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23 May 2008

Global ICT Excellence Award for HiWEL

Hole-in-the-Wall Education Ltd. (HiWEL), a joint venture between NIIT Ltd. and the International Finance Corporation, has been conferred the coveted 'Digital Opportunity Award' for its path breaking work in spreading computer literacy and improving the quality of education at the grass root levels, by the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA).

CEO, NIIT, Mr. Vijay K. Thadani receiving the award.

WITSA is a consortium of over 60 Information Technology industry associations from economies around the world. Mr. Phil Bond, President and CEO, Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) gave away the award to NIIT CEO Vijay K Thadani at 16th World Congress on IT (WCIT) 2008 Awards' Ceremony, the annual congregation of world's leading technology companies and associations held at Kuala Lumpur on 23rd May 2008.

Receiving the award, an elated Thadani said, "This is a rare honour not just for NIIT HiWEL, but for the Indian ICT industry as well. It is a recognition of our innovative efforts in enabling computers touch millions of lives globally by making Information Technology reach the grass root levels."

All the awardees at WCIT 2008.

WITSA Global ICT Excellence Awards, held every two years, aim at identifying and honouring the most outstanding users of Information and Communication Technology. The prestigious 'Digital Opportunity Award' is bestowed upon individuals, academic institutions, corporations, NGOs or government entities that have made a remarkable and successful effort at reducing the digital divide, by 'connecting' previously 'unconnected' people. The eminent jury adjudges nominees on various parameters including the effectiveness of the program, number of people benefiting from the deployment of technology, degree of the program(s) technology intensiveness, and level of innovation demonstrated in achieving the program(s) goals.

NIIT (HiWEL) has been honoured for its commitment and efforts to help underserved groups bridge the digital divide, by offering exciting and effective education and learning experiences through innovative technologies in remote areas.

About WITSA
The World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) is a consortium of over 60 information technology (IT) industry associations from economies around the world. WITSA members represent over 90 percent of the world IT market.

Founded in 1978 and originally known as the World Computing Services Industry Association, WITSA has increasingly assumed an active advocacy role in international public policy issues affecting the creation of a robust global information infrastructure.

WITSA has a real impact on the global IT environment. It strengthens the industry at large by promoting a level playing field and by voicing the concerns of the international IT community in multilateral organizations, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the G-8 and other international fora where policies affecting industry interests are developed.