Standard Bank IT Challenge Heats

Teams of four had to solve a variety of algorithmic problems, including text layout, generating directions for a GPS from a map, and wiring a circuit-board.

The top UCT team, consisting of Gwylim Ashley, Mary Hsu, Graham Manuell and Kosie van der Merwe, managed to solve all five problems - a feat not matched by any other team around the country.

Although universities are not directly competing against each other in this round, UCT made a strong showing, with the three highest scores. The winning team, called "Some Bumbling Idiots Trying to Code" wiil travel to Johannesburg in August to compete in the finals, along with coach and former contestant Bruce Merry, a post-doc in the Computer Science department.

The first prize is a notebook for each team member and R170 000 for the university.

More information about the IT Challenge can be found at http://graduate.standardbank.com/standimg/Graduate/itChallenge.html.