Introducing Lydia A Firew - GDSC AASTU 2023/24 Lead

We’re excited to kick off our Meet and Greet series by introducing the remarkable Lydia A Firew, who has led GDSC AASTU through an incredibly successful year. As the 2023/24 Lead, Lydia has been at the forefront of our community, guiding us with her vision, dedication, and unwavering commitment.

Lydia’s leadership has been the key to our success this year. She brought new energy to our club, creating a space where collaboration and innovation could thrive. Together with her core team, Lydia organized the AASTU TECH FEST 2024, an event that highlighted the latest technology and gathered the brightest minds to share ideas and inspire the future. Her talent for turning challenges into opportunities has raised the bar for what we can achieve.

Beyond her leadership at GDSC AASTU , Lydia has built an impressive professional portfolio. She has excelled in roles such as Product Marketing, Event Marketing, QA, and Data Analyst, where she played a role in shaping strategies and ensuring quality. As the previous GDSC Marketing Lead, Lydia was key in forming partnerships, organizing events, and driving digital marketing initiatives.

Lydia’s technical skills are equally strong, having worked as a Backend Developer, where she contributed to building an e-commerce web application. Her passion for technology extends to Data Science, Machine Learning, and AI, areas where she continues to deepen her expertise. Currently, she serves as the Partnership and Outreach Team Lead at Rotaract at Work Ethiopia.

A proud alumna of Addis Ababa Science and Technology University (AASTU), Lydia graduated with a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, a testament to her dedication to mastering complex subjects and her commitment to contributing to the tech industry.

Reflecting on her journey, Lydia shared these heartfelt words:

"Nomination comes with responsibility, and it brings a mix of both sweet and challenging moments. I remember the day I applied to be a lead months ago, filled with excitement and anticipation. Now, here we are, going bigger than ever before. Together with my incredible team, we’ve been working tirelessly through stressful days, always with our community at the heart of everything we do."

"My heartfelt gratitude goes out to my team and the entire GDSC AASTU community. It has been an absolute honor to lead this amazing community, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished together."

Please join us in celebrating Lydia’s outstanding leadership and the lasting impact she’s made. We extend our deepest thanks for her hard work and inspiration.

#GDSC #Leadership #TechFest #AASTU #CommunityImpact

Meet Hiwot B. Kebede - GDSC AASTU 2023/24 Communication Lead

We’re thrilled to introduce Hiwot B. Kebede, the powerhouse behind GDSC AASTU's stellar communication efforts this year. As the 2023/24 Communication Lead, Hiwot played a pivotal role in connecting with companies and individuals, ensuring the success of each event, including the highly acclaimed AASTU TECH FEST. Her dedication and strategic approach made her one of the key contributors to our community's achievements.

Hiwot’s professional journey is equally impressive. She’s an incoming fourth-year Software Engineering student, a Full Stack Developer, an A2SV | Africa to Silicon Valley student, and currently a Back-End Developer Intern at Eskalate, honing her skills in algorithms, communication, and team management. In addition to her technical roles, Hiwot has also showcased her creative side as a Software Developer and Graphics Designer.

Her outstanding contributions were recognized when she received the the Best Performer of the Year Certificate during our visit to 1888EC this year—a well-deserved honor that reflects her exceptional impact on our community.

Reflecting on her journey, Hiwot shared these heartfelt words:

✨ "I've been passionate about creating an impact and influence through tech. GDSC AASTU shares the same vision, and I am truly happy to be part of it. Throughout this year, leading the communication team has been an enriching experience filled with valuable lessons. From hosting weekly Dev Dialogues to securing partnerships with leading tech companies in Ethiopia, I've gained invaluable insights into effective communication strategies with industry professionals and learned how things really operate in the tech industry system as well."

"⚡️ I'm filled with gratitude for the experiences and lessons I gained throughout the journey. I'm truly grateful to work with talented and hardworking individuals, especially my communication team members. Each interaction, initiative, and challenge has contributed to my personal and professional growth. I'm excited to take those experiences into the future, continuing to make a difference and lasting impact, inspiring others along the way."

Please join us in celebrating Hiwot’s remarkable contributions and the lasting impact she’s made on our community.

#GDSC #GDSCAASTU #TechFest #CommunicationLead #Partnerships #TechLeadership #BackendDevelopment #EventSuccess #CommunityImpact #TechInspiration

Meet Mikias Goitom - GDSC AASTU 2023/24 Communication Officer

We’re excited to introduce Mikias Goitom, who played a crucial role as the Communication Officer for GDSC AASTU in the 2023/24 term. Mikias was instrumental in connecting our club with various companies and individuals, contributing significantly to the success of our initiatives, including the AASTU TECH FEST. His efforts in setting up the environment for this major event and his leadership on stage for numerous occasions made a lasting impact.

One of his standout contributions has been as the main host for our Dev Dialogue sessions, where he excelled at creating an inviting atmosphere for industry professionals. Alongside Yeabsira Mekonnen, His charisma and ability to connect with guests made them feel comfortable and encouraged them to share their experiences openly. This interaction not only enriched the sessions but also inspired many attendees to explore new opportunities in tech.

Mikias brings a wealth of experience to his role. He holds a position as a Content Advisory Board Member at LogRocket, where he collaborates with industry experts to shape the direction of frontend development content, educating and inspiring developers worldwide.

Earlier this year, Mikias worked as a Remote Extern for Thematic, focusing on business development and sales. His skills in market research, effective communication, and presentation were honed during this internship, giving him a keen understanding of the creator economy.

Mikias is also a member of the Alpha Team in Project-Based Learning, where he contributed to developing a resource management software solution for Addis Ababa Science and Technology University. His leadership in UI/UX design, front-end functionality, and back-end development showcased his technical prowess and teamwork abilities.

Reflecting on his journey, Mikias shared these insightful words:

“This journey has been incredibly transformative for me. Serving as a Communication Officer in the Google Developers Students Club has provided me with the invaluable opportunity to learn how to effectively engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds, all united by our pursuit of excellence. Along the way, I've had the privilege of meeting some of the most dedicated individuals who have become great sources of inspiration for me. I've also gained valuable insights into team leadership and witnessed firsthand the profound impact a great leader can have. Moreover, this experience has connected me with numerous inspiring entrepreneurs and developers, from whom I've learned and with whom I share aspirations for a brighter future.”

Please join us in celebrating Mikias’s remarkable contributions and the lasting impact he’s made on our community.Meet Mikias Goitom - GDSC AASTU 2023/24 Communication Officer

#GDSC #GDSCAASTU #TechFest #CommunicationLead #Partnerships #TechLeadership #BackendDevelopment #EventSuccess #CommunityImpact #TechInspiration

Introduction Abigail Hassen - GDSC AASTU Lead Project Manager 2023/2024

Abigail Hassen, our lead project manager at GDSC AASTU , has been a driving force behind the success of our projects. Known for her confidence, lively spirit, and friendly demeanor, Abigail was one of our most active team members. Her fluency in English, often compared to that of a native speaker, made her a standout in communication and collaboration.

She meticulously organized tasks, ensuring every detail was executed perfectly, and played a crucial role in leading the stage for one of our major events. Additionally, Abigail provided vital support to other teams, particularly during the AASTU Tech Fest, and was also an active participant in our GDSC study sessions this year.

Abigail has a wealth of experience across various roles. She is currently a Content Creator at A2SV | Africa to Silicon Valley, where she crafts engaging videos, graphics, and social media posts. As a Product Manager and Web Developer intern at Eskalate, she has gained hands-on experience in both product management and web development, working with tools like Next.js and React.js. Her prior experience includes a 10-month training program with A2SV | Africa to Silicon Valley, where she honed her skills in data structures, algorithms, and web development.

Reflecting on her time as a Project Manager, Abigail shared:

"As a Project Manager overseeing GDSC's work this year, I've had the privilege of collaborating with a talented and dedicated team of which I'm really proud to be a part. It's been an amazing experience to witness the passion and hard work of every individual involved in our team."

"Throughout the year, I've had the opportunity to work closely with some of the most creative and hardworking individuals. Their commitment to excellence and their willingness to go above and beyond has been truly inspiring. Whether it was brainstorming ideas for events, tackling challenges, or celebrating our achievements together, every moment spent with them has been nothing but memorable."

"I believe that this year, as a part of this team, I accomplished many things that I couldn't have done alone. I grew, learned a lot about how collaboration can actually lead to impacting the community around us, and that if a person is dedicated, things are possible."

"I am very thankful for the opportunity to be part of this year’s GDSC team."

#GDSC #ProjectManagement #Teamwork #Leadership #EventSuccess #Innovation #Growth #TechFest #CommunityImpact #StudySessions #FluentEnglish #ConfidentLeader #LivelySpirit

Meet & Greet Our Core Team Members: Introducing Fasika Gebrehana

We continue to shine the spotlight on the brilliant minds at GDSC AASTU. Today, we're thrilled to introduce Fasika Gebrehana, one of our Project Managers. With an extensive background in mobile development, frontend design, and mentoring, Fasika has been a dynamic force in our team.

Fasika is currently honing her skills as a Mobile Developer at A2SV | Africa to Silicon Valley, where she collaborates with a team of developers to create robust mobile applications using Flutter. Her hands-on experience includes state management, API integrations, and working with clean architecture to maintain high code quality and reliability. Her problem-solving and teamwork abilities have been enhanced through this experience, enabling her to manage the full development lifecycle.

Additionally, Fasika was a Frontend Developer at LelaTech, where she’s working on projects using Next.js and Builder.io. Her journey also includes mentoring aspiring developers at KoderLabs, where she helped guide young coders through the basics of development.

As a Project Manager at GDSC, Fasika has led with creativity and a passion for making an impact. She reflects on her experience:

"As Project Manager, this year has been an amazing adventure of self-discovery and giving back to our community through GDSC. I've realized that as young people, we have the power to make a real difference. Under the guidance of our project manager, we started off with lots of energy and a strong team spirit, diving into various community projects and taking on our roles with creativity. Along the way, we've learned so much about working together and thinking outside the box, both from our successes and our slip-ups. I'm really thankful for the incredible support and inspiration from our core team members. They've truly made this experience unforgettable."

#GDSC #MeetAndGreet #ProjectManager #TechLeadership #MobileDevelopment #FrontendDevelopment #CommunityImpact #Teamwork

Meet and Greet Our Core Team Members: Introducing Nebiyou Elias

We’re excited to introduce Nebiyou Elias, a passionate Web Technical Lead of our GDSC AASTU core team! He has made significant contributions to the club by leading technical initiatives and organizing impactful events that foster innovation and collaboration among students. His leadership has been instrumental in mentoring aspiring developers, promoting skill development, and driving successful projects that enhance the learning experience within the tech community.

Nebiyou’s diverse experiences include internships as a Mobile Application Developer at Eskalate and a Frontend Web Developer at Micro Sun & Solutions PLC, where he developed high-performance mobile applications and user-friendly web platforms. As an A2SV | Africa to Silicon Valley trainee, he solved over 600 algorithmic problems and actively participated in community mentoring. His contributions as a volunteer mentor at KoderLabs further underscore his commitment to supporting the next generation of tech professionals.

Reflecting on his journey, Nebiyou states,

"What an amazing year full of surprises! 😄 Even though I joined the core team late, as Web Technical Lead, I feel incredibly lucky 🍀 to be a part of this incredible team and community. 🙌 From the lead mentors 👩‍💻🧑‍💻 to the talented students 🎓, I had the opportunity to gain a bird's eye view of the development world.🌍 This experience has been invaluable in helping me choose my career path and specialization. 🚀 It has truly been an unforgettable journey! 🌟"

"At the end, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude 🙏 to the entire GDSC AASTU community. I am so thankful to my amazing core team members who believed in me, the dedicated mentors who guided us, and the students who stayed committed till the end, you all made this experience truly special. 💙 I'm eagerly looking forward to having another incredible experience like this, and I'm truly grateful for the opportunity. 😊"

#GDSCAASTU #WebTechnicalLead #InnovationInTech #CommunityImpact #GDSCExperience #TechCommunity #MobileDeveloper #FrontEndDeveloper