Coded call for software pioneers

The Business Software Challenge to student code designers in the United Kingdom has been issued for the fifth time - but with a global perspective.

This national design competition rewards students and recent graduates, as individuals or teams, for innovative software packages that can be applied in commerce or industry. There is a Pounds 20,000 prize list of cash, hardware and software.

This year the sponsors, Computer Associates and ICL, are appealing for suggestions on how similar challenges can be organised in other countries.

Many of the finalists - there is a shortlist of eight - have gone on to market their skills and ideas commercially.

Last year's winner Chaoshui Xu, now lecturer in graduate programming in the department of mining and mineral engineering at Leeds University, is in the final stages of creating demonstration packages of his Minvest mining project.

"We had more than 100 serious applications world-wide and I feel confident that we will maintain that interest," he said.

Lesley Beddie, head of the department of computer studies at Napier University and chair of the judges said: "Students and their tutors need to be equally aware of the underlying business context in which software is developed and the practical benefits which it can bring to commercial organisations."

Denise Carr, managing director of Computer Associates said:" The competition provides a unique opportunity to reward achievements of some of the most promising student software designers in the UK."

Closing date for entries is September 1. Further information is available from the competition secretary. Email: (Compuserve) 100566.3506; fax 0171 636 7366, tel 0171 636 7876.