Calling all software students

By Staff Writer for Microsoft SA
Johannesburg, 05 Apr 2005

Port Elizabeth Technikon, twice winner of Microsoft SA`s "Project Firefly" student software competition, will have to see if it can retain its title as the call has been issued for this year`s bout.

Microsoft SA has issued a nationwide call to action for information systems, computer science and engineering students as the Microsoft Project Firefly competition takes to the road, stopping off at universities and technikons across the country throughout April and May.

"The pioneering spirit of young people is vitally important to the computer science, engineering and business disciplines as well as the information technology industry," says Danny Naidoo, Microsoft SA developer and platform director.

Naidoo was the originator of the Project Firefly competition, which has now evolved into a global event.

He says the project aims to empower students to apply their creativity, knowledge and technical abilities, and highlights those projects, whether community or commercially focused applications, that aim to have a positive impact on our country.

"Project Firefly is more than just a competition; it has evolved into a community of talented academics and developers that believe in the coolness of technology," says Rob Goss, PE Technikon student and overall winner of Project Firefly 2004.