Sunday, July 10, 2011

Imagine Cup: People choice award ranks Nigerian software 4th


As over 120 software solutions battle to win people choice award through online voting system, Medicare software application designed by four students from the Federal University of Technology Akure, (FUTA) flying Nigerian flag at the ongoing 2011 Microsoft Imagine Cup students technology contest holding in New York, the United States of America, has been ranked 4th position globally.

The Medicare software solution designed by Nigerian team ‘Nerds’ addresses problems of inadequate medical support systems in rural communities.

Before now, actor, author and philanthropist, Eva Longoria, according to Microsoft had invited people all over the world to celebrate the amazing work of the students by voting for the Imagine Cup 2011 People’s Choice Video Award.

Microsoft International had earlier released online software products of the 2011 worldwide finalists who imagined a world where technology helps solve the world toughest problems using technology.

The software giant through online voting system gives people the opportunity to hear the student’s stories, see their vision, and learn more about each of their amazing projects.


The 2011 Worldwide Finalist team who gets the highest vote through e-system by July 12, 2011 at 21:00 GMT, according to Microsoft will win the People’s Choice Award with $10,000.

The team is made up of students who have developed solutions addressing the United Development Goals and their views describe both their project and the positive impact they can

The software giant, Microsoft had invited students participating in the world wide finals in New York to send one minute video of their products to Imagine Cup People’s Choice Award voting site where people across the globe can vote based on their judgment on which product is best.

Winners of the People’s Choice Award will get recognition and a $10,000 prize at the end of the contest.

For keen observers, the recognition may help these ideas get to market thereby solving the world toughest problems through technology.

Excited by the ranking of Nigerian product, Dr. Kayode Alese, a lecturer at FUTA, who is also the mentor to the Nigerian team said that the present rank of the Nigerian product has clearly shown that the Nigerian team has a solution that can rank among the best in the world.

“If taken further, it might provide solution to some of the primary health care challenges we have in Nigeria. But we are hoping that before the expiration of the voting on July, 12, our product will be ranked no one in the e-voting system. This is a great improvement to previous competition because this is the first time the country’s product will be highly ranked in the history of the competition. I am proud of the students. I believe they will deliver. I believe they can fly Nigerian flag well here in New York.” He said.

Earlier during tutorial as part of preparatory before the event on Wednesday in Lagos, the Development e-Platform Evangelist of Microsoft WECA, Shina Oyetosho had said that student’s product can make a great change in primary health care.

“Iam glad your software was ranked 4th position in the online voting. It shows the creativity in you. Keep it. We are proud of you. Make Nigeria proud at the Imagine finals in New York. Show passion in your work. Have fun” he told the students, adding that Medicare software application designed by the students can make a mark in the global market.

Now in its ninth year, the Imagine Cup has grown to become the world’s premier student technology competition with more than 325,000 students representing 100 countries participating in last year’s event. With a competition theme inspired by the United Nations Millennium Development Goals to “Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems,” the Imagine Cup spans one year, beginning with local, regional and online contests, the Worldwide Finals taking place now in New York City, USA

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