HCMC to own sufficient core AI human resources, the municipal authorities must first identify the market needs and the ability to apply research result in reality. They then have to actively link the development of smart city, innovative urban areas with the growth of talented AI employees.

These actions will gradually form a complete AI ecosystem so that HCMC can transform into a database center of the whole Southeast Asian region in 2030, and of the world in the far future.

There must be clear short-term as well as long-term strategies to turn HCMC into a smart city, including the three key points of research and training, technology mastering, and innovation promotion.

Regarding the first key point, more investment should be pour into the AI field via supporting funds, collaboration with national and international partners to take advantage of all possible strengths.

A kind of ‘shared university’ for AI training could be formed, where educational facilities are located in one place, and the teaching staff or research teams come to perform their tasks. This model does need specific policies to regulate particular responsibilities and rights of each partner, as well as the role of the municipal authorities in the project.

Director of Vietnam National University – HCMC Vu Hai Quan stated that the potential of key AI research teams directly shape the training direction for new AI workers. They are the model for the young generations to look up to.

Therefore, the AI human resources training project should consist of financial aid for major AI research teams to expand their study in various fields, the construction of AI labs, the organization of academic contests about AI to tackle existing problems in the community.

These actions will no doubt increase the position of Vietnam in the global AI top list and the awareness of AI importance in the society.

By Thanh Hung – Translated by Thanh Tam

In an already extremely competitive global cosmetic industry, homegrown beauty brands have long struggled to stand out and compete alongside international juggernauts such as Estee Lauder, SK-II and Laneige.

But despite this cutthroat landscape, local brands have not only managed to survive – it seems they might be thriving.

When local skincare entrepreneur Lily Kew started the original Kew Organics Facial Salon at Everton Park in 2014, few in the beauty industry, including the owner herself, would have predicted that in the next four years, there would be not only two more salon branches and two Sugar K Organic Peel Bars, but also a proudly homegrown line, Kew Organics skincare.

Launched in mid-2016, Kew Organics skincare – Singapore’s first water-based organic skincare label – is sold in salons and its online store. This year, Kew Organics launched its own lab for formulations and production of both skincare and a new Organic Body Line.

Late last year, it expanded into Hong Kong via an independent product distribution and service centre there, which, according to Kew, is run by a satisfied Kew Organics customer.

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SUPPORT LOCAL, USE LOCAL, BUY LOCAL

Singaporean Muslim founder Amira Geneid emerged a few years ago to fill the gap in the market for halal-certified cosmetics with Zahara. Starting off with an oxygen and water vapour permeable nail polish (so that Muslim women don’t have to remove it before the water-cleansing ritual performed prior to prayers), the brand now boasts matte liquid lipsticks, eye-shadow palettes and more than 25,000 followers on Instagram.

Singaporean Nicolas Travis’s skincare product line Allies Of Skin, which can be found locally on Sephora shelves, has such a cult following that it now has presence in 12 countries including international retailers like Bloomingdale’s in the United States, as well as Net-A-Porter online.

To think that all these local brands are less than five years old.

Celebrity makeup artist Peter Khor told CNA Lifestyle that compared to as little as five years ago, there were not as many local beauty brands around.

“But now local labels like Dr Georgia Lee’s DrGL and Allies of Skin are doing phenomenally well,” he said.

Could Singaporeans finally be jumping on the support local-buy-local train?

“Local products are less costly than the other international brands,” said Khor. “But most importantly, their products are effective. These brands are helping people achieve better skin at an accessible price point and that’s very commendable.”

“I’ve used their products before,” he added. “And I’ll say they definitely give you more bang for your buck.”

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Kew agreed. “For such effective and organic skincare, we are considered good value for money compared to other big foreign brands as they spend a lot of money on marketing and branding,” she told CNA Lifestyle. “We don’t spend as much on marketing and branding so we plough a big percentage of our revenue into our formulations.”

“Because we are a homegrown brand, we know our client base and their skin needs very well. Kew Organics skincare is water-based and targeted to treat specific skin problems, which is what all Singaporeans need and are looking for in effective skincare,” said Kew.

If the products are good and effective, it really doesn’t matter to Singaporeans whether it’s from a local brand or a foreign one

“In today’s world, consumers are very savvy. They know that if something is good, there is no need for a brand to pour a huge amount of marketing dollars to shout about it.  The results speak for themselves,” she said.

“Sales have escalated steadily over the years at a growth rate of around 30 per cent per annum,” added Kew. “So I would say, yes, if the products are good and effective, it really doesn’t matter to Singaporeans whether it’s from a local brand or a foreign one.”

Marketing manager Sally Poh started buying Singapore beauty products only recently, but has not looked back since.

“I feel like they are of better quality,” said the 34-year-old beauty consumer. “At the same time, I like the idea that I’m helping support local and small businesses.”

She admitted that she was previously under the perception that local brands are way more expensive than big brands. “But then I realised the prices are actually reasonable, and the products feel more suited to Asian skin,” she added.

MADE IN SINGAPORE

We have seen more and more local companies produce quality beauty products, mainly skincare

It is no secret that Singaporeans tend to buy international before supporting local .

“A large group of Singaporeans have this thing that whatever is made in Singapore will not be as good as the ones made overseas, like Japan, Korea, the US or Europe,” said celebrity makeup artist Clarence Lee.

But he admits that that things are changing and more Singaporeans are now showing their support.

“We have seen more and more local companies produce quality beauty products, mainly skincare,” he said. “And they seem to be picking up.”

Alli Sim, founder of homegrown artisanal aromatherapy label Mmerci Encore, believes Singaporeans are finally ready to buy made-in-Singapore beauty products. Australia-born Sim concocts her lotions and potions locally.

“We found that certain ‘in-the-know’ segments of the local market were receptive of our brand from the get-go. These were the folk that were already exposed to aromatherapy as well as niche beauty labels while living or travelling abroad,” she said. “They’ve always appreciated that our goods are made by someone and not something .”

Mmerci Encore offers body products made with raw ingredients and 100 per cent therapeutic-grade essential oils sourced from farms and apothecaries, and are free of parabens, sulphates and synthetic fragrances.

They’ve always appreciated that our goods are made by someone and not something

“Our business has grown over the years but not without a lot of educating and awareness-building on our part,” said Sim. “When we started, we were one of probably two local aromatherapy-focused brands founded by a certified aromatherapist making goods in small batches.”

“These days, people are more receptive to holistic wellness and thus more open to what we do.”

For Toh Ziling, chief operating officer of Singaporean skincare label RE:ERTH, the challenge has always been having to convince people of the “validity of a local skincare brand”.

A year after the launch of RE:ERTH, Toh believes that “our business is a testament to a continually growing interest in local beauty products”.

“I believe local support will grow stronger once the trust is established that we have truly garnered resources from Singapore and around the world that is, in my opinion, better than what exists in the current market,” said Toh.

According to Toh, over 90 per cent of RE:ERTH customers are based in Singapore. “Our customer base is growing strongest here,” she said.

CHANGING MINDSETS

Marie Soh, local makeup artist and founder of INGA Cosmetics, a brand known for its matte lipsticks that can withstand our hot and humid weather, believes that it’s all about changing the mindsets of Singaporeans when it comes to emerging homegrown labels.

“I think it’s the lack of trust in the quality of products, and also the relation that ‘local’ equates to cheap and sub-par quality,” she said. “Which in truth is the total opposite!”

Sim agreed, saying that in the past, there was always the impression that local equals cheap or inferior. She explained that in growing Mmerci Encore’s base of customers, it’s all about education.

“It’s about educating clients that they’re paying a fair price for really high quality, sustainably sourced oils that have been purchased in Europe or the US and then entirely handcrafted with a lot of skill, passion and pride – right here in Singapore,” she said.

“It can be challenging to explain this myriad of factors when a client decides to ask for a discount, simply because other mass-market, global players can afford to do so.”

There are some incredible local beauty brands out there … who create sophisticated, world-beating products that work

As for how to keep the buy-local train chugging along, Toh believes initiatives by the Singapore Tourism Board like Design Singapore – which is slated to launch early 2019 – is a good platform to keep the trend going.

“Being in prime Orchard Road space, it gives a great platform for locals to be acquainted with local brands, to realise that we are as good as, or even better than, international brands.”

SINGAPORE: While getting an HIV test at a clinic in Singapore is straightforward, some people apparently prefer self-diagnosis.

Which is perhaps why a simple search online turns up at least 40 from local suppliers’ advertisements for self-test human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) kits which promise accuracy, privacy and convenience.

They also assure speed, with a result promised within 20 to 30 minutes. All that is needed is a mouth swab or blood sample.

The catch? The suppliers of the kits are not licensed.

Currently, such tests are only allowed to be conducted in a clinic, the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) and Ministry of Health (MOH) told Channel NewsAsia.

They said this is to ensure that potential carriers of the HIV virus, which causes Aids and is often transmitted sexually, receive comprehensive care.

“It is important for patients to be managed holistically by receiving appropriate testing, including screening for other sexually transmitted infections and pre- and post-test counselling,” an MOH spokesperson said.

She added that testing at a clinic would allow access to follow-up care in the event of a positive result. Some clinics here currently offer rapid testing options that give results in 20 minutes. If a positive result is found, a sample will be sent for a lab confirmation, which could take two weeks.

MOH has also listed 10 clinics and sites where members of the public can be tested anonymously. At these sites, people are assigned numbers instead of having to provide their personal particulars.

HSA said only dealers that it licenses are allowed to import and supply HIV test kits. Such test kits are required to be registered by HSA as medical devices prior to import and supply under the Health Products Act, a spokesperson said.

“Medical devices, including the sale of such devices on local online platforms such as Carousell, are subject to the regulatory controls under the Act,” she added.

Any person caught selling unregistered medical devices or dealing with such products without the relevant dealer’s licence faces up to S$50,000 in fines, a maximum two-year jail term, or both.

DANGERS OF SELF-TESTING: MISINTERPRETATION, FALSE RESULTS

Doctors and experts warned that using such self-test kits is fraught with risks. Dr Tan Kok Kuan, Chief Medical Officer at the Doctor Tan And Partners Clinics Group, said that that there is no way to police the quality and accuracy of test kits bought off the Internet.

In fact, some are “just plain fake” and do not work, he added. He also said that there is no way to ensure that patients are conducting the tests properly and the results they are getting are accurate.

“We have no way to ensure patients are interpreting the results correctly. Even pregnancy test kits are sometimes interpreted wrongly,” he said.

Dr Jeremy Chan who runs a medical practice in his name in Toa Payoh said that before being authorised to conduct HIV tests, doctors have to attend training courses and that the efficacy of the tests is frequently audited.

“It may seem simple, but the science behind it still needs training. They could be using the wrong technique or even the wrong body fluid,” he said.

It could also be tricky to use mouth swab samples which some of these unlicensed kits require, he said. Taking a swab from the wrong part of the mouth, and taking too much or too little of the swab could affect results.

A wrongly-done or interpreted test could lead to false negatives, a case where the tester is infected, but gets a result that he is not – or false positives in the opposite situation, he added.

Ms Sumita Banerjee, general manager of Action For AIDS, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to fighting HIV and AIDS infection, also cautioned against self-testing.

“A positive result needs to be confirmed by a laboratory-based test. Furthermore, members of the public need to understand that a negative test needs to be repeated if there was recent high-risk sexual exposure,” she said.

The latest figures from MOH show that a total of 361 new cases of HIV infections were reported among Singapore residents from January to October last year. In the whole of 2016, 408 new cases of HIV infections were reported among Singapore residents.

ONLINE SELLER SAYS HE IS DOING GOOD

An online seller, who spoke to Channel NewsAsia on the condition of anonymity, said that he has been selling his unlicensed kits for almost two years, and that he has repeat customers.

He said that while he is aware that selling or distributing them here without a licence is against the law, research states that self-testing helps people in dealing with their emotions if they test positive.

I still feel that I am doing a good thing in helping people.

The seller, who said his kits are from the United States, pointed out that the World Health Organisation (WHO) approves of self-testing to defend his sales.

In December 2016, WHO recommended that HIV self-testing should be offered as an additional approach to HIV testing services. The international body also pre-qualified the first HIV self-test in a move to increase HIV diagnosis and treatment in July last year.

However, MOH said that WHO’s pre-qualification of one brand of self-testing kit is a complementary approach to increase testing capacity, and improve access to testing, especially in countries with low testing service coverage and poor laboratory infrastructure.

Dr Tan said self-testing is more suitable for resource-poor countries where people have limited access to quality medical care.

“In Singapore, it is too easy to walk into any clinic for a HIV test. There is really no need to initiate self-testing,” said Dr Tan whose clinic in Robertson Walk is one of 10 approved anonymous HIV testing sites. He conducts 200 to 300 tests a month. Action for AIDS conducts about 1,000 tests a month, Ms Sumita said.

Still, infectious disease specialist from Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital Dr Leong Hoe Nam said self-testing should be allowed in Singapore.

“It is just like a knife. It has benefits and it can be subjected to abuse. But being able to abuse it doesn’t mean we don’t use it. It should come with clear instructions,” he said.

WHY WOULD POTENTIAL CARRIERS WANT TO SELF-TEST?

Doctors and experts said those who self-test are looking for quick answers without having to go to a clinic or testing site for fear of being judged, or being embarrassed.

“Those who suspect they have HIV may want to test themselves in the secure comfort of their home,” said Ms Sumita, adding that such knowledge may be empowering for individuals who are not comfortable discussing their sexual behaviours.

Dr Tan said that potential HIV carriers may feel “extremely self-conscious” walking into a clinic and talking to a doctor about HIV testing and convenience, as going to a clinic involves travelling and waiting.

He added that even with anonymous testing options, they may not be convinced that their details are not recorded. “They have the mistaken impression that if they test positive, they will still be asked to submit their personal information to MOH and somehow their family or employers will find out,” he said.

He debunked this, saying that there will be no record of them ever having had the test done, he said.

“Even if a patient tests positive for HIV, we do not ask them for their name or any other form of identification. Basically, once they walk out of the clinic, there is no way we or anyone else can trace them,” he said.

MOH said it regularly reviews new diagnostic technologies including self-tests, and will consider including them as part of its HIV management policy if they are suitable for the Singapore context, “taking into account considerations regarding access to counselling and linkage to follow up care”.

Doctors encouraged potential carriers to go to a clinic, instead of resorting to buying kits online. They assured the public that the process is not distressing.

Dr Tan said: “I can understand that if a patient has not undergone this before, he or she may have the wrong impression that doctors will grill them with many embarrassing questions before the test. The way we conduct pre and post-test counselling is very non-intrusive, non-judgemental and very professional.”