Computer scientists can solve the world’s biggest problems.

Nicki DellComputer Science and Engineering

University of Washington

I was born in Africa.

I was born in Zimbabwe.

I was born in Zimbabwe.

I grew up in Zimbabwe, Africa

I grew up in Zimbabwe, Africa

I grew up in Harare, Zimbabwe, Africa

Computer classes in elementary school

• I went to one of the best schools in the country.

• My elementary school had 400 students. • We had one 40 minute computer class per

week.

Computer classes in elementary school

Computer classes in elementary school

Computer studies in high school

• My high school had about 800 students. • Only 15 out of 150 students in my year were

allowed to take the computer studies course. • The other options were cookery, needlework

and art.• Everyone had to take an aptitude test and be

invited to take the course.

Computer studies in high school

• 2-year course with a project and a big exam.• Very old PC’s running Windows 3.1.• Programmed in COBOL.

After leaving high school

After leaving high school

After leaving high school

After leaving high school

After leaving high school

After leaving high school

Computer science will be critical in solving the world’s biggest problems.

Computer science will be critical in solving the world’s biggest problems.

I want to help solve the world’s biggest problems.

Computing for Development

• Study how technology can improve the lives of people in the poorest regions of the world.

• Build computer systems that solve problems in developing regions.

www.change.washington.edu

What are some of these big problems?

What are some of these big problems?

How can we build computer systems to solve them?

Access to healthcare

Access to healthcare

Access to healthcare

Access to healthcare

Access to healthcare

How can technology help?

How can technology help?

How can technology help?

How can technology help?

How can technology help?

Automatic disease diagnosis on smartphones

What are some of the other areas where technology can improve lives?

Access to education

Access to information

Finance

Communication Energy

Agriculture

Computer science will be critical in solving the world’s biggest problems.

Computer science will be critical in solving the world’s biggest problems.

I am here because I want to help solve those problems.

Computer science will be critical in solving the world’s biggest problems.

You could be too.

I am here because I want to help solve those problems.

Thanks for listening