Google Programming Contest

http://code.google.com/codejam

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - June 17, 2008 - Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) announced today that registration is now open for Google Code Jam 2008. Programmers ready to use their coding skills, creativity, and ingenuity to solve a series of challenges can register at http://code.google.com/codejam. The top 500 contestants will win an all expenses paid trip to the semifinals at regional Google offices, with the top 100 advancing to the grand final at Google’s Mountain View headquarters.

“Google Code Jam is an incredible opportunity for the most talented computer scientists in the world to come together and compete on an international stage,” said Vic Gundotra, Vice President, Engineering. “Google is proud to support these coders as they take on some of the world’s most challenging programming problems, and we’re pleased to have the chance to introduce them to our research and offices around the world.”

This year marks the first year with regional semifinal playoffs in over ten countries. “It’s an incredible opportunity to introduce the best of the programming world to our offices across the globe and demonstrate the incredible diversity of experiences that Google offers engineers worldwide,” said Nelson Mattos, Vice President, Engineering, EMEA.

This year’s Google Code Jam will be powered by tools created by a 20%-time team that includes previous Code Jam winners, and will allow contestants to program in any language.

ISU, Moroccan businessman partner on proposed international university

Indiana State University has taken its eight-year-old partnership with higher education in Morocco to a new level by signing an agreement with a leading businessman and philanthropist who envisions a new International University in Morocco.

The agreement calls for Indiana State and Group Chaabi YNNA Holding to conduct an in-depth feasibility study of a not-for-profit private university mid-way between Rabat and Casablanca.

“Indiana State’s rich history of collaboration in Morocco, by virtue of the work you all have done and the caliber of programs, has garnered a sense of trust and forms the basis upon which this significant new step can be taken,” Benjamin told ISU faculty and staff during a signing ceremony Tuesday (May 27).

The project will help Indiana State continue to internationalize its campus, increase enrollment, provide more study abroad opportunities for ISU students, enhance the university’s status internationally, broaden opportunities for faculty exchanges and collaborative research, and secure additional funding through grants, contracts and gifts, Benjamin said.