ECOSF in partnership with Mehran University of Engineering and Technology (MUET), Jamshoro-Pakistan and Technology Times- a weekly Newspaper of Pakistan launched the AppIdea2R (AppplicationIdea2Realitiy) in November 2016, which was an app development contest to inspire, mobilize youth and accelerate the implementation of sustainable solutions in the community at national and international levels. The AppIdea2R Contest aimed to promote development of software applications for web, personal computer, mobile handheld device, console, SMS, or any software platform broadly available to the public related to one or more of the UN SDGs. The App submitted in the Contest addressed at least one of the 17 SDGs, either for awareness creation or to contribute to progress towards meeting the SDGs. The first phase of this contest was concluded in November 2017.
The AppIdea2R Contest exposed students of ECO region to generate innovative ideas, develop coding and problem solving skills. ICTs are “leapfrog” and these transformational technologies that can enable all countries to close many technology gaps at substantial pace. This contest engaged both experienced and novice student coders, and provides them the platform and support that is needed to utilize the potential of budding innovators. Engaging young people in ICTs is critical to ECO region, and this contest is among the key efforts working directly with students to achieve Sustainable Development Goals. This contest was meaningful in raising the awareness among Youth on SDGs and thus empowered them as future ambassadors to promote and popularize SDGs. In addition, the contest was also an opportunity to help bring closer the ECO region community. As a result, it led towards enhanced cooperation and collaboration, and strengthen cultural ties among university students of ECO region.
Further details are available on its webpage: http://www.appidea2r.com/