Mr. Alok Kumar, Chairman of the AKIS TECH LTD Group, President of the Economic Council of India for Russia and Central Asia, Honorary Board Member and Director of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has joined the Expert Jury of the international NextWave Awards (NWA). The award recognizes outstanding projects and solutions shaping the future of the global economy, culture, and technological advancement.
Mr. Alok Kumar is a seasoned public figure and a highly accomplished expert in high technology and infrastructure development. His career began at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, where he worked in the field of aeronautical engineering. Today, he is responsible for advancing information technology and developing a network of data centers for the world’s largest biometric project — India’s national identification system, UIDAI. Mr. Kumar has overseen the project at every stage, from concept development and site selection to system design and vendor requirement formulation. The data center development methodology he created for UIDAI is now considered a benchmark for other government institutions and organizations across India.
Previously, Mr. Kumar contributed to the modernization and increased accessibility of the Nirmal Gram Puraskar system as part of the national rural sanitation program. He initiated the development and launch of an online monitoring system to track project implementation and enhance performance incentives. In addition, he is the author of the book “Squatting with Dignity: Lessons from India” (Sage Publications, 2010), which provides a comprehensive account of the evolution of the rural sanitation movement in India over the past decade.
Mr. Kumar also serves as a Board Member of the Business Council for Cooperation with India and as Vice President (Asia-Pacific) of the International Congress of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (ICIE).
The inclusion of such a distinguished expert in the NWA jury highlights the award’s strong international standing and its commitment to engaging leading figures from business, technology, and public sectors in its evaluation process. Mr. Kumar’s participation will ensure objective and highly professional assessment of projects focused on sustainable development, social innovation, and technological progress.
About the NWA Award
The NWA Award is an annual international prize recognizing outstanding achievements in socially significant initiatives, technological innovation, and sustainable development. Its jury comprises prominent industry leaders, public figures, and experts from around the world.