01-08-16 Greek team wins first prize in World Citizenship category of Microsoft competition
Four students from the Electrical Engineering Department of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki won a first prize at the Microsoft Imagine cup 2016 World Championship, for an application that sensitises school students to the problem of bullying.
The Greek team, called team Amanda, clinched first prize in one of four categories, the World Citizenship Category, receiving a $50,000 award.
The team built an anti-bullying app for cell phones that leverages virtual reality. The application also aims to build empathy and self-confidence in students, so as to confront such phenomena inside schools and more widely.
The app was named after a 15-year old, Amanda Todd, who committed suicide after suffering physical and psychological bullying and sexual abuse. Before her death, she posted a video that related her tragic story with a series of flash cards.
The video gained broad publicity and Amanda became a symbol of the fight against bullying.
It was her story that inspired university students Vasilis Baltatzis, Margarita Bintsi, Yorgos Schinas, and Elias Chrysovergis, as well as their advisor, University of Thessaloniki Electrical Engineering and Computers Professor Leontios Hatzileontiadis.
Last year as well, the Greek team took a first place finish for an application, named “Prognosis” that helps diagnose Parkinson’s Disease.
The video of Amanda Todd, whose story inspired the Greek team, can be seen at the below link.
