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Tribune News Network
Doha
TEAM WaCoMo swept to victory at the Marsa Malaz Kempinski in the Qatar finals of the 6th edition of Microsoft's Imagine Cup 2017, a global technology competition that aims to deliver educational, entrepreneurial and employment opportunities for youth by acquiring critical skills.
The event took place under patronage of the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MoTC), and attended by Hassan al Hail, advisor to the Minister of Transport and Communications, Reem al Mansoori, Undersecretary Digital Society Sector Development, MoTC, as well as HE Dana Shell Smith, United States Ambassador to Qatar.
Sponsored by Qatar Datamation Systems (QDS), Information and Communications Technology WLL (ICT) and EBLA Computer Consultancy, the competition this year themed 'celebrating 15 years of awesome' provided a platform for young developers to showcase innovative, world-changing solutions to industry experts.
Qatar National Finals involved the participation of teams WaCoMo, and HIAme from Qatar University, Qfill from Qatar University and College of North Atlantic Qatar, and Team 4C from Carnegie Mellon University. These institutions have immensely contributed to the success of Imagine Cup in the past years enabling the country's youth to develop their skills. All project submissions from the teams were in line with MoTC's vision for 'Smart Qatar', a roadmap that revolves around full-utilisation of innovative, IT-based, most sophisticated technologies to facilitate Qatar's future growth.
Team WaCoMo from Qatar University took first place for their project WaCoMo, which was aimed at providing interactive visualisation of the water consumption happening at different outlets in a property, eventually reducing wastage. This team will go on to meet the region's top talent at the Imagine Cup MEA semi-finals in Lebanon in May, on a path to compete with the best young innovators in worldwide finals, in Seattle, Washington, for the coveted Imagine Cup trophy and a prize of $100,000.
Hassan al Hail said:"The digital transformation that is underway in Qatar requires harnessing of capabilities and innovations of our youth to engage their knowledge and minds. I invite leaders of the future, innovative thinkers and young entrepreneurs to familiarise with the 'Smart Qatar' initiative that has been launched to achieve a digital and smart economy. We look forward to seeing innovative contribution from the youth and provide them with the necessary solutions and support; to drive the desired smart vision across all sectors."
All finalist teams will also have the opportunity to be incubated by MoTC's Digital Incubation Center.
