Four innovative mobile applications from the UAE - covering education, culture, science and educational games - have successfully made it to the final stage of the second Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (Alecso) Arab Mobile Applications Awards.

The awards ceremony is being hosted by the UAE this year by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA), in collaboration with Alecso .

These Emirati applications, have reached the final judging stage of the competition, beating out competition from 1,350 entries from across the Arab world.

The winning results will be announced on the last week of November and the awards will be given at a ceremony during the UAE Innovation Week.

Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, the director general of TRA, said: "The nomination of four Emirati applications to the final round of the competition confirms the established innovation culture in the country based on solid principles and rules in terms of efficiency and the value of the innovative projects submitted by organizations and individuals."

"Innovation through smart applications and harnessing technology to serve humanity’s needs are in line with the TRA’s goals and strategies," stated Al Mansoori.

"TRA’s participation in the Alecso Award serves our aim to establish the foundation for e-government at the federal level and attain our highest goal, that is, customers’ happiness," he added.

With the deadline for submiting all applications set at May 15, the judges picked a total of 510 applications in the first round.

The award committee has granted these shortlisted candidates time until November to enhance their applications, prepare a work plan, and provide a marketing material for the applications.

After that the winning applications that make it to the last and final assessment stage will be announced.

Alecso Mobile Apps Award is being organized every year for the best mobile applications created in the Arab World mainly in the fields of education, culture, science and educational games.

This award aims to highlight the abilities of youth in the Arab World and encourage creativity and innovation among mobile app developers, as well as establish a network for them in the region where various institutes, academic institutions, secondary schools and government universities can participate and further expand innovation.-TradeArabia News Service