1. Project Competitions
for Students
Dr. C.V. Suresh Babu

2. Need for Project Competitions
Project Competitions
Existing Curriculum Gap
Required • Practical
• Cohesive
Curriculum Integration
• Theoretical
Existing
• Non vertical
Curriculum integration
Technology
Industry
Academia
Market Ready Students

3. Most popular industry sponsored
Project Competitions
• Motorola scholar programme for engineering
students
• IBM’s The Great Mind Challenge
• Microsoft’s Imagine Cup

4. Motorola scholar programme
for engineering students
• Foundation for Advancement of Education and Research
(FAER) announces its Motorola Scholar Program to select
scholars from engineering colleges based on a project in the
following areas:
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Computer Science and Information Technology
Communications
Power and Energy Systems
Signal Processing
Applications
• Selections will be done by FAER.

5. Project Stages
• Stage 1: FAER will receive project proposals from
students in engineering colleges, screen them
with the help of experts and select projects for
funding. An amount up to a maximum of Rs.
5,000/- will be reimbursed to each project team
after completion of their project.
• Stage 2: Selection of Motorola Scholars based on
the evaluation of the completed projects through
a seminar-cum-exhibition and best projects will
be awarded with Cash Prize and Certificates in
Motorola Scholar Awards Presentation Function

6. Information
Important dates
• Last date for receipt of hardcopy of the proposals for projects: January
• Project approvals by FAER: February
• Reports submission by: May
• Students seminar-cum-exhibition and awards function: July
Motorola Scholar Awards
• First prize: Rs 80,000 to students team and Rs 20,000 to project guide
• Second prize: Rs. 60,000/- to Students Team and Rs. 15,000/- to Project
Guide
• Third prize: Rs. 40,000/- to Students Team and Rs. 10,000/- to Project
Guide
How to apply
• Register your participation by e-mail: office@faer.ac.in

7. IBM’s The Great Mind Challenge
IBM offers resources to help build a good project using
IBM Software & open source technologies
Opportunities
• Exposure to Real World projects
• Free necessary software and materials
• Remote support and mentoring
• Win rewards & recognition at the National level
• Develop entrepreneurship
• IBM certification workshops & training sessions for
students and faculties

8. Resources Available
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Website for Reference
Free Software & E-Books
Online Tutorial
Discussion Forums
e-Mentors
Other Contest Resources
FAQs

9. 1: Website for reference
The TGMC website provides complete details like:
• Criteria –Eligibility for participating in the contest
• Timelines- Important dates to remember
- Project Submission deadline
• Resources – Free Software, Trials & Demos, e-Mentors
• Courseware – e-Learning material and project scenarios
Access Link:
https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/mydeveloperworks/groups/service/html/com
munityview?communityUuid=f870215a-82d8-4701-88a5-7937fb3c73c0

10. 2: Free Software & e-Books
• Download IBM software for free and learn about the usage and
application of each technology
Access Link:
https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/mydeveloperworks/wikis/home?lang=en#
/wiki/W1302f61f2e98_46e8_8f4b_649337b014b6/page/Technical%20Resources
• Watch Trials and Demos of software
Access Link:
http://www14.software.ibm.com/webapp/download/byproduct.jsp?pgel=ibmhzn1&c
m_re=masthead-_-supdl-_-dl-trials#R
• Download and read relevant e-books
Access Link: http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/

11. 3: Online tutorial
The TGMC e-Learning courseware provides
• Valuable online training and knowledge on how to use IBM
software
• Tips and Tricks of IBM software
TGMC Website Link:
https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/mydeveloperworks/wikis/home?lang=en#/wik
i/W1302f61f2e98_46e8_8f4b_649337b014b6/page/eLearning%20Courseware%20for%20TGMC
Access Link on the above website: (IBM login required)
https://www.ibm.com/partnerworld/vic/JSP/login/portal_login.jsp

12. 4: Discussion forums
The TGMC discussion forum provides
• The latest TGMC information – contest related queries
• A chance to network with other TGMC participants
• Opportunity to interact with experts
• Expert answers to technical queries
Access Link:
https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/mydeveloperworks/groups/service/forum/top
ics?communityUuid=f870215a-82d8-4701-88a5-7937fb3c73c0&ps=10&page=0

13. 5: e-Mentors
• E-Mentors comprise of senior IBM leaders
• Provide students with technical guidance on IBM tools and
technologies
• Accessible to students throughout the project phase
• Can be contacted through mail at tgmc@in.ibm.com
• Available for discussion at the ‘Discussion Forum’ on the TGMC
website

14. 6: Other Contest Resources
•
View sample project scenarios for the TGMC contest
https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/mydeveloperworks/wikis/home?lang=en#/wiki/W1
302f61f2e98_46e8_8f4b_649337b014b6/page/Project%20Scenarios
• Read the TGMC Blog
https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/mydeveloperworks/blogs/f870215a-82d84701-88a5-7937fb3c73c0/?lang=en
•
Get all the information and network with TGMC participants, past and present at
TGMC on Facebook –http://www.facebook.com/thegreatmindchallenge?ref=ts
• Follow TGMC on Twitter for updates
https://twitter.com/tgmcindia

15. 7: FAQs
Answers to frequently asked questions on the following categories
available:
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General
Benefits
Process
Technical requirements
Deadlines, Evaluation
Resources
Access Link:
https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/mydeveloperworks/wikis/home?lang=en#/wik
i/W1302f61f2e98_46e8_8f4b_649337b014b6/page/Frequently%20Asked%20Que
stions

16. Information
Name of the contest: The Great Mind Challenge 2013, ( TGMC 2013 )
Contest Theme: Mobility Made Possible
Eligibility:
UG/PG engineering students of AICTE approved colleges
Period of Contest: 15Oct to 31Dec
Technology: Mobility
Enablement: Self-learning with videos, RedBooks, WhitePapers, Articles &
Webinars
Mentorship: Mobility experts from IBM Labs and the software industry
Objective of the contest: To develop a mobile application
Free Resources:
IBM Worklight & OpenSource tools for Mobile application development
- See more at: http://ibmtgmc.com/content/aboutcontest#sthash.oi7rKD0f.xDXZSbU2.dpuf

17. Microsoft’s Imagine Cup
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The industry’s largest student technology competition
Each year features a unique altruistic theme, encouraging students to tackle the
world’s toughest problems
Nine ways to compete, spanning Software Design to the digital arts
Software Design semi-finals are held locally in over 60 countries; all other semifinalists are selected online
As in the Olympics, all finalists compete at the world finals (held in a different
country each year)
Judges evaluate adherence to the theme, potential global impact, usability,
originality, creativity, teamwork, and more

18. • The Imagine Cup attracts elite technology
students from campuses around the world:
– Competitors: University and high school students
studying software design, computer networking,
mathematics, IT photography, film, and user
interface design
– Mentors: Professors, teachers, and past
competitors
– Supporters: Government ministries and UNESCO

19. How do my students benefit?
Through Imagine Cup, students can:
• Increase their technology, problem solving, and communications skills
through challenging real-life projects
• Test themselves against the brightest students in the world
• Gain valuable experience that impresses potential employers.
• Make new friends and life-long connections
• Win cash prizes - and a free trip to St. Petersburg, Russia, next July to
compete at the Imagine Cup 2013 Worldwide Finals!

20. How can I get involved?
Integrate Imagine Cup in your classroom
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If your coursework includes team software projects, from a weekend hack-a-thon
to a year-long final project, consider integrating the Imagine Cup themes and
deadlines into your plan.
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Professors around the world have integrated the Imagine Cup into their
curriculum, turning class projects into something with a real-world outcome that
could change your students’ lives. Learn more at www.imaginecup.com/faculty
Mentor Teams
Mentoring teams competing in Imagine Cup is a rewarding experience. As a mentor
you help your teams:
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Brainstorm project ideas, monitor progress, moderate discussions, and clarify
answers
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Encourage students organize their tasks and timelines and figure out roles and
responsibilities
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If your team wins the local/online finals you will be invited to join them for the
worldwide finals in St. Petersburg, Russia.

21. Steps for Imagine Cup
Step 1: Explore our faculty resources at ww.imaginecup.com/faculty
Step 2: Register as a mentor at www.imaginecup.com
Step 3: Ask your students to register and sign up for one or more of
the competitions or challenges – and use Imagine Cup as an inclass project
Step 4: Start working!

22. 2013 Competitions and Challenges
Competitions
Challenges
World Citizenship:
Windows 8 App Challenge
Games:
Windows Phone Challenge
Make an app that could change someone’s
life. Pick your cause: the environment,
education, health, you name it. Use
technology as an agent of change.
Put a smile on the face of the world. Make
the next great game and see people playing
it all around you on console, PC, phone,
slate – wherever people play games.
Innovation:
Reinvent social networks. Transform online
shopping. Experience music in a new way.
Do something amazing with GPS. It’s time to
take that crazy idea of yours and ship it.
Will test the team’s ability to design and
build a Windows Store app that takes
advantage of Windows 8 features and
design principles to deliver an exceptional
experience on the platform
Awards the best apps featuring startling
functionality, device-focused utility,
combined with a delightful Windows Phone
user experience
Windows Azure Challenge
Encourages the team to get started on the
“next big thing” by leveraging Azure
platform features to build a web application

23. How does it work? Rounds and
Deadlines
Competitions
Challenges
1. Register Teams (by March 15)
2. Round 1: Build Game/App (by April
Round 1: Take Quiz (by January 15)
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15)
Overview Video (depicts the functionality of the
teams’ app or game and shows the app/game in
action)
Game Prototype/App (playable/usable by the
judges)
Game Play/App Instructions (explaining how to
play the game/use the app)
Trailer video of thirty seconds to promote the
game/app online
3. Round 2: WW Finals (July 8-12)
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Live Presentation to be delivered to a panel of
judges at the Worldwide Finals
Updated Overview Video, Game Prototype/App,
Game Play/App Instructions, Trailer video
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Online multiple choice test
Tests technology knowledge and ability to
design/build apps.
Round 2: Build App (by April 15)
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App Summary (describes project)
App Overview Video (explains and demonstrates
project)
App Package (that the judges can install and run
on their PCs)
App Instructions (document explaining how to
setup and use app)
Round 3: WW Finals (July 8-12)
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Live Presentation to be delivered to a panel of
judges at the Worldwide Finals
Updated App Summary, App Overview Video,
App Package, App Instructions

24. What can the students win?
Trip to Worldwide Finals in hosting country
Top teams are awarded a trip to compete in the WW
Finals against students from all over the world
Cash Prizes
Competitions:
Challenges:
1st Place: $50,000 USD
2nd Place: $10,000 USD
3rd Place: $5,000 USD
1st Place: $10,000 USD
2nd Place: $5,000 USD
3rd Place $3,000 USD

25. How are the entries judged?
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Each of the Competitions and Challenges have different judging criteria and weights. You can
find the complete judging criteria for these in the competition specific rules at
www.imaginecup.com
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Originality & Innovation,
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Functionality and Solution Design,
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User Experience,
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Business Viability/Feasibility,
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Originality & Innovation,
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Architecture, Utility & Delight,
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The “Fun” Factor,
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Execution, and
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Overall the judging will be looking at criteria like:
Impact.
Each judging criteria is assigned a percentage weight that totals 100%

26. “For the things we have to learn before we can do them,
we learn by doing them.”
― Aristotle, The Nicomachean Ethics