1. What is the objective of the MSC Malaysia - Ericsson CR Innovation Awards?
The MSC Malaysia - Ericsson CR Innovation Awards is aimed at encouraging local developers to create innovative mobile and fixed communication applications that can contribute towards the well-being of societies, be it people with special needs or the general public.
The Awards is the first project created as part of the Ericsson Malaysia's Corporate Responsibility (CR) Program. With the tagline 'Shaping a Better Tomorrow', Ericsson Malaysia's CR Program seeks to empower communities through communications for a better future.
2. Why does the Awards focus on the betterment of the societies?
Our commitment to corporate responsibility is closely linked to Ericsson’s vision to be the prime driver in an all-communicating world. In the future, technology will be ingrained in our daily lives in ways that are unimaginable today. For instance, technologies such as e-conferencing, e-health, e-learning and e-government will serve to enrich our lives further. These innovations, made possible by Ericsson products and services, can substitute physical transportation, reduce carbon emissions and provide a platform for smoother, more accessible national infrastructures.
Globally, Ericsson is well positioned to deliver enhanced communication that improves the quality of life, and increases productivity and efficiency in the society.
The Ericsson Malaysia’s proposed CR platform aims to support the global direction on supporting communities, while maintaining relevance to the technological and social environment locally.
3. What are the prizes being offered for the champions?
The champions from each category will receive a trophy for the 'Best Application Award,' a certificate and cash prize worth RM 20,000 each and will be immediately shortlisted into the finals of the 2009 MSC Malaysia Asia Pacific ICT Awards (MSC Malaysia APICTA).
The grand prize winner of the Professional category will also be given the opportunity to showcase the winning application at an international tradeshow of choice, in which MDeC is participating. Air ticket for one person to participate in the tradeshow will be fully sponsored by Ericsson.
Other finalists will receive a Merit Award, which includes a cash prize worth RM5,000, trophy and a certificate each for their participation and efforts in the competition.
4. Who can participate in the Awards?
The MSC Malaysia - Ericsson CR Innovation Awards 2008 is open to all local mobile and fixed application developers and students from higher learning institutions in Malaysia. Foreign companies that are not incorporated in Malaysia but have been awarded MSC Malaysia status are also eligible to participate. Each team must include at least ONE Malaysian citizen.
5. What kind of support will the participants get in the contest?
All participants will be able to obtain advisory support from members of the Advisory Panel upon request by sending an email to cr.malaysia@ericsson.com.
6. Are we allowed more than one entry?
Each company / educational institution can submit as many written proposals as desired. However, only one submission per company or faculty can be shortlisted by the judges. This means an Institute of Higher Learning participating in this contest may have more than one entries from different faculties selected to the semifinal or final rounds.
7. How can I submit my proposal?
All written proposals must be submitted via email to cr.malaysia@ericsson.com using (the link here is incorrect; should be cr.malaysia@ericsson.com but there's an additional word 'using' that appears after the email address) the official entry form by 5pm on 15 March 2008.
8. Is there a minimum/maximum number of pax for each team?
Yes. Each group/team must have a minimum number of two pax. For the Student Category, there is also a requirement to have an advisor from the relevant school/facutly. There is no maximum number of pax required.
9. What is the timeline for the Awards?
The Awards will be held from January to September 2008.
10. Do I have to complete all the stages?
Yes. Qualifying participants will need to fulfill the requirements of each stage of the judging process to be considered eligible for the finals.
11. Is there any entry fee involved?
No.
12. How will I be informed if I have successfully completed a stage?
Successful participants will be informed via email/telephone.The list will also be made available on this website
13. Where will the judging sessions take place?
The organizers will inform the successful participants via email. However, details of the judging sessions will also be made available on this website.
14. Who are the judges for the MSC Malaysia - Ericsson CR Innovation Awards?
All entries will be judged by a panel of professional judges from Ericsson Malaysia, Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) AND Suruhanjaya Komunikasi & Multimedia Malaysia (SKMM). The organizer may invite guest judges to participate in any of the judging stages. Malaysian telecom operators have also been invited to become Industry Partners and judges in this competition.
