Some 300 computing students from around the world will gather in Alberta, Canada, next week to test their skills in the International Collegiate Programming Contest.

Representing 33 countries, the 100 teams will work to solve eight to 10 complex computer programming problems, modeled after real-world business challenges. The problems are designed to test students’ knowledge, endurance and business acumen — key skills that are needed by global employers in the new IT workforce.

“This contest brings together future innovators from around the world, who may one day tackle some of the world’s biggest problems by means of collaboration,” said Doug Heintzman, Director of Strategy, Lotus Software, IBM Software Group, and Sponsorship Executive for the contest. “Using technologies that extend the Internet and interactive social networking capabilities ever further, this year’s contestants will be exposed to advanced technology that will one day touch millions of people worldwide.”

Taking place April 6 through 9 at the University of Alberta, the event allows each team only five hours to solve the challenges. The team that solves the most problems correctly in the least time will emerge as champions, earning scholarships, bragging rights and prizes from IBM.

The United States has 20 teams participating this year, the most from any country. China, the Russian Federation and Canada are also represented by many teams from different schools. Warsaw University, the 2007 World Finals champions, will be returning.

Limited to only five hours, the teams need to demonstrate skills in a contest equal to a semester’s worth of curriculum. The team that solves the most problems correctly in the least time will emerge as champions, earning scholarships, bragging rights and prizes from IBM.