MCIT and UNDP Launch the ‘Internet of Things’ to Support Persons with Disabilities

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, and Telecom Egypt are launching an innovation Competition titled “The Internet of Things” to support persons with disabilities.

This competition is part of the Youth Leadership Programme (YLP), an annual programme that aims to support young men and women from across the region in exploring innovative approaches to addressing sustainable development challenges, with a specific focus on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The competition aims to target young aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators, between the ages of 19 and 29 years old, who have a solution’s matured prototype using the Internet of Things (IoT) to support persons with disabilities.

“The use of IoT as a tool to improve human lives is currently a novel field of innovation with endless opportunities. Furthermore, persons with disabilities face many challenges in Egypt, and more innovative solutions are needed to improve their quality life,” says advisor to the Minister of Communication and Information Technology Abeer Shakweer.

Proposed solutions need to address accessibility to public spaces & transportation, education, employment, and health or early intervention.

Richard Dictus, UN resident coordinator, and UNDP resident representative says that they believe in the major role that the information technology plays in empowering young people. “We are delighted and honored to be partners in this competition, which gives young people and women the opportunity to innovate, support and find solutions for making the lives of persons with disabilities much better,” says Dictus.

“We are delighted and honored to be partners in this competition, which gives young people and women the opportunity to innovate, support and find solutions for making the lives of persons with disabilities much better,” says Dictus.

Furthermore, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Telecom Egypt Ahmed Al Beheiri said “We have great enthusiasm to participate in such activities that direct or use modern technology in the service of society and people with special needs in particular. Then he added, “this is part of the social responsibility activities set by Telecom Egypt and it’s their top priority.”

The competition will be launched on Yomken.com, an online crowd-solving platform.

In the first phase, 10 teams will be selected to participate in an intensive boot camp and will be trained on the use of assistive technologies, the internet of things, business skills and marketing. Teams will also receive mentoring sessions with experts in the field.

In the second phase, five teams will be selected to be represented at a regional innovation conference, organized by the UNDP Arab States. Up to 3 teams will be selected in the third phase, to participate in the world renowned ‘Mobile World Congress’ held every February in Barcelona, Spain.