Speaking at the end of the event, Rimantas Sinkevičius, Lithuanian Minister of Transport and Communications, said: “ICT2013 not only demonstrated Lithuania’s potential, but also saw Europe’s most innovative projects and the insights of global ICT experts. I’m certain that the contacts that were established will soon become joint projects, financed by Horizon 2020. I’ve heard numerous positive remarks from participants and visitors – this shows that ICT2013 will serve as a stimulus for even faster ICT development.”

Forty-eight high-level speakers participated at the event and 200 innovative European projects were presented. Also taking place were more than 160 meetings to establish connections and over 3,000 face-to-face meetings. Awards presented at the event included the best ICT2013 exhibition participant, which was awarded to the MD-Peadigree project, which presented a digital storage and smart analysis solution model for Europe’s first paediatricians’ social network.

ICT2013 was dedicated to current and future representatives of the ICT sector, and participants of research and development and innovation programmes. European ICT policy issues were discussed, insights and future visions shared, and connections for co-operation in information and communications technology business, research, and innovation were sought. The reports covered broadband Internet, cybersecurity, nanomaterials, cloud computing, and human brain structure programming.

It was one of the major events of the Lithuanian Presidency; organised by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the European Commission.

Activities included:

• conference - Read the session reports
• exhibition
• networking sessions
• work programme sessions
• investment forum
• activities for students & young researchers
• Connecting ICT & Art communities
• evening social event
• and much more...

Digital woman, girls of the year named at ICT2013

The winners of Europe’s first-ever Digital Woman Awards have been announced.

The announcement was made at the ICT2013 in Vilnius, Lithuania. Sasha Bezuhanova, Lune Victoria van Eewijk, Amy Mather and HTW–Berlin, were recognised for their leadership, entrepreneurship and creativity in digital areas of study and work, and for their demonstrated commitment to increasing the number of girls and women in ICT studies and careers in Europe. The awards are under the patronage of European Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes and organised by Zen Digital as part of their support of the EU Grand Coalition for Digital Jobs.

Kroes said “Tomorrow’s world will be led by digital technology, and having digital skills will unlock a goldmine of opportunities. Yet traditionally women are not attracted to digital jobs. That is why I am so happy to congratulate these talented women and girls who have achieved great things in ICT and I hope they go on to inspire more women to explore the digital sector.”

A recent study for the European Commission revealed that bringing more women into the EU digital sector would bring €9bn annual GDP boost. However, currently 7 million people work in the ICT sector in Europe, and only 30% are women. The Commission is committed to attracting more women into the ICT workforce and into STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths)-based studies and careers.

More related information:

Sources: Horizon 2020 projects and EC Digital Agenda website