Fort Hays State University is one of the 25 colleges selected to compete in the Be "U" Hackathon competition for 2014.

The competition aims at encouraging students from emerging minority collegiate communities to create innovative technologies solutions with the support of advisors, mentors, coaches and technology industry leaders.

"This competition allows them to put on hi-tech entrepreneurs' shoes by going through the same thinking process. It is amazing to watch students brainstorming, throwing out brilliant ideas and discussing them. I am looking forward to our team getting into the finals so they can see how their idea becomes real," Dimitry Gimon, assistant professor of informatics and faculty advisor for the FHSU team, said in a statement.

The participating teams will compete for scholarship prizes and the opportunity to showcase their concepts to industry and business executives as part of the final round of the competition from Nov. 12 to 14.

"I see the main outcome for our students is to be part of a global process of making life better through technologies which is extremely important for FHSU students because many of them came to our school from small places in Kansas," Gimon said.

To be at the forefront of the competition, the FHSU team has to develop a concept plan that benefits consumers, businesses, profit or non-profit organizations or government or non-government organizations. The working model can be a mobile app for Windows Mobile or a mobile gaming app for Windows Mobile. Their creative concept should create a positive impact on peoples' lives.

Mark Bannister, dean of the College of Business and Entrepreneurship, said that one of the goals of the competition is to create a diverse community of employees.

"This is a forward-thinking, world-ready exercise. FHSU is known for its innovation and exploration, so something like the Hackathon is part of our DNA," Dr. Mirta M. Martin, FHSU president, said. "It is a perfect fit for us to be part of this pioneering group of students nationwide who will be participating in this challenge."

Other universities across the United States include Indiana State University, Notre Dame, Chicago State, Old Dominion, Hampton, Morehouse and Cincinnati.