iGA receives global award in ICT field
TDT | Manama
The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
The Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) has been named Merit Winner at the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) 2021 Global ICT Excellence Awards held virtually. The iGA won for its project ‘Biophysical Vegetation Indicator’ in the category ‘Digital Opportunity and Inclusion in the Public Sector’.
iGA Deputy CE, Operation & Governance Dr Khalid Al Mutawah said that the award reflects the Authority’s commitment to implementing the directives of the Kingdom’s senior leadership, particularly when it comes to the deployment of advanced technologies and embracing innovation in fields such as agriculture.
He said that this award also reflects the dedication of the Interior Minister, Lt- General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, to the work offered by the iGA in cooperation with various public and private entities.
Al Mutawah congratulated the iGA’s team members and everyone who worked on the project, highlighting their roles in this national achievement. WITSA is one of the most prestigious global awards in the ICT field, and this year’s edition enjoyed the participation of a high number of qualified international experts whose submissions were evaluated by a jury panel consisting of representatives of international organisations and government entities.
Al Mutawah said the iGA has been working on the ‘Biophysical Vegetation Indicator’ project since 2019. It aims to provide a detailed study of vegetation in the Kingdom using remote sensor technology to analyse satellite images.
It utilises advanced programmes that calculate indicator measurements, such as identifying plant areas, gauging the concentration of chlorophyll, nitrogen, and water in leaves, and then displaying the results on detailed maps.
This enables iGA specialists to provide accurate and reliable data to agricultural sector government entities, helping them develop more effective strategies. Al Mutawah highlighted the importance of this project and the data it offers, which supports the Kingdom’s efforts towards achieving its Open Data policy, one of the most important digital policies adopted by the government.
The policy allows for the transparent exchange of data, benefiting all sectors, and helping to attract investment.
He added that various factors contributed to the award, most notably the project’s ability to provide digital vegetation data, which led to a more comprehensive vision when assessing challenges and proposed solutions.
This is in addition to producing 48 detailed maps of plant biomarkers, which helped determine vegetation areas in the Kingdom and how much they vary and reveal where plants suffer from water stress and where there is an abundance of water.
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