Well it’s been over a year since I last blogged…. and I guess my only excuse is the fact that my last post coincided with moving to a new role within Microsoft, still based in Reading and in the Academic Developer team, but working in the Europe, Middle East & Africa regional team responsible for over 100+ countries. It’s been an incredible year working closely with the EMEA ADEs to better understand their local academic landscapes and also travelling to and meeting students from all four corners of the region.

I’m just back from a trip to the Imagine Cup 2006 Worldwide Finals in India which are a “bit like the Olympics for Geeks” to use a quote from Jonas from the Norwegian team. And what better time to resurrect my blog especially as EMEA walked away with a great share of this year’s trophies ;) This was my fourth Imagine Cup finals and it’s amazing to see how the competition has grown since its humble beginnings and since Team Mercury from the University of Hull finished third equal back at Tech.Ed Barcelona in 2003. I’m still blown away by the talent, hard work and innovative ideas demonstrated by the students from right around the world and all of the competitors, finalists and winners should be commended including:

• Italy and Norway who took first and third place in the Software Design competition;
• Poland who took all three places in the Algorithm category;
• Austria, Romania and France who took the first three places in the IT category;
• Poland who took second place in the Short Film category and;
• France, the Republic of Serbia and France who took the first three places in the Project Hoshimi programming battle.
• Plus China, Croatia and Germany who have been invited to attend the Imagine Cup Innovation Accelerator along with the top three SDC teams in January 2007.

On reflection this year’s Imagine Cup was a strange experience for me though as I was hosting the diplomats, VIPs and judges from BT rather than mentoring a UK team of students. I did unofficially “adopt” the Egyptian Software Design team (as it was the first time that Egypt had ever participated) as well as the Saudi and South African teams whilst still managing to watch over Andy Sterland and Team Three Pair from good old blighty for old times sake. (Andy was part of Team Mercury and also an intern in my team last year). 

BT were the official sponsors of this year’s Imagine Cup worldwide finals marking the continuation of a great partnership started off in 2005 when they agreed to sponsor the Imagine Cup UK Software Design Finals held at the BT Tower in central London. Perhaps more importantly the Imagine Cup Innovation Accelerator was included for the first time as an official prize in this year’s competition and I’d just like to recognise Joe Black (one of the judges from last year’s finals from BT) who originally came up with the idea in Japan last year). 

India was an amazing but brutal experience, so rich in culture, colour, aromas and history and a country full of contrasts and unpredictability. There were so many highlights to the trip including a visit to the Taj Mahal which is definitely one of those unforgettable places that you have to visit before you die, the drive from Delhi to Agra in the middle of the night skirting with death and avoiding the water buffalo and homeless, a trip with Arch’Na to visit the Unesco World Heritage site of Fatehpur Sikri, a visit to Humayun’s Tomb and Qutb Minar with Steve and Lorie from BT and of course finally getting to meet Berno in person ;)

                       Caroline, Lorie and Arch'Na at the Taj Mahal. More Photos posted on Flickr.

Once again congrats to all who took part in this year’s Imagine Cup and roll on Korea!