By Barbara Ficarra, RN, BSN, MPA
I’m super excited to write this post because it highlights amazing students who are passionate about changing the world for the better. Students from around the globe with passion, brainpower and love of technology are utilizing their talents to make the world a better place. They had the opportunity to compete in a world-wide technology competition, Imagine Cup 2012, made possible by Microsoft Corp. and Coca-Cola. These students represent the future of technology innovation, leadership and entrepreneurship.
Imagine Cup world-wide finals are set to take place in July in Sydney, Australia; and finalists showcase their innovative ideas for using technology to solve the world’s toughest problems.
The Microsoft Imagine Cup is the “world’s premier student technology competition.” The theme of this year’s competition is: “Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems.”
Environmental Sustainability and Health Awareness Awards
Microsoft and Coca-Cola announced a collaboration to encourage the next generation of young technologists and entrepreneurs to use their creativity and problem-solving skills to improve the environment and healthy living. Imagine Cup world-wide finalist teams whose projects target these topics were eligible to compete for the new Imagine Cup 2012 Environmental Sustainability Award and Health Awareness Award.
This competition tackles the world’s toughest health and environmental issues. One winning team for each Award will be announced on stage at the Worldwide Finals and will receive $10,000 USD.
Student teams from 75 countries have advanced to the finals with projects that tackle humanitarian issues including health, accessibility, the environment, education and more.
Judge for the Health Awareness Award
I was invited by Microsoft to be one of the judges for the Health Awareness Award and it was truly an honor and privilege to review a number of the entries. I’m in awe of these technology geniuses who demonstrate passion, leadership, and innovative thinking to make the world a better place.
“During the past decade, students have taken the lead in adopting new technologies and championing social transformation,” said Moorthy Uppaluri, general manager, Academic Programs at Microsoft in a press release statement. “Ten years ago, we created Imagine Cup with the idea that students can change the world — and every year they continue to demonstrate their passion and creativity in creating technology that makes the world a better place.”
I enthusiastically judged 10 of the finalist teams. Here is a complete list of finalists on the Leaderboard.
I wish all of the teams the best of luck and I hope they have a fantastic time in Sydney!
Thank you Microsoft
Thank you to Microsoft for inviting me to participate as one of the judges for the Health Awareness Competition. I’m truly honored and it was a pleasure judging the entries. More importantly, thank you Microsoft for recognizing the value of young minds and the next generation of technology leaders by hosting this world-wide technology competition.
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