Microsoft, UN rally students to tackle global issues via IT

Microsoft recently launched Imagine Cup 2009 with the support of the United Nations and challenged students to harness technology to “help solve the toughest problems facing us today.”

As the competition reaches its seventh year, students are asked to create software solutions that are aligned to one of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which span a range of global issues including poverty and hunger alleviation, gender equality, education, health and environmental sustainability.

“The MDGs represent how the world is responding to the development challenges that we are facing today and partnerships play a big role in achieving these,” said Dulce Saret, UN’s national MDG campaign and advocacy specialist.

“This calls for collaboration on all levels — global, local and between the private and public sector,” she said.

“Working with Microsoft for the Imagine Cup enables us to tap its expertise on technology and increase the involvement of the youth in this advocacy,” Saret added. “We are looking forward to seeing unique, long-term solutions that have the potential to create a big impact in the way people live.”

The Imagine Cup continues to engage students around the globe to create a world empowered by technology and driven by their talent and innovation.

In 2008, more than 200,000 students from 100 countries entered the competition, and 213 competitors from 112 teams representing over 60 countries attended the worldwide finals in Paris, France.

Microsoft has opened the registration for Imagine Cup 2009, with the theme “Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems facing us today.”

Students will compete in nine categories spanning software design and games development to challenges involving algorithms and programming.

Their work will give them the opportunity to compete for generous cash prizes, and more importantly, contribute to global efforts to attain progress.

“We know that students have the technical skills needed to design applications and programs. This competition harnesses their talent and applies their creativity to solve real-world challenges,” said Tim Vergel de Dios, academic developer evangelist of Microsoft Philippines. 

“The Imagine Cup highlights the ability of the youth to shape their future and allows them to have a say in how technology can support development,” he said.

Microsoft is calling on young programmers, artists and technologists around the world to bring their ideas to life in nine categories, each catering to a different talent.

The Technology Solutions categories such as Software Design, Embedded Development, and Game Development challenge students to utilize their creativity to develop practical solutions.

Project Hoshimi, IT Challenge, and Algorithm, under Skills Challenges, highlight the speed and proficiency of teams in creating programs.

The ability of teams to communicate ideas in original ways is tested in the Photography, Short Film, and Interface Design categories.

Microsoft also announced the Imagine Cup campus tour, which will visit schools and universities in Manila, Baguio, Laguna, Cebu, Iloilo, Davao and other key cities, from January to February 2009. Local finals will be held in April 2009.

“We want to encourage more students to join and showcase Filipino ingenuity and innovation at the global arena,” said Vergel de Dios.

“This is an opportunity not only to compete against the best student developers and programmers around the world, but also to prove that tomorrow’s leaders are equipped with the passion and talent to solve the world’s problems,” he added.

After advancing through the online, local and regional Imagine Cup competitions, qualifying students are scheduled to convene at the world championships in Cairo and Alexandria in Egypt, to present their entries to a panel of judges from the academe and technology industry.

The finalists will be selected, and a worldwide winner from each category will be announced. Prizes for Imagine Cup 2009 will total more than $200,000 across the nine categories.

Those interested in participating in Imagine Cup 2009 or seeking additional information can visit http://www.imaginecup.com to register and review full entry requirements for each invitational.