A student from the University of Bath has earned herself a gold medal by winning the World Skills Contest 2011 in IT software solutions for business.
Gina Chow, a first year Computer Science undergraduate, attended the final of the contest in London which lasted four days, divided into seven sessions lasting two hours each. Entrants from all over the world entered the fiercely competitive contest and Gina achieved an impressive first place, representing Singapore, her country of origin.
The World Skills Contest 2011 is the world’s largest competition and careers event and was held at the ExCeL London exhibition and conference centre in London’s docklands ealier this month. More than 200,000 visitors from across the UK came to see competitors from 51 countries/regions competing in 46 skill areas.
The task Gina and the other finalists in the ‘IT software solutions for business’ category faced, involved being placed in an imaginary business scenario and having to demonstrate their ability at effectively utilising the Microsoft Office suite in order to provide business solutions.
Gina beat 20 other shortlisted candidates, all whom had shown their vast range of skills in this field area, beating runners up from Brazil and Korea.
She said: “I have always had an interest in Microsoft Office and my school taught a module on it and encouraged us to enter the competition. I entered and passed my school’s qualifying round and ended up winning the national round and then I won!
“I hope to finish my course in four years’ time and enter the industry. I would really love to do a job that constructs software that can be used to create greater efficiency and productivity.”
Professor of Information Technology and Gina’s tutor, James Davenport, was delighted at his student’s success: “If you can use a tool to great effect as Gina obviously can, then you know more about tool building and these skills give Gina a huge advantage when it comes to software solutions.”
Gina has only just started her four year course at the University of Bath, but Professor Davenport is excited to have her as one of his students: “I am very impressed and pleased with the skills Gina has already demonstrated and I am really looking forward to a few years’ time to when she completes her final project that will involve even more than this.”
Prime Minister David Cameron spoke prior to the event about his pride in London hosting the contest. He said: “I’m delighted that we are hosting the next World Skills in London which will see 1000 young people from 51 countries competing to be the best of the best.”
World Skills International has an impressive list of ambassadors including Dragon Den’s Deoborah Meaden and Theo Paphitis as well as Manchester United manager, Alex Ferguson, and also BBC Journalist Maggie Philbin.