Finalists named for NTRC icode784 competition

The names of the schools and groups that have made it to the finals of the National Telecommunications Regulatory Commission’s (NTRC) annual “icode784 competition” have been released.

Preliminary judging in the icode784 competition (formerly the Ideas and Innovation/iSquared (i2) competition) was held last week at the National Insurance Services (NIS) conference room.

Participants were asked to come up with ideas and mobile applications aimed at helping the government in its drive to achieve the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The week’s preliminaries saw ideas and mobile applications centred around tourism, monitoring teacher behaviour, improving food safety and education among other things.

The competition is now into phase three which includes the grand finale slated for Tuesday, November 12 at the Methodist Church Hall in Kingstown.

During this phase, participants are expected to conduct research at public and private sector entities and say what makes their project innovative. Mobile applications will have to showcase a working prototype.

Competing in the secondary school idea category are the UISS Geo and UISS Health Science from the Union Island Secondary School; NUSS Conquerors 1, NUSS Conquerors 2, NUSS Conquerors 3 from the North Union Secondary School; Technopaths and Carpe Cuerta from the Girls’ High School; Astra, Reboot Vincy and Team Titans from the St Vincent Grammar School; S4 Coders from the Mountain View Adventist Academy and Visonairz 2 from the Troumaca Ontario Secondary School. Winners in this category will get $2000, $1000 and $800 for first, second and third place respectively.

Competing in secondary school mobile app category are the St Joseph’s Convent Kingstown’s TAFS’ Innovations and To Make a Better Future (TMABF). Astra from the St Vincent Grammar School and MV Coders and S4 Coders of the Mountain View Adventist Academy. Winners in this category will get $3000, $1500 and $1000 for first, second and third place respectively.

Chosen to compete in the open category are Garduino, Dawati Techs, KNR, We are HEER and First Contact.

The open category winners will get $5000, $2500 and $1500 for first, second and third place respectively.

The school with the most entries will get $1000 and winning mentors will get between $750 to $1000.

Other prizes include smartphones, tablets and trophies.