Thailand is one of the most successful Imagine Cup countries to produce 3 global winners
BANGKOK, November 19, 2015 – Starting today until 31 December 2015, Thai students who are 16 years or older[1] are urged to participate in Imagine Cup, the annual student technology competition for students around the world including Thailand. Students interested in participating in Imagine Cup 2016 can register at https://www.imaginecup.com/category/index#.
Organized by Microsoft, in partnership with the Embassy of the United States of America, Imagine Cup offers students a platform to bring their technology ideas to life – with the potential to disrupt the technology industry or resolve a global challenge.
Returning for its 14th consecutive year, Thailand is one of the few countries to produce three global Imagine Cup winners – in 2007, 2010 and 2012. Past participants of Imagine Cup Thailand, such as Pichai Sodsai of Team Skeek, global winner of the Software Design Competition in 2010; Suthat Ronglong of Team SuperLove Factory, a world finalist in 2010; and Team DOM, Thailand winner of the Innovation Competition in 2014, have emerged to be successful entrepreneurs, startup and business owners, and innovative software developers.
Winners of Imagine Cup Thailand 2016 will receive a cash prize of 100,000 baht, an audience with HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to receive the royal trophy, and a chance to compete to participate in the World Finals in Seattle in July 2016.
This year’s Imagine Cup Thailand introduces new themes to its core competitions which are World Citizenship, Innovation and Games. New themes such as Safe Tourism, HIV/AIDS, SME, and Safeguarding Our Intellectual Property will help shape the technology ideas of Thailand’s brightest young minds in addressing local and global challenges.
World Citizenship Competition
In this competition, participants are challenged to solve a problem – that exists in their lives, community or faced by populations around the world – through the development of innovative software ideas. Suggested themes include, but are not limited to:
- Aquaculture and Fisheries
- English for All
- Food Security and Climate Change
- Good Governance
- HIV/AIDS
- Safe Tourism
- Safeguarding Our Intellectual Property
Innovation Competition
With small and medium-sized enterprises accounting for 93% of all businesses in Thailand[2], this year’s suggested theme for the Innovation Competition in Thailand is empowering ‘SMEs’. Participants are not limited to the theme and are encouraged to submit original, game-changing software ideas that could be the next big thing.
Games Competition
Students aspiring to be game designers or are avid gamers with knowledge in app development are strongly encouraged to apply for the Games Competition. The Imagine Cup Games Competition is a platform for students to design new games that could potentially be on console, mobile and personal computers.
Orapong Thien-Ngern, General Manager, Microsoft Thailand, said, “Thailand remains one of the most successful Imagine Cup countries worldwide, demonstrating the continuous flow of young talent in our country. Microsoft is committed to using technology to enable positive world-changing solutions and make 70 million lives better by investing heavily in the next generation, so the Imagine Cup is a great example of this. I’m confident that the brightest young minds in Thailand will rise to the challenge once again and show the world the innovative ideas they have to offer”.
Imagine Cup 2016 also features new online contests, suitable for ages 6 and above:
- Earth is a new contest for students ages 6-18 in which students will use computer programming to create a game, simulation, or story inspired by the kinds of earth science that NASA and other researchers do every day.
- Open to students above the age of 16, the Big Idea Challenges are online competitions designed to help students develop their projects from an idea into a reality through a three-step process (pitch, plan and design).
- Also open to students above 16, the new Hello Cloud Challenge is an online activity that participants need to complete and stand a chance to win cash prizes.
Sign up for the latest news and updates on Imagine Cup 2016
For the latest news and updates on Imagine Cup 2016, please sign up for the Imagine Cup 2016 newsletter at www.imaginecup.com and follow the Imagine Cup Thailand competition at www.facebook.com/icthai.
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About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services, devices and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Established in 1993, Microsoft (Thailand) Limited aims to Make 70 Million Lives Better by enabling Thai people and businesses to realize their full potential through technology that transforms the way people work, play, and communicate. We offer software, services, and devices that deliver new opportunities, greater convenience, and enhanced value to people’s lives. Working with communities and the Thai government, Microsoft and its partners are committed to working closely with organizations and people across Thailand to fully harness the power of technology and innovation.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Thailand News Center (https://news.microsoft.com/th-th-stage/), or keep track of the latest updates through the Microsoft Thailand Twitter account (@MicrosoftTH).
For further information, (press) please contact:
Pornravee Suramool or Cheryl Yab
Hill+Knowlton Strategies Thailand
Tel: 0-2627-3501 ext. 110, 206 or 081-735-9213, 098-272-4077
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
[1] Age eligibility stands at 16 years or older as of September 10, 2014
[2] http://www.wbiworldconpro.com/uploads/melbourne-conference-2013-november/management/1384775502_446-Phetphrairin_Upping.pdf