Technology often takes upon itself the task of providing a solution to the world’s most pressing problems. And in this period of economic strife, no less than helping the countries achieve their Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) took centerstage in Microsoft’s Imagine Cup 2009.

Imagine Cup, now in its seventh year, is a software design competition that aims to get students from around the world to create technology solutions using Microsoft software applications for various problems.

Last week, the local champions for the competition were announced. Students from the Ateneo de Manila bested four other local finalists to represent the Philippines in Cairo, Egypt, the site for the world finals. Ateneo de Manila was also last year’s local winner.

The winning team, Nohako Studios, was awarded for its application Caduceus, a system that will provide data storage, transport and analysis for a nationwide electronic health record system. The team members include Philip A. Cheang, Thomas T. Dy, Wilhansen B. Li and Rodrick K. Tan.

Prizes for the Imagine Cup 2009 will total more than $200,00 across nine categories.

“We decided to focus on health because it was something that was very straightforward. By simply digitizing [paper information], we can enable data analysis to able to make [systems] more efficient,” said Cheang during the sidelines after Nohako Studios was declared the winner.

Cheang said the group is looking to target government agencies like PhilHealth and the Department of Health. He added that private hospitals can simply “plug into the system” as long as they have an existing record system.

According to the group’s brief, Caduceus will provide researchers and policymakers with tailored information that will likewise lead to better decisions, and ultimately advance national health care. It added that by providing this database, it will open new global partnership capabilities for the Philippines.

The contest is timely, too. Recently, the country’s economic managers announced the Philippines may fail to meet the United Nations-initiated Millennium Development Goals by 2015.

The MDGs refer to the eight objectives cited by the United Nations which include poverty reduction, gender equality, reduction of child mortality, achieve universal primary education, maternal health, combating acquired immune disease syndrome, environmental sustainability and fostering more global partnerships.

In a phone interview, Agnes Aliman, UN national information officer, said this year’s Imagine Cup can have a role in boosting the country’s efforts to attain its objectives.

“The Imagine Cup is just one tool, but still an instrument which can help country move closer towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals,” she said, noting that challenges still remain such as cooperation among hospitals and government support.

“[Caduceus] is doable, but all the players will have to come together,” she said.

Meanwhile, Tim Vergel de Dios, Microsoft Philippines software economy lead, said because of the importance of the topic, the next three Imagine Cups will deal with the MDGs as well.

“One year is not really enough to develop ideas, so for the next year they may want to continue their project or have something better,” said de Dios. Last year’s topic dealt with technology in aid of environmental sustainability.

He said so far, no Philippine team has placed in the world finals but for this theme, he said the country may have an advantage since the players have firsthand experience in dealing with one or several of the MDGs like poverty and health issues.

De Dios, who has been handling the local contest for the last three years, noted its growing popularity. “When I started in 2007, around 300 students joined the competition. This year, it’s 3,600 students,” he said.

The two teams that won second and third place, respectively, were Team Council of Green from De La Salle University- College of St. Benilde and Team Xception from Colegio de San Juan de Letran. Meanwhile, the two other local finalists were Team I-Tanim from De La Salle University in Manila and Team MagnIT.Co from Colegio de San Juan de Letran.