SUCESU-SP and Microsoft launch a mobile application contest

SUCESU-SP signed a partnership with Microsoft and the Polytechnic School of USP (POLI) to encourage creativity in software among Brazilian university students. This union led to the launch of the 1st University Challenge, a technology contest, which starts with POLI students, and may be extended to other universities.
 
The challenge seeks, within the university, to identify young talents that stand out in the area of app development. The objective is for them to create applications for mobile, using the new Windows 8 tools, with a theme, for example, "Applications for citizens during the 2014 World Cup".
 
In addition to the various prizes that will be distributed, participants will have the opportunity to start their own business, get new internship opportunities and stand out in the corporate IT market.
 
The competition is arranged in three phases. In the first, with a deadline of June 30, students must register and submit their applications to the Windows Store. At this stage, all students will receive a Certificate of Participation from Microsoft, and the most outstanding students will be able to win a Windows Phone from Nokia.
 
In the second phase, which runs from July 1st to September 30th, students will be able to post new projects, or modify those already posted, while a commission made up of professors, specialists and businessmen in the area will judge each project. The third phase will take place in 2014, and the winner of the previous phase, in addition to the prize (to be defined), will be invited to participate in the Imagine Cup – Microsoft's global technology competition for students.
 
According to Mirian Vasco, president of SUCESU-SP, there is a lack of trained and qualified professionals in the IT area to meet the business needs of the market. “We encourage discovery, learning and the experience of using the application in the real world with these young university students. We had a very positive reception from POLI teachers and students, which motivates us and reinforces our confidence in this initiative", comments the executive.