Ahmed H. Mahamad University of Minnesota
Robotics and Bioinformatics in the Health-care Industry
As a University of Minnesota student, majoring in Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, Ahmed Mahamad finds tremendous satisfaction helping his peers achieve their own successes. In 2006 Ahmed joined the Southern Minnesota chapter of Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) Youth Computer Training Program (YCTP). The YCTP class is focused on teaching advanced web programming to high school students. Our chapter trains over sixty students each year, meeting for three hours each Saturday over nine months. At the end of our rigorous season, the top five students are chosen to represent our Southern Minnesota chapter at the BDPA National Programming Competition.
In Ahmed's first year participating in YCTP he immediately excelled in the class, quickly learning each programming language that was taught, including HTML, CSS, Javascript, PHP server side scripting and MySQL relational databases. What stood out most about Ahmed was his intense effort and motivation. He eagerly met every challenge and displayed immense creativity. Ahmed was awarded a spot as an alternate on our chapter’s National Competition team, a rare achievement for a first year student.
After his successful “rookie” season in YCTP, Ahmed continued to grow in confidence, ability, and leadership. By his 2nd year in the program, Ahmed’s technical abilities and natural charisma drove him to become a leader among his peers. He served as a role model and mentor to other students, putting aside his own ambitions to help others succeed in this difficult course. His leadership and technical knowledge earned him a position on the 2007 National Competition team.
To prepare for the National Competition in 2007, the students worked with trainers for up to 30 hours per week throughout their summer vacations, practicing computer programming, project management, presentation, and teamwork. Ahmed's hard work paid off as he helped guide our Southern Minnesota chapter to a first place finish in the nation at the BDPA National Competition in Washington D.C.
Ahmed continued to demonstrate leadership and technical acumen as he again earned a position on the 2008 National Competition team and guided the chapter to its second consecutive first place finish at the National Competition in Atlanta, Georgia. Upon returning to Minnesota, Ahmed's endearing personality made him a favorite among local reporters.
After two consecutive first place finishes at the Nationals, Ahmed was determined to lead his chapter to their third consecutive national championship at Raleigh, North Carolina. BDPA Southern Minnesota has earned its place as one of the most respected chapters in BDPA nation. This year Ahmed will compete in the BDPA IT Showcase for the first time in BDPA Southern Minnesota History, while also serving as Southern Minnesota’s first student instructor.
As a University of Minnesota student, majoring in Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, Ahmed Mahamad finds tremendous satisfaction helping his peers achieve their own successes. In 2006 Ahmed joined the Southern Minnesota chapter of Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) Youth Computer Training Program (YCTP). The YCTP class is focused on teaching advanced web programming to high school students. Our chapter trains over sixty students each year, meeting for three hours each Saturday over nine months. At the end of our rigorous season, the top five students are chosen to represent our Southern Minnesota chapter at the BDPA National Programming Competition.
In Ahmed's first year participating in YCTP he immediately excelled in the class, quickly learning each programming language that was taught, including HTML, CSS, Javascript, PHP server side scripting and MySQL relational databases. What stood out most about Ahmed was his intense effort and motivation. He eagerly met every challenge and displayed immense creativity. Ahmed was awarded a spot as an alternate on our chapter’s National Competition team, a rare achievement for a first year student.
After his successful “rookie” season in YCTP, Ahmed continued to grow in confidence, ability, and leadership. By his 2nd year in the program, Ahmed’s technical abilities and natural charisma drove him to become a leader among his peers. He served as a role model and mentor to other students, putting aside his own ambitions to help others succeed in this difficult course. His leadership and technical knowledge earned him a position on the 2007 National Competition team.
To prepare for the National Competition in 2007, the students worked with trainers for up to 30 hours per week throughout their summer vacations, practicing computer programming, project management, presentation, and teamwork. Ahmed's hard work paid off as he helped guide our Southern Minnesota chapter to a first place finish in the nation at the BDPA National Competition in Washington D.C.
Ahmed continued to demonstrate leadership and technical acumen as he again earned a position on the 2008 National Competition team and guided the chapter to its second consecutive first place finish at the National Competition in Atlanta, Georgia. Upon returning to Minnesota, Ahmed's endearing personality made him a favorite among local reporters.
After two consecutive first place finishes at the Nationals, Ahmed was determined to lead his chapter to their third consecutive national championship at Raleigh, North Carolina. BDPA Southern Minnesota has earned its place as one of the most respected chapters in BDPA nation. This year Ahmed will compete in the BDPA IT Showcase for the first time in BDPA Southern Minnesota History, while also serving as Southern Minnesota’s first student instructor.