Living with ICT starts online nomination for 8th ICT Award

KATHMANDU: The online nomination (application) for the eighth edition of the ICT Award, the most prestigious award in information and communication technology, started on Monday. Nominations have been opened in 13 different categories which include one more category added this year in the annual 'ICT Award' organised by Living with ICT. The Professional Excellence ICT Award is an added category this year, while the South Asia ICT Award has been in operation since last year targeting South Asian countries. The ICT Award, which was started in 2016, is being consecutively organised every year in a refined and expanded manner. This year, the organiser has also started Provincial Startup ICT Recognition to honour the best startups from all seven provinces. Apart from it, this year, startup, and innovation include Startup ICT Award, Product ICT Award, Rising Star and Innovation ICT Award 2023. Nominations have also been opened for the awards given based on individual contribution which include, Pioneer ICT Award, Entrepreneurs ICT Award, Woman Icon ICT Award and Nepali Diaspora ICT Award 2023. The institutional categories include Digital Education ICT Award (Public Sector), Digital Education ICT Award (Private Sector), Digital Governance ICT Award and Digital Services ICT Award 2023. Razan Lamsal, chairman of the organising committee, said that in all these categories, online nominations can be registered through the official website. Nomination can be registered by mentioning all the details of the concerned person, company or organisation by oneself or someone else. The organisers have informed us that the last date for registering nominations is August 16, 2023. The organisers have claimed that the selection process of the ICT Award will be the longest running with thorough measures and will ensure to be fair and transparent among the awards held in Nepal. Jury committee meetings and presentation sessions will be conducted at 25 different stages for the selection process of the award, which will be concluded by Bhadra. A television show including the top ten contenders in the categories of startup, product, rising star innovation and professional excellence categories will be broadcast through television. The organisers will visit all seven provinces and search for local startups and conduct boot camps and mentoring sessions for the five best startups and ideas from each province in Kathmandu. Chairperson Lamsal said that Startup and Idea Fest will also be conducted as a pre-event in seven provinces as well as an event in Kathmandu. During the award selection process, the jury committee will also study the prospects of the nominees by visiting the office of the relevant organisation or company for the best choice. A 14-member jury committee will be formed, including experts from the government of Nepal, while there will be 15 members on the advisory committee. Jury Coordinator Hempal Shrestha said that the South Asia Startup Award 2023 will be conducted by forming a jury committee of experts from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and other countries. The 10 best contestants in this category will come to Nepal to participate in the grand finale. Last year on December 23, the grand finale of InfoDevelopers ICT Award 2022 was held at The Soaltee Kathmandu with the direct participation of more than 1,000 people. In the seventh edition of the event, ICT Awards 2022, participants were awarded in 13 categories, including the best startups of all provinces and the Jury Mention award. Until now, all the information about the winners, all the programmes and nominations are included on the official website. Award winners will receive various services and benefits from national and international companies along with special honours. The winners of the startup category will also get concessional loan facilities and investment opportunities. Last year, Microsoft, Huawei, Ncell and Nepal Telecom also provided winners with attractive offers and facilities. This year, the event will be made grander and more refined with more prizes for the award winners. 13 categories of ICT Awards 2023 Online nominations have been opened in 13 categories for ICT Awards 2023. Likewise, applications for local startups from all seven provinces have also been opened to honour the best startup in the provinces and to facilitate participation in the free boot camp and mentoring session. To register for the nomination, one has to visit the official website, select the category and submit the online form by mentioning the necessary details. The deadline for registration is August 16, 2023.

1. Startup ICT Award

To participate in this award, which promotes and encourages companies working in the field of IT products, services and innovation, the company must be registered and operating according to the prevailing laws of Nepal. Companies registered in the last 4 years can apply in this category.

2. Product ICT Award

IT and innovative products developed by any Nepali company, organization, group or individual can be registered for the Product ICT Award. Nominations can be registered in this category for IT products released in the year 2079.

3. Rising Star and Innovation ICT Award

In the Rising Star and Innovation ICT Award, college and university students and youth under 30 years of age can submit nominations for industry project research, ideas, innovation, and products.

4. Professional Excellence ICT Award

In the newly added Professional Excellence ICT Award category, ICT professionals can register nominations based on their significant contribution and special work in the ICT sector with at least 5 years of experience in the relevant field.

5. Pioneer ICT Award

This award is given to a distinguished person who has made a special contribution in the field of information and communication technology. At least 15 years of experience in this field is required to register a nomination in this category.

6. Nepali Diaspora ICT Award

People of Nepali origin, who live abroad, can be nominated in this category based on their contributions to the country and the region through ICT.

7. Entrepreneur ICT Award

Entrepreneur ICT Award will be given to Nepali entrepreneurs active in the field of information and communication technology. At least 7 years of experience as an ICT entrepreneur is required for nomination.

8. Women Icon ICT Award

Women Icon ICT Award is aimed at Nepali women working in the field of information and communication technology. Entrepreneurs, leaders, professionals, and women who have done exemplary work in the field of ICT can register nominations in this category.

9. Digital Education ICT Award (Public Sector)

For Digital Education ICT Award (Public Sector); Government and community educational institutions that have done exemplary work in teaching, learning and management by making the education sector modern and technology-friendly using ICT will be able to register nominations.

10. Digital Education ICT Award (Private Sector)

In this category, Private educational institutions that have done exemplary work in teaching, learning and management by making the education sector modern and technology-friendly using ICT will be able to register nominations.

11. Digital Governance ICT Award

In this category, government organizations, agencies, departments, or municipalities that are trying to provide technology-friendly services to citizens in an easy and simple manner by digitalizing government services and facilities can register nominations.

12. Digital Services ICT Award

In this category, private sector organizations, private limited or companies providing services to the public through digital and online can register nominations. Apart from IT and software companies, other service private sector companies can participate in this category. 13. South Asia Startup ICT Awards Startups from South Asian countries including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Nepal can participate in this category. Startups up to 5 years old can register nominations in this category. READ ALSO:

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