Bahraini students to take part in US technology contest
Manama, June 12, 2014
A trio of Bahraini students will be representing the Middle East at a major global technology competition next month.
Bahrain University information technology students Alaa Abdulraheem, Amna Hafedh and Marwa Buheila, known as Team Butterfly, have been working to get the project off the ground for more than a year, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.
Their nail polish mixer machine, which is controlled by a mobile application, allows users to customise their look for any occasion with the option of choosing a matte, gloss or a glitter finish.
They will present the machine at this year's Imagine Cup worldwide finals in Seattle, US, at the end of July, where students from all over the world will gather to battle it out for a financial grant and a chance to meet the richest man on earth, Microsoft founder Bill Gates.
Team Butterfly advanced to the global finals after beating 23 other teams and taking first place in the innovation category at the competition's pan-Arab stage semi-finals held earlier this month.
The students will be provided with further training before the final by sponsors Microsoft Bahrain, the eGovernment Authority, Tamkeen and the Bahrain Development Bank (BDB), as discussed at a press conference held yesterday in Seef Mall.
The advisory and financial services that these organisations will offer are essential, according to Microsoft Bahrain public sector manager Hamad Al Saie.
"Our partners' provision will guarantee a base for the students to overcome any challenges that face them while preparing for the finals," he said.
"Bahrain's team is highly qualified and is ready to compete globally as it was selected by a jury with a wealth of experience.
"What we need to do as different support organisations is to try to see how to build up these teams to be able to compete on an international level.
Prototype
"We believe in the team, whether it wins or loses, and we already have programmes that help them develop their prototype."
When the GDN spoke to the students, they said they were relaxed about the competition and were now wrapping up their project by putting the finishing touches to its hardware and software.
"Our preparations go further than the competition as we already have future plans on how to turn this machine into a real product," said team member Abdulraheem.
"We are certain that it will appeal to people - and especially husbands who will find it a good way to save money." - TradeArabia News Service
