Two weeks to go until 103 teams from around the world head to Harbin, China to compete in the IBM-sponsored “Battle of the Brains.” As last-minute preparations take place, Dr. Michael Karasick, Vice President of Technical and Business Strategy at IBM offers some final words of advice. Speaking withICPC podcast host Mark Guan, Dr. Karasick provides useful ways to tackle the grueling five-hour competition, difficult problems sets and even discusses IBM’s own challenges in creating quick, real-time solutions for service products. Having lived and worked in China for three years, Dr. Karasick also adds tips for first-time visitors to Harbin. Number one tip? Pack warm clothes! See you at the Finals!
With just over two weeks remaining until the 2009-2010World Finals of the IBM-sponsored ACM/ICPC, podcast host Amanda Carl sat down with Doug Heintzman, Director of Strategy for IBM Software Group and Sponsorship Executive of the ICPC to discuss what to expect from this year’s World Finals competition in Harbin, China, hosted byHarbin Engineering University. What teams qualified this year? Whateventswill take place? How cold will it be? All your questions are answered in this exciting pre-World Finals podcast. Good luck to all participants, we’ll see you soon!
Now that the top 103 teams attending the ACM-ICPC World Finalshave been announced, Sue McKinney, the vice president of development transformation and integration for the IBM software group, spoke with ICPC podcast host Meredith Setzman about this pool of talent and offered some advice.
Not only did Sue let us into the world of IBM, she discussed some of the great opportunities that arise when working for IBM as well as the future of software and industry trends.
In addition, as a woman in the field, she reminds us that female participants are just as capable as the males and even have a few advantages. Sue herself is a great example, as she has certainly worked her own way up the ladder through successful developments with agile methods.
Wondering where the next Sue McKinney will come from? For a full list of schools going to Harbin, China for the World Finals, click here.
Doug Heintzman, Director of Strategy for IBM Software Group and Sponsorship Executive of the ICPC took some time to talk with podcast host Amanda Carl about the evolution of the Battle of the Brains.Doug discusses how the competition has increased in size by 800 percent and now reaches 88 countries, including Argentina, Iran, and Cuba since IBM’s involvement. How intense is the competition? Well, Doug answers your questions regarding the types of problems and the rigorous nature of World Finals. He even shares some fun and unique stories from his past visits to World Finals’ events and offers advice for student competitors.
Want to brush up on your problem solving skills? Practice problems are available—so get started on your World Finals preparation!
Leader in the field of Autonomic computing and award-winning technology expert, Alan Ganek, sat down with ICPC podcast host Amanda Carl to discuss his day-to-day responsibilities and IBM’s commitment to a Smarter Planet. Chief technology officer and vice president for IBM Software Strategy and Technology, as well as IBM’s funding executive for the ACM ICPC, Alan provides valuable insight for Battle of the Brains participants as they prepare for regional competitions throughout the world.
An IBM Veteran, Ganek has more than 16 patents to his name and has been presented with a Technical Emmy Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and an Outstanding Innovation award from IBM on behalf of his work on Enterprise Systems Architecture/370 and System/390 Parallel Sysplex Design.
With Regionals already taking place in Asia and abroad, and the first U.S. regional to begin in October, Alan shares his advice on the best ways to prepare for the competition and a future career in technology.
Ni Hao! Or for those of you still brushing up on your Chinese for the World Finals in Harbin, hello and welcome back! As we gear up for the first part of this year’s competition, the 2009 ACM-ICPC Regionals, remember to check the Battle of the Brains page to find updates, podcasts and stories from past participants. The ACM-ICPC and IBM are working diligently to give you the latest contest information, including regional dates, winners and links to other relevant sites.
This year you can also follow us on Twitter, where you will find an open forum of participating students from schools around the world. We expect to kick off the 2009-2010 podcast series in the middle of September by posting an interview with Alan Ganek, chief technology officer and vice president for IBM Software strategy and technology. Not only is Alan an outstanding scientist with 16 patents, he is the funding executive for the ACM-ICPC. We’re all very excited to hear Alan’s advice for Regionals preparation and beyond. For those looking for some practice questions, look no further than past brain busters archived on the ICPC web site:
IBM special guest host, Chris Sciacca sat down with Ivan Romanov, 2006 ICPC Saratov University team member and former World Finals champion. Ivan, a current IBM employee at the IBM Zurich Lab, has been working on Mote Runner, a wireless system network designed specifically to address IBM’s Smarter Planet initiative.
Ivan discusses his preparation for the 2006 World Finals and shares valuable advice for the 2009-2010 competitors as preparation for the fall Regionals gradually creeps up.
Ivan was recently quoted in the Moscow Timesdiscussing his experience.
IBM,KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, and the ICPC did a fantastic job of sharing the Battle of the Brains event with the world. Here are few clips from the worldwide media worth checking out:
Have a story you’d like to share? Please feel free to post a link to the comments section! And, of course, we look forward to seeing everyone again in Harbin, China for the 2010 Battle of the Brains World Finals! In the meantime, see you at the Regionals!
The 2009 World Finals was a terrific showcase of talent, creativity and passion. So many bright young minds in one room demonstrating their amazing abilities is a terrific experience.
Here are the important links for those who don’t know them already:
With seven days left until the World Finals, Dr. Bill Poucher takes a moment to speak with IBM host Amanda Carl. With more schools and students participating than ever, the stakes are high and the competition fierce. The Regionals saw 1,838 universities from 88 countries battle for a spot at World Finals. With only 100 teams headed to Stockholm, Dr. Poucher assures our listeners that the students have practiced in full force and are ready to tackle the world’s challenges and begin charging toward a Smarter Planet.
Two weeks to go until 103 teams from around the world head to Harbin, China to compete in the IBM-sponsored “Battle of the Brains.” As last-minute preparations take place, Dr. Michael Karasick, Vice President of Technical and Business Strategy at IBM offers some final words of advice. Speaking with ICPC podcast host Mark Guan, Dr. Karasick provides useful ways to tackle the grueling five-hour competition, difficult problems sets and even discusses IBM’s own challenges in creating quick, real-time solutions for service products. Having lived and worked in China for three years, Dr. Karasick also adds tips for first-time visitors to Harbin. Number one tip? Pack warm clothes! See you at the Finals!
Now that the top 103 teams attending the ACM-ICPC 
Leader in the field of Autonomic computing and award-winning technology expert, 
