By Emeka Aginam, in New  York
After three weeks of online voting system for 124 products, Medicare software application designed by four students from the Federal University of Technology Akure, (FUTA) that represented Nigeria at the 2011 Microsoft Imagine Cup students’ technology contest ending today in New York, the United States of America has been ranked 5^th position globally in people’s choice award.

With Bangladesh product ranked 1^st in the online voting system, Nigerian is ahead of other African countries whose products was rated in the online voting system that was applied by voters.

Team Nerds Inc. from Nigeria tests out some of the cool projects at the Imagine Cup.

Eight African countries including Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Tunisia and Uganda were among the countries from the continent that showcased at the 2011 Microsoft Imagine Cup, the world’s premier student’s technology competition.

Although Medicare software solution designed by Nigerian team ‘Nerds’  from Nigeria addresses problems of inadequate medical support systems in rural communities had earlier ranked 4^th ,  the current ranking  according keen watchers clearly showed that the product has the capacity to  compete in the international market if fully deployed.

It would be recalled that actor, author and philanthropist, Eva Longoria, according to Microsoft had invited people all over the world to celebrate the amazing work of the students by voting for the Imagine Cup 2011 People’s Choice Video Award.

Microsoft International had earlier released online software products of the 2011 worldwide finalists who imagined a world where technology helps solve the world toughest problems using technology.

The software giant through online voting system gives people the opportunity to hear the student’s stories, see their vision, and learn more about each of their amazing projects.

The 2011 Worldwide finalist team who gets the highest vote through the online voting system which ended yesterday at 21:00 GMT, according to Microsoft will win the People’s Choice Award with $10,000.

The team is made up of students who have developed solutions addressing the United Development Goals and their views describe both their project and the positive impact they can

The software giant, Microsoft had invited students participating in the world wide finals in New York to send one minute video of their products to Imagine Cup People’s Choice Award voting site where people across the globe can vote based on their judgment on which product is best.

Winners of the People’s Choice Award will get recognition and a $10,000 prize at the end of the contest tonight.

For keen observers, the recognition may help these smart software incubators get to market thereby solving the world toughest problems through technology.

Excited by the ranking of Nigerian product, Dr. Kayode Alese, a lecturer at FUTA, who is also the mentor to the Nigerian team said that the Boy have done well.

“I thank God for the boys. Coming 5th out of 124 in the people’s choice means a lot. This has confirmed the applause given to the students by the panel judges during presentation. I am indeed proud of the boys“

He had earlier said that the present rank of the Nigerian product has clearly shown that the Nigerian team has a solution that can rank among the best in the world.

“If taken further, it might provide solution to some of the primary health care challenges we have in Nigeria. But we are hoping that before the expiration of the voting on July, 12, our product will be ranked no one in the e-voting system. This is a great improvement to previous competition because this is the first time the country’s product will be highly ranked in the history of the competition. I am proud of the students. I believe they will deliver. I believe they can fly Nigerian flag well here in New York.” He said.

Earlier during his tutorial as part of preparatory before the students left for New York last week in Lagos, the Development e-Platform Evangelist of Microsoft WECA, Shina Oyetosho had said with optimism that  the student’s product can make a great change in primary health care.

“Iam glad your software was ranked 4^th position in the online voting. It shows the creativity in you. Keep it. We are proud of you. Make Nigeria proud at the Imagine finals in New York. Show passion in your work. Have fun” he told the students, adding that Medicare software application designed by the students can make a mark in the global market.

Now in its ninth year, the Imagine Cup has grown to become the world’s premier student technology competition with more than 325,000 students representing 100 countries participating in last year’s event.

With a competition theme inspired by the United Nations Millennium Development Goals to “Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems,” the Imagine Cup spans one year, beginning with local, regional and online contests, the Worldwide ending today in New York, the United States of America.