Microsoft Imagine Cup Ignites Inspiration of UAE’s students through technology innovation

Microsoft today announced the launch of UAE Imagine Cup, the world’s most prestigious student technology competition. Now in its eleventh year, Imagine Cup 2013 will give students in the UAE an opportunity to bring their technology ideas to life with Microsoft resources and support.

Imagine Cup 2013 is comprised of three competition tiers:

Games: This tier invites students to create a game on their favorite gaming platform: Windows (PC or touchscreen), Windows Phone, Xbox Indie Games, or Kinect SDK.

Innovation: This competition honors the most innovative, ground-breaking, and appealing software application built with Microsoft tools and technology. In partnership with the sponsor of this tier, the Emirates Group, the students are challenged to answer the following: ‘Travellers go through a variety of experiences from the time they book their tickets to making their way to the airport, manage their baggage, board the flight and reach their destination. We think you can improve various aspects of this travel experience. Do you have an innovative technology idea that can improve the travel experience for an air traveller? Do you think there is a better way to guide a traveller through check-in/ immigration queues, on to the correct gates,  help with duty free and lounges, enhance the on-board experience, never lose bags, share information with friends and family etc.?’

World Citizenship: What global challenge can you help solve with technology? Got an idea for an app that will help reduce world hunger, provide better treatment for disease, raise awareness of environmental issues, or provide better access to education?

The competition is open to students between the age of 16 years and 26 years, empowering them to use their creative and technical abilities to make a positive impact on society. The first place winning team in the UAE finals will participate in the Imagine Cup worldwide finals which will be held in St. Petersburg, Russia in July 2013.

“Microsoft firmly believes in the ability of technology to make a difference to our world. Combining technology with the innovation and creativity of young people around the globe is a powerful force for change that we aim to tap into with the Imagine Cup,” said Samer Abu Ltaif, General Manager Microsoft Gulf. “The UAE round of this competition will give students a chance to take their ideas to a global forum and an audience of the best young programmers, technologists and designers in the world. We also hope that the Imagine Cup will continue to inspire the next generation of technology and business innovators in the UAE and region.”

“Technology and innovation impacts the aviation and travel industries each and every day, driving forward advancement from aircraft design to online services to scanners at airports. Across the Emirates Group we are focused on leveraging technology to sustain, improve and enhance travel and we look forward to seeing the creative ideas the students develop to meet the needs of travelers everywhere,” said Neetan Chopra, Emirates Divisional Vice President of IT Strategy and Architecture. “We chose to sponsor the Innovation category of the Imagine Cup as it represents one of few platforms that provide students a chance to showcase their technology innovation and to set themselves apart as the next generation of technology leaders in UAE,” he continued.  

As sponsor for the Innovation Category of the Imagine Cup in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar, the Emirates Group will award the winning students from each country in this category with a special prize of a complimentary trip on Emirates Airline. The Imagine Cup competition in the UAE will be hosted by Emirates at their Dubai headquarters on 28 March; providing the students the opportunity to experience the innovation of the Emirates Group firsthand.