Imagine Cup: Sri Lanka Finals

I decided to take the invite and drop in for the Microsoft Imagine Cup Sri Lanka finals for software design. I entered the Photography and Short Film competitions but didn't have time to work on the photography but did create a story board for the short film. We didn't get enough votes to make it to the global top 30 hence no chance of France '08.

The event was supposed to start at 1400hrs but it started around 1515hrs, in true Sri Lankan style. Of all the software design submissions in Sri Lanka a panel of judges chose six that they deemed to be the best. The theme for this year's competition was Technology for a Sustainable Environment. A tough topic but the six who were chosen had designed and developed a few applications. I had high hopes for this competition because it was a global event and in past years some of the contestants produced a few stunning apps. Sitting through the presentations it was one disappointment after another. Some of the apps were practical and quite user friendly, but they couldn't present for toffee. The basic principle of a viable and practical solution was also ignored in some cases. Some of the colleges/institutes/universities that made it to the Sri Lanka finals included Colombo and Moratuwa Universities and SLIIT.

This is a clear reminder of the standard and quality of education in our country. True, these two universities are the best we have and the graduates are proper genius', but the problem of a relevant and rounded education still seems a far cry. It's great that you can develop an idea but it also needs to be relevant, current and your ability to convey your idea and the benefits that it brings to the world is equally important. I am not saying that the apps presented were trash. I am just saying that they were below the expected quality for an event of this scale.

The event itself wasn't up to Microsoft standards. In all honesty had I managed this event I would have done several things differently; for an instance wasting time setting up the contestants laptops, props and other gear. A total waste of time. Sound. The entertainment acts, except for the Santhush and crew act. Food however was decent and the iced coffee was good.

I went for the event expecting our talent to shock me. Unfortunately it didn't happen. Perhaps its because I've got enough time to sit and watch too much Discovery and History channel. Whatever the reason, when it comes to representing Sri Lanka in a global competition we need to put more effort, planning and ideas in to it. On the positive side its a great way expose some of the great minds in this country. Its an awesome way of getting these guys out of their little caves so that the world can see what we can do. Its also one of the emerging ways of marketing that most Sri Lankan's aren't trying out i.e. every single person who decided to enter the competition here and overseas used Microsoft products and learned and figured out what they can do with these tools. Some would have never thought that it could be done. I know I discovered a few neat tricks that are possible with .NET that I never thought possible with Microsoft.

In conclusion, this is the way of the future, bring the talent out, tell the universities what the real world needs and help them to produce it. Bigger picture wise it's a good thing.