Use technology to improve the world

IF YOU understand technology, and would like to make a difference in the world, you should consider taking part in the Imagine Cup 2007.

The competition is organised by Microsoft. It aims to motivate creative young people around the globe to imagine a better world enhanced by technology.

Last year, more than 65,000 students from about 100 countries participated in the competition.

Blue Teen, a four-member secondary school team, won the Hong Kong round of the Imagine Cup 2006, beating university-level competitors. Their winning design was an innovative epidemic prevention and automatic disinfection system, built on Bluetooth and SMS technologies. The system can be used in hospitals, slaughterhouses and any other places with a high rate of disease transmission.

The system opens doors via Bluetooth and SMS so that people don't have to use their hands.

'It was a pleasure to mentor these four elite computer students. They are both gifted and willing to devote time and effort to the project,' said Liu Man-lee, a computer teacher at Shun Tak Fraternal Association Yung Yau College.

'The students spent about eight months writing the program.

'First they learned to write Windows programs and the Bluetooth program.

'Then they built the prevention and automatic disinfection system. The team stayed after school from 5pm until 10pm every day for two months to complete the project.'

Last year was the first time secondary students were allowed to take part in the competition. Although they are intelligent, the members of Blue Teen found themselves under a lot of pressure.

'Although this was the second time we had taken part in a Bluetooth competition, the pressure was heavy. We were competing against university students. We weren't confident that we'd win,' said Lau Ka-yi, the only female student in the Form Four team.

'But fortunately our efforts paid off. I can't describe how thrilled we were when we heard the results.'

Registration is now open to anyone aged 16 or above at the time of entry.

The winning team will represent Hong Kong at the finals in Seoul, competing with students from around the world.

They will also have the chance to complete an internship with Microsoft Hong Kong.

The deadline for applications is March 31, 2007.

For details, see www.microsoft.com/hk/msdn/ic2007/default.mspx