Dialog App Challenge, Sri Lanka’s 1st Inter-school App Development Competition Concludes with Grand Finale

Supun Weerasinghe, Group Chief Executive for Dialog Axiata PLC handing over the winner’s trophy to Parameswaran Praveenan and Tharsika Parameswaran representing Jaffna College

(L-R) 2nd Runners-up, SWRD Bandaranaike College, Panduwasnuwara led by Kalana Manupriya, Winners Parameswaran Praveenan and Tharsika Parameswaran representing Jaffna College and 1st Runners-up Gamini Dissanayake National School Kotmale, led by Shehan Wijethungna

Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s premier connectivity provider, held the grand finale of the ‘Dialog App Challenge’, powered by Ideamart and Dialog Home Broadband, Sri Lanka’s 1st inter-school app challenge on 3rd April 2019, with Parameswaran Praveenan and Tharsika Parameswaran representing Jaffna College, being crowned champions and winning prizes worth LKR 300,000. Held in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the all-island initiative aimed to educate and ignite a passion for software development amongst ordinary and advanced level students and create possible career paths at an informative age.

The Dialog App Challenge, which required teams to develop technology-based solutions to solve pressing issues in their respective communities, lead with awareness sessions for teachers, directors and coordinators in education zones in 8 provinces across the country, along with student workshops conducted at provincial levels to educate students on product development and the competition. Over 200 teams and contestants successfully registered with 11 teams representing the 8 provinces shortlisted to compete in the grand finale. To supplement the initiative, a product development programme was kicked-off to support teams with development and execution of their product.

P. N. Ilapperuma, Director of Education (ICT), Ministry of Education said, “It is becoming increasingly important to prepare the country’s future generations with the knowledge and ability to solve real-world problems with the use of innovation and latest technology. The Dialog App Challenge provides a great platform for the future of Sri Lanka and we are proud to support this initiative.”

Viranga Seneviratne, Head - MIFE Business and IOT, IdeaMart, Dialog Axiata PLC said, “The Dialog App Challenge was incepted with the goal of discovering talent amongst Sri Lankan youth and providing them with a platform to explore opportunities, gain mentorship and excel in areas of technology. As one of Sri Lanka’s leading drivers of digital transformation, it is essential that we nurture future generations and equip them with the knowledge and skillset to propel the country to greater heights in the digital age.”

Navin Pieris, Head of Broadband and Fixed Telecommunications, Dialog Broadband Networks PLC said, “Dialog Home Broadband is proud to power the Dialog App Challenge, that aims to recognise and empower Sri Lankan youth, further supplementing our range of initiatives that work to provide both students and educators with the resources necessary to thrive in digital spaces.”

Teams were evaluated based on parameters such as their problem statement, the proposed solution, user-friendliness, effective use of technology, product completeness and presentation skills. While the champions received prizes worth LKR 300,000, the first runners-up received prizes worth LKR 150,000 and the second runners-up were given prizes worth LKR 75,000. In addition to these titles, contestants were also eligible to win prizes for Most Impactful Idea, Best Idea with IoT Integration, Best Ideamart technology Usage, Best Girls Team and more.

About Dialog Axiata Group

Dialog Axiata Group, a subsidiary of Axiata Group Berhad (Axiata), operates Sri Lanka’s Leading Quad-Play Connectivity Provider. Dialog Axiata PLC, listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange, supplements its market leading position in the Mobile Telecommunications sector with a robust footprint and market presence in Sri Lanka’s Fixed Telecommunications and Digital Television markets through its fully owned subsidiaries Dialog Broadband Networks (Private) Ltd (DBN) and Dialog Television (Private) Ltd., (DTV). Dialog Axiata Group is Sri Lanka's largest Foreign Direct Investor (FDI) with investments totaling USD 2.3 Billion.

The winner of six Global Mobile Awards, Dialog has the distinction of being voted by Sri Lankan Consumers as the Telecom Service Provider of the Year for seven years in succession at the SLIM-Nielsen People's Choice Awards. Dialog was also voted by Sri Lankan consumers as the Internet Service Provider of the Year for six years consecutively, and has topped Sri Lanka’s Corporate Accountability rankings for the past eight years in succession, and is an ISO 9001 certified company. The Company has received numerous local and international awards including the National Quality Award, the Sri Lanka Business Excellence Award and endorses the worldwide Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which aim to build a sustainable future for all by 2030.

Dialog has been at the forefront of innovation in the mobile industry in Sri Lanka since the late 90’s, propelling the nation’s mobile telephony infrastructure to a level of advancement on par with the developed world. The company delivers advanced mobile telephony and high speed mobile broadband services to a subscriber base in excess of 13 Million Sri Lankans, via 2.5G and 3G/3.5G and 4G/4.5G networks.