MSTB launches software test design competition

• Inspired by Japanese competition to advocate interest in software testing
• RM10,000 in prize money for open category and RM5,000 for students

THE Malaysia Software Testing Board (MSTB) has launched the inaugural Software Test Design Competition, a national-level competition that will test software testing skills and creativity.
 
With its theme Testing IT Right!, participants have to come up with an original test design based on the Test Object provided, in the form of specifications for a real software application, MSTB said in a statement.
 
“We aim to increase the visibility of software testing professional practices in Malaysia,” said MSTB president Mastura Abu Samah (pic above)
 
“Through the competition, we hope to provide industry recognition for excellence in testing skills among professionals. In addition, we hope the competition will also promote interaction among participants and their colleagues, leading towards the creation of a ‘community of practice’ among our software testing professionals.
 
"At the same time, it also [aims] to spur the interest of university students to choose software testing as a career option,” she added.
 
Modelled after a similar event held annually in Japan, the competition is divided into the Open and University categories. The Open category offers cash prizes of RM10,000 while the University category offers RM5,000.
 
[RM1 = US$0.31]
 
The Open category is open to all Malaysian practicing software test professionals and entries can be submitted individually or in groups of up to five members. While the competition is primarily targeted at Malaysian citizens, groups of five may include one suitable qualified foreign national as a member.
 
The University category is limited to students undertaking courses relevant to SQA (Software Quality Assurance) and software testing in Malaysian universities. Entries for this category must be in groups of five members or fewer, including a lecturer as the group’s supervisor.
 
Preliminary judging is expected to be held in July and the final round will be held on Sept 9, MSTB said.
 
The prize-giving ceremony will take place during the closing of Softec 2014 on Sept 11 (see below). Judging will be based on the effectiveness, efficiency and creativity of solutions submitted. The panel of judges will be headed by Dr Nishi Yasuharu, the Assistant Professor of the Department of Informatics at University of Electro-Communications, Tokyo.
 
In addition to increase awareness on Software Quality Assurance (SQA) practices, MSTB hopes that this competition will also highlight the important role of software testers in the quest for software quality excellence.
 
MSTB will organise a special briefing for those interested in participating in the competition.
 
For more details, you can register your interest at www.qportal.com.my, or email [email protected].
 
MSTB is an industry-driven national body which represents the industry’s interests in software quality assurance and the promotion of software testing as a profession.
 
Softec 2014
 
The Softec conference, which is organised annually by MSTB, this year will be held from Sept 10-11 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.
 
“We are excited to be organising the seventh edition of Softec … which has grown to become the premier English-medium software testing event the region,” claimed Mastura.
 
With the theme 360⁰ Testing, Softec 2014 will feature over 30 tutorials, keynote addresses and presentations by international and domestic software testing experts and practitioners.
 
The event will also feature a Postgraduate Research Workshop (PRW), a colloquium track for academia; and a CIO Roundtable, a dedicated track for chief information officers (CIOs).
 
For more information and online registration, visit www.qportal.com.my.
 
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