Andrew Neill, Daniel Killop, Curtis Wilson and Michael Speirs, Level1/2 students studying Information and Creative Technology at the Ballymoney Campus, took the runner up spot with a project which designed and developed a comic book app that incorporates augmented reality.
Jack Smith, Level 3 IT student from the Coleraine Campus was awarded the Software Award for his project ‘Roci’s Random Runner’, a 2D platformer game where the player takes on the role of Roci – a small green alien
Gerry Campbell, Chief Executive of Colleges NI said:
“Our congratulations go to each of the winners and all the finalists who were shortlisted for the BEST Awards. The calibre of submissions this year points towards a very bright future for young and mature innovators in the FE sector. The ideas put forward were really great.
“They demonstrate a huge range of skills and talent so we know that entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation are thriving in Northern Ireland. Now let’s keep the ideas flowing and enable further education to play a bigger role in driving the economy forward.”
Minister for Employment and Learning Dr Stephen Farry said: “It is vital that we enthuse and inspire all our young people to study STEM courses and to progress to employment in the STEM related industries. The future of our economy depends upon driving up skills levels in these sectors. To do this we must ensure that these sectors offer attractive employment opportunities, and that all young people are aware of the wide range of careers options available.
“The further education college network plays a vital role in providing the skills and education to underpin the growth of this sector in collaboration with industry and my Department. The BEST Awards are established as an excellent platform to promote and showcase the world class STEM skills which have been developed and nurtured within our further education sector.
“Additionally I have arranged for eight of the students from this competition to showcase their STEM skills on an international stage by attending the prestigious Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts this summer.”
The Frontiers Programme takes place in July and challenges students to explore their limits of knowledge in science, technology, mathematics, and engineering (STEM) subjects with access to state-of-the-art technology and facilities.
The BEST Awards were judged by a panel of 40 industry and innovation specialists, including representatives from Bombardier, MATRIX, Schrader, Institute of Physics, Ulster University and Queen’s University Belfast.
The awards are organised by Colleges NI, the membership body for Northern Ireland's six Colleges of Further and Higher Education, and supported by a number of valued partners including Recruit NI, Norbrook and the Department for Employment and Learning.
