Press Release: Annapolis & Morgan State Announce Inaugural Smart City Case Competition

PRESS RELEASE

Mayor Gavin Buckley

Public Information Office

160 Duke of Gloucester Street

Annapolis, Maryland 21401

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Media Contact:Michael Ligons, Morgan State University, [email protected], 443-360-7282; Mitchelle Stephenson, City of Annapolis, [email protected], 410-972-7724.

City of Annapolis & Morgan State University Announce Inaugural Smart City Case Competition

ANNAPOLIS, MD (October 13, 2021) - Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley, Alderwoman Rhonda Pindell Charles and Alderwoman Sheila Finlayson with Morgan State University and other community organizations announce the 2022 "Smart City Design Case" competition to challenge Morgan State students to solve real world problems through concepts of computing, engineering and business.

"Cities face a number of challenges and limited resources to solve those problems," said Mayor Buckley. "Tapping young minds to help us to solve these challenges not only gives us access to unique solutions, but it also gives students an opportunity to practice real-world problem-solving skills."

The competition is limited to undergraduate and graduate students of Morgan State University. Interested students will submit an essay and their resume. A total of 15 students will be invited to attend, three teams of five students each, a mix of graduate and undergraduate students on each team. Recruiting is currently underway. Starting in January, the City will give the students a problem (or problems) to solve. Students must incorporate technologies and business planning processes. In April, the students will present their solutions to be judged.

Positive Impact

Both the City of Annapolis, the students of Morgan State and the many community partners will benefit from this partnership. The students will gain invaluable experience and work together to solve real-world problems. The City will broaden its scope and find new solutions for how to address resident concerns. Community partners will bring economic incentives and forge mentoring partnerships. The Mayor, Alderwoman Pindell Charles and Alderwoman Finlayson will judge the team entries.

Pindell Charles and Finlayson are both graduates of Morgan State University.

"I am excited to be a part of this inaugural endeavor on behalf of our City of Annapolis and my alma mater, Morgan State University. We look forward to the growth of everyone involved, and anticipate more City-University collaboration in the future," said Alderwoman Pindell-Charles.

"This will be a great opportunity for students of my alma mater to solve problems and help shape the future of Annapolis," said Alderwoman Finlayson. "I'm honored to be able to partner with Morgan State faculty and students."

Smart City Case Competition

The Smart City Case Competition creates a system that uses the input from the people of Annapolis and frameworks from students applying aspects of computer business, engineering, and business to solve real world problems.

This partnership is supported by a strong alumni base, including the Alderwomen, and community partners aiding in the development of the students and their solution. Businesses are encouraged to get involved and to offer prizes and cash awards for participants.

This competition will be managed by the Intercollegiate Blockchain and Fintech Society.

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