News from Queen Mary, University of London, organisers of the internet bursary competition BrainAcademy, www.brainacademy.qmul.ac.uk

BrainAcademy 2005 went live on Monday 16th May 2005, offering study places and funding for the most talented computer enthusiasts.

Entrants complete an online research quiz and computer programming challenge, the finalists then face an tough interview in front of panel of judges. The competition opens on the 16th May 2005 and closes on 14th September 2005.

Postgraduate place also up for grabs

With chance to win an Undergraduate or Masters Degree place starting in 2006, the competition is open to school leavers, students and, for the first time, people in the workplace who wish to return to study to advance their career.

The competition is bigger and better this year, with more prizes and three winners instead of one. For the first time, postgraduates can enter BrainAcademy, with two places and bursaries for Computer Science Masters degree programmes at Queen Mary starting in 2006.

Placements, exchange scheme & other prizes

The undergraduate winner will be guaranteed a fast-track interview for the popular Microsoft Student Intern Programme and, upon successful graduation, a fast-track interview for the coveted Microsoft Graduate Programme. Winners are also in line for Microsoft software, laptops, textbooks and cash prizes.

BrainAcademy judges can also award additional career enhancing prizes depending on the student’s performance and interests. Prizes available include a summer work experience placement with top Internet publishers ZDNet, or a student exchange year abroad at another top international University.

The competition is sponsored by Queen Mary, University of London, and by the information technology industry including Microsoft, high-tech PR and marketing consultancy Omarketing and Internet publishers ZDNet. The British Computer Society Human Computer Interaction Group and BAFTA winners Soda Creative Ltd also support this year’s competition.

To enter the BrainAcademy competition, please visit: www.brainacademy.qmul.ac.uk