Nation’s first ICT awards on today

An official of the Technology and Information Department under the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, Mr Vilakone Phanouvong told Vientiane Times yesterday that 10 teams from the government and private sectors have joined the competition.

The purpose of the awards is to encourage students and researchers by giving them the opportunity to highlight their designs and information and communications technology (ICT) innovations, along with a platform to speak about their experiences in ICT development.

The awards will select the overall ICT product design that will represent the nation at the Asean ICT Awards 2017 to be held later this year in Cambodia.

The contest has six categories: public sector, private sector, corporate social responsibility, digital content, start-up company, and research and development.

There will also be a contest for production teams to create an introductory video for the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications as well as a new Lao language font.

The winning team will receive a cash prize, a trophy and a certificate from the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications and will be selected to participate in the Asean ICT Awards 2017.

The free entry Lao ICT Awards get underway from 9am today at the Lao-Japan Budo Training Centre in Vientiane with the winning team to be announced at noon.

This is the first time that the government has organised the ICT awards 2017 which aim to boost development in the country through the use of modern technology and ICT innovations.

The competition will highlight design talent in the sector while selecting representatives from Laos to attend the Asean ICT Awards 2017 in Cambodia.