e-Gate bags IT Project of the Year award at Middle East IT Awards

 e-Gate project, implemented by the Dubai Naturalization and Residency Administration (DNRD) at the Dubai International Airport, to allow access to the airport through an electronic card, has been selected as the IT Project of the Year at the seventh Middle East Information Technology Awards. Colonel Saeed Bin Belailah, Director of DNRD received the award on behalf of the DNRD at a glittering function held on Tuesday, January 14, 2003 and attended by dignitaries and decision makers from the local and regional governments, business and IT world.

"We are extremely delighted that the judges of the Middle East IT Awards have conferred on us the honour of IT Project of the Year," said Colonel bin Belailah. "It makes us proud, and at the same time drives us to work harder to make the system more user friendly so that more people will be encouraged to use it. The implementation of the innovative e-Gate concept has brought  convenience and comfort to regular travelers, in addition to propelling Dubai onto the center-stage of countries that have incorporated information technology into their infrastructure. The project leverages best of breed technologies to allow passengers speedy access to the airport, while at the same time enabling the authorities to systematize the enormous volume of passenger throughput and the resultant documentation procedures."

"The e-gate is the first such project in the region and the third in the world and the entire credit goes to the in-house team of UAE nationals at the DNRD's IT division, who have proved their expertise with this venture," he said.

"The e-Gate Project is one of its kind, using state-of-the-art technologies to bring ease and security to the passengers at Dubai International Airport and reducing the time taken to enter and exit the airport," said Ali Kamali, chairman of Organising Committee, Middle East IT Awards. "It thoroughly deserved the  IT Project of the Year Award, because it has demonstrated the optimal use of technology to bring about a change in an area that was considered dependent on human screening for ultimate safety."

"The world of IT is exploding with innovations that have the capacity to  change the way we live and do business. IT will continue to revolutionise and enrich our lives, becoming the basis for functioning in a technology reliant world. The Middle East IT Awards were set up to recognize innovators like  DNRD who put technology to practical use for the common benefit of people," he added.

The e-Gate project was launched last August at Dubai International Airport. Users need to pre-register to acquire an electronic card. Registration is open  at regular hours at the e-Gate office near the food court area of the Departure Lounge at Dubai International Airport. First time registrants are required to have their finger prints taken. The card is issued within 15 minutes and can be used to enter and exit the passengers area, without the need to stamp passports.