I've always been a keen supporter for anything revolving around youth empowerment, youth development and the like. Something that is capable of making those young minds put their thinking caps on, jolting their grey matter and thus, conjuring intelligence!

Recently, Standard Chartered Bank Malaysia Berhad launched its second Innovation, Communications and Technology (ICT) Competition (ICT Competition 2013) as part of its commitment in promoting the development of the domestic ICT sector.

I was invited to their launch which was held in The Westin Hotel KL

When I first heard of this competition, I was impressed how it is designed to discover world-class IT innovations and unleash the innovator potential of both university students and Standard Chartered employees.

It's definitely a perfect platform where youths alike can showcase their ideas and churn them into brilliant innovations! Some ideas just really need a push to get it going wild! 

The event was officially launched by the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), YB Datuk Haji Fadillah Yusof and is being endorsed by MOSTI as well as the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE).

It is also supported by other various government agencies such as: Multimedia Development Corporation (MDec), Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and PIKOM (National ICT Association of Malaysia).

So good to know that all the corporate bodies are all in this together to enrich the young minds!

Winners of the ICT Competition 2013 stand to win prize monies totalling RM60,000.

Whoa! That's a load of ka-ching right there.

We took a seat inside the hall to hear what Standard Chartered’s Chief Information Officer,

Arif Siddiqui has to say about the competition

Mr. Arif Siddiqui acknowledging his guests

He shared that this “ICT Competition 2013 is more than just embracing ICT. For the Bank, we realise that this competition signifies our quest to boost creativity and innovation and to further increase the knowledge of ICT amongst university students and also our Standard Chartered employees"

We were then enticed to a performance which very cleverly fuses both dance moves and innovative digital effects! How apt to the nature of the competition ey?

Balancing this fluid projected box!

Fighting with his own shadow!

Take that!

He kicked real hard to reveal…

… the Standard Chartered ICT Competition!

Guests of Honour at the corporate event

Some of us social media influencers at the event

Light refreshments were provided thereafter

Mingled with Mr Arif Siddiqui after the event over some light meals & coffee

Each participating team must submit their ideas in the form of a business proposal to assess not only their creativity but also their business acumen.

1. Innovativeness, Demonstrated Creativity & Originality of Idea

2. Value Proposition

3. Quality of Presentation & Clarity of Idea

4. Implementation Feasibility

5. Supporting Evidence & Market Demand

6. Green Features

More information about how to join & the competition mechanics on the official SCICT website

There is also an ongoing weekly Facebook weekly contest. It's in its 3rd week now. So fun!