The online nomination (application) for the eighth edition of the ICT Award, known as the most prestigious information and communication technology award, has started today from the 1st of Shrawan, 2080.
Nominations have been opened in 13 different categories, including one more category added this year in Living with ICT's annual 'ICT Award.' 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 started in 2016 AD, is being consecutively organized yearly in a refined and expanded manner. This year, the organizer has also started Provincial Startup ICT Recognition to honor the best startups from all seven provinces. 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, including 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 organizing committee, said that in all these categories, online nominations can be registered through the official website www.ictaward.org. Nomination can be registered by mentioning all the details of the concerned person, company, or organization by oneself or someone else. The organizers have informed us that the last date for registering nominations is the 31st of Shrawan 2080.
The organizers claim that the selection process of the ICT Award will be the longest running with thorough measures and will ensure fairness and transparency 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 conducted by Bhadra. A television show including the top ten contenders in the categories of startup, product, rising star innovation, and professional excellence will also be broadcasted through television. Going to all seven provinces, the organizers will search for local startups and conduct boot camps and mentoring sessions for the best five startups and ideas from each province in Kathmandu. Chairperson Mr. Razan Lamsal said that Startup and Idea Fest will also be conducted as a pre-event in all seven provinces and 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 organization or company for the best choice. 14 members jury committee will be formed, including experts from the government of Nepal, while 15 people will be on the advisory committee. Jury Coordinator Mr. Hempal Shrestha said 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 best 10 contestants in this category will come to Nepal to participate in the grand finale.
Last year on 23rd December, the grand finale of InfoDevelopers ICT Award 2022 was held at The Soaltee Kathmandu with the direct participation of more than 1000 people. In the seventh edition of the event, ICT Awards 2022, participants were awarded in 13 other categories, including the best startups of all seven provinces and the Jury Mention award.
Award winners will receive various services and benefits from national and international companies along with special honors. The winners of the startup category will also get concessional loan facilities and investment opportunities. Last year, Microsoft, Huawei, Ncell and Nepal Telecom also offered the winners attractive offers and facilities. This year, the organizers said that the event will be made grander and more refined with more prizes for the award winners.
These are the 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 honor 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 go to the official website www.ictaward.org, select the category and submit the online form by mentioning the necessary details. The nomination period is till the 31st of Shrawan.
1. Startup ICT Award
This award promotes and encourages companies working on IT products, services and innovation. The company must be registered and operating according to the prevailing laws of Nepal to participate in this award. Companies registered in the last four 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 2079.
3. Rising Star and Innovation ICT Award
In the Rising Star and Innovation ICT Award, college and university students and youth under 30 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 five 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 to 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 information and communication technology. At least seven 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 in information and communication technology. Entrepreneurs, leaders, professionals, and women who have done exemplary work in 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 trying to provide technology-friendly services to citizens easily and simply 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.
