Microsoft Pakistan is set to organize windows 8.1 Hackathon as technology partners at the mega event of “Punjab Youth Festival 2014”.
The Windows 8.1 App development Hackathon is a project of Microsoft, launched in Pakistan by the company’s Innovation Center, Lahore. Currently the Center is engaged in facilitating technical training sessions in different universities across the country including Bahawalpur, Gujrat, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and Lahore.
The Windows 8.1 Hackathon is structured as the first of many mega scale technological projects in Pakistan. It’s an initiative for students and developers to learn new app development skills and differentiate themselves in a competent technological market. Around 600 participants across the country will be showcasing their talent in this competition organized under the umbrella of Punjab Youth Festival on 15thand 16th March at Gymnasium Opposite to the National Hockey Stadium Lahore. A number of participants from Multan, Bahawalpur, Quetta, Muzaffargarh and Taxilla have already registered.
Commenting on the Hackathon, Amir Rao, Country Manager for Microsoft Pakistan said, “Windows 8.1 Hackathon is one of the key initiatives of Microsoft to foster education by providing technical knowledge and support to young developers. We expect the competition to provide a running start to Pakistani students and developers as they can learn and bring a wealth of new, exciting and quality apps to the country in all fields etc.”
Mr. Rao further added that Pakistani students have immense talent to deliver. By organizing this event with the Punjab Youth Festival we want to give them the platform to express their competency in the advancing technological world.
Usman Anwer, Director General Sports Punjab said, “We are delighted that Microsoft is actively participating in this festival. Skilled and passionate youth can lead to a brighter and developed Pakistan. We wish our alliance with Microsoft, through this initiative, will continue to grow and support the young generation of the country.”
Winners of the competition will be awarded with lucrative prizes which include Windows Phone devices and many cash prizes.
The two day Application Development competition will be categorized into three parts
1. Code for Better Pakistan
Theme involving students to find out issues and problems that concern people the most and fabricate a project for overcoming them by becoming the change agent.
2. Innovation
Develop the next big thing by thinking out of the box and develop software that can change lives of people.
3. Games
Develop new, exciting and entertaining applications for people and show skills for becoming masters in the technical arena.
Microsoft will never be able to fill its app store by these events.