Registration Open for 2023 Bahrain eGovernment Excellence Award

TDT | Manama  

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Registration is now open for the 12th edition of the eGovernment Excellence Award, which is being held under the patronage of the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Information and Communication Technology (MCICT), General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa.

The Organising Committee invited public and private organisations, individuals, and civil society institutions to submit their entries electronically via the website, egovaward.bh, from today through Tuesday, August 31, 2023.

iGA Chief Executive Mohammed Ali Al Qaed said that the award’s latest edition is in line with the vision of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, and Prime Minister.

The award also complements the plans and objectives of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Ministerial Committee, headed by His Excellency the Minister of Interior, as well as directives and programmes aimed at enhancing electronic transformation and developing ICT services.

The award is one of the most significant national initiatives in the field, attracting strong participation since its launch in 2008 and having a significant impact on enhancing the Kingdom's ICT environment.

The event fosters competitive values and a culture of innovation and excellence, encouraging the adoption of digital solutions and emerging technologies. All these efforts aim to enhance the efficiency and quality of services and products provided by both public and private organisations to the community.

Al Qaed said that, with the support of the Minister of Interior, the award has been able to keep pace with rapid ICT advancements. The latest updates include the merging of the public and private sector categories and the introduction of four new categories: ‘Best Utilisation of Artificial Intelligence (AI)’, ‘Best Environment for Digital Innovation’, ‘Best Project for Digital Transformation’, and Best Digital Initiative’.

He added that the award is in line with the Kingdom’s strategic goals, which are focused on achieving the objectives of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, Economic Recovery Plan, Telecommunications, Information Technology, and Digital Economy Strategy (2022-2026), and Government Plan (2023-2026).

The goal is to forge ahead with the digitization of government services and develop comprehensive technologies and artificial intelligence to improve quality and efficiency.

Al Qaed encouraged organisations and individuals to submit their projects to this important digital initiative. He highlighted the award’s success in promoting digital innovation across the public and various private sectors, contributing to the advancement of services.

The award is continuously updated in line with international standards and evolving trends. It has contributed to enhancing digital transformation readiness and the deployment of advanced technologies in ICT systems, services, products, and online channels, improving their quality and accessibility, saving the public time and effort, and helping to raise the public’s quality of life.

Al Qaed said that entries in previous editions have seen their digital projects and initiatives compete at regional and international levels, with the Kingdom winning major awards and seeing the reputation of its ICT sector strengthened.

This year, the public and private sector categories include ‘Best Website’, ‘Best Practise in eParticipation’, ‘Best Integrated eServices’, ‘Best Application for Smart Devices’, ‘Best Utilisation of Artificial Intelligence (AI)’, ‘Best Environment for Digital Innovation, and ‘Best Project for Digital Transformation’. Additionally, individuals can participate through the ‘Best Digital Initiative’ award. Al Qaed wished all participants and entities success with their projects.

The committee will be providing a virtual session for participants, and anyone with inquiries can email egovaward@iga.gov.bh or call the Government Services Contact Centre on 80008001. All entries will be subject to evaluation by a jury made up of experts representing local and international entities. For more details or inquiries, please visit the award’s official website, egovaward.bh.