NEW YORK, April 19, 2018 – The 2018 World Finals of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) culminated today at Peking University in Beijing, China. Three students from Moscow State University earned the title of 2018 World Champions. Teams from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Peking University and The University of Tokyo placed in second, third and fourth places and were recognized with gold medals in the prestigious competition.

ACM ICPC is the premier global programming competition conducted by and for the world’s universities. The global competition is conceived, operated and shepherded by ACM, sponsored by IBM, and headquartered at Baylor University. For more than four decades, the competition has raised the aspirations and performance of generations of the world’s problem solvers in computing sciences and engineering.

In the competition, teams of three students tackle eight or more complex, real-world problems. The students are given a problem statement, and must create a solution within a looming five-hour time limit. The team that solves the most problems in the fewest attempts in the least cumulative time is declared the winner. This year’s World Finals saw 140 teams competing. Now in its 42nd year, ICPC has gathered more than 320,000 students from around the world to compete since its inception.

As computing increasingly becomes part of the daily routines of a growing percentage of the global population, the solution to many of tomorrow’s challenges will be written with computing code. The ICPC serves as a unique forum for tomorrow’s computing professionals to showcase their skills, learn new proficiencies and to work together to solve many real-world problems. This international event fosters the innovative spirit that continues to transform our world.

The 140 teams that participated in this year’s World Finals emerged from local and regional ICPC competitions that took place in the fall of 2017. Initially, selection took place from a field of more than 300,000 students in computing disciplines worldwide. A record number of students advanced to the regional level. 49,935 contestants from 3,089 universities in 111 countries on six continents competed at more than 585 sites, all with the goal of earning one of the coveted invitations to Beijing.In addition to the World Champion designation, gold, silver, and bronze medals were awarded. The top teams this year included:

1. Moscow State University
2. Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology
3. Peking University
4. The University of Tokyo
5. Seoul National University
6. University of New South Wales
7. Tsinghua University
8. Shanghai Jiao Tong University
9. St. Petersburg ITMO University
10. University of Central Florida
11. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
12. Vilnius University
13. Ural Federal University

About the ACM-ICPC

Headquartered at Baylor University, the ACM-ICPC is a global competition among the world’s university students, nurturing new generations of talent in the science and art of information technology. For more information about the ACM-ICPC, including downloadable high resolution photographs and videos, visit ICPC headquarters and ICPCNews. Additional information can be found via the “Battle of the Brains” podcast series. Follow the contest on Twitter @ICPCNews and #ICPC2016.

Source: Moscow State University Team Wins World Finals of ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest

“An Exciting Time to Be a Software Developer”

​Designing and programming computer software is an invaluable skillset, one that is increasingly in demand in the United States, and one that the California State University is preparing students for through its extensive computer science programs.

Much sought after by companies in a variety of industries, U.S. software developers earned a median annual salary of $102,280 in 2016. The expects it to be one of the fastest-growing fields between now and 2026.

, chair of the at explains that the growing demand for developers is driven by the trend of traditionally non-technical industries turning to software solutions to become more efficient, effective and competitive.

“Computing is becoming more important in nearly every discipline. Data is the new microscope,” Dr. Lupo says.

The occupation is projected to increase 24 percent through 2026, adding more than 300,000 jobs — a growth that’s three times higher than the average for all occupations.

So who makes a good software developer? Really, anyone with a passion for the impact the field has and will have, Lupo says.

In addition to good math and science skills, prospective software development students should “enjoy working with others to creatively solve problems that can have global and societal impacts.”

“A software developer is more than a programmer; [she] is a new type of engineer who builds software as a product,” explains Michael Soltys, Ph.D., professor and chair of computer science at California State University Channel Islands.

“Computer science is now part of every aspect of the human endeavor, and so a computer science degree offers many careers,” Dr. Soltys says, adding that he sees students going on to a range of careers, from cybersecurity to applications and game developing.

Soltys and other CSU Channel Islands faculty prepare career-ready students with a variety of innovative hands-on projects, often with real-world applications.

For example, computer science students recently built a prototype of a digital forensics tool — in collaboration with the Ventura County DA’s digital forensics lab — that helps investigators more quickly acquire data from digital devices. Another project focused on an internet-enabled sprinkler timer design that helped conserve water.

This hands-on experience helps make Soltys’ students ideal candidates for the IT industry, he says, adding that many begin their careers even before graduation.

Applied learning is also an essential part of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s computer science and software engineering programs, says Lupo. “With nearly every course we offer a laboratory component where students must apply what they are learning in projects that they might find in industry.”

The growth in the software development field, as well as the need for more professionals, will only continue as technology continues to advance, Lupo explains.

“More data is available than ever before, and computational resources are more ubiquitous than they have ever been,” Lupo says. “This means that new models, processes and tools can be created to study all sorts of problems that we have only begun to consider.

“It’s a very exciting time to be a software developer.”

Learn more about computer science degree programs offered at the CSU.

Read about the most in-demand careers in the U.S.

Source: So You Want to Be a…Software Developer