MoT teams up with Berytech to foster apps development

Winning ideas will be developed into startups

The Ministry of Telecommunications (MoT) has launched the second National Mobile Programming Contest for University Students (NMPC II). The contest is held in partnership with mobile operator Touch and Berytech, in collaboration with Samsung Mobiles. NMPC II will be hosted at the University of Balamand campus in Koura.

The contest calls on college students from all universities to develop mobile applications. "Last year, up to 40 university students participated in the contest, for this year, we are aiming to double this number,” said Nicolas Rouhana, General Director of Berytech. 25 contestants will be selected and will be given the chance to develop their ideas over a period of three months. At the end of the three-month period, all 25 selected applications will be presented to a jury. The best two apps will receive gold and silver awards. Many opportunities will be offered to the finalists, worth more than $20,000 in all.

“Apps will be tackling all fields from mobile games to business and social apps,” Rouhana said. Berytech will reward the two winning teams with an incubation program, to develop their projects into startup companies. Rouhana said: “The competition is a direct motivation for young talents to develop their creative projects. We will be providing infrastructure, funding, and know-how.”

The MoT has also launched the ‘Reinvent the World’ contest, targeting young bloggers. The winner of the contest will get a paid trip to the famous Silicon Valley in the U.S. accompanied by the Minister of Telecommunications. Those willing to participate can log on to www.reinventingtheworld.net