22nd June 2021, Kathmandu
The online nomination of the sixth edition of the ICT Award, established as a prestigious award in Information and Communication Technology, has started from today, i.e., Ashar 8, 2078 (accordingly, June 22, 2021). Award nominations in 11 different categories.
The online nominations for the ICT Awards 2021 have been opened given the declining rates of the second wave of COVID- 19. Despite the postponement of most events during the transition period of the first wave last year, the winners of 12 categories were honored at a special event at the Soaltee Hotel on December 23, 2020, advancing the nomination and selection process of the ICT Awards 2020 through a virtual medium.
Most of the selection committee meetings of this year’s ICT Awards will be virtual as well. There are more than two dozen juries and advisors for the ICT Award selection process. Interested individuals, companies, products, or organizations in 11 different categories can apply till 16th Shrawan, 2078. Competitors themselves or anyone else can register online nominations for the award. To be nominated for the award, an individual needs to go to the ictaward.org website and select the relevant category and fill the form.
Startup ICT Award, Product ICT Award, Rising Student ICT Award are the awards categories related to innovations and startups. Likewise, Pioneer ICT Award, Nepali Diaspora ICT Award, Entrepreneur ICT Award, and Media Person ICT Award are given to the individuals.
This year, to make the award’s selection process more systematic and fairer, a jury team of more than 12 individuals will select the winner in different stages, conducting different selection processes for 3 months. After 3 rounds of selection in the Startup, Product, Student Star Innovation category, public voting will be conducted by declaring the top 5. Similarly, In the other genres, 4 different stages of virtual selection and field visits will also be conducted.
By organizing a virtual press conference on Tuesday, the organizers have opened nominations for 11 different categories in ICT Award. Speaking at the conference, Razan Lamsal, coordinator of the organizing committee, said that the award needs to be refined and expanded every year. He said that the ICT Award is a campaign to explore possibilities and excellence in communication and technology. Similarly, Jury Coordinator Sushil Pokhrel and Chief Jury Coordinator Hempal Shrestha expressed that the ICT Award should be made standard and credible from all quarterfinal; Prof. Dr. Shuvarna Shakya said, that the ICT award was the most reliable and fairest of the awards held in Nepal.
Former Minister Ganesh Shah said that the ICT sector should be expanded, and this award has been making it meaningful. Similarly, Anil Dutt, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, said that the ICT Award would promote Nepal’s ICT sector and make the Digital Nepal campaign meaningful in collaboration with the private and public sectors. Former Joint Secretary Birendra Mishra, First President of CAN Federation Bimal Sharma, First Pioneer ICT Award winner Muni Shakya and others spoke on the award’s importance.
Award winners will receive various services and facilities with special honors. In addition, winners of Startup, Product, Rising Star categories will also get concessional loan facility and investment opportunity.
Who will apply in which category of the ICT Award?
To be nominated for the ICT Award 2021, you need to go to the official website ictaward.org and click on Registration, then select the relevant category and submit the required online form.
Startup ICT Award
To participate in this award, which promotes and encourages companies working in IT products, services, and innovation, the company must be registered and operating by the prevailing laws of Nepal. Companies registered during the last 3 years can apply in this category. Last year, Cryptogen Nepal Pvt. Ltd. was the winner in this category.
Product ICT Award
Nominations for IT and Innovative Products developed by any Nepali company, organization, group, or individual can be registered in the ICT Product Award. Nominations can be registered in this category for the IT products that have been made public from Baisakh 2077 to mid-Chaitra 2078. Last year CPFDS AML & KYC Management System was the winner.
Rising Star Innovation ICT Award
Nominations can be registered for the Rising Star Innovation ICT Award for research, innovation, and projects prepared by college and university students and youths under 30 years of age. Last year, St. Xavier’s College’s Student ‘Sanchai Chhau’ won the award in this category.
Pioneer ICT Award
This award is given to a veteran who has made outstanding contributions in information and communication technology. Last year, Nilkantha Upreti was honored with this award.
Nepali Diaspora ICT Award
This award will be given to a person of Nepalese origin who is living abroad by appreciating his / her contribution in the field of information technology of the country. Last year, Nepali Gaurav Raj Upadhyaya working at Amazon, received the award.
Entrepreneur ICT Award
Entrepreneur ICT Award will be given to Nepali entrepreneurs active in the field of information technology. Last year, Vinay Bohara, Managing Director of Vianet, was the winner in this category.
Woman ICON ICT Award
The Woman Icon ICT Award is aimed at Nepalese women working in the field of information technology. Last year, Prof. Timila Yami Thapa was honored with this category.
Digital Education ICT Award (Public Sector)
The Digital Education ICT Award is given to the government and community educational institutions to encourage the education sector to become digital and technology-friendly. Last year, Budhanilkantha School received an award in this category.
Digital Education ICT Award (Private Sector)
The Digital Education ICT Award (Private Sector) category has been added this year to encourage private sector educational institutions. Private schools, colleges, and educational institutions will be able to register nominations for this category.
Digital Governance ICT Award (Public Sector)
Successful government agencies, bodies, departments, or municipalities will register nominations in this category by digitizing government services and facilities to provide technology-friendly services to the citizens. For example, last year, the Inland Revenue Department received the Digital Governance ICT Award.
Digital Services ICT Award (Private Sector)
Private sector organizations, limited companies, or companies serving the public can register nominations in this category. Apart from IT and software companies, other service-oriented private sector companies will also participate in this category, which was added from this year.
Similarly, Covid 19 targeted the Ncell Innovation Driven Crisis Response ICT Award last year and was awarded to Paila Emergency Resuscitator. In addition, Kiran Acharya and Hamro Swasthya received the Media Person Award and Jury Mention Award 2020, respectively.
