Back

Doha, 30 April 2017

The Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) is now accepting applications from Qatar’s digital content community for the World Summit Award 2017.

The application process is now open with Ms. Reem Al-Mansoori, Assistant Undersecretary of Digital Society Development, MOTC, being the national expert spearheading the nomination process for the State of Qatar.

Individuals, public and private entities, companies, universities, NGOs and all institutions are invited to join the competition by submitting their best digital content from today until May 15, 2017.

Submissions for the WSA can contain all mobile and web-based applications, including apps, webpages, applications for wearables, kiosk installations, sms-based products, mobile games and interactive mobile productions. There is no limitation regarding the platforms or channels the projects work with. All submitted products must have been completed after January 1, 2015.

The competition, which is free, aims at recognizing and honoring national efforts for developing interactive digital content that contributes to the social and economic development of Qatar as well as facilitating the transformation into a knowledge-based society.

“The contest is a great opportunity to recognize the e-content created in Qatar and around the world. We invite all individuals and agencies with outstanding e-content to apply for the competition to represent Qatar and to be recognized and honored at national and global levels,” Ms Al-Mansoori said.

The award includes eight categories: government & citizen engagement, health & wellbeing, learning & education, environment & green energy, culture & tourism, smart settlements & urbanization, business & commerce and inclusion & empowerment. The national expert will nominate one product for each of the eight categories.

Individuals and agencies with great digital content are invited to submit their entries to MOTC via email: wsa@motc.gov.qa to be considered for nomination.

Through national pre-selections and contests together with a global jury process, WSA demonstrates the local diversity and rich creativity of ICT use. WSA is a global hub for everyone who values the crucial importance of local content to make today’s information society more inclusive.

Evaluation is based upon the concept of excellence in content and creativity and includes innovation in terms of applications. The WSA is a content-focused award and does not evaluate the commercial success or the organizational implementation and use of products.

After the national pre-selection period, a jury of experts will come together to evaluate the submissions and select the 40 best products from hundreds of national nominations. The 40 WSA winners will get the chance to present their products at the WSA World Congress.

The event will also offer a platform for high-level experts, industry leaders, and government representatives to discuss innovation in digital content. For more information and contest criteria, please visit this link.