USAID and Microsoft Work Together to Hold the Imagine Cup World Citizenship Competition 2015

Technology is no longer dedicated only for entertainment or merely business. It is now regarded as something that can really make the world a better place. Believing in that concept, tech giant Microsoft collaborates with the United States Agency International Development (USAID) to hold the Imagine Cup 2015 World Citizenship Competition, which is open for students who own technological solutions applicable in communities.

FYI, this competition is Microsoft’s annual agenda which looks to search for the best tech talents around the world, including those from Indonesia. It focuses on three main points: World Citizenship, Innovation, and Games. If you recall, the Indonesian team had quite an achievement on the competition’s Games category last year.

This year, Microsoft Imagine Cup proudly presents the involvement of USAID, which directly administers Indonesia’s development, as its partner for the very first time. The institution’s role is to pick the topics that may be developed into ideas for participants’ tech solution. USAID is a U.S, institution which focuses on the development of education, health, water and sanitation.

“Technology may empower everyone, from students to global business owners. USAID is more than pleased to support this tech competition that empowers youth to bring positive changes to both local and global society,” Derrick Brown, USAID’s Deputy Mission Director, stated.

According to the information we received, USAID provides nine compulsory topics, i.e Accountability and Governance, Climate Change Adaptation, Biodiversity Conservation, Clean Energy, Higher Education Leadership and Research, Integrated Pest Management, KINERJA Good Governance, Sustainable Palm Oil Development, and South-South $ Triangular Cooperation. Those topics must be used as the basis of participants’ software. In this regard, the software must be compatible with Windows, Windows Phone, and Windows Azure operating system.

The Imagine Cup 2015 World Citizenship is open for students aged between 16-25 years old. Prior registering to the competition, participants are expected to finish developing their software based on the compulsory topics, and present it in the form of interactive videos. The due date for the registration would be on February 26, 2015.

Furthermore, the competition offers Rp 50.000.000 student solution award for the winners in Indonesia, as well as an opportunity to win US$ 50.000 grand prize at the global competition which is planned to be held in Seattle, United States of America.

[Header illustration: DailySocial Doc.]