Student in a Jam with Google
UVic computer science PhD student Gilbert Lee ‘googled’ his way to a top 50 finish in the second annual worldwide Google Code Jam on October 15. Lee was one of 50 finalists chosen out of a field of 7,500. The contest took place at Google headquarters in Mountain View, California. Finalists were flown to California all expenses paid to compete for $50,000 in prize money. “They showed us a good time,” says Lee.
During the Code Jam, each contestant was given three tasks to complete: organizing information to make it more accessible; ordering elements on a matrix; and writing a game program. Contestants had just over one hour to complete the tasks. Lee learned about the contest through Topcoder, a company that promotes computer programming opportunities.
“I wanted a chance to improve my skills and have some recreation,” says Lee who placed 33rd in the Code Jam and plans to enter again next year.
During the Code Jam, each contestant was given three tasks to complete: organizing information to make it more accessible; ordering elements on a matrix; and writing a game program. Contestants had just over one hour to complete the tasks. Lee learned about the contest through Topcoder, a company that promotes computer programming opportunities.
“I wanted a chance to improve my skills and have some recreation,” says Lee who placed 33rd in the Code Jam and plans to enter again next year.
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Lynda Hills (UVic Communications) at (250) 721-6249 or ucom1@uvic.ca