Brunei Darussalam’s representatives did the country proud at the 22nd Asia Pacific ICT Alliance (APICTA) Awards 2023 by bagging two merit awards.
Held in Hong Kong from December 5 to 8, the APICTA Awards is an annual international award programme aimed at raising ICT awareness in the community and assist in bridging the digital divide.
Ma’had Islam Brunei received two merit awards under the ‘Junior Student’ category with their products ‘Brugency’ and ‘Mr Grabbish’. ODE Aquaculture and Agriculture Company Sdn Bhd received a merit award under the ‘Technology – Internet of Things of the Year’ category with their product ‘Alquatic Tech’.
Haji Muhammad Zuwaini bin Haji Aliyani of Ma’had Islam Brunei said, “Alhamdulillah, I am very happy that the Ma’had Islam Brunei’s team of eight received the awards. This year we sent two teams for the competition. It is a historic milestone for us as it’s not easy to bring home two merits awards.”
He also explained about the projects. “Mr Grabbish is an app about picking rubbish as soon as possible, while the Brugency is an app containing emergency numbers where during an emergency, the victim can press a number to share details to allow responders to act effectively and efficiently.”
He added, “Brunei Darussalam will host APICTA next year. We need to prepare early and hope that we can win more awards.”
Nine teams with 10 products from the Sultanate competed at the APICTA Awards.
Throughout the competition, the APICTA participants underwent intensive sessions with judges comprising international ICT industry experts, members of the academia and government representatives.
Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs Pengiran Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohd Tashim bin Pengiran Haji Hassan was present at the Brunei International Airport to welcome back the delegation.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC) and Co-Chairman I of Brunei ICT Awards (BICTA) 2023 Steering Committee Ir Haji Mohammad Nazri bin Haji Mohammad Yusof and Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs (MoRA) Haji Mohammad Rosli bin Haji Ibrahim were also present.
Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary at the MoRA Haji Shamshol bin Haji Omar and Chief Executive of the Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI) Ir Haji Jailani bin Haji Buntar and BICTA Steering Committee members were also present.
Brunei Darussalam is set to host the 23rd APICTA Awards next year. Deputy Permanent Secretary (Infocommunications) at the MTIC Haji Hairul Mohd Daud bin Haji Abdul Karim received the APICTA flag in a handover ceremony from Government Chief Information Officer at the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Ir Tony Wong JP and Chief Judge of APICTA 2023 Agnes Mak MH JP. Chair of APICTA Committee Fulvio Inserra and other officers from MTIC, AITI and APICTA judges were also present.
Brunei Darussalam’s participation in the APICTA Awards is a continuous effort by MTIC, AITI and IFB to stimulate innovation and creativity in ICT in the country.
The event aimsto develop the Sultanate’s ICT sector by encouraging individuals, students and businesses to compete at the international level. – James Kon
