While the sun was setting over the majestic landscape of this ancient land, all the 2009 Imagine Cup competitors were on their way to the Worldwide Festival to learn who would be crowned the winners of the 2009 Imagine Cup. Built in the middle of the Egyptian desert, the stage overlooks the three Pyramids, a fitting backdrop to display the accomplishments of the brightest students in the world. The world was watching.
All competitors had been thinking about this event, the culmination of a year’s work. They had passed through Round 1 and 2. They had traveled to Cairo and competed against the best in the world. For some, their fate was already determined. But for others, there was still a possibility that their dream would be realized. The students were seated. What would happen?
The lights dimmed and the event officially started. Traditional Egyptian dancers surrounded the stage, a perfect accent to the Great Pyramids lighted in the background. Joe Wilson kicked things off, mentioning that the purpose of this event was to celebrate the achievements of the competitors. “Nobody is a loser here,” he said.
Wilson was followed by an impressive array of presenters including General Manager Jon Perera, Corporate Vice President Walid Abu-Hadba, and Corporate Vice President Michael Golden. One by one the awards were announced, eradicating any doubts and solidifying the winners. This is a stressful time for any hopeful competitor.
Finally, we arrived at the Software Design category. This is the “crown jewel” of the Imagine 
Cup. Suspense was building as the second and third place winners were announced. The world waited. With the Great Pyramids lit up in lights behind him, Adrian Buzgar from Romania was at a loss for words. His team SYTECH had just won the Imagine Cup’s coveted software design competition, and it was up to him to put it in perspective.
“There are absolutely no words to describe what we’re feeling right now,” Buzgar told the crowd moments after hearing his team won the award. “Thank you everyone.”
The team from Romania built UpCity, a software program that connects citizens and government agencies by getting people from both sides involved at the grassroots level. Their software platform is about to be used in Iasi, Romania, the team’s home city, and they hope to deploy in other cities soon after that.
“The project will be developed for the city hall of our city at the end of this month,” Buzgar said. “Then we’re going to try to build a company.”
The 2009 Imagine Cup is over. But through all the grandeur of the event, there still lies a bit of sadness. All involved with the Imagine Cup have looked forward to the culmination of the event they have been working towards for so long, but also must come to terms with the fact that it is coming to a close. As one student put it, “I am excited to see the World Festival, but am sad because it means all of this is over.” In his closing speech Wilson told them that the end of their time at Imagine Cup is not the end, and he urged them to network, to talk, to email, even to call each other, as old fashion as that might be. “This actually is only the beginning,” he said. “This is an opportunity that has been put in your hands. What matters now is what you do with it. You are the greatness of our future.”
The next stop is Poland, and it is only a year away.
- Matt Bernardy
Note – Photos contributed by Microsoft’s own Scott Blackwell. Thanks for the pictures Scott!