The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the UAE today said a total of 1,300 mobile applications are participating in the second ALECSO Apps Award, a mobile app development competition launched by the Arab League of Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALECSO). 

In a press release, the TRA said the winners will be awarded at a gala awards ceremony in Dubai in November 2016 on the sidelines of the UAE Innovation Week, a national celebration of innovation declared by Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. 

The annual ALECSO Apps Award recognises the best mobile applications that have educational, scientific and cultural significance for the Arab World. It is part of a comprehensive project which aims to provide a technical and organisational environment for the Arab industry to flourish in the field of smart applications and digital platforms by developing the capability of Arab human resources to become experts in this field. 

Director-General of the TRA, Hamad Obaid Al Mansouri, said: "The UAE's focus on innovation is not limited to local projects and initiatives. The nation's wise leadership envisions innovation to become part of the culture based on accumulated experiences that benefit everyone across all sectors of society and directs its promotion through meetings, conferences and awards." 

"This competition comes at the heart of our country's vision to promote smart transformation and establish smart cities and mGovernment. It is very well within the TRA's strategic goal of establishing the foundation for e-government at the federal level and achieve customer happiness," Al Mansouri added. 

Source: WAM