Computer scientists can solve
the world’s biggest problems.
Nicki Dell
Computer 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
Agriculture
Communication
Energy
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.
I am here because I want to help solve
those problems.
You could be too.
Thanks for listening