Tech
WSIS Prizes 2024 recognize the best in tech projects to support sustainable development
Published
1 year agoon

Winners from around the world honoured for innovative approaches to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Winners of the WSIS Prizes, recognizing innovative technological approaches to support sustainable development, were announced today at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)+20 Forum High-Level Event 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland.
Overall, projects from 18 countries were presented with WSIS Prizes top honours, showcasing leading efforts to bridge the digital divide, foster digital inclusion, and drive socio-economic progress on a global scale.
“This year’s WSIS Prizes demonstrate the innovation and energy that exist to find technological solutions to some of the globe’s biggest challenges,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “These are the creative contributions that the world needs in our effort to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”
WSIS Prizes 2024 Winners
Category 1: The role of governments and all stakeholders in the promotion of ICTs for development
Organization: Saudi Data and AI Authority (SDAIA)
Project: The National Data Bank (NDB) and Estishraf
Country: Saudi Arabia
Description: To revolutionize Saudi Arabia’s governance through data and AI, enhancing sectors like healthcare, education, and transportation while promoting innovation and collaboration.
Category 2: Information and communication infrastructure
Organization: Department of Information and Communications Technology – Region 10
Project: Empowering Disaster Response in Northern Mindanao through the use of Local Radio Networks
Country: Philippines
Description: To establish a resilient radio communication network across Northern Mindanao to enhance disaster response and mitigate the impact of future crises.
Category 3: Access to information and knowledge
Organization: Internet Society Tanzania Chapter (ISOC-Tz) & Partner Organization for Digital Africa & ISOC Foundation
Project: Tanzania Digital Inclusion Project (TADIP)
Country: United Republic of Tanzania
Description: To bridge the digital divide in Tanzania by providing affordable Internet access, digital skills training, and community engagement initiatives, thereby fostering socio-economic development and inclusivity.
Category 4: Capacity building
Organization: Perkumpulan Mitra TIK Indonesia (ICT Watch)
Project: JaWAra Internet Sehat
Country: Indonesia
Description: To promote digital literacy and empower communities in Indonesia through grassroots initiatives led by local champions, fostering a conducive internet ecosystem and enhancing digital skills and safety awareness.
Category 5: Building confidence and security in use of ICTs
Organization: Bangladesh Computer Council
Project: NationalConnect: Empowering Governance, Education, and Sustainability through Secure Government Video Conferencing
Country: Bangladesh
Description: To provide a homegrown video conference platform developed by the Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) to ensure seamless government services and educational continuity, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, while fostering innovation and cost-saving measures.
Category 6: Enabling environment
Organization: Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT)
Project: Interactive Tool of Policies, Terms and Conditions Applicable in the use of Digital Platforms
Country: Mexico
Description: To provide transparent and accessible information to users about privacy policies and terms of service on various digital platforms, empowering them to make informed decisions and promoting digital literacy.
Category 7: ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life (E-government)
Organization: Innovation and Digital Development Agency (IDDA)
Project: “MyGov”
Country: Azerbaijan
Description: To create a unified digital service platform that seamlessly integrates citizens and state entities, providing efficient access to government services and fostering collaboration.
Category 8: ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life (E-business)
Organization: Financial Service Authority (FSA)
Project: Analytical Portal (Bayanat)
Country: Oman
Description: To establish an analytical portal (Bayanat) that facilitates the exchange of business information based on the global XBRL standard, providing accessible and reliable financial data to market participants.
Category 9: ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life (E-learning)
Organization: Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona
Project: Young ArcHers project
Country: Spain
Description: To develop efficient training materials and accessible tools to support primary school teachers in promoting European cultural heritage among students, including those with disabilities and from diverse backgrounds.
Category 10: ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life (E-health)
Organization: Check Me Ltd
Project: Check Me
Country: Rwanda
Description: An AI-powered e-health platform aimed at combating breast cancer in Africa by addressing awareness gaps, accessibility issues, and high healthcare costs through education, self-screening guidance, and connectivity with specialists and survivors.
Category 11: ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life (E-employment)
Organization: Digital Dubai Authority
Project: Smart Employee
Country: United Arab Emirates
Description: To revolutionize staff management in Dubai’s government entities by providing an innovative, user-friendly, and efficient solution for various services, contributing to the city’s digital transformation goals.
Category 12: ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life (E-environment)
Organization: Advanced Info Service Public Company Limited (AIS)
Project: AIS E-Waste+ Application
Country: Thailand
Description: To revolutionize e-waste management in Thailand by providing a comprehensive platform that encourages responsible disposal and recycling through the innovative use of blockchain technology.
Category 13: ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life (E-agriculture)
Organization: Department of Agriculture
Project: GeoTanaman
Country: Malaysia
Description: To revolutionize Malaysia’s agriculture by providing a comprehensive digital platform for farmers to manage, analyze, and present geospatial information related to food crops, fostering a resilient and self-sufficient agricultural landscape.
Category 14: ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life (E-science)
Organization: China Mobile Communications Group Co., Ltd
Project: Large-Capacity Wide-Area Data Express for Scientific Computing Breakthroughs
Country: China
Description: To address the inefficiency and security risks associated with wide-area transmission of large volumes of data in scientific research by proposing an efficient and economical online data transmission solution based on a computility network and AI intelligent scheduling.
Category 15: Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content
Organization: Digitization Association for Technology and Science (DATS)
Project: Center for Digitization and Documentation of Heritage and Arts Setif
Country: Algeria
Description: To document the heritage and arts of Setif in the virtual world, to digitize them in two- and three-dimensional formats, and to obtain certificates of ownership in the virtual world with tradable crypto assets (NFT’s), enhancing the protection and conservation of the cultural heritage and arts.
Category 16: Media
Organization: Upview
Project: One-stop AI Solution for content creators to go viral – consistently!
Country: United States of America
Description: An AI-powered growth platform for video content creators, aiming to automate video strategy, support execution, and drive distribution for content creators using proprietary AI technology.
Category 17: Ethical dimensions of the Information Society
Organization: Nokia
Project: Smartpur
Country: India
Description: To empower and support local communities in India through digital technology, focusing on connecting the unconnected and providing access to essential services in health, education, livelihood, financial inclusion, and governance.
Category 18: International and regional cooperation
Organization: South School on Internet Governance
Project: University Diploma in Internet Governance and Regulations
Country: Argentina
Description: To train young students and professionals from various disciplines in understanding the importance of Internet Governance and its impact on developing economies, enhancing representation in global Internet Governance discussions.
Showcasing technology for impact
The WSIS Prizes are a global platform aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The WSIS Prizes 2024 received over 1000 submissions from over 100 countries. Since its inception in 2012, the contest has received more than 5,000 submissions and engaged with millions of stakeholders, including voters, on success stories from around the world that are built around technological solutions to sustainable development challenges.
At the WSIS Prizes 2024 ceremony, the Swiss Confederation and the United Arab Emirates were recognized for 20 years of implementation of WSIS Action Lines.
The WSIS+20 Forum High-Level Event 2024 is meeting from 27 to 31 May to address challenges and log achievements in the two decades since the multi-stakeholder WSIS process was established.
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Pre-Orders Open for Mojahidul Islam’s Latest Computer Book ‘AI Shikhun, Taka Gunun’
Published
3 weeks agoon
September 12, 2025
Technology writer and journalist Mojahidul Islam Dheow is set to release his new book, “AI Sikhun, Taka Gunun.”
Online pre-orders have already started, and the book is being published by Systech Publications.
In today’s digital age, we stand at a turning point—where simple keystrokes can turn into dollars, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming humanity’s newest coworker.
This book acts as a bridge, connecting learning with earning and blending investigative journalism with awareness-raising for general readers. The book is structured into three parts.
The first section is designed as an earning guide for young people. It explains how AI content prompts can create opportunities in the freelancing market and how small ideas can grow into significant income streams.
The second section serves as a hands-on investigative handbook for journalists, offering practical tips on using AI tools for data mining, verifying sources, and ensuring cybersecurity.
The third section is aimed at general readers. It presents the opportunities and risks of AI in simple language while also teaching methods for spotting deepfakes and identifying fake news.
Mojahidul Islam Dheow, a Computer Science graduate, has been writing and publishing technology-related books since 2003, with more than a dozen titles to his name.
His book “Web Database Application: MySQL–PHP” was the first Bangla-language book on website database and application development, earning him the Best Author Award in 2021. Dheow’s writing style is lively and accessible—sometimes deeply technical, sometimes witty and lighthearted. His words make readers feel as though they are casually learning new hacks while chatting with a friend.
This book is equally valuable for three key audiences: those who want to start freelancing but don’t know how to begin, journalists eager to learn the magic of AI-powered data tools, and everyday readers curious about how AI is reshaping our daily lives.
All in all, “AI Sikhun, Taka Gunun” is not just another book—it is a complete roadmap for surviving and thriving in the age of AI.
According to the author, the book will help readers discover numerous exciting ways to earn with AI. These include offering writing services with AI content tools, managing brands and social media accounts, providing AI-powered SEO services, creating and selling custom GPTs, producing AI-generated art and images, affiliate marketing, optimizing paid advertising, offering translation and localization services, developing and selling AI-powered digital products, teaching and hosting online courses, building websites and running email marketing campaigns, creating AI chatbots for businesses, developing mobile apps, automating lead generation, managing and analyzing data, and even producing AI-powered YouTube content.
The printed price is 400 Taka. If pre-ordered, the book can be purchased at a 20% discount for 320 Taka at https://www.rokomari.com/book/504542/ai-shikhun-taka-gunun.
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A10 Networks Expands its Cybersecurity Portfolio with Acquisition of ThreatX Protect
Published
7 months agoon
March 13, 2025
ThreatX Protect Addresses Critical Need to Protect Against Evolving Application and API Security Threats
To continue to help customers address the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape, A10 Networks has acquired the assets and key personnel of ThreatX Protect expanding its cybersecurity portfolio with web application and API protection (WAAP). The acquisition is expected to be modestly accretive to A10’s earnings per share in 2025 and has closed.
Attacks against web applications and application programming interfaces (APIs) are on the rise and are a significant threat to enterprises. ThreatX Protect provides a unique WAAP solution using behavioral and risk profiling to help protect enterprises from evolving threats, including threats to AI applications, which can complement an AI firewall. Delivered as a software-as-a service solution, ThreatX Protect includes API protection, bot management and next-generation web application firewall.
“Expanding the A10 Defend security portfolio with ThreatX Protect gives our customers an additional tool in their strategy to protect against new and evolving threats,” said Dhrupad Trivedi, president and CEO, A10 Networks. “Our strategic focus is on helping enterprises secure their applications and networks from the growing number of threats today, as well as protecting the emerging AI use cases of the future. Adding WAAP to our solution set gives customers additional capabilities to help establish a strong security posture.”
“We are thrilled that A10 Networks has acquired certain assets of ThreatX, including the brand and the TX Protect WAAP solution to expand A10’s security portfolio,” said Gene Fay, CEO of ThreatX. “A10 has been a fantastic partner throughout this process, and we are confident that our customers and employees will thrive under their leadership.”
As a result of this transition, the remaining assets of ThreatX will be launched as Run Security with TX Prevent, the cutting-edge eBPF-based solution re-launched as RS Prevent.
ThreatX Protect supports A10’s strategy of helping customers deploy A10 security solutions in a hybrid approach to protect apps and APIs running anywhere – public cloud, private cloud, co- location facilities or on-premises. The A10 Defend portfolio of solutions provides DDoS protection, DDoS threat intelligence and web application, and now adds a full-featured WAAP solution all integrated into a single platform with end-to-end delivery and stronger security for mission-critical applications.
Specific terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition is consistent with A10’s stated strategy of expanding the Company’s security portfolio to grow in the enterprise market. The acquisition does not represent a material change to the Company’s 2025 financial outlook or long-term business model.
Tech
Empowering Youth and Transforming Lives: The Impact of ICT Pioneers in Bangladesh’s Digital Future
Published
10 months agoon
December 11, 2024
By Hamidur Rahman:
In Bangladesh, where unemployment often feels like a lingering shadow, a growing number of young people are chasing independence through the world of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Some carve their paths in freelancing, while others, armed with self-learning and sheer determination, rise from humble beginnings to build thriving careers.
One such story belongs to Samiul Islam of Mollapara village in Atgaon Union, Bochaganj Upazila, Dinajpur. Once a laborer at a small broiler chicken farm, Samiul barely scraped by on his modest earnings. Yet, with nothing more than an Android phone and a desktop bought on installment, he set out to change his life. Seven years later, he’s earning between 400,000 and 500,000 BDT each month, now the proud founder of RezCode BD — his own freelancing and IT training company.
Looking back, Samiul recalls 2017 as the turning point. “I worked at a poultry farm for only 6,000 taka a month. It wasn’t enough to support my family,” he said. That same year, on November 20, fate intervened.
In June 2017, Md. Mojahidul Islam — a pioneer of ICT journalism and digital education in Bangladesh — hosted a life-changing seminar in Dinajpur, 413 kilometers from Dhaka. The event brought together students, job seekers, and aspiring freelancers in a lively, interactive environment. From platforms like Upwork and Fiverr to skills such as graphic design, web development, and digital marketing, Mojahidul provided a practical roadmap to success. He shared tips on client communication, project management, and financial planning — and it was all completely free, ensuring no one was left behind.
For Samiul, the seminar and Mojahidul’s book Sombhabonamy Freelance Outsourcing: Internete Ghore Boshei Ay lit the spark. “It answered everything — what freelancing is, who can do it, what jobs are out there, how to get paid,” he said. The book also introduced him to platforms like Guru, Get a Freelancer, Rent a Coder, oDesk, and Elance. Nights after long shifts at the poultry farm, Samiul dove into YouTube tutorials, determined to build an online career.
In 2018, he moved to Dhaka for a textile mill job and used his wages to enroll in a web development course. But another obstacle appeared — he had no computer. His father took a loan from an NGO so Samiul could buy one. “That’s when my freelancing journey truly began,” he said.
His first job came that year on Fiverr — a $5 project. “I gave it my all and got a five-star review. After that, there was no turning back.” Today, alongside his earnings, Samiul runs RezCode BD to train others. “We provide 24/7 support so learners can gain confidence and learn client communication. Sometimes I even attend meetings for them,” he said. Four of his students now earn over 100,000 taka monthly. His goal? “I want to empower youth across Dinajpur — and eventually the whole country — with digital skills, and create jobs for at least 100 people.”
Samiul’s journey is one wave in a much larger tide of change — a movement that traces back to Mojahidul Islam’s decades-long mission. Long before Bangladesh’s ICT boom, Mojahidul recognized the power of digital literacy. Known affectionately as “Dheow,” he began IT journalism in 2000, writing for The New Nation, Ajker Kagoj, Computer Barta, and E-Biz, eventually becoming ICT Editor at The Daily Ittefaq in 2006.
In 2003, when computers were rare and the internet a luxury, he published the first Bengali-language books on essential ICT skills for unemployed youth. These covered everything from basic computer use and office applications to internet browsing, email, graphic design, and online safety. His accessible style brought technology into homes across villages, hills, and river islands — where English manuals and instructors were scarce.
Mojahidul’s works, including Practical Networking Handbook, Swapner Career, 7 Dine Web Design, Mastering E-Commerce, Mobile Phone Khutinati, and Freelance Outsourcing Possibilities, became lifelines for learners. Thanks to his guidance, hundreds of thousands of people opened their first email accounts, printed their first documents, or landed their first freelance job. Government agencies like the Department of Youth Development and BANBEIS incorporated his books into nationwide ICT training programs.
His impact is staggering — over 2.3 million students have gained ICT skills from his books, around 2 million learned email and office tools, 500,000 began accessing e-services, and at least 18,000 started freelance careers earning foreign currency. His influence extends beyond Bangladesh, reaching West Bengal and other Bengali-speaking regions.
Beyond authorship, Mojahidul has held key roles, serving as General Secretary of the Bangladesh ICT Journalists Forum in 2007 and later as President in 2019. He is a lifetime member of the Bangladesh Computer Society, active in the Internet Society, and involved in multiple journalist organizations. His professional training spans finance journalism in London, internet resource management, AI, cybersecurity, and data-driven reporting.
Recognized with awards including the Prominent ICT Journalist Award (2022), Digital Bangladesh Award (2022), IT Journalist of the Year (2022), and Best Author (2021), Mojahidul has judged competitions such as the CTIA Emerging Technology Awards in the US and spoken at events like NASA’s Space Apps Challenge.
For him, technology is not just a tool but a gateway to independence. His mission remains clear — to equip the youth of Bangladesh with the skills to thrive in a digital world. And as Samiul Islam’s story proves, a single seminar, a single book, or a single mentor can change the course of a life forever.

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