Canberra-headquartered SAP Institute launches with five foundation partners: Australian Catholic University, Australian National University, European Social Network, International Social Security Association and National Disability Insurance Agency
Brisbane, Australia — The SAP Institute for Digital Government today officially announced its launch – alongside five foundation partners – at a luncheon at the National Disability Insurance Agency’s NDIS New World: Disability in the 21st Century Conference.
The SAP Institute for Digital Government was established to spur public sector innovation. In collaboration with government agencies, universities and partner organisations, the Institute will facilitate innovation through digital technology for deeper policy insight and improved service delivery.
Brian Lee-Archer of the SAP Institute for Digital Government says: “The Institute has concentrated on developing its social protection capability during 2015 and will expand to cover other areas of government such as future cities and national security in 2016. Social protection is one of the highest touch points for a government with its citizens and innovation through digital transformation will contribute to improved social and economic outcomes. The Institute looks forward to working with client organisations such as the National Disability Insurance Agency and our partners around the world.”
The SAP Institute for Digital Government has today named five foundation partners, all of which share a passion for developing a deeper understanding of how digital transformation can enable the creation of public value. They include:
- The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA): an independent statutory agency, whose role is to implement the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
- The European Social Network (ESN): a knowledge exchange network of over 100 local public social services organisations working at all levels of government across 34 countries in Europe
- The International Social Security Association (ISSA): the principal international institution bringing together national-level social security agencies and organisations with more than 350 members in more than 150 countries
- The Learning Sciences Institute Australia at Australian Catholic University (ACU), which aims to advance and create new knowledge and understanding to improve the life chances for children and young people
- The College of Business and Economics at the Australian National University (ANU): a research-intensive university of global standing based in Canberra, specialising in discovery and public policy
Marie Johnson, Head of Technology Authority, NDIA, said: “The National Disability Insurance Scheme is the most significant social reform in Australia since the introduction of Medicare more than 30 years ago. The Scheme is grounded in technology innovation as the catalyst for driving the contextual participant experience; delivering on the principles of choice and control, and ensuring financial sustainability.
“The NDIA recognises that the SAP Institute for Digital Government will stimulate cross-sectoral collaboration that will yield insights and thought leadership into the spectrum of opportunities and challenges that arise in the digital era. We are very pleased to be recognised as a foundation member of the Institute, and we look forward to collaborating on a broad range of themes.”
Speaking at today’s launch, John Halloran, Chief Executive of ESN, discussed how European social service organisations are innovating to achieve effective social outcomes and how social investment is contributing to economic activity.
On the SAP Institute for Digital Government, Mr Halloran commented: “It is impressive to see the launch of a think tank with a focus on how digital innovation can transform social protection. Public social services organisations are under continuing pressure to deliver efficient and effective services in rapidly changing social and economic conditions. We look forward to collaborating with the Institute in areas of interest to our broad membership base across Europe.”
Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, Secretary General, ISSA, added: “Social security requires increasingly innovative digital solutions to provide effective and quality services to citizens. The ISSA is therefore pleased to be associated with the launch of the SAP Institute for Digital Government and looks forward to collaboration for excellence in the analysis and delivery of social security.”
Professor Claire Wyatt-Smith, Director of the Learning Sciences Institute Australia, ACU, said: “Linking education, social and health outcomes is amongst the highest priorities in innovative research. Predictive analytics are key in this venture. LSIA welcomes the partnership with SAP to generate new knowledge to inform policy and practice for improving the well-being, learning and life chances of young people.”
“We are delighted to partner with the SAP Institute for Digital Government on researching important issues relating to use of digital technology in the public sector,” said Professor Shirley Gregor, Associate Dean (Research) of the ANU College of Business and Economics. “We have depth of expertise in data analytics, digital support for decision making and complex service delivery that we will harness for this collaboration with SAP as it works to support the development of digital government processes relating to social protection.”
Partnering with the Institute is conducted in a non-commercial manner to allow for flexibility in the topic areas to pursue. The Institute, with its partners, is developing programmes of collaboration activity in areas such as innovation in using predictive analytics in real-time decision-making and policy development.
Discussion Paper Launched: Social Investment in the Digital Era
Speaking at today’s launch, Mr Lee-Archer shared insights from the Institute’s new discussion paper – also released today – Social Investment in the Digital Era – Improving Social Outcomes through Predictive Analytics and Managing the Emerging Moral Hazard and Ethical Challenges.
The purpose of this discussion paper is to raise awareness, promote discussion and encourage research on the challenge of moral hazard and ethical issues from the use of predictive analytics in decision making in social protection policy making and administration. The SAP Institute for Digital Government first discussed this issue at a workshop conducted during the ESN’s annual conference in Lisbon in July 2015. This was followed by an executive roundtable in September 2015, attended by policy makers, non-government organisations, academia and the IT industry.
The discussion and debate at these events highlighted the topic as an emerging issue. While this paper is focused on social protection, the challenges discussed are relevant across many areas of public administration.
Organisations sharing a passion for digital transformation enabling the creation of public value can contact the Institute to explore partnering and collaboration opportunities: digitalgovernment@sap.com.
About SAP
As market leader in enterprise application software, SAP (NYSE: SAP) helps companies of all sizes and industries run better. From back office to boardroom, warehouse to storefront, desktop to mobile device – SAP empowers people and organizations to work together more efficiently and use business insight more effectively to stay ahead of the competition. SAP applications and services enable more than 293,500 customers to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and grow sustainably. For more information, visit www.sap.com.
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