Jaffna College students win Dialog App Challenge
View(s):
Supun Weerasinghe, Group Chief Executive for Dialog Axiata PLC handing over the winner’s trophy to Parameswaran Praveenan and Tharsika Parameswaran representing Jaffna College.
Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, held the grand finale of the ‘Dialog App Challenge’, powered by Ideamart and Dialog Home Broadband, Sri Lanka’s 1st inter-school app challenge on April 3, with Parameswaran Praveenan and Tharsika Parameswaran representing Jaffna College, being crowned champions and winning prizes worth Rs. 300,000.
Held in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the all-island initiative aimed to educate and ignite a passion for software development amongst ordinary and advanced level students and create possible career paths at an informative age, the telecom company said in a media release.
The Dialog App Challenge, which required teams to develop technology-based solutions to solve pressing issues in their respective communities, held awareness sessions for teachers, directors and coordinators in education zones in eight provinces across the country, along with student workshops conducted at provincial levels to educate students on product development and the competition. Over 200 teams and contestants successfully registered with 11 teams representing the eight provinces shortlisted to compete in the grand finale. To supplement the initiative, a product development programme was kicked-off to support teams with development and execution of their product.
P. N. Ilapperuma, Director of Education (ICT), Ministry of Education said, “It is becoming increasingly important to prepare the country’s future generations with the knowledge and ability to solve real-world problems with the use of innovation and latest technology. The Dialog App Challenge provides a great platform for the future of Sri Lanka and we are proud to support this initiative.”
Viranga Seneviratne, Head – MIFE Business and IOT, IdeaMart, Dialog Axiata PLC said, “The Dialog App Challenge was created with the goal of discovering talent amongst Sri Lankan youth and providing them with a platform to explore opportunities, gain mentorship and excel in areas of technology. As one of Sri Lanka’s leading drivers of digital transformation, it is essential that we nurture future generations and equip them with the knowledge and skillset to propel the country to greater heights in the digital age.”
The first runners-up received prizes worth Rs. 150,000 and the second runners-up were given prizes worth Rs. 75,000.