Microsoft picks winners for Imagine Cup finals
The competition acted a platform for young developers to display innovative, world-changing solutions before industry experts
MUSCAT: Teams Beta, AMA and Metamorph swept to victory in the Oman finals of Microsoft’s Imagine Cup 2017, a global technology competition that aims to deliver educational, entrepreneurial and employment opportunities for youth by acquiring critical skills.
Held under the patronage of Sheikh Talal Said Marhoon Al Mamari, chief executive officer, Omantel, the premier competition took place recently at Hormuz Grand Hotel, Seeb, Oman. Organised in a strategic partnership with Omantel, and supported by the Information Technology Authority (ITA), the competition acted a platform for young developers to display innovative, world-changing solutions before industry experts.
Team Beta from the German University of Technology Oman took first place for their project ‘Bee’, an app that is connected with Beacons technology for retail shops. This technology helps the app toward understanding the context of the world around it. The app ‘Bee’ focuses on enhancing the shop visitors’ experience.
Second prize was won Team AMA from the Middle East College with their project Tibi Insurance, a mobile app that provides users with real-time information about insurance companies and all types of insurance deals to make their life easy when they want to insure vehicles when is annual process.
Team Metamorph from the Middle East College, received the third prize for their project Get- EXP, a platform that would connect SMEs in need of custom web and mobile apps, with developers that can build these apps for them. The first place winner, Team Beta will go on to meet the region’s top talent at the Imagine Cup MEA semi-finals in Lebanon in May, on a path to compete with the best young innovators in worldwide finals, in Seattle in July.
Mohammed Yahya Al Salmi, senior manager corporate affairs at Omantel, said, “This is why we have forged a long-term partnership with Microsoft and its flagship initiatives like Imagine Cup; that empowers youth with skills, knowledge, and the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities and become leaders of tomorrow. We are again proud of this year’s winners who will be heading to the regional finals to represent Oman and showcase their innovations.”
“ITA is actively involved in increasing technology penetration by empowering the youth with skills they need for staying competitive in today’s digital society,” said Omar Salim Al Shanfary, Deputy CEO for Operations, ITA. “Imagine Cup complements this mission and our core strategy of human capital development of this country, giving the young generation an opportunity to leverage modern technology and pursue the Digital Oman strategy, transforming the country into a sustainable knowledge based economy. We extend our thanks and appreciation to Microsoft for its role in encouraging Omani youth to innovate in the ICT sector, which has a profound impact on the development of this vital sector.”
Sheikh Saif Hilal Al Hosni, SMSP Public Sector Lead, Microsoft Gulf said, “Imagine Cup represents a stepping stone towards innovation, offering students no-cost access tools and learning resources, enabling them to master new skills and transform their ideas into viable business opportunities. We are honoured to have Omantel and ITA as strategic partners for the 6th and 10th consecutive year respectively, with a shared vision to empower the youth of Oman; unleash their creativity and make an impact on the world through the power of technology.”