BY EMEKA AGINAM
The suspense is over. Microsoft global judging panel having concluded their evaluations of more than 170 student projects from 76 countries in the  World Semifinals selected Nigeria, Uganda and Egypt to  fly  African flag at the worldwide finals  next month in Seattle,  Washington, the United of America.

With their incredible work and innovative solution,  35 top teams  have built projects that are  fun, fascinating, surprising and even life changing.

Under world Citizenship Team High Rise  with project name –CATARA from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho and  Team  AfriGal Tech from Uganda will represent Africa  while Team Illogic from Egypt with their project name- Puppy in Bubble will represent Africa in Game category  respectively.

Team Nigeria: From left: Faleye Benjamin,Adefioye Temidayo,Oyebisi Jemil, and Ibraheem Bello from LAUTECH

With promising solution that will make a difference while solving the world greatest problems, Team High Rise from LAUTECH comprising Adefioye Temidayo, Faleye Benjamin, Oyebisi Jemil and Ibraheem had developed a solution called Catara, which serves the purpose of drastically reduces the rate at which cataract causes total blindness.

Accordingly,  the 35 top teams  for the worldwide finals   will compete in three categories, Innovation, Games, and World Citizenship for a chance to win $50,000 USD plus a boot camp-style experience designed to really move their projects forward.

Innovation, Games, and World Citizenship winning teams , Microsoft said will receive hands-on mentorship and project development support from Microsoft and industry experts within Microsoft Ventures, Microsoft YouthSpark and PAX.

This marks the 12th year of Imagine Cup, the world’s premier student technology program and competition! Now under a global spotlight, students participating in the World Finals have proven they are the best of the best, beating out at least 150 teams from around the world.

While proving their project has what it takes to be the ultimate winner, students will have the opportunity to network with their peers and the judges, and learn valuable technical and business skills to help prepare them for their future careers, all while getting the chance to win cash and prizes totaling more than $1 million.

Assuring to make Nigeria proud at the world stage, the spokesperson of Team Nigeria, Adefioye Temidayo said that, “We strongly believe that we as a team Will be going to Seattle to make Africa, especially Nigeria proud. We dreamt it, we built it, now we want to live it” .

“Each team that competed in the competition is deserving of the highest recognition for the creativity and imagination applied to some of the world’s biggest challenges.

“We’re proud to honor these young students who we believe truly exemplify the spirit of the Imagine Cup competition, and we’ll be cheering Team High Rise on as they compete on the world stage.

“Imagine Cup is also directly aligned with the Microsoft 4AfrikaInitiative that was launched last year as it drives access to technology, innovation and world-class skills.

“We believe deeply that technology can accelerate growth for Africa, and Africa can also accelerate technology for the world.”Shina Oyetosho, Director, Developer Platform Evangelist for Microsoft Nigeria, had earlier said shortly after announcing the results during national finals competition in Lagos.

For one thing, at the World Finals Championship Ceremony on August 1, finalists will face judges including, Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, Code.org Co-Founder, Hadi Partovi, and Reddit General Manager, Erik Martin.

For the record, over the past ten years, more than 1.65 million students from more than 190 countries have participated in the Imagine Cup.