itex2010 Botswana's Premier ICT Exhibition

What is the award about?

The itex Youth ICT Awards reward and highlight the outstanding work of young people who have transformed social development opportunities into a sustainable social enterprise through innovative use of ICTs.

By showcasing top creative works, itex can introduce excellent ideas and projects to new partners and supporters, and share models that will inspire other youth to use information and communication technology for development of their communities.

The inaugural itex Youth ICT Awards reward and bring to national recognition the outstanding work of young people who have used information communication technologies (ICT) for the promotion of development around Botswana.

Innovation can happen at any age—that’s why we the organizers of itex exhibition and itex ICT Conference supported by sponsors created the 1 st itex Youth ICT Innovation Award, an annual award program that recognizes an individual or group of young people who have come up with a great new idea to tackle a problem facing our country.

Botswana aspires to build a knowledge society by fully utilizing Information and Communication Technologies. Innovation and young people’s contributions play a crucial role in moving Botswana towards the vision of Maitlamo, the national ICT vision.

Have you come up with creative, innovative, unexpected solutions to some of those problems we face in Botswana but could be solved through usage of ICT ingenuity and a commitment to creating an ICT solution that will make a difference. Then you're the type of person we'd like to recognize.

This solution could be in the form of software for online or offline usage, hardware, mobile technology or a unique model or system directly related to ICT.

are between the ages of 16 and 20
have used computer and other ICT systems or devices as the basis for developing creative and innovative ideas aimed at solving real-world problems
put their ideas into action, and as a result, have had a positive impact either in their own community or school on a broader scale.

In addition to cash and other prizes, the winner's work and ideas will be showcased in the itex exhibition at itex 2010, in order to inspire other youth to think, work and collaborate in new ways.

How does the selection process work?

Individuals or groups (consisting of no more than eight (8) members), may enter. The entry form is available online and must be submitted by mail along with the required supporting materials. Please see the instructions on the form for more information.
Submissions will be accepted by the Fair Ground Holdings between June 11, 2010 and July 15, 2010.
All submissions will be reviewed by the Fair Ground Holdings 's internal awards selection committee. The short-list of submissions will be forwarded to a final review panel.
Judges on the final review panel will select the award winner based on pre-determined judging criteria.

What criteria do the judges use?

Innovative use of information or communication technology to address a significant real-world problem.
Evidence of the successful implementation of the above, resulting in a positive impact either in the nominee's own community and potentially on a broader scale.
The degree to which the nominee and his/her work has demonstrated the following skills, attitudes and behaviours of innovation: inspiration, creativity, collaboration, risk-taking and problem solving.