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THREE successful teams competing in the Imagine Cup Bahrain local finals, which will be held in April, will go on to put their technological prowess to the test in the Pan Arab Finals round of Microsoft Imagine Cup 2015 against more than 30 teams from different Arab countries.
Each team will be competing for the regional title and the chance to represent the Arab world in the Imagine Cup Worldwide Finals that will take place in Seattle three months later.
Microsoft Bahrain and the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) have agreed a strategic partnership for the Imagine Cup 2015 Pan-Arab Finals which will take place in Bahrain between May 31 and June 3. Microsoft Imagine Cup is considered the world’s premier technology competition targeting students and fresh graduates aged between 16 and 26 from all academic backgrounds.
The partnership agreement was signed by Kamal Bin Ahmed Mohammed, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications and acting chief executive of the EDB and Sherif Tawfik, general manager, Microsoft in Bahrain and Oman, in the presence of senior management from both organisations.
“We are pleased to support the Pan Arab Finals round of Imagine Cup 2015 in Bahrain as it falls in line with our aim to develop young talent, and encourage more students to build on their ICT capabilities,” said the Minister. “The ICT sector in Bahrain has always played a significant role in boosting the business environment, which is a key element to achieve our goals.”
Mr Tawfik believes the partnership ‘comes to mark Microsoft’s commitment to Bahrain and its youth’. He added: “Throughout the years, the Bahraini youth have demonstrated a high level of dedication, creativity and innovation while representing the kingdom in the Imagine Cup competition and achieving impressive results on a regional and international level; bringing the Pan Arab Finals to Bahrain is our act of acknowledgment of the local talent.”
He urged student developers and fresh graduates to participate in the competition and benefit from the opportunity to expand their technical knowledge as well as develop their skills.
The Bahrain local round of Imagine Cup 2015 will kick start on February 22. The organisers will stage roadshows visiting different universities around the kingdom to encourage students to register and team up.
“I look forward to seeing more students in Bahrain taking part in this global competition with unique innovative ideas for solutions that change the way we live, work and play while growing the skills they need to pursue a future in technology,” Mr Tawfik said.
In 2014, two Arab teams won recognition at the Worldwide Finals: Butterfly Team from Bahrain took third Place in the Innovation category and Team Illogic from Egypt also came third in the Games category.
* For more information about Imagine Cup, please visit www.imaginecup.com
