![\"Open](\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/opensource_webgraphics_291x201.jpg\")
<\/figure>Winners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We are delighted to announce the winners of the Challenge. Interest over the past three months came from all round the world. The judging panel was impressed by all the entries. The following four were chosen to receive prizes. Congratulations to the winners!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each of the winners used and in some cases added to open source tools from Microsoft Research as well as Project Oxford, which was included in the Challenge. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Akond](\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/akond75x105.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nAkond Rahman<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n North Carolina State University, USA Varun Agrawal<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n Georgia Institute of Technology, USA Saeid TizPaz Niari<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n University of Colorado, Boulder, USA Yida Wang<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, China The Challenge is now closed<\/b>, but you can still experience and use the great tools from Microsoft Research. We are adding new tools every month, so be sure to visit the Project directory<\/a> regularly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Try the latest software from one of the best research laboratories in the world. Microsoft invited you to participate in the Open Source Challenge for a chance to win up to $5,000 or an interview with Microsoft Research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Students from across the world competed to prove their skills and solve real-world problems with Microsoft\u2019s open source tools. They showed they were up for the challenge!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Microsoft Research has over fifty projects that span the range of computer science from artificial intelligence to visualization, from cryptography to programming models. They are all showcased on our Project directory list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The challenge is now closed.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n REGISTER (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a> now for challenge details and updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The challenge is simple. Choose any <\/b>of these open source tools, solve a problem, and report on your findings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Choose a project<\/b> or problem you want to address.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Acquire the tool you need<\/b>. Tools can be accessed from GitHub or from the project pages on our site. Some tools are on other repositories such as CodePlex. Some tools can also be run in your browser. All uses are acceptable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Present your findings<\/b>. Include a project description, goals, methods, challenges, and any result obtained. Make sure to also submit sample input, output or screenshots to show you used the tool in the project.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n For full details, see the Official Rules<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Challenge is now closed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There is $15,000 in cash prizes to be won:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Honorary Mention: Certificates will be presented to runner-up entries<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some participants may also be invited to visit a Microsoft Research Laboratory, or have an opportunity to interview for internships<\/a> at Microsoft. In each 12-week internship, you\u2019ll work directly with a prestigious research team on cutting-edge research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Challenge is now closed<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n Entries will be judged by a panel of experts at Microsoft Research based on the following criteria:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Submission is now closed.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n REGISTER (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a> for the challenge as soon as you can. The Challenge lasts for ten weeks. The deadline for entries is April 11, 2016.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Make your submission via EasyChair (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a>. You can edit your entry up until the closing time. Only one entry per person is permissible. Ensure that your entry is six pages or less, in PDF format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Yes<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Yes<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Yes<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Yes<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n It depends on how well you know the area the tool is in. We realize that you will be doing the Challenge outside your normal study work. A good rule of thumb would be two hours a day for a week, which would include writing the report. Some projects might that take a lot of programming might take longer than this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n No. The Challenge is set up for individuals this time, in order to keep the projects manageable and to ensure fair judging. You can of course consult with your friends and colleagues and get whatever help you need, but submission is by one person and a prize goes to one person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n Yes. The challenge is to use one of the tools. The tools require writing code related to that tool, for example an app for TouchDevelop, or some software that uses the Microsoft Cognitive Services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n No. Your write-up should be backed up by evidence of using a tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n No. The challenge is to use the open source software.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"featured_media":213838,"template":"","meta":{"msr-url-field":"","msr-podcast-episode":"","msrModifiedDate":"","msrModifiedDateEnabled":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"_classifai_error":"","msr_hide_image_in_river":null,"footnotes":""},"msr-opportunity-type":[187426],"msr-region":[256048],"msr-locale":[268875],"msr-program-audience":[],"msr-post-option":[],"msr-impact-theme":[],"class_list":["post-235811","msr-academic-program","type-msr-academic-program","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","msr-opportunity-type-challenges","msr-region-global","msr-locale-en_us"],"msr_description":"The Microsoft Open Source Challenge asked students from across the world to prove their skills and solve real-world problems with Microsoft's open source tools. Four entries were chosen to receive prizes.","msr_social_media":[],"related-researchers":[],"tab-content":[{"id":0,"name":"Winners","content":"
Grand Prize: $5,000
Entry: Quantifying Semantic Similarity of Software Projects using Deep Semantic Similarity Model (DSSM<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"varun](\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/varun75x105.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Second Prize: $2,500
Entry: OneGroup: Automated Photo Sharing via Facial Recognition using Microsoft Cognitive Services<\/a> (FKA Project Oxford)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Saeid](\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/niari75x105.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Second Prize: $2,500
Entry: CONfidentiality CERTifier: a Modeling and Verification Framework for Program Confidentiality using Z3 (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Yida](\"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/wang75x105.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Second Prize: $2,500
Entry: CNTK (opens in new tab)<\/span><\/a> on Mac: 2D Object Restoration and Recognition on 3D Model<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nThe Challenge<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to enter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
The prizes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Judging criteria<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Submission<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Open Source Challenge FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Microsoft Open Source Challenge<\/h2>\r\nOur recent Challenge offered $15,000 in prizes as students experienced the power of open source tools from a top research lab.\r\n\r\n
\r\nWinners<\/h2>\r\nWe are delighted to announce the winners of the Challenge. Interest over the past three months came from all round the world. The judging panel was impressed by all the entries. The following four were chosen to receive prizes. Congratulations to the winners!\r\n\r\nEach of the winners used and in some cases added to open source tools from Microsoft Research as well as Project Oxford, which was included in the Challenge. \u00a0Read more on our Blog ><\/a>\r\n\r\n
Akond Rahman<\/strong>\r\n\r\nNorth Carolina State University, USA\r\nGrand Prize: $5,000\r\nEntry: Quantifying Semantic Similarity of Software Projects using Deep Semantic Similarity Model (DSSM<\/a>)\r\n\r\nVarun Agrawal<\/b>\r\n\r\nGeorgia Institute of Technology, USA\r\nSecond Prize: $2,500\r\nEntry: OneGroup: Automated Photo Sharing via Facial Recognition using Microsoft Cognitive Services<\/a> (FKA\u00a0Project Oxford)\r\n\r\nSaeid TizPaz Niari<\/strong>\r\n\r\nUniversity of Colorado, Boulder, USA\r\nSecond Prize: $2,500\r\nEntry: CONfidentiality CERTifier: a Modeling and Verification Framework for Program Confidentiality using Z3<\/a>\r\n\r\nYida Wang<\/b>\r\n\r\nBeijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, China\r\nSecond Prize: $2,500\r\nEntry: CNTK<\/a> on Mac: 2D Object Restoration and Recognition on 3D Model"},{"id":1,"name":"Challenge","content":"The Challenge<\/h2>\r\nThe Challenge is now closed<\/b>, but you can still experience and use the great tools from Microsoft Research. We are adding new tools every month, so be sure to visit the\u00a0Project directory<\/a> regularly.\r\n\r\nTry the latest software from one of the best research laboratories in the world. Microsoft invited you to participate in the Open Source Challenge for a chance to win up to $5,000 or an interview with Microsoft Research.\r\n\r\nStudents\u00a0from across the world competed\u00a0to prove their skills and solve real-world problems with Microsoft\u2019s open source tools. They showed they were up for the challenge!\r\n\r\nMicrosoft Research has over fifty projects that span the range of computer science from artificial intelligence to visualization, from cryptography to programming models. They are all showcased on our Project directory list.\r\n
How to enter<\/h2>\r\nThe challenge is now closed.<\/strong>\r\n\r\nREGISTER<\/a> now for challenge\u00a0details and updates.\r\n\r\nThe challenge is simple. Choose any <\/b>of these open source tools, solve a problem, and report on your findings.\r\n
1. Choose a project<\/b> or problem you want to address.\r\n\r\n2. Acquire the tool you need<\/b>. Tools can be accessed from GitHub or from the project pages on our site. Some tools are on other repositories such as CodePlex. Some tools can also be run in your browser. All uses are acceptable.\r\n\r\n3. Present your findings<\/b>. Include a project description, goals, methods, challenges, and any result obtained. Make sure to also submit sample input, output or screenshots to show you used the tool in the project.<\/blockquote>\r\nFor full details, see the Official Rules<\/a>.\r\n
The prizes<\/h2>\r\nThe Challenge is now closed<\/strong>\r\n\r\nThere is $15,000 in cash prizes to be won:\r\n
\r\n \t
Judging criteria<\/h2>\r\nThe Challenge is now closed<\/b>\r\n\r\nEntries will be judged by a panel of experts at Microsoft Research based on the following criteria:\r\n
\r\n \t
Submission<\/h2>\r\nSubmission is now closed.<\/strong>\r\n\r\nREGISTER<\/a> for the challenge as soon as you can. The Challenge lasts for ten weeks. The deadline for entries is April 11, 2016.\r\n\r\nMake your submission via EasyChair<\/a>. You can edit your entry up until the closing time. Only one entry per person is permissible. Ensure that your entry is six pages or less, in PDF format."},{"id":2,"name":"FAQ","content":"
Open Source Challenge FAQ<\/h2>\r\n[accordion]\r\n[panel header=\"Is the challenge open to undergraduates and PhD students?\"]\r\nYes\r\n[\/panel]\r\n[panel header=\"Can I submit more than one entry?\"]\r\nYes\r\n[\/panel]\r\n[panel header=\"Can my entries be based on different tools?\"]\r\nYes\r\n[\/panel]\r\n[panel header=\"Can I use more than one tool in an entry?\"]\r\nYes\r\n[\/panel]\r\n[panel header=\"How long should the Challenge take me?\"]\r\nIt depends on how well you know the area the tool is in. We realize that you will be doing the Challenge outside your normal study work. A good rule of thumb would be two hours a day for a week, which would include writing the report. Some projects might that take a lot of programming might take longer than this.\r\n[\/panel]\r\n[panel header=\"Can I work in a team?\"]\r\nNo. The Challenge is set up for individuals this time, in order to keep the projects manageable and to ensure fair judging. You can of course consult with your friends and colleagues and get whatever help you need, but submission is by one person and a prize goes to one person.\r\n[\/panel]\r\n[panel header=\"Do I have to create new software?\"]\r\nYes. The challenge is to use one of the tools. The tools require writing code related to that tool, for example an app for TouchDevelop, or some software that uses the Microsoft Cognitive Services.\r\n[\/panel]\r\n[panel header=\"Can I just submit a research paper?\"]\r\nNo. Your write-up should be backed up by evidence of using a tool.\r\n[\/panel]\r\n[panel header=\"Do I have to contribute code to open source software?\"]\r\nNo. The challenge is to use the open source software.\r\n[\/panel]\r\n[\/accordion]"}],"msr_impact_theme":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-academic-program\/235811","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-academic-program"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/msr-academic-program"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-academic-program\/235811\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1114596,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-academic-program\/235811\/revisions\/1114596"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/213838"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=235811"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"msr-opportunity-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-opportunity-type?post=235811"},{"taxonomy":"msr-region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-region?post=235811"},{"taxonomy":"msr-locale","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-locale?post=235811"},{"taxonomy":"msr-program-audience","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-program-audience?post=235811"},{"taxonomy":"msr-post-option","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-post-option?post=235811"},{"taxonomy":"msr-impact-theme","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.microsoft.com\/en-us\/research\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/msr-impact-theme?post=235811"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}