KATHMANDU: Online nominations (applications) for the 9th edition of the prestigious ICT Award, known as the renowned technology award in the field of Information and Communication Technology, have been open from today, 1st Shrawan.
Living with ICT, which organizes the ‘ICT Award’ annually, has opened nominations in 14 categories this year, including one additional category. The ‘Social Innovation ICT Award 2024’ is the newly added category this year.
The award encompasses technology sector startups, innovations, products, digital services of government and private organizations, and digital education. Individual contributions, individuals from various fields will be nominated and selected under different award categories.
The South Asia Startup Award has also been included in the ICT Award for the past two years, targeting South Asian countries.
Winners of the ICT Award will be selected through dozens of pre-events, over 30 meetings of selection processes, and various other procedures. Organizer Razan Lamsal mentioned that the organization has spent six months preparing for this award with more than 15 jury members and over 10 jury advisors.
Started in 2016 A.D., the ICT Award has been organized in a refined and expanded manner each year. Since last year, the organizers have started the ‘Provincial ICT Startup Recognition’ to honor the best startups in all seven provinces. This year, a startup fest will be organized to include startups and innovations from all provinces, and the best startups from each province will be honored.
Category A includes startups, innovations, and products. Under this category, there are the Startup ICT Award, Product ICT Award, Rising Star Innovation ICT Award, and Social Innovation ICT Award. Competitors must register their applications in these categories themselves.
Category B accepts nominations based on contributions to society and the nation through ICT. Under this category, there are the Professional Excellence ICT Award, Pioneer ICT Award, Entrepreneurs ICT Award, Woman Icon ICT Award, and Nepali Diaspora ICT Award. In these categories, individuals can nominate themselves or be nominated by others.
Similarly, Category C includes nominations based on the efforts and practices of government and private organizations in digital transformation. Under this category, there are the Digital Education ICT Award (Public Sector), Digital Education ICT Award (Private Sector), Digital Governance ICT Award, and Digital Services ICT Award.
The South Asia Startup ICT Award, as an international award, is also being conducted. Startups from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, and Nepal can apply for this award, which has been conducted for the past two years.
An international jury committee has been formed for the selection. Online applications for all these award categories are open from today. The official website of the award, www.ictaward.org, allows online nomination registration. The deadline for nomination registration is until 15th Bhadra.
Here are the 14 categories for the ICT Award 2024:
Online nominations have been opened in 14 categories for the ICT Award 2024. This year, the Social Innovation ICT Award category has been added. Last year, the Professional Excellence ICT Award category was added.
1. Startup ICT Award 2024
Companies working in IT products, services, and innovation can participate in this award. The companies must be registered according to Nepal’s prevailing laws and have been in operation for up to 5 years to be eligible.
2. Product ICT Award 2024
In the Product ICT Award, any IT and innovative product developed by a Nepali company, organization, group, or individual can be nominated. Products released in 2080 B.S. can be nominated in this category.
3. Rising Star Innovation ICT Award 2024
In the Rising Star Innovation ICT Award, college and university students and young people under 30 years of age can nominate their industry project research, ideas, innovations, and products.
4. Social Innovation ICT Award 2024
The Social Innovation ICT Award promotes innovations in the social sector. Innovations and digital initiatives that have a positive impact on society and the nation can apply. Innovations developed and used for the past 5 years by development partners, social organizations, and social entrepreneurs will be included in this category.
5. Professional Excellence ICT Award 2024
Added last year, this category allows professionals with at least 5 years of experience and significant contributions in the ICT field to register their nominations.
6. Pioneer ICT Award 2024
This award is given to senior individuals who have made a distinct contribution to the information and communication technology field. Nominations can be submitted by oneself or by others based on the contribution.
7. Nepali Diaspora ICT Award 2024
This category recognizes individuals of Nepali origin residing abroad who have contributed to entrepreneurship, the digital economy, society, and the country through ICT.
8. Entrepreneur ICT Award 2024
This award is given to Nepalese entrepreneurs active in the information and communication technology sector. At least 7 years of experience as an ICT entrepreneur is required to be eligible for nomination.
9. Woman Icon ICT Award 2024
Targeted at Nepalese women active in the information and communication technology sector, this category allows entrepreneurs, leaders, professionals, and women who have made exemplary contributions in the ICT field to register their nominations.
10. Digital Education ICT Award (Public Sector) 2024
This category recognizes public and community educational institutions that have made education modern and technology-friendly through ICT. Institutions demonstrating exemplary work in teaching, learning, and management can register their nominations.
11. Digital Education ICT Award (Private Sector) 2024
Similar to the public sector, this award targets private educational institutions that have made education modern and technology-friendly through ICT.
12. Digital Governance ICT Award 2024
Government institutions, authorities, departments, agencies, or local bodies that have digitized government services and facilitated technology-friendly services for citizens can register their nominations in this category.
13. Digital Services ICT Award 2024
This category allows private sector institutions, companies, and organizations providing digital and online services to the general public to register their nominations. This category includes companies providing digital services to the public, except major IT and software companies.
14. South Asia Startup ICT Award 2024
Startups from South Asian countries such as India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Nepal can participate in this category. Startups up to 5 years old can register their nominations.