STUDENTS from Bahrain University have edged out teams from across the world to secure third place in a major technology competition.

Alaa Mohammed Abdulraheem and Marwa Buheila, known as Team Butterfly, returned to Bahrain last night after competing in the finals of the Microsoft Imagine CupÕs innovation category, which was held at the Washington University in Seattle, the US.

They received $5,000 for coming up with a nail polish mixer controlled by a personal computer or a mobile application, allowing users to customise their colour in less than a minute Ð with the option of choosing a matte, gloss or a glitter finish Ð and later share it using the mixerÕs application.

They represented Bahrain and the Arab world after winning the pan-Arab semi-final that took place in Qatar in May.

ÒIt is a wonderful feeling to be able to promote BahrainÕs name internationally, especially because it is the first time that our country has reached the finals and after all the effort we have put into it, I must say that it did not go to waste, because I made my family and country so proud,Ó said Ms Abdulraheem.

ÒMy plan is to turn this student project into a purchasable item that will soon be available on the market.

ÒThe experience was great and I would love to take part in next yearÕs competition and advance to the finals again.Ó

Estimeet Team from New Zealand, who came first, won $50,000 for designing an application that can track real-time location of people going to business or social meetings, while runner-up Hungarian Tep Team received $10,000 for their application that promotes a healthy lifestyle by motivating people to work out in an enjoyable way.