The online nomination has begun for the 8th ICT Award 2023. The organizers said that the nomination started for the prestigious award from Shrawan 1, 2080 BS. In this post, you can find all the key information about the awards regarding where to apply for nomination, the criteria for nomination in each category, and other details.
This year, one new award category “Professional Excellence ICT Award” has been added to the annual award event reaching a total of 13 categories. Likewise, the South Asia ICT Award has retained its continuity after its inclusion last year. Living with ICT is the organizer of the ICT Award 2023.
ICT Award, the most illustrious award in the ICT sector in Nepal started in 2016 AD. Ever since the event has seen more refinement and expansion with each edition. This year, the organizer has started Provincial Startup ICT Recognition to promote the best startups from all seven provinces. The Startup ICT Award, Product ICT Award, Rising Star, and Innovation ICT Award 2023 will again be other award categories.
Nominations are open to recognize individual contributions in other categories such as Pioneer ICT Award, Entrepreneurs ICT Award, Woman Icon ICT Award, and Nepali Diaspora ICT Award 2023. The categories reflect diversity and inclusivity from gender and region to accommodate more innovations and promote ICT growth in Nepal.
Similarly, institutional categories from both public and private sectors are included this year too. The categories are Digital Education ICT Award (Public Sector), Digital Education ICT Award (Private Sector), Digital Governance ICT Award, and Digital Services ICT Award 2023.
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How to apply for ICT Award 2023?
According to Razan Lamsal, Chairman of the organizing committee, online nomination for the ICT Award 2023 can be registered at this link.
Importantly, the registration must include all the details of a person, company, or organization and can be nominated by the concerned person themselves or on behalf of others. The nomination will remain on for a month period which is till the 31st of Shrawan 2080.
The organizers say that the selection process will be the longest to date and will have thorough measures to recognize talents. It will be transparent and fair. The selection process will consist of 25 different stages of jury committee meetings, and presentation sessions, conducted by Bhadra.
Likewise, a television show will broadcast the top ten contenders in the startup, product, rising start innovation, and professional excellence categories. In each province, the organizers will search for local startups and conduct boot camps and run mentoring sessions for the best 5 Startups in Kathmandu. Lamsal also said that the Startup and Idea Fest program will be conducted as a pre-event in all the provinces as an event in the capital.
The scientific and lengthy selection process to ensure the deserving winners
For selection, the Jury Committee will assess the prospects of the nominees by visiting the office of the organization or company. A 14-members jury committee including experts from the government of Nepal will be set up. The other 15 people will serve on the advisory committee.
Jury Coordinator Mr. Hempal Shrestha said that the South Asia Startup Award 2023 will have a jury committee consisting of experts from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and other countries. The best 10 nominations will come to Nepal to participate in the grand finale.
Last year on 23rd December, the grand finale of InfoDevelopers ICT Award 2022 took place at The Soaltee Kathmandu with the participation of over 1000 people. In the event, participants received their ultimate ICT honors in 13 other categories, including the best startups of all seven provinces and the Jury Mention award.
The winners will earn multiple benefits and services
The winners of the ICT Award will have a range of benefits and opportunities to cash in on. Winners will receive services from national and international companies with honors.
The startup category winners will also get concessional loans and investment opportunities. Last year, Microsoft, Huawei, Ncell, and Nepal Telecom provided the winners with offers and facilities. This year, the organizers said that the event will be grander and more refined including more prizes for the winners.
13 categories of the ICT Award 2023
As mentioned above, the ICT Award 2023 is open in 13 categories including provincial startup awards for each province. Here are the 13 different categories of the awards:
1. Startup ICT Award
The award promotes and encourages companies working in the IT field of products, services, and innovations. To be eligible, the company must be registered and must be operating according to the prevailing laws of Nepal. Companies legally running in the last 4 years can seek nomination in this category.
2. Product ICT Award
The category allows IT and innovative products by Nepali companies or individuals to be registered. The condition is that the product must be released in 2079 BS.
3. Rising Star and Innovation ICT Award
In this category, college and university students and youth under 30 years can apply for recognition for industry project research, ideas, innovation, and products.
4. Professional Excellence ICT Award
The Professional Excellence ICT Award is the newly-added category in this edition. To participate through this, ICT professionals can register nominations based on their contributions and distinct work in the ICT sector. The individual must have at least 5 years of experience in the relevant field to qualify.
5. Pioneer ICT Award
As the title suggests, this award recognized a person with remarkable contributions in the information and communication technology field. A candidate with at least 15 years of experience in the relevant field can register for nomination in this category.
6. Nepali Diaspora ICT Award
Diversifying the reach of the award and accommodating more Nepalese into the prestigious award, the ICT Award organizers include the Nepali Diaspora ICT Award category. People of Nepali origin, living abroad, can try for nomination for their contributions to the country and the region through ICT.
7. Entrepreneur ICT Award
The Entrepreneur ICT Award will honor active Nepali entrepreneurs in the information technology field. The candidate must have at least 7 years of experience as an ICT entrepreneur to qualify for registration.
8. Women Icon ICT Award
Women Icon ICT Award honors Nepali women working in the field of information and communication technology. Entrepreneurs, leaders, professionals, and women with emphatic contributions in the field of ICT can register nominations in this category.
9. Digital Education ICT Award (Public Sector)
The Digital Education ICT Award (Public Sector) category allows government and community educational institutions to register for nomination. The category recognizes institutions for their work in teaching, learning, and management which have improved education using technology.
10. Digital Education ICT Award (Private Sector)
On the opposite, in this category, private educational institutions with exemplary work in education and management with the use of ICT can apply for their nominations.
11. Digital Governance ICT Award
Government bodies, departments, or municipalities that are providing technology-friendly services to citizens can register for nominations. This category promotes the concepts of e-governance and digital governance.
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12. Digital Services ICT Award
Private organizations, private limited, or companies providing digital services to the public can register their nominations. IT and software companies can’t seek registration in this category.
13. South Asia Startup ICT Awards
This year too, the South Asia Startup Award remains one of the categories. As the title says, startups from South Asian countries including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Nepal can for their unique and innovative startup. The companies must be 5 years old to qualify in this category.
