Press Release
The Department of Immigration, Ministry of Home and Cultural Affairs, Royal Government of Bhutan was awarded the Radiant Launch Award by Asia Pacific Smart Card Association (APSCA) during the 11th Government Forum on Electronic Identity held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon, Dhaka on 1st December, 2015. The Department’s entrant was for “Integration of Biometric Features into Immigration Information System”.
The Radiant Awards 2015 is awarded to recognize and reward excellence in planning, design, implementation and operation of electronic identity schemes and services. This forum was coordinated by APSCA and co-hosted by Government of Bangladesh.
The forum included government delegation representing over 20 countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe that are at various stages of social and economic development, with deferring identity institutional structures. It was also attended by 26 world renowned technology institutions who are the providers of cutting age technologies solution for identity schemes. The component of the forum included presentations and discussion from government managers, project leaders and policy makers responsible for identity related services to share latest information, challenges and best practices to move forward with their respective scheme.
The Radiant Awards are divided into four categories, namely; Radiant Vision Award, Radiant Pioneer Award, Radiant Launch Award and Radiant Service Award. The jury consist of three members, namely; Ross Greenwood, Independent Consultant, Alan Gelb, Senior Fellow, Center for Global Development and Greg Pote, Chairman, APSCA. The Radiant Award in innovation and vision in electronic ID (eID) solution and technology attracted 46 entries from Asia, Africa, the Americas, Europe and the Gulf.
The Department had successfully integrated Biometric enrolment into the Immigration Information System and was rolled out nation-wide online in 2014. The Biometric enrolment will be rolled out at the Paro International Airport on the commencement of operation at the new terminal.
Presently, the Department enrolls 10 fingers for all foreigners entering for employment and 2 index fingers for the rest of the visitors.
Director General, Thinlay Wangchuk and ICT Officer, Tashi Dorji receiving the Radiant Launch Award
Date: 8th December, 2015 Department of Immigration