SAUDI Hollandi Bank and Microsoft revealed the winners among 230 participants Kingdom-wide in the 2015 Imagine Cup. The contest, held this year under the banner “Dream it, Build it, Live it”, saw remarkable competition among students along several lines designed to bring forth their innovation ability in technology and the design of smart apps, solutions and games that aim to use technology for the betterment of society. This year's competition hinged on three tracks: innovation, gaming and global citizenship. The judges names Zhuha Samdani, Hala Qumaish, Maryam Bahkali and Basma Nufaii of the Interactive Physiotherapy Edutainment team, and Louay Halabi, Mohammed Mouassami, Anas Baghajati and Aghyad Baghajati of the Memories App team to represent Saudi Arabia in the Arab finals, scheduled to be held in Bahrain on May 31 to June 3. “The Imagine Cup is a major competition that supports the future of technological innovation in the Kingdom and propels the building of a knowledge-based society,” said Bernd Van Linder, Managing Director of the bank. “Along with being in line with the bank's vision toward innovation and business leadership, it motivates young Saudis by giving them the tools, knowledge and expertise they need to set themselves on a course of excellence. With every new iteration of the competition, more and more innovative energy is unleashed, all of which deserves to be nurtured and helped along to the best possible extent.” Samir Noman, President of Microsoft Arabia, said that the competition reflects a major part of the Microsoft story itself. “The competition has an air of business leadership about it,” he said. “That's why Microsoft keeps encouraging students to invent and innovate. The Imagine Cup rounds off Microsoft's commitment towards creating social and economic opportunities through programs and products that can change the very nature of education, incubate local talent, and bring the future closer, not to mention creating jobs not only in Saudi Arabia, but all over the world.” — SG
