Who will win?

Muhammad Azam/DTNN

Manama

The answer to “who will represent the Arab world in Microsoft Imagine Cup finals to be held in Seattle next month?” will be known today.

The 140 participants representing 36 teams from 13 Arab countries, yesterday, showcased their projects at Sofitel Hotel, where the Pan-Arab Semifinals (May 31 to June 2) are in progress.

Speaking to the DT News, Marketing Operations Manager Microsoft Bahrain and Oman, Racha Diwan said that they were very excited to have all the teams in Bahrain.

She said the objective of the competition was to select three top winners from the Arab world.

“Bahraini teams came up with innovative ideas and hopefully they would win the competition,” she added. 

Meanwhile, the World Citizenship category saw the highest number of projects this year with thirteen teams and for the first time the competition included the Games category as well.

Speaking to the DT News, Microsoft Country Marketing Manager Qatar, Ruba Hachim said Microsoft was looking for fresh minds that could come up with the big ideas.

“If we find such minds, then hopefully Microsoft or some of Microsoft partners will incubate them to start up something in future,” she said.

She also said they saw more participation in Games category this year.

Responding to a question Ms Hachim said they appreciated the luxurious living arrangements Microsoft Bahrain had made for them.

She said everything was smooth and the students were having a wonderful time.

 “They are able to connect with the students from other countries and share ideas, and that is the whole point behind this competition,” said Ms. Hachim.

The countries participating in the event are Qatar with three teams, Jordan (3), Kuwait (3), Lebanon (3), Algeria (3), Bahrain (3), Egypt (3), Oman (3), Palestine (3), Tunisia (3), the United Arab Emirates (3), Saudi Arabia (2) and Morocco with only one team. 

The first prize for each category is US$7,000 while second and third prizes are US$4,000 and US$2,000 respectively.

Microsoft Imagine Cup is the world's premier student technology competition where young students are encouraged to think out of the box and help solve the big issues the world faces today and if possible turn their ideas into big business tomorrow.