Information Technology Challenge

I’d like to tell you about the IT Challenge. As you may already know the Imagine Cup is the world’s premier student technology competition. It is one way Microsoft is encouraging young people to apply their imagination, their passion and their creativity to technology innovations that can make a difference in the world. Traditionally aimed at university students in the UK, Microsoft is encouraging secondary school students (over 16 years old) and college students to take part in the competition.

To support individual institutions, we are offering out prizes of Windows Vista Ultimate or Office 2007 Ultimate to the top student competitors in the IT Challenge Round One at your school or college.

The IT Challenge is a fun and engaging quiz based around general IT knowledge that aligns well to most IT courses or anyone who has an interest in IT. The quiz is held online at scheduled times throughout December and January and students would compete on the www.imaginecup.com site.

All the details are on the website, but if you have any questions, or would like to receive some promotional emails to send to your students please do not hesitate to email ukacinfo@microsoft.com.

In the meantime, here are the Terms and Conditions of entry:

Terms and Conditions for Imagine Cup UK IT Challenge Invitational

1. ELIGIBILITY: This competition is open to any person resident in the United Kingdom who is 16 years of age or older at the time of entry and who is actively enrolled as a student at an accredited educational institute that grants a high-school or college/university (or equivalent) degrees at any time between January 1st 2008 and May 31st 2009. Employees or interns of Microsoft or its affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising or promotion agencies are not eligible, nor are members of these employees’ families (defined as parents, children, siblings, spouse and life partners).
2. TO ENTER: Entry into this competition may only be made by persons who have entered into the corresponding Microsoft Global Imagine Cup 2009 Invitational (the “Global Invitational”). Entry into the Global Invitational can be made by visiting www.imaginecup.com and terms and conditions applicable to the Global Invitation will apply. Once registered for the Global Invitational individuals who have registered as being UK entrants will automatically be entered into this UK invitational competition (the “UK Invitational”) and shall be deemed to have accepted these terms and conditions. Entries will not be returned. Only one entry per person will be accepted. Incomplete, damaged, defaced or illegible entries may be deemed invalid at the sole discretion of Microsoft. Entry constitutes full and unconditional acceptance of these Terms and Conditions. Microsoft reserve the right to disqualify anyone in breach of these Terms and Conditions.
3. TIMING: This UK Invitational runs from 1st October 2008. The closing date of this UK Invitational is 15th April 2008. In order to stand a chance of winning entrants to the UK Invitational must have submitted their entry into the Global Invitation by no later than the closing date.
4. USE OF DATA: Personal data which you provide when you enter this competition may be used for future Microsoft marketing activity. If you agree to this use, please tick the Legal Information box on https://imaginecup.com/Registration/Default.aspx.
5. SELECTION OF WINNERS: The winner of the UK School and College promotion will be the UK entrant with the highest score out of all entrants from the school/college that has opted in. In the event that there is a tie between more than one entrant, each entrant will be asked to complete a tie-breaker question – ‘In 250 words or less please state how you believe technology can solve societies toughest problems’. The tie-breaker question will be sent to the entrants email on the 1^st February 2009 and answers must be received by no later than 18th February 2009. The winner of the tie-breaker will be determined by a panel of judges on 19th February 2009 based upon the most innovative and technological feasible answer (given the technology available at the present date). The panel of judges will include at least one independent member. The winner will be notified by 19h February 2009 by email or phone. The winner may be required to become involved in further publicity or advertising and the winner will be required to verify their eligibility to enter this Invitational.
6. PRIZE: The following prizes will be awarded to the winner. Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 or Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate. The prize will be sent 3 weeks after the close of the quiz.
7. WINNERS LIST: The winner consents to their surname being made publicly available. The winners surname will be available for a period of two months after the closing date by emailing ukacinfo@microsoft.com.
8. OTHER: No correspondence will be entered into regarding either this competition or these Terms and Conditions. In the unlikely event of a dispute, Microsoft’s decision shall be final. Microsoft reserve the right to amend, modify, cancel or withdraw this competition at any time without notice.

Promoter: Microsoft Limited, Microsoft Campus, Thames Valley Park, Reading, RG6 1WG, England

With best wishes,

Allison