Crown Prince awards 19 BICTA winners
By: Kartika Rahman & Za'im Zaini
Date: Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Source: Borneo Bulletin

His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister's Office yesterday consented to present Brunei ICT Awards (BICTA) 2006 to 19 recipients.

Minister of Communications Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Hj Awg Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong was on hand to greet the Crown Prince on his arrival at The Rizqun International Hotel.

In his speech, the minister said, "The award is intended to give recognition and provide the measure of achievement to the ICT products."

There were 13 categories open for participation this year, which covered four domain areas - government, industry, education and consumers.

The other categories were - Tertiary Students Projects, Secondary Students Projects, and Primary Students Projects.

The BICTA 2006 saw the introduction of the Patron Award, which is a special award otherwise known as 'Anugerah Penaung.'

This award is deemed the 'best of the best' and is presented in recognition of the best achievement among the winners.

Additionally, the Local Talent Award was introduced to encourage companies to utilise local talents and potentials.

"The BICTA 2006 winners participating in the APICTA 2006 will be able to upgrade their competitive edge, improve the quality and level of innovation and creativity of their products," the minister added.

The winners of each category will go on to represent Brunei Darussalam at the Asia-Pacific ICT Awards (APICTA) 2006 in Macau, China. This, however, excludes the winners in the Primary Student Project category.

In addition, they will each receive trophies, plaques, $1,000 cash prize, return air-ticket, and hotel accommodation for the APICTA 2006.

Later, the minister presented a 'pesambah' to the HRH The Crown Prince, who is a royal patron of BICTA.

The trophy winners in the BICTA 2006 were CfBT Education Services, eSuria Mentari Systems Sdn Bhd, Fusion - Dalpus Technologies, Rumbian Nation, WestEgret Technology & Services Sdn Bhd and St George's School.

Special Mention Plaques were awarded to Sekolah Rendah Amar Palawan, Hj Mohidin bin Hj Mus, Dyg Marsita Omar, BAG Networks Sdn Bhd, Bsearch Company, Maktab Kejuruteraan Jefri Bolkiah, SM Sayyidina Othman, Maktab Sain Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan; Sekolah Rendah Dato Marsal and Sekolah Rendah Masin.

Meanwhile, Local Talent Awards were presented to Hj Mohidin bin Hj Mus and Dyg Marsita Omar, who were also awarded Special Mention Plaques.

The most prestigious award, the Patron Award, was presented to WestEgret Technology & Services Sdn Bhd.