Students from Sri Lanka invited to take part in international IT-Olympics

The IT-Olympics, which will be held with the support of the Russian Government, has invited students from ages 14 to 18 from every country to take part despite the level of programming skills. The Government of the Nizhny Novgorod region is the organiser and Sber is the general partner. The event opens an opportunity for students globally, to gain new knowledge and skills in AI and delve into world of digital technology

Technology intense development and transformation of all economic sectors make digital skills to be considered as the backbone of global competitive ability and innovations.

Digital technology usage in solving business and life problems makes it possible for everyone to create a personal AI assistant. The line of cyber security is becoming one of the most crucial priorities for technological research and development for society, the State, science and business.

Sberbank Management Board President and Chairman German Gref explains: “Information technology makes it possible to look at the world in a completely different way and link very complex processes that, at first glance, are not connected to each other. But this can only be done by managing the entire technological stack. Humanity is on the threshold of gigantic discoveries. You live in the most interesting time in the most interesting world, because you have had the opportunity to look beyond the horizon of knowledge that mankind could not even formulate as the end point of this journey. And you will be able to realise this dream. I would like to wish you good luck for this interesting journey! I am sure you will succeed, because only self-confident people can participate in our International Olympiad, and I congratulate you on that.”

Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation – Chief of Staff of the Government Executive Office Dmitry Grigorenko: “IT technologies are a digitalisation tool that makes our lives more convenient and increases economic efficiency. But it will not work without “brains” who know how to use it skilfully. Russia is already actively implementing Artificial Intelligence, developing domestic IT solutions, and developing digital services for citizens. And behind this process of digital transformation there is always a human. Strong IT personnel is a demand not only for Russia, but for the whole world. Looking at the participants of the Olympics, who despite their young age already demonstrate such an interest in IT and a high level of competence, we realise that the development of the industry is in good hands.”

Nizhny Novgorod Oblast Governor Gleb Nikitin: “The International Cyber Security Olympics is a global platform where talented young people from different countries unite to shape the digital future together. Participation of students from different parts of the world is an investment not only in their professional development, but also in the creation of an international community of technology leaders. It is especially symbolic that the award ceremony will be held at the “Digitalisation of Industrial Russia” International Conference (CIPR), which will be held in Nizhny Novgorod in June.”

At the start every participant can take an IT competency test and get a certificate based on the results. By 18 April participants will have to individually solve 15 theoretical and practical problems on the key aspects of cyber security. In focus are – information security, mathematical logic, fundamentals of algorithmisation and programming, data analysis, word processing and AI-based simple modelling.

From 23 to 25 April, the second competition stage will be held – team semi-final. It will be run in ‘capture the flag’ format. The “flag” has the form of a special code line which confirms that the task is accomplished. Teams will be suggested a set of problems of different difficulties which takes an answer (flag) to find and to send. Teams of 5 people from those who successfully passed the first stage reach the semifinals. Task topics include – AI and machine learning, cryptanalysis, reverse engineering, web vulnerabilities, computer forensics, algorithmic programming.

The 100 participants who score the most points will take part in the face-to-face final. The winners will be determined from 30 May to 3 June at the School 21 campus in Nizhny Novgorod. The best participants will be awarded at the “Digitalisation of Industrial Russia” Conference.

The International School of Programming and Mathematics “Algoritmica” is a technology partner. The official website of the Olympics — https://goit.space/.