{"id":130,"date":"2024-09-17T11:13:42","date_gmt":"2024-09-17T11:13:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/itu-d\/meetings\/gif-24\/?page_id=130"},"modified":"2024-11-01T14:21:56","modified_gmt":"2024-11-01T14:21:56","slug":"pitch-competition","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.itu.int\/itu-d\/meetings\/gif-24\/competition\/pitch-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"Pitch"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Winners of the GIF-24 Pitch Competition<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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We are proud to recognize the outstanding and innovative initiatives that advance digital innovation and create a lasting impact in communities and beyond.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Digital Changemaker<\/strong> category<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Winner: <\/strong>Mais Taha, MTiPX, Malta
Winning project:<\/strong> XEROWASTE<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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XEROWASTE is a 343 points digital certification system targets students and researchers 14-60 in their product design journey to eliminate materials waste, energy consumption and emissions. The framework follows ISO14024 and certify waste prevention between 25%-60%.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Ecosystem Practice category<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Winner: <\/strong>MACRA, Muuni Fund, ICT Research and Innovation Fund, Malawi
Winning project:<\/strong> Muuni Fund- ICT Research and Innovation Fund<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Muuni Fund is an ICT Research and Innovation Fund under the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) that aims at providing seed funding for undertaking ICT related research and innovation initiatives to provide for local solutions and incubation of innovations in different sectors of the economy. The Fund is in line with Section 6(2)(g) of the Communications act which requires the Authority to promote research and development in communications services, and Section 6(2)(f) which encourages the introduction of innovative technology and communications service in accordance with recognized international standards and applicable law.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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OpenTech4Impact category<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Winner: <\/strong>Dr Teddy Nalwanji, Bulamu Bridge AI Technologies, Uganda
Winning project: <\/strong>Bulamu Bridge AI Technologies<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Bulamu Bridge AI Technologies is a health tech social enterprise using a mobile app called My FemiHub app, and Whats App chatbots to digitize access to maternal care and sexual reproductive health rights information and services in Uganda. Our maternal app offers personalized pregnancy tracking and recommendations, menstruation period tracking, educational content on pregnancy including nutrition, remote doctor consultation and medical checkups, and access to a community of peers. We have also developed WhatsApp chatbots to offer instant answers to questions on pregnancy, sexuality, menstruation and patients’ concerns as well as enable our clients to order laboratory tests remotely with samples picked by our lab team from the comfort of their homes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Special recognition<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n
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China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), China
SMEs Integration Innovation Platform<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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SMEs Integration Innovation Platform is a sharing and cooperation platform. It provides opportunities to work with industries and alliances to support SMEs and startups’ growth, providing services and products for networking, resources, capacity building and helping to improve operational efficiency.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Congratulations to all participants and winners!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Meet our esteemed jury<\/h2>\n<\/div>
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We were privileged to have a distinguished panel of experts as the official GIF jury, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience in digital innovation and entrepreneurship. This jury comprised:<\/p>\n<\/div>

<\/center><\/div><\/center><\/div>
Ms Aishath Adnan<\/div>
Co-Founder<\/div>
Women in Tech Maldives<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/center><\/div><\/a>
X<\/a>

Ms Aishath Adnan<\/p><\/div>

Aishath Adnan is the Co-Founder of Women in Tech Maldives, a non-profit organization committed to inspiring, empowering, and celebrating women in science and technology in the Maldives. Her commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion is evident through her leadership in amplifying cybersecurity awareness and digital literacy on both national and regional platforms.
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\r\nWith over 16 years of experience across various domains in the technology sector, Aishath has successfully spearheaded digital transformation initiatives in both public and private sectors. Currently, she serves as the Manager for Information Systems at Allied Insurance Company of the Maldives. Her career highlights include designing and executing innovative e-Government solutions during her tenure at the National Center for Information Technology Maldives.
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\r\nAs a TEDx and keynote speaker, Aishath addresses critical issues such as gender equality in technology, cybersecurity awareness, and the transformative power of technology. She is dedicated to mentoring aspiring professionals, designing educational programs, and advocating for the prevention of the digital divide.
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\r\nIn addition to her corporate and advocacy roles, Aishath is the Chief Operating Officer at Spark Hub, a consultancy firm focused on enhancing the startup ecosystem in the Maldives. She is also a Co-Founder of the Maldives Startup Network- NGO dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the Maldives. She also serves on the executive committee of the Maldives Internet Governance Forum (IGF).<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Mr Bernardo Mariano Jr.<\/div>
Chief Information Technology Officer (CITO)<\/div>
UN OICT<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/center><\/div><\/a>
X<\/a>

Mr Bernardo Mariano Jr.<\/p><\/div>

United Nations Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres announced the appointment of Bernardo Mariano Jr. of Mozambique as Chief Information Technology Officer (CITO), Assistant Secretary-General, Office of Information and Communications Technology, on 1 June 2021. His tenure began 1 August 2021.
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\r\nMr. Mariano brings to the position 28 years of experience within the United Nations system and international organizations, most recently serving as the Chief Information Officer and Director for Digital Health and Innovation at the World Health Organization (WHO), where he led the organization\u2019s digital transformation journey, leveraging digital technologies and innovations to accelerate the achievement of WHO strategic goals.
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\r\nHe started his career in 1993 with International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Mozambique and continued with IOM in Haiti, Mali, Angola, Kenya, Kosovo and South Africa in addition to Geneva, Switzerland before joining WHO in 2018.
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\r\nMr. Mariano served as IOM Senior Regional Adviser for Sub-Saharan Africa (2017-2018), Regional Director for Southern Africa (2009-2015) and served as IOM Chief Information Officer (2015-2017, 2002-2011). During this tenure, he championed several business transformation initiatives, driving innovations in operation and management systems, Enterprise Resource Planning systems, information technology, project management and network infrastructure.
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\r\nHe holds a Master of Science in Global Management from Salford University (United Kingdom), and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique. Mr. Mariano is fluent in English, Portuguese and Spanish, with a very good knowledge of French.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Dr Li Tian<\/div>
Head of Standards Strategy<\/div>
ZTE Corporation<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/center><\/div><\/a>
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Dr Li Tian<\/p><\/div>

Dr. Li Tian is currently the Head of Standards Strategy of ZTE Corporation, Vice President of China Association for Standardization. He is actively involved in various global standardization organizations including ITU, 3GPP, IEEE, where he served as the rapporteur for several 5G related work items.
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\r\nHis research interests are in the field of ICT technology, and his team contributed significantly to advanced technologies like radio access, AI\/ML, future networks, video coding, automobile electronics, network security, etc. Dr. Tian received his B.Sc degree in 2009 and Ph.D degree in 2015, both in Tongji University, China. From 2013 to 2014, he was a visiting researcher in University of Bologna, Italy. He is the first author of a book and contributed to multiple book chapters, with over 50 academic papers published and over 100 patents held globally. He has also delivered multiple keynotes in various academic and industrial events.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Cinthya Arias Leit\u00f3n<\/div>
Council President <\/div>
Superintendence of Telecommunication (SUTEL)
Costa Rica<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/center><\/div><\/a>
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Cinthya Arias Leit\u00f3n<\/p><\/div>

Manager of the General Markets Directorate with eleven years of experience in the Superintendence of Telecommunications (SUTEL) from Costa Rica, where she has had- among other responsibilities-, the creation and establishment a system of sectorial indicators since the beginning of the opening of the Costa Rican market to competition. As part of her work at Sutel, she has directed important and diverse work teams in the field of access and interconnection, the application of the sectorial competition regime, economic studies and analysis and development of new regulation.\u00a0 More recently, she has been involved in the definition of strategies and of the regulatory body as Coordinator of the institutional regulatory Agenda.
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\r\nShe has also experience on market monitoring and market studies for the Costa Rican export products and services.
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\r\nShe is also alternate Commissioner at Coprocom, which is the national authority of competition in Costa Rica.
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\r\nEconomist and Master in Business Administration, Senior Management and Telecommunications studies.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Mr Daud Elvin Suleman<\/div>
Director General<\/div>
Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA)
Malawi<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/center><\/div><\/a>
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Mr Daud Elvin Suleman<\/p><\/div>

Daud Elvin Suleman, the Director General of the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) is an avid technology enthusiast with over 18 years of experience in the fintech and banking sector.
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\r\nDaud worked with the first microbank that opened in Malawi, targeting rural and underserved markets with technologically based banking services; paperless banking halls and biometric identification.
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\r\nAs a highly experienced IT practitioner in Malawi, Daud is heading a team of passionate professionals at MACRA which is aiming at deepening access to affordable, secure and quality communication services to all Malawians.
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Mr Trevor Sammut<\/div>
Senior Technology Architect <\/div>
Malta Digital Innovation Authority (MDIA)
Malta<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/center><\/div><\/a>
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Mr Trevor Sammut<\/p><\/div>

Trevor Sammut is the Senior Technology Architect at the Malta Digital Innovation Authority and is responsible for the various aspect of reviews of various kinds of innovative technology, its practical application, design and function. Mr Sammut also handled the Authorisations, Compliance, and Enforcement functions of the Authority always with a focus on technology first.
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\r\nMr. Sammut\u2019s experience includes over eight years as an ICT Applications Officer for the Ministry for Health engaged in the implementation of large-scale ICT Projects for the various business requirements related to Healthcare systems. He was responsible for project management related to IT networks and ICT infrastructure as well as detailed technical consultancy for the commissioning and implementation of healthcare projects. The Information Management Unit within the Ministry for Health interacted with a potential user-base of approximately 10,000 users.
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\r\nPreviously, Trevor spent nine years as a Police Inspector in the Malta Police Force handling Police\/EU\/Europol ICT Projects, ICT Department and IT team management within a high-security ICT Infrastructure and environment. He also steered and guided high-level management projects and systems, mostly related to national security.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Ms Marta Arsovska Tomovska\u00a0<\/div>
Advisor to the President of the National Assembly of Serbia<\/div>

Serbia (Republic of )<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/center><\/div><\/a>
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Ms Marta Arsovska Tomovska\u00a0<\/p><\/div>

Marta Arsovska Tomovska\u00a0brings over two decades of leadership in political, management, and advisory capacities, focusing on digital innovation and skills development for the future.
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\r\nCurrently, she is the Advisor to the President of the National Assembly of Serbia<\/span><\/span>, previously serving as North Macedonia’s Minister for Information Society and Public Administration. Tomovska’s career includes executive roles in IT and telecom, alongside advising various governments.
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\r\nShe is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the Future of Technology Policy and the G20 Digital Agenda Working Group. Her educational background includes an MSc in Marketing, MSc and BSc in Electrical Engineering, and a Graduate Certificate from the Kellogg School of Management.\u00a0Tomovska is also ITU\u2019s certified expert in building national digital innovation ecosystems and Joint SDG Fund expert evaluator for Digital Transformation. Throughout her career, she has earned multiple accolades from UN organizations for her significant contributions to the ICT sector.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Dr Gift Kallisto Machengete<\/div>
Director-General<\/div>
Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ)
Zimbabwe (Republic of)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/center><\/div><\/a>
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Dr Gift Kallisto Machengete<\/p><\/div>

Dr Gift Kallisto Machengete is the Director General of the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), having been appointed to the position in December 2016. He is a member of the ITU Digital Innovation Board and currently serves on the Boards of several institutions in Zimbabwe.
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\r\nHe holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from the University of Zimbabwe and a Master of Business Administration Degree (MBA) from Southern Cross University, Australia, for which he was awarded the University Plaque for outstanding achievement. He also holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from Southern Cross University, whose thesis was highly rated by both internal and external examiners.
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\r\nHe has over forty-four (44) years work experience, having worked as an Economic Counsellor at the Zimbabwe Embassy in China, Zimbabwe’s Deputy Ambassador to Malaysia and Director Administration in the Office of the President and Cabinet, before joining POTRAZ in 2016.
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\r\nHe is a former part-time lecturer for the Master of Business Leadership and Master of Security and Intelligence Degree programmes at Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE). This included working as a Research Thesis Moderator.<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/center><\/div><\/div>