The Microsoft Imagine Cup is a global student competition that sets out to positively change the world. As this blog post goes live, the world finals of this event are taking place right here in Australia, after months of qualifications and regional country stages. The social media airwaves are abuzz with coverage of the event as Microsoft Student Partners Social Media Team, international guests, judges and attendees as well as contestants cover this huge event for Technology students around the world. With at least 72 countries represented and event categories in Phone, Game, App and other Development areas, it is a showcase of how technology can cross boundaries and tackle serious themes facing the global community – a very worthy endeavour indeed.

A quick glance at the about page for the Imagine Cup shows:

“The Microsoft Imagine Cup is the world’s premier student technology competition. We invite all eligible students to use their imagination and passion to create a technology solution that addresses the Imagine Cup 2012 theme: Imagine a world where technology helps solve the toughest problems.

In ten years, the Imagine Cup has grown to be a truly global competition focused on finding solutions to real-world problems. Since 2003, over 1.4 million students have participated in the Imagine Cup with 358,000 students representing 183 countries and regions registering for the Imagine Cup 2011 competition.

The Imagine Cup 2012 competition is your chance to:

Imagine Cup: Food for thought:

The Imagine Cup comprises a broad range of competition areas with over 350 student finalists here to face-off, demonstrate and pitch their entries in overall Software Design, Game Design (Xbox and WP7) as well as Windows Metro Style Apps. There are also general IT, Kinect Fun Labs, Windows Azure and Windows Phone challenges. Across all these competition areas is the 2012 competition theme: “Imagine a World Where Technology Helps Solve the Toughest Problems”.

With WPDU’s Aussie focus (parochial of course!) and obvious Windows Phone core interest, we are happy to report that Australia has a team in the global Software Design category – with Team Stethocloud! Here’s a quick look at their entry, and an interview with them from #wp7au peep, WPDU reader and Microsoft Student Partner representative covering the Imagine Cup – @Ashmansays

Team Stethocloud:

Interview: Team Stethocloud:

We encourage all Windows Phone DownUnder readers to check out their submission. Furthermore, there is a Reader’s Choice award at the 2012 Imagine Cup. If you can take a few moments and show your Aussie Aussie Aussie Oy Oy Oy! Support for the team – just click on the VOTE NOW button to the right to visit the page and enter a vote on their behalf! Not only will you be supporting your local entrant, but you will help put them in with a chance to win the $10K prize – and help fund their important App helping to use Microsoft Azure Cloud services and Windows Phone technology to assist with early diagnosis of pneumonia in children - saving young lives!

In the Windows Phone category, make sure you also check out the 3 finalists linked above, from Egypt, Finland and Poland. It’s also great to see some Aussie WP7 peeps/Dev’s amongst the international judging panel. Congrats to Brownwen Zande, Director of Soul Solutions (see their #wp7au Apps Transhub SYD, ADEL, CANB, PERTH, CAIRNS, TOWNS, AUCK and Blog App’s in the marketplace) and Nick Randolf of Built to Roam, the Dev behind the fantastic Mango WP7 Qantas App.

And of course, there are many international guests and VIP’s at the Imagine Cup. Luminaries like Larry Hryb – aka “Major Nelson”. If you missed my earlier post, WPDU will be bringing you an exclusive interview with Major Nelson later this week, and you have the chance to have YOUR question put to Larry – so make sure you check out our post HERE where you can hit us up with question ideas for possible inclusion in our interview!

We also hope to update you all with some feedback on the Windows Phone category winners by the end of the competition, and report back on Team Stethoscope’s results in the People’s Choice award (VOTE FOR THEM NOW!)

So keep your eyes peeled to social media for all your Imagine Cup coverage over the next few days – and Go Aussies!

Imagine Cup Properties:
Website: http://www.imaginecup.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/imaginecup
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/microsoftimaginecup
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/imaginecup/

See more of the MSPSMT online!
Website: http://www.icsocialmediateam.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/imaginecupsocialmediateam
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mspsmt
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/wwmsp
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mspsmt

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