Officials from Microsoft Qatar and Qatar Petrochemical Company (Qapco) during the signing ceremony.
Doha: Microsoft Qatar and Qatar Petrochemical Company (Qapco) yesterday signed an agreement making Qapco the Platinum sponsor of the forthcoming Microsoft Imagine Cup Qatar 2013. Qapco entered into this agreement to support youth competing in the Qatar round of the world’s premier student technology challenge.
Over the past ten years, more than 1.65 million students from more than 190 countries have participated in the Imagine Cup. The Imagine Cup competition encourages young people – above the age of 16 – to apply their imagination, their passion and creativity to technology innovations that can make a difference in the world today. Through this sponsorship, Qapco will assist in the development and encouragement of young individuals to creatively search for solutions to the toughest problems affecting the world.
Four teams will be selected to compete in the local finals and the winning team will represent Qatar in the Imagine Cup worldwide finals which will be held in St Petersburg, Russia in July 2013. World Finalists will also have the chance to apply for Microsoft Imagine Cup Grantsto take their projects to the next level and be one of a select group of teams to receive a comprehensive grant of cash, software and invaluable connections. This is part of a three million dollar investment over three years by Microsoft to help students turn their ideas into reality.
Commenting onthe agreement, Naim Yazbeck,Microsoft Qatar Country Manager said: “We are very pleased that Qapcois supporting this year’s competition in Qatar. Imagine Cup is a platform where students in Qatar can showcase their entrepreneurial approach and knowledge of new technology. Encouraging participation in research is a central aim of the human development pillar of the Qatar National Vision 2030 and Microsoft is pleased to be contributing to the realisation of that pillar.”
The Peninsula
