News
The Midwest Collegiate Computing Conference
February 08, 2023
The MWC3 foundation (Midwest Collegiate Computing Conference) is pleased to announce that registration is now open for the third annual event, which has been paused since 2020! The conference will be held on March 24-25, 2023, at the Grand Valley State University Eberhard Center in Grand Rapids, MI. The conference is a joint venture between area businesses and educators passionate about encouraging Information Technology/ Information Systems skills at the collegiate level. Its goal is to provide students with both a learning and competitive environment in which to improve and test their skills all while networking with local business leaders/employers. This year’s theme is Securing the Future of IT with speakers emphasizing the direction of technology development in the marketplace today. Competitions cover a wide range of knowledge and skills including enterprise infrastructure, application development, and systems/database.
The keynote speaker is Joshua Hulst, the co-founder and managing partner of Michigan Software Labs, and creator of transformational software solutions for middle market and Fortune 500 companies alike. He is a graduate of the GE Edison Engineering Development Program, winner of the State of Michigan’s Code Michigan event, and a contributor to IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security.
There will be competitions that require preparation/incoming skills (including Data Analytics, Java, Python, and Database, for example) as well as "learning" competitions that do not require prerequisite knowledge (project management simulation, IBM mainframe, SAP simulation, Cybersecurity, and Arduino-based event). The competition blocks are 2.5 hours and allow team registration within colleges--this is a great opportunity to pair students at different levels. The competition descriptions and suggestions for preparation are posted online for students.
There is no cost to participate, and 1-3rd places win prizes. There are also some great door prizes provided by many industry sponsors! Sponsors will also be hosting vendor booths and facilitating discussions, forums, etc., with student participants. Special speakers are lined up for meals, etc.; this year, faculty will also be treated to a dessert reception after lunch Friday with Dr. Alan Rea from ISCAP moderating a discussion about scholarship.
Registration is free for students and faculty and includes meals for both Friday, March 24, and Saturday, March 25 events: https://mwc3.org/accounts/register/