Applications that seek to transform the mobile phone into tools for safety, disaster preparedness and response, governance, and transport were among the 10 finalists vying for the top prize of the 11th Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (Sweep) Innovation and Excellence Awards.
The Sweep Awards, now on its 11th year, is the longest-running and biggest tech competition for college students organized by wireless operator Smart Communications a bid to promote the culture of innovation in schools.
It aims to be a platform for game-changing ideas that provide solutions to consumer pain points using mobile and Web technologies.
Ten entries were shortlisted from 120 entries that were submitted to Smart this year.
Three entries from Bulacan State University made it to the top 10. Meanwhile, Ateneo de Manila University, Batangas State University, De La Salle Lipa, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, University of Cebu, University of Southeastern Philippines, and Wesleyan University each had one entry.
The top 10 entries are as follows: Smart Marketing Assistance and Product Trading (S-MART) App; Smart IMAGE: Instant Multiple-Option Assessor for General Examinations; Smart I-PRINT; Smart A.S.S.: Aerial Surveillance System; SENTINEL: Smart Emergency Necklace Triggering Internet-Enabled Locator; Smart RESERVE; AIDPH: A Web and Mobile-Based Application for Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Information System; Constello; ALMS: Automated Landslide Monitoring System; and #Bayanihan: A Unified Cloud-Based Application for the Local Government Units.
#aidPH, ALMS, and Smart A.S.S. are mobile apps for disaster preparedness and response, while SENTINEL is for safety and emergencies. S-MART App promotes mobile commerce, while #Bayanihan is a governance app.
Meanwhile, Smart RESERVE is an app to reserve bus seats, and Smart IMAGE is a tool to help check test papers. Then there is Smart I-Print, a printing app; and lastly, Constello, which is a social networking app.
The entries will vie for the top prizes that include P500,000 for the grand champion, P200,000 for the 1st runner-up, and P100,000 for the 2nd runner-up. An equivalent amount will be given to the teams? respective schools as grants.
With the theme, ?Building Cloud-Based Communities,? Smart said it hopes to showcase cloud-based mobile applications that help improve people?s lives.
Meanwhile, entries are still being accepted for the Sweep Open Competition, a new category where college students from non-Sweep schools can compete for the best mobile applications that make use of location services and SMS technology.
Five winning entries will win cash prizes plus a path to commercialization. Deadline for submission of entries is on December 5, 2014.
