Harsha Koorimannil Valiyamannil discusses the factors that influenced his love of computer science, the leap of faith that brought him from India to Belfast and what the future holds for him.
“I wasn’t one of those kids who grew up coding, but I’ve always loved a good puzzle,” said Harsha Koorimannil Valiyamannill, a computer science graduate who left. University of Ulster with first class honors and a long list of achievements.
Koorimannil Valiyamannill told SiliconRepublic.com, “I like to see patterns and figure out how things work, so when it came to choosing a path, computer science felt like a natural fit for how my brain works. I knew I would enjoy the logical part of it, but what surprised me the most was how much There is room for creativity.”
He previously studied animation and graphic design in his hometown of Kerala, India and always showed an aptitude for math, so all that combined, it made sense for him to look to develop a lifestyle and career that combined his skills and interests.
He believes that his artistic background has greatly shaped the way he approaches problems, enabling him to explore, look at things from many different perspectives and communicate ideas in ways that resonate with people.
“I loved that the computer gave me a very useful toolkit to combine problem solving with creative design and build tangible things that people could experience.
“That’s what continues to drive my work. I want to create accessible technology that goes beyond functionality. I believe that the best solutions are those that understand the people who use them, consider their needs and make their everyday experience truly better.”
Transcendence
Perhaps surprisingly, Koorimannil Valiyamannil noted, making the change, despite the significant personal and technical commitment it took to make it happen, didn’t feel like a difficult career move. After spending time working with design software, he finally began to ask himself, “If I were to build this, what would I add?” or “How can I make this better?”.
A background in graphic design and design theory had trained him to consider angles from the user’s perspective and he found himself constantly analyzing what was missing from the experience and how small decisions completely change the way a person interacts with a product.
“After a while, I realized that I wanted to do more than just create visuals. I wanted to understand the technology behind them and have the technical skills to build the software itself. Computer science gave me the tools to turn my ideas into viable products and I knew right away that this was the exact direction I wanted to take my career.”
A new world
To achieve his goals Koorimannil Valiyamannil made the decision to move from Kerala to Belfast, the move, although bitter in points, was the experience he needed. He explained that the conditions at home did not allow much independence and he wanted the opportunity to create a life according to his will.
He said, “Here, I have learned to pursue opportunities without worrying or holding back.” Even something as simple as spending a late night reading in the library felt like a whole new kind of freedom.
Over time, I became more confident in putting myself forward and began to have the courage to try things that I had never considered before. Now, the people I met have become a big part of my journey. Building that strong foundation of friendship is what helped me turn a completely unfamiliar place into my own.”
As his confidence grew, so did his desire to make a real impact on the world around him. She soon realized that the Women in STEM Society was no longer active at Ulster University, an issue she tackled with three other like-minded peers.
He said, “We wanted to rebuild society where students can connect and feel supported throughout their journey in STEM. While we started with small events to bring people together, we also wanted to create something that could have a wider impact, which led us to make the Hack4Health Hackathon our main goal.
As a community secretary she used her design background to create promotional and advertising materials for both Women in STEM and the hackathon, supported outreach efforts and worked with a broad team to connect with organizations and secure funding.
Regarding the experience, Koorimannil Valiyamannil said, “Rebuilding a community and pulling off an event of that scale was a lot of work. It was a crash course in community building. It also proved that we can create ambitious ideas from the ground up by just stepping up and trying.”
Eyes on the prize
If Koorimannil Valiyamannill’s experience has taught him anything it’s that you usually have to be the builder of your dreams, but sometimes, you need to be the person who helps lift others around you.
He said: “Throughout my journey I have benefited from people who inspire me, and I want to do the same to others. I am incredibly happy with this opportunity to learn from people I am close to, share what I have learned and use my skills to build our community.”
With that in mind, he plans to build a career in technology that creates a positive impact on society. He further explained that his focus is on behavioral technology and digital accessibility. “I want to create solutions that break down digital barriers and ensure that no one is left behind.”
He added, “I’m excited to explore the different paths my career can take, but my ultimate goal remains exactly the same. I want to keep learning, keep creating, and use my skills to create technologies that are inclusive and human-centered.”
Don’t miss out on the information you need to succeed. Sign up for Daily BriefSilicon Republic’s digest of must-know sci-tech news.
