Microsoft’s Imagine Cup is the world’s most prestigious student technology competition, bringing together student innovators from all over the world. If you have a great idea for a new app, bring it to life through Imagine Cup. With Microsoft resources and support, you can make a great app and bring your dreams to life!

Are you ready to go big? Microsoft is giving away more than $300,000 (U.S.) in prizes and they’ll fly every finalist team to St. Petersburg, Russia, in July of 2013 for the thrilling showdown at Worldwide Finals.

Global phone manufacturer, Nokia in partnership with leading software maker, Microsoft has called on Nigerian students to participate in its annual Imagine Cup student technology competition aimed at encouraging students to create imaginative technology solutions that can solve some of the world’s toughest problems.

Now in its eleventh year, the competition has grown to become the world’s premier student technology competition with 350 students from 75 countries, including Nigeria participating in last year final.

Students have until 12.00am, March 15th, 2013 to register for this year’s competition in one of the eight categories: Software Design; Game Design (Xbox/Phone); Game Design (Phone); IT Challenge; Kinect Fun Labs Challenge; Windows Metro Style App Challenge; Windows Azure Challenge; and Windows Phone Challenge.

In addition to the vast opportunities presented from competing on the world stage at the technology competition, participants in Imagine Cup stand to win cash prizes and grants. Each Worldwide Finalist and one Mentor, per team will be awarded a trip to St. Petersburg, Russia, to compete in the Worldwide Finals on July 8-11 2013. The trip includes round trip coach airfare from the major airport closest to the competitor’s home, standard hotel accommodations, and select meals during the Worldwide Finals.

Last year’s winning application, SwiftER is a health care solution aimed at improving the response of Medical, Security and other services to emergency situations. The application, developed by Team Gravity of University of Obafemi Awolowo, Ile-Ife is a clear indication that Nigeria is blessed with talents and organizations like Microsoft and Nokia, providing the platform for Nigerian students to express themselves.

In a statement made by Mr. Shina Oyetosho, Developer and Platform Evangelist Lead, Microsoft Anglophone, West Africa, ‘Team Gravity did the country and continent proud last year, and we are hoping to see this year’s entries follow in their footsteps. There are so many challenges faced by our country, and we believe that the solutions to many of these problems lie in the power of technology and the potential imagination of our youths. We hope to see a record number of entries for this year’s competition.’

To accommodate the anticipated number of entries the national finals will hold in Lagos in April 2013 while the Worldwide Finals, previously hosted in Spain, Brazil, Japan, India, Korea, France, Egypt, Poland, USA and Australia will hold in St. Peterburg, Russia in July 2013.

Interested applicants are to register for the competition on www.imaginecup.com and follow up with news and updates about the competition on Imagine Cup Blog.

‘We are proud to be associated with Microsoft on this competition like other laudable ecosystem development initiatives. The Imagine Cup competition provides opportunity for young talents to lead by taking solutions to mobile devices, which has a wider spread and penetration.’ said Mr. Olumide Balogun, Partner Manager, Developer Experience, Nokia West-Africa.

For the direct link to register for this competition, click here