Bahrain To Host Imagine Cup 2015 Pan Arab Finals

Manama

Bahrain will host the Imagine Cup 2015 Pan Arab Finals to be held at Sofitel Bahrain from May 31 to June 2.

It was announced by Microsoft, Bahrain Economics Development Board (EDB), Tamkeen and eGovernment Authority officials in a press conference yesterday at a local hotel here in Bahrain.

Marketing and Operations Manager Microsoft Bahrain and Oman Racha Diwan, Executive Director Business Development, EDB Vivian Jamal, Human Capital Development Tamkeen Alam Kooheji, Director of Strategy, BPR and Enterprise Partnership, eGovernment Authority Nizar Maroof spoke to the reporters.

They said the cup will be patronised by Crown Prince HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Over 200 delegates including student contestants, judges and local champions from 13 countries will take part in the event.

The three winners of the national round “Team Vanguards”, “Team Storm” and “Team MyVoice” will join another 32 teams coming from 12 Arab countries to compete for the Imagine Cup Pan-Arab title and the chance to represent the Arabs at the Worldwide Finals taking place in Seattle this July.

The participating countries include Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates.

The participants will also be accompanied by media representatives from their respective countries to cover the event.

Microsoft Imagine Cup is the world's premier student technology competition in which, the participants are encouraged to think out of the box and solve the tough problems the world faces today and if possible, turn their ideas into reality.

Some of Microsoft’s senior corporate dignitaries will also be part of this regional festivity of innovation, creativity and change.

During the three-day event, the participants will present their projects in front of judging panels, one for each category: Games, Innovation and World Citizenship.

Innovation category honours apps that give consumers inspiration and innovation at their fingertips with Microsoft tools and technology. Games category honours the most engaging and entertaining games targeting youth, built on Microsoft platforms.

World Citizenship category honours the software application developed on Microsoft platforms with the greatest potential to make a positive impact on humanity.

The 35 teams would display their projects at the showcase exhibition where a judging panel will assess and evaluate them.

The exhibits will be open to the media, other teams and VIP guests participating in the event.

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