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Lebanese University Students Participate in Microsoft's "World Imagine Cup" Competition in Poland

Microsoft Lebanon Seeks Innovative and talented University Students who want to Solve world problems using technology to participate in Global "Imagine Cup Competition" in Poland.
Beirut, Lebanon: As part of its commitment to the community, Microsoft has taken an initiative to seek talents from local universities and show them to the world to give them the opportunity to be recognized internationally. The Imagine Cup is the world's premier student technology competition, it is one way Microsoft is encouraging young people to apply their imagination, their passion, and their creativity to technology innovations that can make a difference in the world. LEBANESE students from across several Universities, including AUB, LAU, USEK, AUST, USJ, and AUL participated in the "Imagine Cup" final competition, held on Friday 7^th May at the Berytech campus, presenting their ideas and innovations in the presence of a jury including Mr. Wissam el-Amil - Ministry of Economy & Trade - IP Expert, Mr. Wadih Tueini - An-Nahar- IT Manager, Mr. Dal Hitti - Director General - Association of the Lebanese Software industry (ALSI), Mr. Rifaat Bachir General Manager of Bit Solutions, Mr. Rabih Baalbaki - National association for Science and Research and Mr. Aly Harakeh -Microsoft Intellectual Property Manager. .A team from USEK University with their Project "CO2 Numbers" won the Lebanese Local Imagine Cup Competition and will be present in Poland from the 3^rd till 7^th of July to compete in the World Wide Finals and represent Lebanon's Students innovations.

"CO2 numbers", the winning project from USEK University aims to "Ensure environmental sustainability and detect the CO2 levels across different regions to monitor and control them and in the end have a safer and cleaner environment." Group members included Jeffery Khater, George Noun and Touma Chams who will represent Lebanon in Poland in June. The winners expressed "this is a global opportunity offered to us by Microsoft to show that as a small country, we can make a BIG difference in the world, our software should used to control the levels of CO2 endangering our world." Other projects were very promising as they address environmental, health and worldwide hunger.

"Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems facing us today", is imagine cup competition theme for 2010. Over 300,000 students from 100 countries participate in this competition using innovation and technology to solve prevailing world problems. Again, this year the Imagine Cup theme ties in to the eight United Nations Millennium Development Goals, which encompass universally accepted human rights such as freedom from hunger, the right to basic education, the right to health, and a responsibility to future generations. There are nine categories which students can enter, ranging from software design to photography, with the aim being to demonstrate how technology is one of the most crucial tools for making a difference in a changing world.

Mr. Dal Hitti, member of the jury commented, "The ideas presented today were fantastic, the young generation is proving that they have the capacity to innovate, create solutions and pave the way for a better and more promising tomorrow" He further explain "with all the ideas and innovations it was very tough making a decision as these young people have surpassed our expectations and we are very confident that Lebanon will be very well presented in the Global competition"

Aly Harake, Microsoft Lebanon Intellectual Property Manager confirms, "We are certain that in Lebanon we have Talents that by all means can compete globally and make a big difference on a global scale" he said "this is why we are glad there is the Imagine cup competition and we work so hard at promoting it and pursue university students to participate, it is just one way of telling global IT & Telecom leaders in Lebanon there is talent."

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For further information
Dima Masri
Account Manager
Weber Shandwick Beirut
dima.masri@ws-mena.com
T: 01 428 428

© Press Release 2010