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Beblocky
Mr.
Techtalk
Mr.
Pendar Technologies
Google Developer
My story begins in 2014. Well, it’s not that I didn’t have a story before but I thought it’s not relevant here, maybe on another platform I guess. Where was I... yap 2014... back when I was a freshman at the College of Natural Science, Addis Ababa University studying Computer Science.
It’s only been a few times I had the chance to code before I joined college, but those few times I coded in high school gave me a good base of the subject. Though, that wasn’t the same for most of my classmates. Most of them were new to the subject and the intro couldn’t get any harder for them. It actually bothered me for a while why most had trouble building simple computer programs. After 3 years into college, I finally figured out how this issue could be addressed after I saw my cousins who were only 10/11 by the time Playing Clash Of Clans on their mobile phones. That game is too complicated and I never understood it to this day on. So, I thought if these kids can understand a game as complicated as CoC, they could also understand computer programming. That was my eureka moment.
Later that year, I created a gamified learning app, BeBlocky, to teach young kids computer programming in a fun and intuitive way. In 2018, my senior year in college, I launched the very first version of BeBlocky. I couldn’t be more proud of myself. Ever since then I’ve been wearing different hats as a game programmer, 3D artist, business developer and the list goes on. Now I’m a CEO at BeBlocky, Inc., an enterprise committed to exposing young African children to the fundamentals of computer programming. I’ve led the company through different successes and will continue to do so.
In my journey to make programming education available for every child, I’ve proceeded to establish Yenetta Code, a programming learning center for kids in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
I believe coding is an invaluable digital skill that every child should get the chance to learn.
With over 10 years of experience in full Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), over 5 years of experience in management consulting, over 5 years of experience being a producer and host of a weekly dynamic science and technology TV show, and an author of a science and technology book, I stay very close to the ever-evolving technology sector and offer project planning, agile development, requirements definition, business process analysis and design, risk management, Big Data, Robotics Process Automation (RPA), Blockchain, cyber-security, emerging technology and industry strategy/analysis, and mobile and social media strategy through innovative and strategic thinking.
With a bachelor’s degree in software development, a master’s degree in information system technology management, and a Federal CIO certification, I have a well-rounded skill set of both technical know-how and business translation of technology to effectively and efficiently serve as a trusted advisor in this ever changing and ever evolving industry. I have a well-recognized and great communication, interpersonal, analytical and problem-solving skills.
Selam Gano is a robotics engineer working in the United States. She graduated from MIT with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and a robotics concentration in 2018. She's since worked in robot research and development, from an e-commerce robotics startup in Shanghai, China to research in robotics at DARPA (the same US agency that invented the internet and GPS).
At the AASTU DSC info session, Selam will be speaking about how to be inclusive in engineering projects and in designing Ethiopia's future, using the example of the Muti Water Project, a well construction project in Muti, Kafa, Ethiopia. Her intent is to provide students with the mindset they need to be successful in their own projects and careers.
GDSC Lead
