Media Release: ICT experts support region’s young entrepreneurs

PUPILS at six Highland secondary schools are preparing for a week of ‘hothousing’ from next Monday (June 23), when they go to Fairburn Activity Centre to fine-tune their business plans for the final of the ICT Youth Challenge.

Experts in the field have taken up their time and expertise to coach youngsters on their competition bids, helping them acquire the skills needed to develop brand new ideas in information and communication technology.

The final six teams from Lochaber, Nairn, Fortrose (x2), Wick and Keith will be competing for the three top prizes which include trips to IT centres of excellence at Seattle, Massachusettes and another to Ipswich.

The annual challenge is supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), BT Scotland and Microsoft who invite young people to submit ideas for information and communication technology of the future.

The teams benefit from a week of intensive guidance from top experts on issues such as intellectual property rights, prototyping and commercialising ideas, before presenting their invention to the judging panel on Friday (June 27).

Since Youth Challenge began six years ago, smaller contributors have supported the challenge year after year; Edesign Scotland which contributes unique advice on product development and ICASS, funded by the Scottish Government, which offers support for Scotland’s inventors and innovative companies.

MEDIA RELEASE posted by Highlands and Islands Emterprise. You too can post media releases (aka press releases) on allmediascotland.com. For more information, email here.

Contact: Mairi Gillies
Phone: 01463 244235
Email: mairi.gillies@hient.co.uk
Website: http://www.hie.co.uk