SWEEP Awards finalists take tips from experts

MANILA, Philippines - Wireless leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) held a two-day bootcamp for the 10 finalist-teams of the 10th SWEEP Innovation and Excellence Awards in the First Pacific Leadership Academy in Antipolo City last month.

The teams, which represented five state universities with the best 10 entries in this year’s SWEEP Awards, bested over 100 entries. During the bootcamp, the students got tips from Smart executives on how to package their presentations before the final judging that will happen in February next year. With the theme, “Transforming lives through technology,” Smart will look for the most innovative mobile application or wireless device that helps solve problems in the areas of transportation, agriculture, education, livelihood, and disaster/emergency preparedness.  The grand champion of the 10th SWEEP Awards will bring home P500 million and the equivalent amount in the form of grant to their schools.

These year’s finalists will also have a chance to transform their prototypes into viable business models as part of Smart’s advocacy to promote technopreneurship. SWEEP, short for Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program, is a groundbreaking partnership between the telco industry and the academe that aims to improve the quality of engineering education in the country.  For more info, please visit www.smartsweep.ph.

Joining the SWEEP finalists are Smart executives who are also judges in this year’s competition.