Microsoft Imagine Cup - Seeking Industry Mentors

MICROSOFT IMAGINE CUP 2012

The Microsoft Imagine Cup is the World’s Premier Student Technology Competition focused on finding solutions to real-world issues. The competition challenges the world’s most talented software design and programming students to tackle the world’s toughest problems- issues related to: hunger relief, poverty, education, disease control, healthcare, the environment and other crucial problems facing our world.

At the same time, we are challenging YOU as industry professionals to work with the top 25 student teams to further strengthen their innovative solution. This is your opportunity to mentor passionate and talented students and help them realise their potential to change the world!

KEY DATES
5th October 2011: Top 25 teams announced.
10th November 2011: Application deadline for Imagine Cup Mentors.
24th November 2011: Mentors allocated to teams.
24th November 2011 – April 2012: Teams to work with mentors on their project.
April 2012: Imagine Cup Festival, Auckland. Top 25 teams to present and demonstrate their project to judges. Winning team will get a chance to qualify for World Wide Finals.
July 2012: World Wide Finals, Australia.

THE ROLE OF THE MENTOR FOR MICROSOFT IMAGINE CUP NEW ZEALAND

A mentor can serve many roles including coach, guide, role model, advocate, and friend. In general, a mentor should help the students to work together efficiently as a team and act as a facilitator. A mentor can answer students' questions, discuss issues they raise, remind students of upcoming deadlines, and suggest resources for problem solving. A mentor should be a good listener and should have a breadth of experience in the area of focus so that he or she can effectively discuss technical as well as business issues with students and refer students to resources. However, the mentor cannot do the competitors’ work nor can the mentor solve the problems that confront the competitors.

WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM MENTORS?

Upon allocation of your team, we would like you as the mentor to connect with your team once a fortnight for 1 hour during the duration of the competition (Nov 2011 – Apr 2012). This may be through teleconferencing, Skype or in person meeting. The frequency of the meetings may vary at different stages of the competition. This is a guide, and actual connection is at the discretion of the team and mentors.

At the end of the competition, please fill out a referral/report card for each of the team members. This should outline their contribution to the project which can be used for a CV/reference.

TYPES OF MENTORS
There are 3 different types of mentors for the New Zealand Imagine Cup 2012 Software Design Competition.
Industry Mentor: A mentor with ICT Industry experience from a New Zealand company.
Microsoft Mentor: A mentor from Microsoft New Zealand.
Academic Mentor: A mentor with ICT Academic experience from a New Zealand institute.

ASSIGNMENT OF MENTORS
Mentors are assigned to Imagine Cup teams in Round 2 that begins in November 2011. These are the top 25 teams from Round 1. A team will be assigned one Industry Mentor and one Microsoft Mentor. Mentors will be assigned to teams based on availability and suitability by Microsoft New Zealand. A team will also be encouraged to find an Academic Mentor from their institute. Mentors can only mentor one team.

Team locations/Industry Mentor Positions available:

APPLYING AS A MENTOR
Email nzedu@microsoft.com to apply for a mentor position and register at www.imaginecup.com/register. Applications close 10th November 2011. Questions can be emailed to nzedu@microsoft.com.

RESOURCES

Visit www.imaginecup.co.nz for more information on the Imagine Cup Competition.