Azlan Othman
Rumine Corporation made the country proud when the team won the Gold Award under the Digital Content category in the ASEAN ICT Awards 2021 (AICTA 2021) through its product ‘Techsim and Virtual Explore’ – a virtual assembly simulation for basic learning and training for employees using VR and hand motion sensors.
Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof presented a token of appreciation to Rumine Corporation in recognition of their successs, during the AICTA 2021 Winners Appreciation ceremony at the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC) yesterday.
Rumine Corporation Team Leader Sarinah binti Ziziumiza said, “We are pleasantly surprised and did not expect to receive such an award. We’ve tried our best to present to 13 international judges. When the news broke out that we won the award, we were shocked.
But we are very grateful and honoured to compete in this regional competition and hope to compete at the international level.
“We urge youth to try to challenge themselves, be creative and innovative, more open minded and confident for the sake of the nation. When you have a goal and a driver, anything is possible,” she added.
The ASEAN ICT Awards is an initiative held since 2012 to support the implementation of the ASEAN ICT Masterplan (AIM) 2015.
The competition was held as an annual activity led by chair of the ASEAN Digital Ministers Meeting (formerly known as the ASEAN Telecommunications and IT Ministers Meeting) in line with the development of ASEAN digital cooperation under the ASEAN Digital Masterplan 2025.
The annual event was also held to give recognition to innovative, creative products and solutions with real-world social impact. The AICTA 2021 offered six categories for participation from ASEAN member states, namely public sector, private sector, social corporate responsibility, digital content, start-ups and research and development.
Brunei Darussalam’s participation in AICTA is facilitated by MTIC and The Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI) to stimulate innovation and creativity in ICT, as well as to develop the ICT sector in the country by encouraging individuals, students and businesses to compete at regional and international levels.
The Sultanate submitted four entries including Land Transport Department on Road Accident Data Enhancement and Development (RADED) in the public sector category; Rumine Corporation with ‘Techsim and Virtual Explore’ in the digital content category; Network Integrity Assurance Technology Sdn Bhd (NiAT) with its product ‘Observe’ and IT Protective Security Services Sdn Bhd (ITPSS) with its product ‘Facehunter’, both in Private sector category. Rumine Corporation’s victory was announced during the virtual ASEAN ICT Awards 2021 on January 28.
Rumine Corporation, represented by leader Sarinah, Nursheila binti Ziziumiza, Lailatun Najihah binti Ahmad Humaizi and Awangku Hafeezur Rahman bin Pengiran Haji Ramlee, defeated the entries from Indonesia and Thailand who won second and third place.
Rumine Corporation is a local company that helps business or industry to create their own customised augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) and applied games.
The company has actively participated in initiatives conducted by MTIC and AITI, in particular the Brunei ICT Awards (BICTA) in 2018. It also received mentoring and support through programmes conducted by AITI and industry partners such as BICTA Plus Bootcamp and Tech Immersion Programme.
The Tech Immersion Programme is conducted by AITI as a continuity of BICTA towards elevating the products by instilling technologies such as AI, Internet of Things and Data Analytics.
Permanent Secretary at the MTIC Haji Mohammad Nazri bin Haji Mohammad Yusof, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Infocommunications) at the MTIC Haji Hairul Mohd Daud bin Haji Abdul Karim; Acting Deputy Permanent Secretary (Transport) at the MTIC Haji Mohammad Salihin bin Haji Aspar; AITI Chief Executive Haji Jailani bin Haji Buntar and senior officials from MTIC and AITI were also present.
