Latest news with #WSIS
Observer
3 hours ago
- Business
- Observer
Musandam honoured at WSIS 2025 for smart lighting
GENEVA: Musandam Governorate was honoured at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS 2025) in Geneva, organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), for its innovative smart street lighting project utilising Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. The project was recognised as one of the best entries for its sustainability and practical applicability. The WSIS competition's supervisory committee and judging experts praised the project as a practical model that can be replicated in diverse urban environments, thanks to its technical innovation and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Amna bint Mohammed al Shihiyah, Director of the Information Technology Department at the General Directorate of Administrative and Financial Affairs in Musandam Governorate, explained that the project is built on an integrated technical framework. It involves installing smart sensors and devices in lighting poles that collect data on natural light intensity, pedestrian and vehicle movement, weather conditions and the condition of the fixtures themselves. This data is then transmitted to a central operations platform, where it is analysed and used to make automated decisions on turning lights on or off and adjusting brightness levels as needed, maximising operational efficiency. She noted that the smart system allows real-time monitoring of the network, enabling early fault detection and direct alerts to maintenance teams. This significantly reduces response times and improves service levels for residents and visitors. Additionally, the system generates analytical reports to support infrastructure planning and decision-making. Al Shihi highlighted that the project marks a qualitative leap on several fronts. Technically, it reduces electricity consumption by up to 40 per cent compared to traditional systems and extends the lifespan of lighting fixtures through demand-based operation. Environmentally, it helps reduce the carbon footprint, supporting Oman's push towards green development and smart cities. Administratively, it boosts resource management efficiency; and lowers operating and maintenance costs over time. She emphasised that this recognition is a national achievement that enhances Musandam's status as a pioneer in leveraging technology to serve the community and promote efficiency and sustainability. It also underscores the governorate's commitment to Oman Vision 2040, which prioritises digital transformation and environmental sustainability. The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) is a leading global initiative in the field of information and communication technology for development. It was launched under UN auspices and is managed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in cooperation with other UN agencies. The summit aims to encourage digital innovation and foster the implementation of technology projects that contribute to achieving the SDGs worldwide. Each year, the WSIS Prizes competition honours outstanding technology projects that serve society in innovative and sustainable ways. The competition attracts hundreds of submissions globally from governments, private sectors, civil society and academia. Prizes are awarded across 18 main categories, including digital infrastructure, environment and smart cities, e-government, risk and disaster management; and innovation and entrepreneurship. — ONA
Leaders
7 hours ago
- Business
- Leaders
SDAIA Receives Certificates for Nominated Projects at WSIS Summit
The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) has received certificates for its nominated projects recognized among the best entries at the 2025 WSIS Prizes, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Organized by the UN International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the 2025 World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prizes witnessed the participation of over 194 countries, mirroring the significance of global competition. SDAIA's nominated projects stand out as technological initiatives that crystalized both innovation and creativity. After the ITU's expert evaluation, the Saudi projects were selected out of 973 submissions from various countries. Crucially, SDAIA noted that the nominated projects have covered various fields as follows: The government cloud-computing platform 'Deem,' which offers integrated and flexible cloud services for government entities. 'Nafath' app for biometric identity verification 'My Resume' service within the 'Tawakkalna' app that enables users to display their certified academic qualifications 'Tahseen' an AI-powered project that can restore and boost historical media 'Allam' and 'SauTech' projects which support and process Arabic through large language models and speech recognition technologies Prestigious Recognition Apart from this, the WSIS recognized the IAIO as an unparalleled project in Category 7 (E-Science). This recognition reflects the ongoing efforts of the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) to boost innovation and elevate national and international capacities of the artificial intelligence. In collaboration with the International Center for AI Research and Ethics (ICAIRE), AI Olympiad featured participants from more than 25 countries around the world. By hosting such a prestigious exhibition, SDAIA offers an international platform for AI competitions and an umbrella that brings together brilliant minds and spreads the concept of the Smart Olympiad among current generations. Related Topics: Saudi Arabia Showcases Digital Leadership at WSIS 2025 'Madrasati' Platform Wins Top Honor at WSIS Forum 2025 Saudi Arabia Wins Awards at WSIS +20 Forum Short link : Post Views: 13 Related Stories
Muscat Daily
8 hours ago
- Business
- Muscat Daily
Musandam wins WSIS award for smart street lighting
Muscat – Musandam has been recognised at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum in Geneva for its smart street lighting project that uses Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. Organised by International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the forum honoured the project as one of the best entries for its sustainability and practical application. The supervisory committee of the WSIS competition described the project as a replicable model for urban areas, highlighting its technical innovation and alignment with UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Amna bint Mohammed al Shehhi, Director of Information Technology Department in Musandam, said the system is built on a network of smart sensors installed on lighting poles. These sensors gather real-time data on natural light, movement of vehicles and pedestrians, weather conditions, and the operational status of the infrastructure. The data is transmitted to a central platform, which analyses it and makes automated decisions to optimise lighting operations, including adjusting brightness or switching lights on and off based on need. She said the platform supports continuous monitoring, early fault detection and instant maintenance alerts, which improve service quality and reduce response times. The system also generates analytical reports to support infrastructure planning and policy decisions. According to Amna, Musandam's street lighting project marks a significant shift in urban management. Technically, it reduces electricity consumption by up to 40% compared to conventional lighting systems and prolongs the lifespan of fixtures. Environmentally, it cuts emissions and contributes to Oman's shift towards green development and smart cities. Administratively, it improves resource efficiency while reducing operational and maintenance costs. She said the recognition was a national achievement reflecting Musandam's progress in leveraging technology for public benefit while aligning with Oman Vision 2040, which prioritises digital transformation and sustainability. One of the leading global platforms for ICT developments, WSIS is hosted under the United Nations umbrella and coordinated by ITU with support from other UN agencies. The annual summit encourages digital innovation aligned with SDGs and includes the WSIS Prizes, a global competition attracting entries from governments, academia, civil society and private sector entities. The awards span 18 categories including digital infrastructure, smart cities, e-governance and environmental innovation.
Times of Oman
12 hours ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Innovative project of Musanadam govt honoured
Organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for its innovative project that develops smart street lighting systems using Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, it was recognised as one of the most outstanding in terms of sustainability and applicability. The project caught the attention of the WSIS competition committee, with experts describing it as a practical model that can be replicated across urban environments, due to its technical innovation and alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Amina bint Mohammed Al-Shehhi, Director of the Information Technology Department at Musandam's General Directorate of Administrative and Financial Affairs, explained that the project relies on an integrated tech infrastructure. Smart sensors are installed on lighting poles to collect data on natural light intensity, pedestrian and vehicle movement, weather conditions, and the status of the devices themselves. This data is sent to a centralised operations platform that analyses it and makes automated decisions to turn lights on or off or adjust brightness levels, aiming for maximum operational efficiency. She noted that the system allows real-time monitoring of the lighting network, enabling early fault detection and immediate alerts to maintenance teams. This improves response time and service quality for residents and visitors. The platform also generates analytical reports to support infrastructure planning and decision-making. The project represents a major leap on several fronts. It reduces electricity consumption by up to 40% compared to traditional systems and extends lamp life through need-based operation and helps lower the carbon footprint and supports Oman's transition to green development and smart cities, and improves resource management and cuts long-term operational and maintenance costs. Al-Shehhi emphasised that this recognition marks a national achievement, solidifying Musandam's status as a leading governorate in leveraging technology for public service and sustainable development. It also reflects its commitment to Oman Vision 2040, which prioritises digital transformation and environmental sustainability. The WSIS, backed by the United Nations and managed by the ITU in collaboration with several international organizations, stands as one of the foremost global initiatives in ICT for development. The summit encourages digital innovation and fosters tech projects aimed at achieving the SDGs. Each year, WSIS hosts the WSIS Prizes competition, celebrating the most innovative and sustainable tech projects from across the globe. Entries come from governments, the private sector, civil society, and academic institutions. The awards span 18 key categories, including digital infrastructure, smart cities and environment, e-government, risk and disaster management, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Rebranding of Nadi to Nadi Madani reflects expanded role, says Fahmi
GENEVA: The rebranding of the National Information Dissemination Centre (Nadi) to Nadi Madani, scheduled for implementation this September, is in line with the expansion of the centre's functions, said Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. The Communications Minister said that in line with the rebranding initiative, several new features will be introduced, including faster Internet access and the provision of e-health services. "With more facilities, amenities and services being offered, we will undertake a rebranding exercise from Nadi to Nadi Madani. "We expect the rebranding to begin around September this year," he told the media at the World Summit on the Information Society+20 (WSIS+20) High-Level Event here Friday (July 11). He said with nearly two million members across 1,099 Nadi centres nationwide, the centres also have the potential to act as catalysts for entrepreneurial development. "I see Nadi as having the capacity to become a place where local entrepreneurs can either acquire new skills or explore opportunities for new markets through the internet and e-commerce," he said. Nadi is one of the initiatives led by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to provide collective internet access to communities, particularly in rural and underserved areas. The centre also aims to empower communities through more sustainable and relevant programmes to bridge digital, knowledge and socio-economic gaps, in addition to serving as a platform for rural communities to access up-to-date and accurate information on government initiatives. Nadi's efforts have gained global recognition, as the Nadi Pulau Banggi Initiative was crowned the winner of the WSIS Prize 2025. This initiative provided digital literacy, skills training and economic opportunities to one of the most remote island communities in Malaysia. - Bernama
