Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH) in collaboration with Microsoft Innovation
Centre (MIC) hosted the Botswana leg of the Imagine Cup 2013 in April earlier
this year. Tandabala, a three man group of Botho University software
engineering students emerged the champions of the local competition and will
represent Botswana at the Imagine Cup 2013 finals in St. Petersburg, Russia later this month.
The Imagine Cup is the world’s premier student technology competition where
eligible students are invited to use their imagination and passion to create
technology solutions for problems facing the world today. The competition
allows innovative students from all over the world to take one of a kind,
ground breaking app idea from concept to market with Microsoft resources.
BIH Chief Executive Officer Alan Boshwaen hosted
a farewell ceremony for Team Tandabala on Friday 5th July. Speaking
at the ceremony, Boshwaen emphasized that innovation is not just about
developing new technologies and practices but that such innovation must create
commercial or social value. He said if such concepts remain mere ideas in a
laboratory, they are not true innovations and reiterated BIH’s role in, “the
process of taking ideas right through to the market or society resulting in
economic output or social impact.”
Speaking at the same platform, MIC Manager, Patel
Barwabatsile said although the competition is an annual event, this was the
first time it was held in Botswana. He went on to congratulate Team Tandabala
for their achievement. “We are happy for Tandabala for emerging winners from
the twenty groups that registered projects on line for this competition,” he
said.
BIH CEO Alan Boshwaen
(Second from right) with Team Tandabala, the National winners of the Imagine
Cup 12013 (L-R) Givemore Mvumba, Kabelo Bolaane and Mpho Ben Motsamai. On the far right is MIC Manager
Patel Barwabatsile
Tandabala’s submission was a design of a friendly
pension payment system called ‘Tandabala’. The scheme focuses on social
security payment for old age pensioners from age 65, World War veterans and
destitutes. Old age pension fund is a social initiative by the government of
Botswana to meet the social, economic and physiological needs of the elderly,
war veterans and the destitutes.
The Imagine Cup competition gives participants the
chance to break new ground, solve tough problems facing the world today, and
maybe even turn ideas into a business. The competition also allows participants
to learn new technological skills and test themselves against the brightest
students around the world.
Over the past ten years, more than 1.65 million
students from more than 190 countries have participated in the Imagine Cup.
Joining the Imagine Cup community connects participants with other whip-smart
creatives from all over the world to share ideas, have fun, and be there when the
next big thing is unveiled.
Team Tandabala departed for Russia on Sunday 7th
July and are expected back home on Saturday 14th July, 2013.
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