The GSMA, an organization that represents the interests of various mobile operators and companies worldwide, recently launched the the GSMA Mobile Health University Challenge 2012 in association with the Qtel Group and Qualcomm.

Spanning more than 220 countries, the GSMA connects nearly 800 of the world’s mobile operators, as well as more than 200 companies in the broader mobile ecosystem.  Some of these companies include handset makers, software companies, equipment providers, Internet companies, and media organizations.

The topic that students are faced with is creating an mhealth idea to focus on a specific healthcare need. The idea must be presented as either a business concept or tech development. The challenge rewards these students with $5000 and an all expense paid trip to Cape Town, South Afria for the finals. 

Dr. Craig Friderichs, director of health for the GSMA explains the need for the challenge.

“Pressures on the health services around the world are growing and mobile is seen as a channel to deliver a future of new innovative healthcare solutions. Many new developments in this area are coming out of the academic community and the GSMA, with its partners, wants to foster and stimulate this fresh thinking.”

While many students are expected to enter, there are only a few that will make the final cut.

“Entrants will be whittled down to a top ten, of which two members from each team will be invited with expenses paid to attend the GSMA expo for the chance to win up to $5,000 worth of guidance for their project.”

Students’ solutions must contain the following elements:

  • Value
  • Innovation
  • Commercial appeal
  • User-friendly experience
  • Consideration of regulation challenges
  • Significance of the healthcare challenge that the solution identifies/solves

The chosen students will showcase their presentations at the GSMA mhealth Alliance Mobile Health Summit 2012, held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre between May 29th – Jun 1st 2012.

The list of steps required to submit your ideas can be found on BMIC.org