An Enriching Experience: My Journey Through the Grand Jury Session of the ICT Awards 🌟
The journey toward achieving excellence in innovation often leads to extraordinary moments of learning, challenges, and reflection. This week, I had the privilege of presenting our product, the LMC Alert App, at the Grand Jury Session of the ICT Awards 2024. It was an intense yet rewarding experience that pushed me to refine my communication, presentation, and problem-solving skills.
The Presentation: Distilling Innovation into Five Minutes
The grand jury session began with a five-minute presentation, where I showcased the concept, features, and real-world impact of the LMC Alert App. Delivering a clear and engaging narrative within such a short timeframe was both exhilarating and challenging.
I aimed to highlight not just the technical capabilities but also the social impact of the app, focusing on how it empowers citizens, strengthens communication between the public and authorities, and improves emergency response times. The live demo was the highlight—showing the app’s functionality in real-time made the concept tangible and relatable for the jury.
Speed Dating with the Jury: A Rapid Exchange of Ideas
The most unique aspect of the session was the speed dating round with 10 juries. Each juror had 200 seconds to ask their questions, and I had to respond promptly, concisely, and confidently. The questions ranged from technical aspects like the app’s offline functionality and scalability to its societal impact and sustainability.
What stood out for me was how deeply the jurors engaged with the concept. Their queries were sharp, thought-provoking, and gave me a chance to reflect on elements of the project I hadn’t considered in depth. It felt less like a grilling session and more like a dynamic exchange of ideas that sharpened my perspective on the app’s future possibilities.
Key Takeaways from the Grand Jury Experience
- Clarity is Key: With such tight time constraints, every word had to count. Simplifying complex ideas without diluting their significance was a valuable skill I honed during the process.
- Adaptability Matters: Each juror had a unique perspective and focus. Being adaptable and tailoring my responses to their line of questioning was essential.
- Constructive Feedback is Gold: The jury’s insights offered a fresh lens through which I could view the project, sparking ideas for future iterations and expansions.
Anticipation for the Results
As we await the announcement of the Top 5 finalists, the excitement is palpable. While the journey so far has been enriching in itself, reaching this stage has reaffirmed my belief in the potential of the LMC Alert App to make a difference in society. Regardless of the outcome, this experience has strengthened my resolve to continue innovating and driving social change through technology.
Looking Forward
The ICT Awards have been more than just a competition—they’ve been a platform for growth, networking, and learning. Meeting fellow innovators, engaging with the jury, and witnessing the vibrant tech ecosystem of Nepal has been inspiring.
As I look ahead, I remain committed to refining and expanding the app, integrating features like AI-driven incident prioritization and predictive analytics to serve communities better. The grand jury session was a milestone, and I’m eager to see where this journey leads next.