Ericsson Malaysia, together with Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), and supported by Suruhanjaya Komunikasi & Multimedia Malaysia (SKMM), today launched the inaugural MSC Malaysia - Ericsson CR Innovation Awards.
Organized under the banner of Ericsson Malaysia's Corporate Responsibility (CR) program, the Awards was conceptualized with the key objectives of amplifying the benefits that fixed and mobile communications can offer society, while nurturing the development of innovative applications amongst Malaysian developers.
A competition-based program, the Awards is a call for local application developers to challenge their boundaries and be innovative in developing fixed and mobile communication applications for the benefit of the general community as well as communities with special needs. The Awards is divided into two categories - Professional and Student, with a Grand Prize including a lucrative cash award of RM20,000 for each category.
"Ericsson is committed to empower communities through communications for a better future. As a leading telecommunications company driving innovative solutions, our CR efforts seek to leverage on our strong technological advantage in both mobile and fixed communication solutions to impact the community. Today we are pleased to have the support from MDeC and SKMM to further realize our CR ambition," said Krishna Kumar, President and Country Manager of Ericsson Malaysia.
"We believe that this Awards will spur local developers to consider developing fixed and mobile applications that will directly benefit and enhance the quality of life of Malaysians in general. We also hope that at the end of this contest, the industry will see a number of exciting and compelling 'Made in Malaysia' applications that can stimulate more usage and adoption of communication services in the market," said Krishna.
Commenting on MDeC's involvement, Dato' Narayanan Kanan, Senior Vice President of the Industry Development Division, said, "MDeC's mission is to realize Malaysia as a global hub and preferred location for ICT and multimedia innovations, services and operations, and we are committed to nurture and foster the development of local applications to place Malaysia on the world stage. This competition is definitely a step in the right direction on that platform.
"As part of our continuous drive to promote local innovations on the international arena, the Best Application Awards for both Professional and Student categories will automatically be shortlisted into the finals of the 2009 MSC Malaysia Asia Pacific ICT Awards (MSC Malaysia APICTA). In addition to that, the champion of the professional category will also get the chance to showcase and promote its winning product at an international tradeshow together with MDeC," he added.
Zamani Zakariah, Senior Director of the MyICMS, Technology & Standards Division of SKMM said: "SKMM is committed to facilitate industry collaboration to meet the economic and social needs of Malaysia. We are pleased to work together with Ericsson and MDeC on a project such as this, which will benefit various segments of the community using multimedia and communications."
Krishna added, "We have also invited Malaysian telecom operators to become Industry Partners and judges in this contest. So far, we have received positive replies from most of them, including a confirmed participation from Maxis Developer Programme (MDP)."
Krishna concluded by encouraging all participants to think outside the box and to expand their minds when developing their applications. "Be creative and put yourselves in the shoes of the people for whom you are developing the innovative applications. It is truly about extending the possibilities that technology can offer through creativity, innovation and knowledge," he said.
Closing date for submission of written proposals is March 15, 2008. Following that, 20 participants will be shortlisted to enter Stage 2 of the contest, to present their idea and proposal to the judges. Eight finalists will then be selected to Stage 3, where they will be given a period of three months to develop the prototype of their application. Subsequently, all finalists will be required to perform a live demonstration and presentation of their prototype to the judges as part of the final judging round.
Detailed information about the MSC Malaysia - Ericsson CR Innovation Awards including the official contest form is available at www.ericsson.com.my.
For more information on Ericsson's global Corporate Responsibility activities and other projects where we are applying our core technology for the benefits of society, please visit www.ericsson.com/corporate_responsibility.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT
Janet Han, Ericsson Malaysia
Phone: +603 8213 6862; Fax: +603 8314 6069
