Our latest piece published on The Conversation website
The NHS COVID app is closing down – here’s where it succeeded and where it went wrong
Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Technology. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
New article on the NHS COVID app in The Conversation
Our latest piece published on The Conversation website
The NHS COVID app is closing down – here’s where it succeeded and where it went wrong
Thursday, May 6, 2021
New article on surveillance at work in The Conversation
I just got my article on "surveillance at work" published today in The Conversation
"Remote working has led to managers spying more on staff – here are three ways to curb it"
My general interest in surveillance technologies and methods is my motive behind writing this, in hope that it brings more awareness about all the various ways in which surveillance is practiced. More importantly, we need to also note that surveillance can have differential effects on the vast population of home workers, and is very likely worsening vulnerability and marginalisation for those who are already struggling.
Follow @evroniaFriday, November 22, 2019
All I Want for Christmas Is “Tech-Savvy”!
When I was a kid, my parents
would hide something under my pillow for Christmas and the New Year, claiming
it was Santa’s gift. But it didn’t take me too long to know it was them, and I
actually started making a list of what I wanted! My first most expensive gift I
asked for was a desktop computer in 1998, but I had to work really hard to get
it. While desktop computers are probably not a gift-able thing in 2019, there
is a rise of very tech-savvy gifts that appeal to many people now. With
the holiday and New Year season approaching, everyone is probably thinking of
“gifts”! So, I thought of writing this post about how the digital world changed
the concept of gifts.
While some people still like
traditional physical gifts, there are dozens of online websites that give
people ideas on “online” gifts. This includes the simple ideas of e-vouchers,
e-gift-cards, to other more tech-savvy ideas like a service subscription for
websites like Netflix, Spotify, Amazon music, or you can buy digital products
like e-books and mobile applications.
Photo by Deva Darshan on Unsplash
Online digital gifts may have apparent
advantages over traditional gifts. For example, they are hassle-free to buy, as
you don’t need to get into crowds of shoppers and cashier lines during the
weekend. This type of gifts also give the receiver flexibility to choose how
they want to use it, so for example they may watch whatever movies they prefer
on Netflix in comparison to giving them cinema tickets for a specific movie.
Also, online gifts can be more environmentally friendly, so an e-book is indeed
better than a paperback book.
Nevertheless, the previous
options aren’t everyone’s straight forward choice. Many people still prefer to hold
a physical gift. It probably depends on the person receiving the gift: how old
they are and their interests and preferences. It is definitely something worth
researching or exploring more! A quick Google Scholar research on “online
gifts” didn’t really show results that explain consumers’ behaviour towards
online versus traditional gifts.
Another important question is: to what extents are gifts considered “online”?
For example, if you gift someone a Groupon e-voucher for a fancy meal, it is a
gift that is booked and redeemed in the online space but it results in a
physical experience of a restaurant. So, while it is still an online-mediated
gift, it is not an online product. Also, if you buy an e-voucher through
Amazon, the receiver can use this voucher to buy e-books (which are an online
product) or clothes!
So, do you actually like to
receive a traditional physical gift, or do you prefer any of the above options?
And as a buyer, what do you actually prefer? For me, I spend a lot of time
choosing gifts for people, because I feel gifts have to match their
personalities. So, I like engraved items with people’s names, or I hunt for
stuff that they have been trying to buy for some time. However, sometimes I don’t
know the person I am buying the gift for well, so I opt-in for easier gifts. In
that case gift vouchers are a life saver. But will people appreciate it as much
as a big box wrapped in Christmas colours wrap?
In asking the previous questions,
I am also asking if the online space has removed some of the excitement from
gifting behaviours, especially for those who aren’t really that much into
tech-savvy stuff or who maybe prefer to be surprised with a physical product in
their hands. So, would I prefer to go hunt for my desktop computer online or in shops or to have it there at home waiting
for me?
Follow @evronia
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
My Presentation at the Chevening Leadership Conference - Durham University
As part of the Chevening 30th Anniversary Scholar Conference on "Leadership and Change in the 21st Century" held at Durham University on April 25, 2014, my presentation is titled "PowerLife Mobile Application".
Abstract
PowerLife is an idea for a mobile application designed for the
Information Systems course “IT and Service Innovation” at LSE by a group of 5
students. The application seeks to draw attention to energy issues that
government might not publish by collecting samples and engaging citizens to be
proactive in this data collection.
PowerLife helps citizens to have their say on the energy problems
they face and be proactive in pushing their governments to take action. It also
aims to assist relevant NGOs in their work to campaign for the ultimate
solution of these issues. The platform is meant to give a voice to citizens and
empower them. It also gives citizens a space to promote favourable behaviours
that help save energy. We consider infrastructure to be a basic right for
citizens of any country and we seek to fill the gaps that the public, private,
and third sectors sometimes fail to address. The application seeks to show
geographic distribution of energy outages and trends in times of day/year when
electricity is most vulnerable. It will be targeted towards regions where
energy issues are common and interrupt daily life.
PowerLife could fill a need in the ICT for development sphere,
especially as the popularity of Ushahidi - which we will be basing the
application on - continues to grow. Crowdsourcing can be used to report and
view data, which is normally difficult to source or find, related to violence,
sexual assault, crime, riots, displacement, traffic and, now, infrastructure.
It puts citizens at the front and center of the issues their communities
are facing directly. We hope that, through this visibility, local, national,
and international attention can be drawn to persistent, meaningful problems
and, ultimately, that solutions can be enacted.
Friday, May 21, 2010
[Poem] Then You’re in CSED
Then You’re in CSED
Poem #293
Written 20.5.10
Today we delivered our last project in CSED… Certainly not the last thing to do before graduation, but it’s something that inspired me to write a poem among the many that I have written for CSED :D
Then you’re in CSED; where CSED == Computer and Systems Engineering Department :)
If you forgot what it means to enjoy,
If your life lacks your sense of joy,
If you miss being once a young boy,
Then you’re in CSED!
If your thoughts are filled with code,
If you don’t notice cars on the road,
If you always feel like you’ll explode,
Then you’re in CSED!
If you consider your laptop your son,
Your desktop background is no fun,
And you’re always up until dawn,
Then you’re in CSED!
If you usually don’t comb your hair,
Never caring about what you wear,
Even if you’ll walk with your feet bare,
Then you’re in CSED!
If you are accustomed to headache,
If going to the bathroom is your break,
Coz the load is more than you can take,
Then you’re in CSED!
If you ask for a router for your birthday,
And 5 a.m. is when you start your day,
If you’re weird, even when you play,
Then you’re in CSED!
If your parents are the last you meet,
You’re tired of this thing called “sheet”,
If “pizza” and “croissant” are all you eat,
Then you’re in CSED!
If you wear glasses, if you’re a hunchback,
Carrying a laptop in your heavy backpack,
Arranging your tasks in a queue or a stack,
Then you’re in CSED!
If you smile when you’re called “geek”,
If you forget the days of the week,
If everyone alive thinks you’re a freak!
Then you’re in CSED!
If you dream of huge bugs chasing you,
Your dream might really come true,
But you’ll never know what to do!
Then you’re in CSED!
If you think of name as “namespace”,
If your mind thinks “debug” and “trace”,
If your life is one big challenging race,
Then you're in CSED!
If you’re always wearing your jeans,
Your life is mainly about Netbeans,
Running K-medoids and K-means,
Then you’re in CSED!
If you always think of a tree to span,
You think you’ll name your kid “Zahn”,
You hate the day your poor life began,
Then you're in CSED!
If you hear “projects” more than “hello”,
You’re almost dead from the overflow,
You beg the class to entirely say “No!”
But you’re in CSED!
Anyhow, rejoice, class of 2010!
There will be no CSED again,
You will taste your freedom soon,
Just wait, till the end of June :)
---------------------------------------------
Follow @evronia
Poem #293
Written 20.5.10
Today we delivered our last project in CSED… Certainly not the last thing to do before graduation, but it’s something that inspired me to write a poem among the many that I have written for CSED :D
Then you’re in CSED; where CSED == Computer and Systems Engineering Department :)
If your life lacks your sense of joy,
If you miss being once a young boy,
Then you’re in CSED!
If your thoughts are filled with code,
If you don’t notice cars on the road,
If you always feel like you’ll explode,
Then you’re in CSED!
If you consider your laptop your son,
Your desktop background is no fun,
And you’re always up until dawn,
Then you’re in CSED!
If you usually don’t comb your hair,
Never caring about what you wear,
Even if you’ll walk with your feet bare,
Then you’re in CSED!
If you are accustomed to headache,
If going to the bathroom is your break,
Coz the load is more than you can take,
Then you’re in CSED!
If you ask for a router for your birthday,
And 5 a.m. is when you start your day,
If you’re weird, even when you play,
Then you’re in CSED!
If your parents are the last you meet,
You’re tired of this thing called “sheet”,
If “pizza” and “croissant” are all you eat,
Then you’re in CSED!
If you wear glasses, if you’re a hunchback,
Carrying a laptop in your heavy backpack,
Arranging your tasks in a queue or a stack,
Then you’re in CSED!
If you smile when you’re called “geek”,
If you forget the days of the week,
If everyone alive thinks you’re a freak!
Then you’re in CSED!
If you dream of huge bugs chasing you,
Your dream might really come true,
But you’ll never know what to do!
Then you’re in CSED!
If you think of name as “namespace”,
If your mind thinks “debug” and “trace”,
If your life is one big challenging race,
Then you're in CSED!
If you’re always wearing your jeans,
Your life is mainly about Netbeans,
Running K-medoids and K-means,
Then you’re in CSED!
If you always think of a tree to span,
You think you’ll name your kid “Zahn”,
You hate the day your poor life began,
Then you're in CSED!
If you hear “projects” more than “hello”,
You’re almost dead from the overflow,
You beg the class to entirely say “No!”
But you’re in CSED!
Anyhow, rejoice, class of 2010!
There will be no CSED again,
You will taste your freedom soon,
Just wait, till the end of June :)
---------------------------------------------
Follow @evronia
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Visual Studio 2010 is officially released
Visual Studio 2010 is officially released!
this copy is available now on MSDNAA: Visual Studio 2010 Professional (x86)
on this link:
http://msdn62.e-academy.com/mtcaueng_eng
If you are already registered, you can go ahead and download it, if not, check this link on more details about getting a free account on MSDNAA:
http://evronia.blogspot.com/2009/10/windows-7-for-free.html
If you couldn't watch the Visual Studio 2010 live keynote, and also if you want to know all the latest on Visual Studio 2010, check these links out:
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/developer/default.aspx
http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/en-us/watch-it-live Follow @evronia
this copy is available now on MSDNAA: Visual Studio 2010 Professional (x86)
on this link:
http://msdn62.e-academy.com/mtcaueng_eng
If you are already registered, you can go ahead and download it, if not, check this link on more details about getting a free account on MSDNAA:
http://evronia.blogspot.com/2009/10/windows-7-for-free.html
If you couldn't watch the Visual Studio 2010 live keynote, and also if you want to know all the latest on Visual Studio 2010, check these links out:
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/developer/default.aspx
http://www.microsoft.com/visualstudio/en-us/watch-it-live Follow @evronia
Friday, October 23, 2009
Why I Love Windows7 ! - Part 3
Why I Love Windows7 - Part 1
Why I Love Windows7 - Part 2
More of my Win7 love list!
When you click on customize, this is what you see:
That's it for now, will be back for more if there's more!
Want Windows7 for free?! check this out ! Follow @evronia
Why I Love Windows7 - Part 2
More of my Win7 love list!
- I really can't believe I'm using the same PC!! Win7 makes it incredibly faster!
- If usability and great user experience mean anything, they are certainly Win7!
- Ever had troubles connecting to a projector?! Not anymore with Win7 "Connect to a Projector" utility!
- The "Solve PC Issues" notification on the taskbar is really helpful and not annoying anymore, you can open the "Open Action Center" and see how you can resolve the problems..
- Easily customize the icons on your taskbar, no need to crowd your taskbar with unwanted icons, and even if you want the icons, organize their view in a better way...
When you click on customize, this is what you see:
- Great maintenance options, to create a system repair disk to recover windows if a system error occurred and there is also backup and restore options..
- There are also many great options in the Media Center, my friend Chris has written about them here
- The new "Paint" is such a huge different thing compared to the old ones!!! more about it here
- Ease of access center: the narrator, for more accessibility
That's it for now, will be back for more if there's more!
Want Windows7 for free?! check this out ! Follow @evronia
Why I Love Windows7 ! - Part 2
When I came up with my first post about why I love Win7, I knew that one post wasn't going to be enough for me to say everything I love about Win7..
So here I am writing my part 2!
First let me tell you that I am not just excited about Win7 because I am a Microsoft Student Partner and because we're working on introducing Win7 to everyone.. The truth is, I am excited about new technologies that are good, no matter where they come from.. I haven't been excited about Windows Vista and I kept using Windows XP on my PC until I migrated to Win7 .. I have used all versions of Windows and I can tell you that Win7 is as different as Microsoft claims, this time, IT'S TRUE! This operating system is revolutionary, simple, lovely, fast, unique, eye catching and a lot more!
I've also used Ubuntu HardyHeron v8.04 (What I like to call the 'duck' version, coz of its funny wallpaper :D) and I've to tell you, Win7 is far much cooler than Ubuntu.. ! There is no way to compare both, unless you're an Open Source lover!
Let's see more of my Win7 love list!
I guess this is it for now, will certainly come back later with more and more on my beloved Win7!
Want Windows7 for free?! check this out !
My other posts on Win7:
Why I Love Windows7 - Part 1
Why I Love Windows7 - Part 3 Follow @evronia
So here I am writing my part 2!
First let me tell you that I am not just excited about Win7 because I am a Microsoft Student Partner and because we're working on introducing Win7 to everyone.. The truth is, I am excited about new technologies that are good, no matter where they come from.. I haven't been excited about Windows Vista and I kept using Windows XP on my PC until I migrated to Win7 .. I have used all versions of Windows and I can tell you that Win7 is as different as Microsoft claims, this time, IT'S TRUE! This operating system is revolutionary, simple, lovely, fast, unique, eye catching and a lot more!
I've also used Ubuntu HardyHeron v8.04 (What I like to call the 'duck' version, coz of its funny wallpaper :D) and I've to tell you, Win7 is far much cooler than Ubuntu.. ! There is no way to compare both, unless you're an Open Source lover!
Let's see more of my Win7 love list!
- Preview Pane allows you to preview a file without opening it! You can choose to enable the pane or just hide it.. In the preview pane, you can view: photos, videos, music, notepad files and even Pdf and Word files!!
- Windows Event Viewer lets you view monitoring and troubleshooting messages from windows and other programs.
- Aero Shake! Shake your window! More about it here ..Want to focus on one window? Shake it, and all the other open windows on your desktop will be hidden. Shake again, and they're all back. Click, hold down, and give your mouse a shake! (Who says an old mouse can't learn a new trick?) :D
- Your library: the best way to organize your files and pin your most frequent icons to it.. Right click your library folder on the taskbar and here's what you see:
Include your files in the library:
- Preview your recent opened files for a specific program without opening the program, just view them in the start menu!
- Preview all your opened windows, without clicking on them, just hover your mouse over their mini preview on the taskbar, when you move the mouse away, you're back to your original window.. This is really useful when you're waiting for a page to load or a program to finish installation and you just don't want to bring the whole window into view when you have many windows opened and your computer feels like a dead machine that is not responding!
- Right click any program on your taskbar, and you get a fast list of all its options!
I guess this is it for now, will certainly come back later with more and more on my beloved Win7!
Want Windows7 for free?! check this out !
My other posts on Win7:
Why I Love Windows7 - Part 1
Why I Love Windows7 - Part 3 Follow @evronia
Windows 7 for FREE! (+ any MS Software)
If you are a undergraduate/postgraduate student .. You can have Original Windows 7 for free!
لو انت بتدرس في الجامعة أو بتعمل دراسات عليا تقدر تاخد نسخة أصلية من ويندوز 7 ببلاش
Windows 7 and Visual Studio 2010 Professional are NOW available for MSDNAA members for FREE!
If you don’t have an MSDNAA account, please send a copy of your academic ID (صورة من كارنية الكليه) by email to: alex.club@student-partners.com and you will receive your username, password and an online link.
When you log in, you will be able to get your own original copy of any Microsoft Software (including Win7, Visual Studio 2010) and generate original product keys.
When you log in, you will be able to get your own original copy of any Microsoft Software (including Win7, Visual Studio 2010) and generate original product keys.
OR give a copy of your academic ID with your email address written on it to one of Alexandria University MSPs (Microsoft Student Partners: Ahmad Fathy, Kareem Hashem and myself) who are at Computer and Systems Engineering Department at the Faculty of Engineering.
This offer is for all Engineering, Computer Science, Fine Arts, Architecture and Design students..It is also available for university professors and teaching assistants.
Follow @evronia
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Why I Love Windows7 ! - Part 1
There are a lot of posts on the Internet about Windows 7, explaining its new features, comparing it to previous versions of Windows.. However, I want to write today in short and simple points the main reasons why I fell in love with Win7...
First, a lot of people have been wondering about the reason why it is called Windows 7 in specific.. I believe the reason behind the name is from a pure marketing perspective, since it allows easy referencing for the product, by just saying "7" or "Win7" .. You can read more about the naming of Win7 here on this post
I also don't want to miss the opportunity to mention that my friend Chris, who is also an MSP in the UK, has posted real very nice stuff about Win7 that you will really enjoy!
http://www.chris-alexander.co.uk/543
Now, to my "Win7 Love List" :D
Finally as an MSP, I would like to invite all university students (both post and undergraduates) to check out with their campus MSPs about how to get an MSDNAA account and download your own original version of Microsoft software, including Windows 7, and obtaining original product keys.
For more on Win7, see:
http://channel9.msdn.com/learn/courses/Windows7/
My other posts on Win7:
Why I Love Windows7 - Part 2
Why I Love Windows7 - Part 3 Follow @evronia
First, a lot of people have been wondering about the reason why it is called Windows 7 in specific.. I believe the reason behind the name is from a pure marketing perspective, since it allows easy referencing for the product, by just saying "7" or "Win7" .. You can read more about the naming of Win7 here on this post
I also don't want to miss the opportunity to mention that my friend Chris, who is also an MSP in the UK, has posted real very nice stuff about Win7 that you will really enjoy!
http://www.chris-alexander.co.uk/543
Now, to my "Win7 Love List" :D
- It needs around 10 GB to be installed on your machine, along with some software as well!! that's quite a great move compared to Vista!
- It needs less than 30 minutes to be installed on your machine and then you can start installing any other software you need.
- Both XP and Vista's functionalities still exist in Win7 inspite of the small installation space Win7 requires.. So don't be afraid to use Win7, you will be just fine!
- You don't need to install any drivers software for Win7! I thought I'd need to at least configure my LAN, but it just detects everything on its own
- Win7 taskbar is just so easy to use, provides fast access to all your programs as you can pin them to it!
- Win7 works on 1GB RAM faster than XP working on the same RAM size!!
- The Aero Peek option is really so cool, allowing you to take a peek at your desktop by just hovering your mouse over the end of the taskbar.
- The taskbar provides peeking at your opened windows, you can even close the windows from the preview that the taskbar provides, without having to open the window itself.
- You have the option on your desktop to see the "Next desktop background" (Right click on the desktop), as the theme you select from Windows personalization will provide many desktop backgrounds that you can easily see by clicking that option!
- Unlike Windows Vista, Win7 tells you about incompatiblity issues BEFORE you install any software..
- The search capabilities of Win7 are just beyond imagination, it can dig right into your files!
- New improvements have been brought to the paint program.. It is now really cool!
Finally as an MSP, I would like to invite all university students (both post and undergraduates) to check out with their campus MSPs about how to get an MSDNAA account and download your own original version of Microsoft software, including Windows 7, and obtaining original product keys.
For more on Win7, see:
http://channel9.msdn.com/learn/courses/Windows7/
My other posts on Win7:
Why I Love Windows7 - Part 2
Why I Love Windows7 - Part 3 Follow @evronia
Friday, July 10, 2009
How Imagine Cup Inspired Me..
Imagine Cup is a competition that is different than any other one..
I am so lucky that I have had an opportunity to attend Imagine Cup world wide finals this year in Egypt, July 2009. It is indeed the most spectacular event I've ever been to, but I believe its success is not because of us MSPs, but because of all those great students who inspire the world with their ability to change it, with their ambitions and motivation!
Apart from all the fun and joy I've had, I've been so much inspired by the Imagine Cup experience. The people I've met from everywhere inspired me and made me feel I need to work harder in order to achieve my dreams.. I really do.. I also feel that I have the ability to change the world as much as they did. I have more faith now and confidence in me. I believe in myself and my abilities more than any time before...Two people (Roger Lawrence and Yaroslav Tretyakov) told me that I have great skills, thanks to them, they gave me so much support and confidence..
Thanks to Imagine Cup, I feel like I'm a new person... I can honestly say that the people I've met at Imagine Cup, the technologies I've seen, everything changed my life to the extreme...
Thanks to all my new friends from all over the world: competitors, judges, MSPs, Microsoft staff, everyone.. Thanks to God for giving me such a great time..
Hope you are inspired, hope I'll be able to change the world and spread the inspiration...
And finally, I took a vow to do anything just to be in Imagine Cup Poland 2010... See you all there!! Follow @evronia
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Imagine Cup Egypt 2009
This year, Cairo is hosting the finals of the number one technology competition worldwide which is Imagine Cup. It is organized by Microsoft.. more than 400 students from around 70 countries are competing in the finals.. and around 1000 attendees as total including press people, judges, Microsoft Student Partners worldwide, volunteers and ME of course :D :D
This year, being a Microsoft Student partner is not the same as every year. For those who don’t know, a Microsoft student partner is a student who is a link between Microsoft and his university: to hold activities, help in organizing events, distribute free software through the Microsoft free software programmes. However, our main job this year was publicizing imagine cup and encouraging more people to register and compete at the various competitions.
We had lots of fun and lots of great events before hosting the imagine cup finals… we had a booth at my university that collected over 1400 registrants and many people have competed in the various competitions…
To all the people I've shared the Imagine Cup World Wide finals with :
I have been waiting for this event for a very long time, and I've been writing sometimes on the Imagine Cup forum for the IT challenge and made some friends there... So I just wanna tell you that we are so proud of hosting it..We hope it shows that we can do something really good !
But we’re actually just trying to be ourselves, and share with you a time that you can enjoy!
I just wanted to tell you that these couple of days have been some of the most tiring in my life, yet I have spent a time so enjoyable and memorable I will never forget…
I have met people from all over the world and made friends with people I only thought I can see them on TV. We talked, laughed shared, and enjoyed!
My main happiness now is because you are happy and because I am able to be part of an experience I hope you will enjoy and remember for the rest of your lives!
I hope you will always feel that Imagine Cup in Egypt was much different and unique than any other imagine cup world wide finals in any other place.
So, since it’s a time for everyone to enjoy what he/she loves, and because I enjoy writing as much as I enjoy technology, I’ve written a poem about imagine cup, that I hope you will like!
Imagine cup is certainly full of fun,
Where teams compete, race and run,
Where the impossible can be true,
On the hands of people like you!
Work, learn, enjoy and win!
Be determined deep within,
Spread the imagine cup spirit,
Let everyone around you feel it!
Change the world, yes you will!
If you have the innovation and skill…
Create, express and learn,
And win everything in return…
A wonderful experience worldwide,
That will fill you with real pride,
Represent yourself, your country,
Meet friends; a real cool variety!
Imagine cup is not just a contest,
It’s a chance to show you’re the best,
A time you can use to know more,
All about the technologies you adore…
The world is within your hands,
Innovate, create and make plans,
The future is ahead, hold it,
And never to failure submit!
Thank you!
Follow @evronia
This year, being a Microsoft Student partner is not the same as every year. For those who don’t know, a Microsoft student partner is a student who is a link between Microsoft and his university: to hold activities, help in organizing events, distribute free software through the Microsoft free software programmes. However, our main job this year was publicizing imagine cup and encouraging more people to register and compete at the various competitions.
We had lots of fun and lots of great events before hosting the imagine cup finals… we had a booth at my university that collected over 1400 registrants and many people have competed in the various competitions…
To all the people I've shared the Imagine Cup World Wide finals with :
I have been waiting for this event for a very long time, and I've been writing sometimes on the Imagine Cup forum for the IT challenge and made some friends there... So I just wanna tell you that we are so proud of hosting it..We hope it shows that we can do something really good !
But we’re actually just trying to be ourselves, and share with you a time that you can enjoy!
I just wanted to tell you that these couple of days have been some of the most tiring in my life, yet I have spent a time so enjoyable and memorable I will never forget…
I have met people from all over the world and made friends with people I only thought I can see them on TV. We talked, laughed shared, and enjoyed!
My main happiness now is because you are happy and because I am able to be part of an experience I hope you will enjoy and remember for the rest of your lives!
I hope you will always feel that Imagine Cup in Egypt was much different and unique than any other imagine cup world wide finals in any other place.
So, since it’s a time for everyone to enjoy what he/she loves, and because I enjoy writing as much as I enjoy technology, I’ve written a poem about imagine cup, that I hope you will like!
Imagine cup is certainly full of fun,
Where teams compete, race and run,
Where the impossible can be true,
On the hands of people like you!
Work, learn, enjoy and win!
Be determined deep within,
Spread the imagine cup spirit,
Let everyone around you feel it!
Change the world, yes you will!
If you have the innovation and skill…
Create, express and learn,
And win everything in return…
A wonderful experience worldwide,
That will fill you with real pride,
Represent yourself, your country,
Meet friends; a real cool variety!
Imagine cup is not just a contest,
It’s a chance to show you’re the best,
A time you can use to know more,
All about the technologies you adore…
The world is within your hands,
Innovate, create and make plans,
The future is ahead, hold it,
And never to failure submit!
Thank you!
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Microsoft Student Partner (MSP)
August 25th 2008, I received an email at 3:25 p.m. saying I have been chosen as a
I realize that very few people know what this thing is all about.. so I thought I'd write some stuff about the MSP programme..
Microsoft Student Partner (MSP)
I realize that very few people know what this thing is all about.. so I thought I'd write some stuff about the MSP programme..
First of all, it's such a great honour for any computer science/engineering student to become an MSP.. this is probably the biggest and the most important extracurricular activity anyone would want to do while being an undergraduate student.
Being an MSP helps us get the most out of Microsoft tools and technologies and gives us a head start in the 'real world' once we graduate and enter the industry.
The MSP program details as quoted from http://student-partners.co
"The Microsoft Student Partner (MSP) Programme is an annual award that recognizes students who have made outstanding contributions to the student technical community. We reward and recognize the most talented students from universities across Egypt for their dedication, passion and involvement with Microsoft each academic year.
If you are passionate about technology, ready to share your knowledge and want to develop skills outside your field of study, we want to hear from you."
I would also like to quote some words Microsoft wrote in the MSP application this year, that would help show what being an MSP is all about..
Overview of the Microsoft Students Partner program
If your application is successful, you will be awarded Student Partner status. During this time you can refer to yourself as a Microsoft Student Partner and act as an official representative of Microsoft at your university.
Being an MSP demands dedication. We encourage every MSP to undertake many activities and numerous voluntary activities throughout the year which are designed to suit everyone's level of ability and creativity. Activities range from giving technical lectures on campus, writing articles for the student newsletter to entering the Imagine Cup or running your own computer society.
You'll be part of the amazing Egyptian MSPs team, with lots of opportunities to learn, plan, interact with students from different universities and countries and help other students in Egypt realizing their full potential and having fun. Microsoft Egypt will recognize your efforts and each activity you undertake.
Who can apply?
In order to be eligible for the award, you must be:
• Over 18
• An undergraduate or post-graduate student at an eligible university
• Technical reps: Studying a full-time computer science-related degree or course and able to name a reference from your department or Microsoft.
• Passionate about technology and willing to share your expertise with others at your school
There are currently 2 MSPs at Alexandria University, my colleague Ahmed Fathy, and myself, and we're both Junior students at the Computer and Systems Engineering Department at the Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University. There was also Amr Magdy but he graduated this year.
There're usually around 2 or 3 MSPs from each university from all over Egypt. Yes, this is such a small number, so that Microsoft wouldn't lose focus and attention on their MSPs, and it's their concept that they want the MSPs to be the seeds of any activity done in that university.. So after all, this number would do the job required perfectly. In general, the number of MSPs worldwide is around 1445 or some more, representing 104 countries and regions.
Ok, so how have I become an MSP? I applied through an application and had an interview afterwards at the Microsoft Building in the Smart Village. Then, 3 weeks later, I got a confirmation email of my acceptance.
The application had questions like the following:
- Are you involved in any technology related societies at your University?
- How would you describe your relationship with your computer science faculty?
- Have you ever attended a technical event, workshop or exhibition outside of those within your academic requirements?
- Are you comfortable presenting to a range of audience sizes?
- How would you approach the challenge of encouraging students to use and adopt technology within your department?
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I still didn't get my business card as an MSP ;) but I will post all the details as soon as I get started with any activities as the new MSP :)
Look out for more posts and photos as well ;)
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