The Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA) represented by Mr. Suleman Bakhsh, Senior ICT Analyst, participated in the Grand Jury of the e-Swabhinmani Award 2011 held at the Blue Water Hotel, Wadduwa, Sri Lanka during 23-24 September 2011. The event was organized by the ICT Agency (ICTA), the apex body in Sri Lanka mandated with the task of directing national ICT development activities.

The e-Swabhimani Award, which is the national best e-content award to recognize innovation and creativity of local developers in Sri Lanka, was introduced in 2009 along with the lines of the World Summit Award (WSA), and was designed by the ICTA to encourage and facilitate the development of digital content and applications which would impact on society.

Commenting on the participation, H.E. Muhammad Nasser Al Ghanim, TRA Director General said: “We are pleased to participate in such events, and choosing us to be a member of the Grand Jury reflects indeed the level reached by the TRA in the ICT sector, and refers to the fact that its expertise are recognized. The participation holds another significance as it is an indication of the range the UAE ICT sector has spread beyond our immediate neighborhood, reaching to South Asia and other regions.”

“The TRA participations in regional and international events is a part of its policy in enhancing its own experiences, as well as sharing this experience with other countries in a way that would be mutually beneficial. We were impressed by the innovations related to the ICT sector that were present at the competition, and we have always been an encouraging force for youth innovations either in our own country, or in other countries as well, because innovations in the ICT sector will eventually benefit all countries, since this sector has a global attribute and not limited to one nation or region, especially in our increasingly globalized world.”

Mr. Bakhsh was selected by the ICTA based on his vast experience in the ICT sector, in addition to the fact that he has served as a member of WSA Mobile Content Grand Jury in 2010 Abu Dhabi and at the WSA E-Content Grand Jury in 2011 Hong Kong. His experience and personal expertise during the competition were of immense value to the e-Swabhimani Grand Jury while selecting the winning products and applications.

Speaking on TRA participation in the event, Mr. Bakhsh said: “my participation is a manifestation of the level the ICT sector in the UAE have reached, and the reputation it has built. I was pleased to be chosen as member of the Grand Jury in the e-Swabhinmani Award 2011, as it added to my personal experience, and allowed me to get exposed to new products innovated by developers in another country.”

It’s worth noting that the TRA since its inception has been keen to participate in such competitions locally, regionally and internationally, as they provide an opportunity to interact with the outer world in regards to the ICT sector, and help assess and observe the level of innovations worldwide.