REDMOND, Washington: Mohamed Radwan came from Egypt to Microsoft s US campus to show Bill Gates a way software can strip away the stigma of being disabled. Radwan, his sister, Noha, and fellow Cairo college students Tarek Elgaaly and Ahmed Fathallah created computer software that uses artificial intelligence to customize school programs for those with mental or physical challenges. I have a good friend and one day I found out he had a brother who is handicapped, Radwan said of the inspiration for the invention that put his team among the finalists in this year s Microsoft Imagine Cup innovation contest. It was as though the family was ashamed and kept him a secret. The Imagine Cup theme this year is, Imagine a world where technology enables a better education for all.
Ten of the teams that will vie in August at the Imagine Cup finals in Seoul were at Microsoft s US headquarters on Tuesday, showing their work to the software giant s legendary co-founder Bill Gates. It s a great area and I completely agree with your vision, Gates told Radwan and his team, which boldly suggested that Microsoft more aggressively develop ways to make computing easier for people with disabilities. Gates and Microsoft chief research and strategy officer Craig Mundie lingered at student presentations, asking questions and trying programs. I m very nervous and excited, Byoung-Su Lin said as she and fellow students from South Korea readied a program that lets deaf and blind people read, write and participate in classes. The invention features a glove embedded with sensors with software that translates Braille into and out of text and speech. A team from China demonstrated a program that links students in remote villages with teachers, volunteers, research and other education resources. In front of you today are this generation s geniuses, Microsoft director of initiatives Joe Wilson told news reporters at the demonstration event. The thought leaders of tomorrow. French university students built a joy stick that people with motor skill difficulties can use in lieu of a computer mouse, while a team from Japan made software to organize class notes and send feedback to teachers. This is a fun event, Gates said. The point is to show how the magic of software can do far more amazing things than most people understand. This is the fifth year for the Imagine Cup and it drew entries from more than 5,800 teams from more than 100 countries. I m always excited by the kids, Mundie told AFP. This is the Olympics of collegiate problem solving. We ve upped the bar in recent years and they respond extremely well. The Imagine Cup victor gets a 25,000 dollar prize and likely attention from investors looking to bankroll promising new technology. Just that approving look from Bill Gates is worth all of it, Mohamed Radwan told AFP. It s about much more than the Imagine cup, Fathallah said. It s about changing the world.
