The online nomination (application) of the sixth edition of the ICT Award, established as a prestigious award in the field of Information and Communication Technology, has started from June 22. Award nominations in 11 different categories have been opened for the ICT Award 2021 organised by Living with ICT and in collaboration with various government and private organisations.

The online nominations for the ICT Awards 2021 have been opened in view of the declining rates of the second wave of COVID- 19. Despite the postponement of most events during the transition period of the first wave last year, the winners of 12 categories were honoured at a special event at the Soaltee Hotel on December 23, 2020, advancing the nomination and selection process of the ICT Awards 2020 through virtual medium.

Most of the selection committee meetings of this year’s ICT Awards will be held virtually as well. There are more than two dozen jury and advisors for the ICT Award selection process. Interested individuals, companies, products or organisations in 11 different categories can apply till July 31. Competitors themselves or anyone else can register online nominations for the award. In order to be nominated for the award, an individual needs to go to the ictaward.org website and select the relevant category and fill the form.

Start-up ICT Award, Product ICT Award, Rising Student ICT Award are the awards categories related to innovations and start-ups. Likewise, Pioneer ICT Award, Nepali Diaspora ICT Award, Entrepreneur ICT Award and Media Person ICT Award are given to the individuals.

Similarly, the awards given to government and private organisations include Digital Education ICT Award (Public Sector), Digital Education ICT Award (Private Sector), Digital Governance ICT Award (Public Sector), and Digital Governance ICT Award (Private Sector).

The ICT Awards, which started in 2016, have so far honored more than 50 individuals, organisations, companies, and products in various categories. Last year’s Huawei ICT Award 2020 received more than 400 online applications.

This year, to make the selection process of the award more systematic and fairer, a jury team of more than 12 individuals will select the winner in different stages conducting different selection process for three months. After three rounds of selection in Start-up, Product, Student Star Innovation category, public voting will be conducted by declaring the top five. Similarly, in the other categories, four different stages of virtual selection and field visit will also be conducted.

Award winners will receive various services and facilities with special honours. Winners of Start-up, Product, and Rising Star categories will also get concessional loan facility and investment opportunity.