The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is again inviting young "technopreneurs" from across the world to present their innovations and ideas to other ICT leaders as part of its Young Innovators' Competition.
Winning entries will receive up to $10 000 in funding and a chance to showcase their innovations at ITU Telecom World 2013, in Bangkok.
The competition is open to people between the ages of 18 and 26, and seeks to showcase the most revolutionary ICT solutions to one of six global challenges developed in partnership with the UN private sector companies.
These challenges include the improvement of employment for young people and migrant workers, reducing water and food wastage, facilitating access to public services for the elderly, improving natural disaster prediction and response, improving road safety for drivers and pedestrians and, lastly, protecting sensitive personal data.
Local flavour
Last year, South African Ludger Peters secured his place in the top 12 with Health in Your Pocket (HiYP), an app using Quick Response (QR) codes to identify counterfeit medicines. The app is aimed at assisting people with chronic diseases, especially in developing countries. Peters developed the app for SAP Research.
Peters says the app allows people to manage medication they have at home. "You can view current stock, scan in a unique code that will tell you whether the meds are counterfeit or not. You can also order and check stock at nearby pharmacies."
Peters says he wanted to provide people without ICT experience or knowledge the ability to use smartphones. "I want to see everyone connected and working together to make things easier. And with the HiYP, I saw the chance to do that by touching thousands of people who never used smartphones and showing them how useful a smartphone actually is."
Peters no longer works for SAP, and says he is not sure whether work is still being done on the app. "Since returning from Dubai, I haven't improved the app, we just worked on showcasing it to our investors, as well as drawing out project proposals and plans for this year."
Commenting on the ITU Young Innovators' Competition, Peters says it offers a lot of support for growth in the ICT sector. "It teaches project management, entrepreneurship and provides mentorship."
A South African was also one of the finalists in the competition two years ago and Peters believes it can be done again this year. "We are very creative due to our culture, so I would advise anyone with an idea that follows the ITU requirements to sign up."
Submission info
Applicants can enter by filling in the form available at http://world2013.itu.int/participate/innovate/ and sending it to young.innovators@itu.int with "2013 Young Innovators' Competition" in the subject line. The deadline for initial submissions is 30 June.
Ten finalists will be chosen to showcase their innovations at ITU Telecom World 2013, which will be held from 19 to 22 November, in Bangkok, Thailand.
"This competition for young ICT innovators represents a wonderful opportunity to uncover creativity, innovation and talent in solving serious challenges that impact upon us all," said ITU secretary general Hamadoun Tour'e in a statement.
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