Phl students to compete in Microsoft tech challenge
Three student groups will represent the Philippines in an international technology competition organized by Microsoft, which encourages the youth to create applications, games, and solutions that can change the way people live.
The Pinoy representatives were selected from hundreds of groups in the local leg of Imagine Cup, which was organized recently by Microsoft Philippines in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology -Information and Communications Technology Office (DOSTICTO Intramuros Administration, and Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart via the Smart Developer Network (Smart DevNet and Smart Bro.
The students will compete in the Asia Pacific leg of Imagine Cup this month. Winners of this contest will compete with fellow regional champions in the overall finals to be held this July in Seattle, USA. The final winning teams will each receive $50,000, as well as mentoring and networking assistance so they can move toward launching their project in the market.
A total of countries participated in this year’s Imagine Cup.
Team Animus from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde won the ame category of Imagine Cup Philippines, with FitPals, an app that utilizes the power of bo inect to enable children to remain active in a fun way.
Team PewPew from De La Salle University topped the Innovation category with its project Funimals, an application that generates stories based on pic- tures selected by children.
Meanwhile, Team Tala comprised of students from Mapua Institute of Technology, Adamson University, and Treston College was adjudged champion of the World Citizenship category. The team’s Re-Link app seeks to link establishments with recyclable waste (like bottles and newspapers with organizations that buy such materials. The three teams each received P50,000. We are very e cited to represent the Philippines in the regional competition. Imagine Cup has given us an opportunity to showcase the skills and talents of young Filipinos. It has also been a great learning e perience for us, said vette Watson of Team Tala.
Strong chance to win abroad
Monchito Ibrahim, deputy e ecutive director of the DOST-ICTO who was also a judge at Imagine Cup Philippines, said the Filipino students have a strong chance of winning abroad.
The uality of projects presented today is very high, compared to what we’ve seen in other competitions. We saw apps that can add value to current government initiatives, he said during the local finals held in Intramuros, Manila.
This competition has proved that Filipino students have a lot of potential. I’m very impressed with what they presented today. Their ideas and e ecution were e cellent, said Alvin endrano, director of the developer and platform group of Microsoft Philippines.