In this regard, the eGovernment Authority (eGA) Vice CEO Dr. Zakareya Ahmed Al-Khaja highlighted the eGovernment milestones and declared that the authority is thriving to promote innovation and support several initiatives that are concerned with information technology and development.
The organizing committee of the awarding event has introduced some necessary changes in its seventh version – aligned with the emerging issues and keeping abreast with the latest developments within the ICT sector. The set changes have also came about in response to the feedback and suggestions given by participants, together with workshop results and discussion groups – in line with the key objectives of the National eGovernment Strategy 2016.
Dr. Al-Khaja pointed out that the ICT sector has witnessed rapid developments and emerged several influential factors. The committee has therefore believed that it was necessary to focus on new themes such as the overall prevalence of social media use, increased use of services through smartphones, focus on entrepreneurship and youth empowerment to create job opportunities and business developments.
The Vice CEO also added that the eGovernment Excellence Award has, this year, witnessed a change in its categories with a core focus on implementing and broadening access to opportunities for greater and more meaningful participation – giving room for competition among larger sectors of applicants. Furthermore, the assigned committee decided to add three new categories such as eParticipation, Best App for Smart Devices and eEntrepreneur, and postponed the following three categories: eMaturity, Best Service Provider and eEducation.
Dr. Zakareya explained that the decision of the change of categories was driven by concluding that the completion, development and impact of major projects require a long period of time; therefore, such projects cannot be measured in such an annual event. For example, the Ministry of Education, which is in charge of eEducation, can provide a more comprehensive coverage for the award; in particular that the ministry is the competent authority that is entrusted with this sector.
He made it clear that the eGovernment Excellence Award has now become more in tune with the GCC eGovernment Award than ever before – due to some enhancements as well as the jury’s evaluation mechanism and criteria which are developed by this year’s award jury committee. Enhancements have come about with a view to achieve higher levels and offer broader horizons to the development of the registered projects in order to ensure that its excellence is unknown – nationally, regionally and internationally.
Moreover, he noted that the committee’s desire is to see participants being qualified to take part in the competition through workshops that will be organized during this month of January. In-depth insights will be provided about the necessary requirements and standards for the eligible registered projects.
Participants will also benefit from the committee’s report and remarks which would be provided to assist them in developing and improving disqualified projects by presenting the members’ suggestions of progress. This year’s jury committee is composed of highly-experienced international, GCC and local members. Additionally, it is expected that they finalize the evaluation of the registered projects in mid of March this year.
The winning projects will be announced during Bahrain International eGovernment Forum 2014 where His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Information and Communication Technology will honor the winners.
This year’s eGovernment Excellence Award targets the public and private sectors, NGOs as well as individuals. The Government Sector includes four categories – Best eService, Best eProject, eParticipation, and eContent. The Multi Sector includes four categories Best App for Smart Devices, eEntrepreneur, eEconomy, and eNGOs. The Individuals’ category includes two eCitizen and Best eConcept. The eCitizen selection will be made, based more on effective participation and the number of the higher value of transactions conducted on the eGovernment portal during one year.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Nadeen El Ajou
Quelle/Source: AME Info, 20.01.2014
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