MANAMA: Bahrain’s Butterfly Team returned home on Wednesday after winning the 3rd worldwide place in the Innovation Category at the Microsoft Imagine Cup 2014; Alaa Abdulraheem and Marwa Buhaila flew to Seattle last week to represent Bahrain and the Arab World in the Innovation Category at the Worldwide Finals of Microsoft Imagine Cup 2014 which took place at the University of Washington from July 30th, till August 2, 2014.
“We are proud of our young Bahraini ladies who put the name of Bahrain high. It is a very special moment for all of us,” Tareq Hijazi, Regional Country Manager for Microsoft Bahrain and Oman, said.
“This comes as part of Microsoft’s pledge to unlock the innovation potential of our youth and nurture a new generation of entrepreneurs through different YouthSpark programs such as Imagine Cup, DigiGirlz and many others. Programs that encourage the youth to learn skills, prepare for their future jobs and even start their own business.” He encouraged the Butterfly team to keep developing their skills to achieve their goals and wished them the best in transforming this project into a business model.
The top three winners in the Innovation Category at the Microsoft Imagine Cup 2014 Worldwide Finals were in first place Estimeet Team from New Zealand, the second place went to Tep Team from Hungary and third place was won by Butterfly Team to be the first Bahraini team to be in the Microsoft Imagine Cup top 3 places worldwide.
Celebrating their win, Butterfly Team expressed pride to have best represented Bahrain and the Arab World. They thanked all the parties who supported and groomed them. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Microsoft, Tamkeen, eGovernment Authority and Bahrain Development Bank for helping us realize our potential and develop our skills in IT, business management and entrepreneurship.”
The Team addressed their peers, university students and fresh graduates, encouraging them to partake in the next round of Imagine Cup.
“It is really not just a competition; Imagine Cup is the first step in a long fruitful path filled with hard work and commitment towards realizing those dreams that fill you up with passion and ambition day after day.”
Tamkeen’s Chairman and Acting Chief Executive Shaikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa applauded the Butterfly Teams’ achievement.
“Butterfly Team deserves to win. For the last months the team had been working hard on developing their skills and improving their project, they have also shown excellence during the Imagine Cup 2014 World Finals while representing Bahrain and the Arab World. Congratulations!”
“Bahrain has long been a country that has valued entrepreneurship and innovative thinking, as evidenced by the directives to support young people in the Kingdom by His Royal Highness, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, First Deputy Prime Minister, and Chairman of the EDB. We are proud of the fact that our youth are able to participate in events such as this, which are on a global scale, and showcase their true skill and talent. We value education, and we value creativity, and it is these ideals that help us develop a generation of innovators, who will grow to be leaders in their fields, and will help place Bahrain on the global map of innovation,” Kamal bin Ahmed, Minister of Transportation, and Acting Chief of the Bahrain Economic Development Board, said.
eGA’s Deputy CEO Dr. Zakariya Ahmed Al-Khaja toasted the winner – Butterfly Team – and felicitated Bahrain on the title.
“Congratulations to the Arab World for being represented by our innovative youth who excelled and achieved third place worldwide.”
He wished Butterfly Team good luck for a bright and prosperous future.
“We are very proud of this spectacular achievement,” Bahrain Development Bank’s Chief Executive Officer Nedhal AlAujan, said.
“Butterfly Team earned a well-deserved triumph as expected due to the devotion and commitment invested by our very own Bahraini talent.” He also urged the team to invest more time and efforts in this project and turn it into an international brand.