MCIT distributes third round Innovative Beacon Award

Ministry of Communication and Information Technology distributed third round competitive DEWAE (Innovation Beacon) Program award to competition winners during an official ceremony held in Kabul Star Hotel on Apr 03, 2016.

At the beginning of the ceremony Deputy IT minister of MCIT Mr. Aimal Marjan briefed the participants about the DEWAE and said: that the objective of the program is to develop innovation culture in the country through the use of ICT and Mobile Technology. He added: ideas and initiatives of those who participate the competitive program are accepted and recognized by the MCIT and the winners are awarded.

Mr. Marjan stated: the program is being run by an executive board composed of various ministries, the board reviews received innovative ideas and determines the winners. Deputy IT minister referred to achievements and programs of the MCIT and said that the ICT sector is one of the most successful and lucrative sector in the country. He said that the ministry of Communications and Information technology over the past fourteen years in cooperation and coordination with private sectors has grown substantially in IT infrastructures and other fields.

Mr. Marjan also stated: that MCIT plans to put the created infrastructures in the field of communications and IT into operation to accelerate delivering quality services to the people, and to identify capacities and find ways for solution country’s problems in close cooperation with private sectors and Universities.  

Subsequently, head of Technology and Innovation Department of MCIT Mr. Weis Payab commented in details and said: that MCIT is trying to set up informative and sound competition through the DAWAE and similar programs like “Innovative” and seeks ideas and suggestions, which are innovative in mobile Technology and IT from Afghan citizens.  He added: that DEWAE is mainly expected to address problems and challenges faced in delivering government services efficiently and effectively and developing innovative ways for the government to reach its constituents and deliver service to them, using ICT and mobile technology as enabling tools.

In terms of awards Mr. Payab said: that the winners of the competition will be awarded monetary prizes starting from 2000 USD depending to their suggested innovative ideas.

Director of Afghanistan Information Management Services Mr. Ahmad Shakib Sayar also spoke at the event and stated: that the responsibility of implementation Innovative Beacon Program is upon AIMS and funded by World Bank.

It is worth saying, that the first round of competitions was conducted in 2013. A total of 9 challenges from various government organizations were announced, and applications were received from Afghans living locally and abroad. After evaluation process, 11 finalists were selected and awarded.

Second round of competitions was held in 2014. Student and IT Champion Award competitions were announced. Various proposals and applications were received from Afghans living locally and abroad. After evaluation process, 4 finalists were selected and awarded.

Third round of competitions was held in 2015. M-Technology/Governance and Student Award competitions were announced. Various proposals and applications were received from Afghans living locally and abroad. After evaluation process, finalists and winner were distributed certificates and award prizes.