ICT industry must grow exponentially: ICTA CEO

Monday, 2 June 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

With Sri Lanka looking to its ICT industry to be a catalyst for economic growth, it is vitally important to continuously grow and develop, probably at a rapid or exponential rate, to keep Sri Lanka in the forefront of the global ICT sphere, said ICTA CEO Reshan Dewapura. Dewapura was participating at a press conference held in Colombo recently (22) to mark the 16th National Best Quality Software Awards (NBQSA) 2014 launch. Telecommunication and Information Technology Ministry Secretary Gotabhaya Jayarathne, BCSSL Chairman M.G. Tillekeratne and 2014 Organising Committee Chairman Vajeendra S. Kandegamage also participated in the event.

For the sixth consecutive time ICTA is the National Partner of the British Computer Society (BCS) in NBQSA, aimed at giving recognition to local software development. Calls for applications will be from 4 June and the deadline for submission of applications is 31 July. The award presentation ceremony of NBQSA 2014 will be held on 17 October at Galadari Hotel, Colombo. Further information about the relevant competition could be obtained via http://www.nbqsasrilanka.org or by calling 011-4422490. While BCS the Chartered Institute for IT, UK is the main sponsor of NBQSA, the event is annually organised by the BCS the Chartered Institute for IT Sri Lanka Section (BCSSL). The main objectives of NBQSA are to provide recognition for outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations in Sri Lanka who/which have contributed to the development of ICT, to create a window to gain international recognition for locally developed ICT products and to improve standards and the quality of local ICT products and services, to be able to compete in the international market place. Following is the address delivered by ICTA CEO Reshan Dewapura on the occasion, elaborating on keeping Sri Lanka in the forefront of the ICT sphere: “Now, in order to do that, many important things need to get done, and one of the most crucial of these is growing the HR resources of the industry, attracting new skills to the industry, and keeping the existing industry workforce motivated and inspired to deliver top quality products and services. We believe that NBQSA is a key program that contributes to this, hence the reason to add national recognition to the event, so as to further solidify and enhance that contribution.” NBQSA growing and maturing “In the six years that we have been partnering NBQSA, we have also seen the event itself growing and maturing in various ways. Many new awards have been added over the years recognising growth areas in the ICT sector including the Government. This is a trait of an event or process that is moving with the times, and aligning itself with the needs and trends of the present and the future. We must pay tribute to those behind these conceptual changes, as it keeps NBQSA alive and current. Rewarding significant contributions “The ICT Agency, in addition to being engaged as the National Partner of this event, is also closely linked with the ‘Life time achiever award’ and the ‘Outstanding contributor to ICT’ award, which recognise exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions to this industry and its growth. Since last year we have also been involved in recognising outstanding public sector organisations that have made major strides with ICT in the radical improvement of their processes, efficiency and citizen service delivery. It is our sincere hope that these special awards along with the rest, will grow from strength to strength and continue to felicitate outstanding individuals and organisations. APICTA awards “As we all know the winners of NBQSA are also nominated for the regional awards APICTA. NBQSA winners from Sri Lanka have on numerous occasions brought further credit and recognition to the country, by winning awards at the Asia Pacific Information and Communication Technology Alliance (APICTA) Awards as well. APICTA awards are prestigious, and NBQSA certainly provides a great platform for Sri Lanka companies and individuals to reach for these high accolades. “We should be happy to note that Sri Lanka through BCS has been steadily growing its partnership and involvement in APICTA over the years. BCS together with the Government of Sri Lanka is keen further strengthen this engagement, and to bring the much celebrated APICTA awards to Sri Lanka. We certainly hope this will happen in the not too distant future. Vibrant growth sector “I will conclude by stating that, the Government’s recognition of ICT as a vibrant growth sector, remains unchanged and further endorsed, and the ICT Agency commitment to delivering the National ICT development agenda remains resolute. Our tribute goes to all those who are part of this nationally important effort, and I wish NBQSA 2014 and other related activities, all success.”