“Bahrain enjoys highest levels of talent especially amongst youth who by mindset are innovative and wants to become entrepreneurs,” Vivian Jamal, Executive Director, Business Development at the Economic Development Board (EDB), said.
Vivian Jamal, was speaking during a Press conference held to announce the Imagine Cup 2015 Pan Arab finals to be hosted by Bahrain. Microsoft, Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), Tamkeen and eGovernment Authority will host the Imagine Cup 2015 Pan Arab finals in Bahrain.
Quoting the results of a survey published by Ernst & Young, she said, about 70% of youth in Bahrain wants to become entrepreneurs.
Under the Patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander, First Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the EDB, the three-day event will take place in Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea and Spa Hotel between May 31st and June 2nd.
“The EDB will continue to support such events as part of its commitment to encourage the local talent as well as to stir the investments,” Vivian Jamal told the Press conference, adding that patronage of HRH Prince Salman reflects positively on the Kingdom’s commitment towards empowering the youth.
“The UNIDO terms Bahrain prototype of SMEs as a benchmark for the 43 countries where UNIDO operates and replicated Bahrain’s SME model,” she added.
Amal Koohiji said in line with its philosophy of empowering youth, Tamkeen has so far helped 57,000 individuals to stand out as a model of brilliance in their respective fields.
More than 200 delegates from 13 countries will participate in the Imagine Cup Pan Arab Semi-Finals; this includes the student contestants, judges as well as the local champions. The participants will be accompanied by media representatives from their respective countries to follow their advancement in the competition and cover the “Imagine Cup” 2015 Pan Arab Finals event.
Some of Microsoft’s senior corporate dignitaries will be flying in to be part of this regional festivity of innovation, creativity and change.
The countries partaking in the Pan Arab Semi-Finals are: Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates.
During the three-day event the participants will present their projects in front of judging panels, one for each category: Games, Innovation and World Citizenship. The 35 teams will be also displaying their projects at the showcase exhibition where a judging panel will assess and evaluate them. The showcase will be open to the media, other teams and VIP guests attending the event.
Microsoft invited a diverse Judging panel that include an array of experienced industry leaders and entrepreneurs drawn from all spectrums including Private, Public Sector and Academia to choose who among the 35 teams will win the Imagine Cup 2015 Pan Arab Champion titles, qualify for the Imagine Cup Worldwide Finals and represent the Arab World in Seattle this July.
The first place prize in the Pan Arab Semi-Finals for each category is US$7,000, US$4,000 for the second prize and for the third place is US$2,000.
The first Prize winners from the three categories (Games, Innovation and World Citizenship) will also compete to win a special non-monetary award that will be announced on the day of the event. To select the winning team, the first place teams will face a distinguished judging panel on stage at the Pan-Arab Finals awarding event on June 2nd to compete for the special award.
The Imagine Cup Pan Arab Finals 2015 is held in Bahrain in a strategic partnership with the Bahrain Economic Development Board and the support of Tamkeen, eGovernment Authority (eGA), Telecommunication Regulatory Authority (TRA), National Bank of Bahrain, YK Almoayyed, Batelco, Exceed IT Services & Training and Gulf Future Business.