Microsoft launches app competition for second level students

Microsoft Ireland has launched an app development competition for second level students in Ireland. Part of the Smart Futures campaign, the competition will see secondary school students design and develop a Windows Phone 7 mobile game with the winner receiving a new Nokia Lumia 800 and a one-week work placement in Microsoft’s Xbox Games studio.

Smart Futures, an ‘online careers fair’ co-ordinated by ICT Ireland, the Irish Software Association and STEPS to Engineering with the support of Discover Science and Engineering, aims to illustrate the opportunities open to young people in the tech sector. Its sponsors include Microsoft, Ericsson, SAP, HP and Cisco.

For the games category students are being asked to build a Microsoft Windows Phone 7 game around the Smart Futures theme. Students will be given an access to free software to develop their game through Microsoft’s DreamSpark programme. For those that don’t own a Windows phone 7 – Microsoft will provide a software phone emulator for testing purposes.

Paul Rellis, managing director, Microsoft Ireland said: "The technology sector will be a key part of Ireland’s recovery strategy and future economic growth. There is no end to the possibilities in this area and students should be encouraged at a young age to constantly challenge themselves and embrace new technologies."

Paul Sweetman, director of ICT Ireland and the Irish Software Association, said: "Five of the top 10 exporters in Ireland are technology companies, and the sector is responsible for approximately one third of Ireland’s total turnover. It is clear that supporting the technology sector, for future economic growth, is crucial… Since January of this year, over 80 jobs a week have been announced in the sector."

For more about the Microsoft Competition and the Smart Futures campaign visit www.smartfutures.ie/competition/gaming.

Read More: Apps Microsoft Windows Phone 7