The association includes computer professionals, students and others interested in computer and IT, with a current member population of about 300, said the site.

SIDEBAR:

APICTA 2006 set for Macau

The Asia Pacific ICT (Information and Communications Technology) Awards (APICTA) was initiated by the Multimedia Development Corporation of Malaysia, and the first two Awards ceremonies were held in Kuala Lumpur in 2001 and 2002, moving to Bangkok in 2003. The program is designed to stimulate ICT innovation and creativity, promote economic and trade relations, facilitate technology transfer, and offer business matching opportunities via exposure to venture capitalists and investors, said the APICTA website.

Its 15 member-economies include Australia, Brunei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam and China. APICTA member-economies take turns in hosting the annual Awards Program, which is won through a bidding process.