Microsoft announces Imagine Cup Southeast Asia New Markets Regional Competition

Guest Speaker Zunaid Ahmed Palak

Microsoft recently held a virtual launch event for its upcoming Imagine Cup Southeast Asia News Markets Regional Competition, an annual innovation challenge for students and technology enthusiasts. The event featured an eclectic line-up of speakers and a panel discussion designed to inspire students to create innovative solutions that tackle some of the world’s biggest social, environmental, and health challenges.

Commenting on the competition, Microsoft Imagine Cup Global Director Pablo Veramendi said, “Imagine Cup is a global competition designed to empower students to apply artificial intelligence and other technologies to solve some of the world’s most critical social and sustainability issues. For the past 20 years, it has served as a platform for students to couple technology with innovative ideas and build something that matters to them, make a difference in their communities, and create societal impact.”

More than two million competitors from 163 countries have signed up for Microsoft’s global student technology competition to build something that matters to them, make a difference in their communities, and innovate for impact. For the Imagine Cup’s 20th anniversary this year, the brightest young minds will build, learn, and compete together to solve global challenges in four categories: Earth, Education, Health, and Lifestyle.

“The Southeast Asia New Markets’ economic development depends on innovations, high-tech jobs, and new-age skills,” said Microsoft APAC General Manager, Southeast Asia New Markets Sook Hoon Cheah. “The Imagine Cup emphasises the importance of skills and learning in achieving inclusive and long-term youth development. Our goal is to provide opportunities and platforms for them to develop their skills in building innovative solutions that solve real world problems.”

A trio of past Imagine Cup winners and finalists: Virtusa Consultant – Technology Chathusha Wijenayaka, Shequal Foundation Managing Director Melisha Ghimire, and SochWare CEO/Product Designer and Covid Connect Nepal Co-founder Eeda Rijal, shared their experiences during the panel discussion, which was moderated by Microsoft CMO Lead for the Southeast Asia New Markets Thilanka Abeywardena.

The event also featured an esteemed line-up of guest speakers such as Minister of Youth and Sports and State Minister of Digital Technology and Enterprise Development Namal Rajapaksa, Bangladeshi State Minister of the Information and Communication Technology Division and Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak, and University Grants Commission Sri Lanka Chairman Prof. Sampath Amaratunge.

At Imagine Cup 2022, students and technology enthusiasts aged 16 or older are invited to build unique technology solutions leveraging Microsoft’s technology to build purpose-driven solutions. The top four teams from the Southeast Asia New Markets Regional Competition will get a guaranteed spot in the world finals and will be mentored by Microsoft experts. The world champion will take home, the Imagine Cup and win an additional $ 100,000 along with a mentorship opportunity with Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella.

To register or learn more, visit imaginecup.com. 

Guest Speaker Prof. Sampath Amaratunge

Southeast Asia New Markets General Manager Sook Hoon Cheah delivering the welcome address

The panel discussion featuring former Imagine Cup winners and finalists

Imagine Cup Global Director Pablo Veramendi delivering the keynote

Guest Speaker Minister Namal Rajapaksa