Two initiatives of Aspire to Innovate-a2i named 'National Intelligence Employment and Entrepreneurship (NISE)' and 'Muktopaath' have recently won the WITSA 2023 Global Innovation and Technology Excellence Award. The World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA), an alliance of information technology sector organisations from various countries, gave the award in recognition of the two initiatives' contribution to skill development and education in the country through online platforms. 

The award was presented on the third day of the three-day WCIT 2023 International Conference held in Kuching, Malaysia on October 5. a2i's Program Associate Alavi Zaman Disha and E-learning Coordinator Jinia Jerin received the award from WITSA Chairman Dr Sean Seah on behalf of NISE and Muktopaath respectively.

According to an official press release, about 130 projects from different countries submitted their entries for this international award. Among them, a2i's project NISE won 1st place in the 'Public Sector Digital Opportunity/Inclusion Award' category. Additionally, Muktopaath won 1st place in the 'e-Education and Learning Award' category. Awards were given this year in a total of 14 categories for government and private/NGO sectors. 

National Intelligence for Skills, Education, Employment and Entrepreneurship (NISE) is a data platform created for stakeholders to facilitate collective intelligence in data-based decision-making to improve employable skills. NISE aims to create a central database for youth to reduce time, cost, and value in acquiring skills. It provides support with data-driven decision-making and policy-making, imparting skills training to youth, imparting skills training to youth, career counselling and guidance, and more.

Muktopaath is a Bangla language e-learning platform containing content on general, technical, and vocational education. There are more than 46.16 lac students enrolled learning in 280 courses. So far, more than 28 lakh 71 thousand students have been awarded certificates for completing their courses. The platform is also used by government institutions to provide online training to government officers and employees.