ICSEM Student Innovation Challenge - Winners

SERVICE INNOVATION CHALLENGE: Technology to the forefront of innovation in services for emerging markets

• Were you in a hospital recently and thought you could make a much better system to manage how you are treated?
• Were you at a traffic light and thought how the transportation system of the country could greatly benefit by your innovation?
• Were you in a bank recently thinking about the algorithm to optimise the very queue you are standing in?

If you happen to relate to the above sentiments, then this challenge is for you.

We deal with services in one form or another every day: Civic services such as water supply, electricity, and public transportation; healthcare, education, hotels, restaurant, and telephones. All these are services and all these services (and others) can benefit from innovation, and you might have an innovation that makes a difference.

The Challenge is pretty straight forward: Pick any service you like, or invent a new service, and demonstrate how you can use technology to bring value to the masses. The Challenge will involve showcasing technological and scientific innovations and their use in improving services.

“Technology” is not limited to computer science or information technology; it includes any scientific and engineering discipline such as like biology, chemistry, mechanical engineering, and civil engineering. In fact, we encourage students to team with students from other disciplines to facilitate new ideas and fresh thinking.

Participating in the Challenge is pretty easy: First form a team of no more than four students, submit a one page abstract of the problem you want to solve and a description of the innovative solution you have by June 9, 2010.

Short-listed proposals will enter the next phase of implementing a proof of concept of the proposed solution. Reviews by teleconference of the shortlisted proposals will be held in the week of July 26-30, 2010. Finallists will be invited to participate in the conference on September 23-24, 2010 where the winner(s) will be announced. Entries will be evaluated by a jury on various aspects such as novelty, innovation, technology quotient, and the relevance of the solution to emerging-market services.

All teams submitting an entry will be invited to discuss their work with mentors from the services and computer science research community. The top 3 teams will be invited  to demonstrate their innovation during the SRII Conference at Hyderabad.

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Important Dates:

Abstract submission deadline: June 9, 2010
Notification of shortlisted abstracts: June 21, 2010
Intermediate review period: July 26-30, 2010
Final submission deadline: August 21, 2010
Announcement of finalists: September 1, 2010
Presentation of awards: September 23-24, 2010

FAQs / Guidelines for participation:

• Eligibility: The contest is open only to graduate, undergraduate, and PHD students. Industry researchers are encouraged to submit papers or case studies to the conference.
• Team size: The team size can be anything between 1 to 4.
• Travel: Only domestic travel (Second AC Train Fare) within India would be sponsored for the winning students. In case foreign university students are amongst the winners, the travel has to be arranged by the students. We would be happy to assist with bookings and other travel information.
• Accommodation: The accommodation would be provided at or near the conference venue for all winning students, who travel for the conference (even if they are from foreign universities).