By Imagine Cup
There are many challenges faced by our world today and even in your local communities. But did you ever imagine that you could help solve these challenges? It’s true, you can! The Microsoft Imagine Cup 2012 Software Design Competition is all about creating real-world applications and solutions that can help make the world a better place. Using Microsoft tools and technology, student competitors can unleash their ideas and technical talent to create cutting-edge software applications. You and your team will develop, test, and build your ideas into applications that can help solve some of the world’s toughest problems, such as poverty, hunger, gender inequality, environmental sustainability, and access to education and healthcare. We know you have the knowledge, the passion, and the drive to make a difference.
Ready to Get Started?
We know you are excited, but before you start building the next software design solution that benefits people around the globe, take a few minutes to read the Software Design Rules and the Imagine Cup Official Rules and Regulations. Kuwait is hosting a local Software Design Competition for the very first time this year! Next: Register and sign up to compete in the Microsoft Imagine Cup 2012 student technology competition, using the steps below:
Step 1: Register. We need some basic information from you before you can get started. Visit: http://imaginecupgulf.com/ and click “Register” to sign up! Select Kuwait as your country to compete in the local competition.
Step 2: Sign up to compete in the Software Design Competition through your My Profile page at: https://www.imaginecup.com/UpdateProfile.aspx
Step 3: Read the Software Design Rules before you begin your project.
Step 4: Start building your solution!
Software Design: Round 1
Your Mission: Create and submit a Round 1 Preliminary Summary that is inspired by the Imagine Cup 2012 Theme – Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems. Round 1 submissions are due by February 28, 2012.
All Software Design competitors who are competing locally in Kuwait or online through Imaginecup.com are required to complete and submit a Preliminary Summary through this website. The Preliminary Summary is in addition to any materials teams must submit locally.
Here is what you need to do:
- Download proposal template from our website www.imaginecupgulf.com.
- Complete the 3-4 page proposal, outlining the problem identified, proposed solution, business viability and technical architecture
- Create a 5-15 minute video walking through the team project
- Submit both elements (proposal and video) in a single .zip file online at www.imaginecupgulf.com by the set deadline
- Top teams are invited to compete in Kuwait country finals in April 2012
- First place winning team will represent Kuwait at the worldwide finals in Sydney, Australia in July 2012.
Need a little Inspiration? Not sure which one of the world’s toughest problems you want to solve? Get motivated by one of the eight United Nations Millennium Development Goals. While these are not required to be in your solution, the Imagine Cup offers these ambitious challenges as a guide to promote change all around the world. Watch how the 2011 Software Design Winners Team Hermes, Team NoteTaker and Team Oasys, presented their solutions last July at the Imagine Cup 2011 Worldwide Finals in New York City, USA. Next July, it could be you on stage.
You have a team but need a mentor? Let us know and we will help! There are many developers in Kuwait who have volunteered to mentor students in Kuwait. Simply send an email to shaymaa@microsoft.com with the subject line “We need a mentor!”.
Windows Mobile Development Competition
Microsoft and Zain are calling all creative students in Kuwait to join Imagine Cup and unleash their imagination. Join us in creating a different era of next generation mobile applications.
All apps should reflect this year’s Imagine Cup theme: Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems.
The Mobile Development category is embedded into Software Design. Students are challenged to develop software applications for mobiles that fit the 2012 theme, using Microsoft platform technologies such as Windows 7, Windows Live SDK, Windows Phone 7 SDK, Silverlight, Azure and/or Windows MultiPoint Mouse SDK.
The entries will be judged by our expert panel based on the following scoring system:
50%: Idea
10%: Problem definition
20%: Developing prototype
20%: Presentation
What’s the timeline?
- Register & create team: Now
- Develop idea and upload entry: Now – February 28, 2012
- Kuwait country final: April 2012
- Winners receive Mobile Development Award and prize from Zain
The top teams who develop mobile applications will be invited to compete at the Imagine Cup Kuwait country final. During the April event, teams will demonstrate their application to the panel of expert judges. Winners will be announced during the event and will receive a special prize from Zain.
When registering, be sure to select Software Design as your main category, and when you submit your proposal, mention Mobile Development.
Let your imagination take flight and may the best innovator win!
The Imagine Cup 2012 Kuwait competition is supported by Zain, the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), and Burgan Bank.
For more information please visit:
Website: www.imaginecupgulf.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Imaginecup
Facebook: www.facebook.com/microsoftimaginecup.
YouTube: www.youtube.com/imaginecupmicrosoft
