ICT, UK HealthCare Corporate Communications Seek Innovative, User-Friendly Android Mobile Application

of

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 4, 2016) — The ICT Mobile App Challenge, sponsored by University of Kentucky HealthCare Corporate Communications and powered by the Information Communication Technology (ICT) program is accepting Android mobile app submissions until Friday, July 1.

All majors and students are invited to participate in the app build-off and the first place winner will be awarded $500 by UK HealthCare Corporate Communications.

According to Forbes, mobile apps are on the rise — 78 percent of organizations reported an increase of use in their mobile applications. This growth is driven by the availability of services and content provided exclusively through apps.

UK HealthCare Corporate Communications desires a mobile app that spurs bottom-up and internal communications across the organization, including 13,000 employees.

“This is an amazing opportunity for us and the students,” said Carla Yarbrough, new media communications manager at UK HealthCare Corporate Communications. “It’s a digital collaboration that we know will result in an app development, but even better, we are excited about the ongoing partnership that we’re creating with the faculty and students in ICT.”

The app should connect and facilitate conversations throughout the organization. Students submitting an app individually or as a group should 1) develop an Android app using Android Studio (free to download), and 2) make use of existing properties, such as the UK HealthCare blog and social media platforms.

Fifteen students in the ICT program, which is part of the College of Communication and Information, joined Awesome Inc. on Wednesday, March 23, for a full-day of Android application development. Students interested in app development are advised to make use of video and text-based courses such as Lynda.com, Team Treehouse, and Udemy in order to prepare for the ICT Mobile App Challenge.

“We are excited to give students an opportunity to showcase their knowledge and skills in a real-world application," said Deloris Foxworth, ICT faculty lecturer and adviser. "Beyond just designing an app, ICT majors can integrate what they have learned about technology security and privacy and information access into their design.”

Students should submit their APK file by Friday, July 1. App submissions will be judged on the following three categories: usability, appearance and stability. The winner will be announced in September 2016.

To receive the judging rubric and mobile app requirements, please contact Harlie.Collins@uky.edu.

UK is the University for Kentucky. At UK, we are educating more students, treating more patients with complex illnesses and conducting more research and service than at any time in our 150-year history. To read more about the UK story and how you can support continued investment in your university and the Commonwealth, go to: uky.edu/uk4ky. #uk4ky #seeblue

MEDIA CONTACT: Whitney Harder, 859-323-2396, whitney.harder@uky.edu