Dalhousie’s impact on Atlantic Canada’s technology industry was made clear at Digital Nova Scotia’s annual awards ceremony last week.

Among the eight prizes awarded to Tech Forward Prize 2024 Last Thursday (November 7) in Halifax, four were traced to someone affiliated with Dal.

Learn more about Dal-affiliated recipients below:

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This award celebrates an individual who identifies as a member of an underrepresented community in the technology sector, demonstrates a clear passion for diversity, and inspires others to push for inclusion.

This year’s award went to Isaac Cook, Inclusive Innovation Project Manager at Dal innovates. As a trans, disabled, and queer individual, Isaac has made it his personal mission to create space and opportunity for underrepresented communities. Their commitment to diversity and inclusion is evident through initiatives such as the introduction of QueerTech to Atlantic Canada, demonstrating the need for more inclusive tech spaces.

“When I was hospitalized multiple times due to attempts on my life and worsening heart disease, I relied heavily on online communities for support and used the pain that felt like fueling the fire within me to do better and be better for the world. community around me,” they said after accepting the award. “The opportunities that exist in the technology sector are endless, and I am honored to use my experience and passion to support others. »

Cook’s speech earned the only standing ovation of the evening.

Thinking Ahead Prize

Awarded to an individual who devotes significant time to mentoring and supporting the future talent pipeline, the Thinking Forward 2024 Award was presented to Professor of Computer Science, Dr. Srini Sampalli.

The award aims to recognize someone who demonstrates an exemplary and sustained commitment to mentorship and who inspires our future workforce of all ages to explore a career in technology. With over 30 years of teaching Dr. Sampalli, he has mentored many students passionate about technology and taught nearly 15,000 people.

“This award truly belongs to my students,” Dr. Sampalli said in his acceptance speech. “I have always believed that teaching is not only about imparting knowledge, but also about developing students’ talent and preparing them confidently for the future. »

Its research laboratory, MYTech laboratorysupports students at all stages of their academic careers by studying emerging wireless technologies. Their research interests are multidisciplinary (covering, among others, health care, public policy and cybersecurity) and highlight the myriad applications of computer science.

Dr. Sampalli strives to prepare and inspire Nova Scotia’s future technology workforce, even beyond the classroom. He was recently awarded a CREATE grant from NSERC partner with industry leaders and train 200 graduate, undergraduate and graduate students over six years in emerging cybersecurity technologies.

Best in Technology Award

Faten Alshazly, left, and Ashwin Kutty.

It can be difficult to choose when a new technology is the “best,” and this award recognizes a company or organization that has experienced significant growth, entered into an impressive deal or partnership, or developed a new, unique product or service or innovative.

This year’s winner, HealthEMeis an application developed by computer science alumni Faten Alshazly and Ashwin Kutty. HealthEMe is designed to help people accessing mental health services sort through the flood of information, from medication lists and reminders to assessments, diary prompts, contact databases and case management. files. Their product and successful partnerships are helping to improve health outcomes across Nova Scotia and beyond.

In a nice full circle moment, Alshazly and Kutty made a special mention of Dr. Sampalli in their acceptance speech.

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This award honors an individual (not in an executive or management position) who identifies as a member of an underrepresented community in the technology sector and who is an emerging talent in the industry, demonstrating skills and an exceptional ambition. Seif Elbayomi, a recent computer science graduate, demonstrated why he won the award in his acceptance speech.

“When I first started looking for work, I thought the companies we see here tonight were more Atlantic Canada based. But then I discovered all these amazing companies that were doing their work quietly or were connected to communities outside of the region,” he said. “And it’s a missed opportunity.” We can’t wait for them to arrive in this room next year; we need to go out and attract them.

As one of the organizers behind DevOpsDays Halifax 2024Elbayomi played a key role in organizing this major technology event in our region. Her passion for promoting community is evident in her volunteer work with Apprenticeship Code Canadawhere he helps make technology accessible to everyone.