An 'app'‑itizing opportunity

If you’ve got an idea for how mobile technology could improve Dalhousie, a new competition might be just up your alley.

The Faculty of Computer Science is organizing a Dal App Challenge, with $1,500 in prizes available to students interested in designing and pitching—either individually or in teams—a mobile app related to Dalhousie. It doesn’t matter whether it relates to current students, recruitment, alumni, staff or faculty – all ideas are welcome.

Students can either make a new app, or build on something they’ve designed in the past that meets a perceived need on campus. The contest is open to students in all faculties.

“It’s a chance for students to explore current technologies that are in demand by employers and add to their portfolio of projects that demonstrate to prospective employers why they should be hired,” explains Alex Brodsky, CS faculty member.

“It also lets them contribute some good ideas to the Dal community at large by identifying and filling what they see as a campus need.”

The competition will be judged, Dragon’s Den style, by Vice-President Academic and Provost Carolyn Watters and Vice-President Finance and Administration Ken Burt. There are awards for first and second place—$750 and $500 respectively—with $250 set aside for a people’s choice award. The prize money is sponsored by the President's Office.

“The contestants will benefit from the experience, and the university will be able to showcase the great ideas that come from our students,” adds Dr. Brodsky.

To participate in the competition, students must register by March 9. The winners will be announced at a reveal event in the Goldberg Computer Science Building atrium on March 28 from 3-5 p.m. Light food will be served.

Learn more about the competition at cs.dal.ca/dalapps.