London Met's success in Microsoft Imagine Cup

London Metropolitan University has been successful in getting through to the second round of the ‘Software Design’ category of the Imagine Cup.

The Imagine Cup is organised by Microsoft to encourage young people to apply their imagination, passion and creativity to technological innovations which can make a difference in the world today. Now in its sixth year, the Imagine Cup has grown to be a truly global competition focused on finding solutions to real world issues.

London Met is competing in the ‘Software Design’ category. This year's theme is Imagine a world where technology enables a sustainable environment. The University have successfully made it through to the second round of the competition where all members of the team will receive intensive training from Microsoft experts. Approximately 50 teams will advance to the worldwide finals in France.

The London Met team includes Dr. Yanguo Jing, Senior Lecturer in Computing and Multimedia, and students Iman Samizadeh and Eric Spolidor. The next stage of the competition takes place on 14 and 15 February, at the Imagine Cup Workshops in Reading.

The team will receive advice, training and encouragement from leading industry luminaries on topics such as Software Business Management, Perfecting the Pitch and Microsoft Architecture and Technology Training. They will also take part in a Dragons Den-style challenge and some social fun and games. The competition will provide London Met students with the invaluable opportunity to network with industry mentors from leading Microsoft partners and customers.

A mentor will be assigned to each team and will follow/ shadow them throughout the competition until the final submission date in May. There will be a Celebration Day in June, where HR Departments from the industry will be recruiting students.

30 January 2008