Registration for GovTech 2016 ICT awards is now open

© phyzick – 123RF.com

To continue to drive the development and adoption of innovation, GovTech 2016 will again feature the State Information Technology Agency (Sita) Public Service ICT Awards, for which registration is now open.

The awards, which will take place on 30 October 2016 at Gallagher Estate, were launched at last year's event and received a favourable response from public and private sector participants.

The closing date for Public Service ICT Awards entries is 30 September.

The awards are the South African ICT sector's platform to promote and profile innovation and transformation through products, solutions and service delivery, reward innovation and encourage transformation of the industry with a focus on start-ups, SMMEs, youth and women. They are a "transformation agent" promoting innovation, leadership excellence in IT operations, excellence in public service delivery and transformation of the business of government through the effective use of technology.

The purpose is to recognise excellence and acknowledge institutions from all spheres of government who have utilised technology to improve the lives of all citizens. In so doing, the awards process promotes successful solutions and the application of projects that contribute to improved service delivery.

"The awards are open to all individuals and businesses that have the potential to spawn an idea to produce innovations that will make government function optimally and efficiently," says Dr Setumo Mohapi, Sita CEO.

Government departments will receive recognition for the role ICT has played in innovating their operations, the impact of the deployment and use of these systems on citizens and society and transforming public service.

The awards also reward solutions of all sizes and their contribution to improving service delivery, while highlighting the important contribution of women and youth.

But it is the award's focus on recognising the efforts of small, medium and micro enterprises and start-ups that mirrors government's intent of nurturing a vibrant ICT sector.

Nominations for 2016 are open to both individuals and organisations including small and medium enterprises as well as the start-ups in the following categories:

• Category 1: ICT Service Delivery and Transformation Award - National Government, which recognises and rewards the most outstanding service delivery, or a product or service, and/or transformation at a national government level.

• Category 2: ICT Service Delivery and Transformation Award - Provincial Government, which recognises and rewards the most outstanding service delivery, or a product or service, and/or transformation at a provincial government level.

• Category 3: ICT Service Delivery and Transformation Award - Local Government, which recognises and rewards the most outstanding service delivery, or a product or service, and/or transformation at a local government level.

• Category 4: ICT Provider Innovation and Service Transformation Award - Start-ups and SMMEs, which recognises a start-up or SMME, with a turnover of no more than R10m per annum, that has improved service delivery to citizens.

• Category 5: ICT Innovation and Service Transformation Award - Larger Companies, which recognises a company, with a turnover greater than R10m per annum, which has improved service delivery to citizens.

• Category 6: Women in ICT Award, which, in an effort to promote the industry to all professionals, recognises the contribution women make to the ICT industry and to the future of the profession.

• Category 7: Youth in ICT Award, which is an effort to promote the contribution to the ICT industry to young professionals, recognising the contribution young achievers make to this sector and to the growth and development of the industry as a whole.

To enter the Public Service ICT Awards and for more information, log on to www.govtech.co.za

Source: Business Day via I-Net Bridge