“Be Fearless. That’s something I aspire to be.”
For Tahzeeb Ahmed, pursuing a Master of Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) at Flinders University is more than just the next step in his academic career, it’s a continuation of his lifelong fascination with mathematics and problem-solving.
No stranger to the field, Tahzeeb completed his undergraduate degree in computer science and Engineering back home in Bangladesh, before starting work as a software engineer, as well as founding his own company.
“Right after graduating I started a freelancers’ collaborative,” he said, “[We built] software solutions for small to mid-size companies.”
But, this was just the start for Tahzeeb.
From Marketing to Machine Learning
Although Tazeeb is driven by analytical thinking, computer science wasn’t his first choice when it came to university. He started his bachelor’s degree with a marketing major but quickly realised that his interests lay elsewhere.
“I’ve always liked problem-solving, especially when the language of the problem feels cryptic. The very fact that I couldn’t decipher what was written on the whiteboard during my middle school intro to algebra class is what got me interested in Computer Science,” he said. “A few weeks into [marketing] I remembered that confusing gibberish on my middle school whiteboard, and the intrigue of being challenged by something I can’t immediately make sense of. That’s when I switched to Computer Science in my undergrad, and now I’m here doing my master’s in Artificial Intelligence (AI).”
Choosing Flinders and Finding Fearlessness
As a city, Adelaide is the perfect balance between a bustling metropolis and a relaxing, green haven. Its broad multicultural community, easy access to nature and laid-back environment make the city, and Flinders University, a great option for both international visitors and locals alike.
As Tahzeeb puts it – “the Australian sky is something else, isn’t it?”
As far as choosing Flinders for his studies, Tahzeeb says the university really stood out to him because of their belief in celebrating individuality, opening minds through learning and pursuing your own point of view to shape the future.
“From my experience so far,” he said, “the University provides an environment and facilities that enable students to be fearless in their goals.”
From a more practical point of view, during his time as a software engineer, Tahzeeb realised that although he was passionate about building software, his fascination for maths wasn’t getting to be fully explored in his current career. After two years in the role, he decided to make the shift to a more math-intensive field, like machine learning (ML).
“This is where Flinders came in. It offers a program that perfectly balances both: Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, instead of a full specialisation in AI or ML like many other universities,” he said.
He particularly values the emphasis that Flinders places on hands-on learning.
“Focus on the theoretical aspects and analysis definitely has its merits, but the balance Flinders provides I believe is ideal for future industry professionals,” he said.
Being able to sit down and fine-tune his mathematical models that he has just coded and then watch them come to life is something Tahzeeb will never tire of.
“It’s where magic and technical academia meet in my eyes.”
Life at Flinders: A Second Home
Tahzeeb’s enthusiasm extends well beyond the classroom. What does he enjoy most about campus life at Flinders?
“Where do I start?”
Like many Flinders’ students, Tahzeeb splits his study across the Bedford Park campus and the Flinders City Campus.
“The Bedford Park campus is heavenly, with its lush trees, sea view, and the fact that moving around feels like a mini hike. The City Campus, where I’m primarily based, is right in the heart of the city and I love all the study spaces.”
He even did the maths on how much time he spends on campus.
“I realised I spend about 53% of my waking hours [there]. And, I’m not complaining!”
A Scholarship and Dreams for the Future
Tahzeeb was a well-deserving recipient of the Vice-Chancellor International Scholarship – a scholarship awarded to international students who demonstrate high academic performance and a great level of community-mindnesses – something he is incredibly grateful for.
“It was truly an honour to receive this recognition. The process was intense, with multiple stages including a final video submission, but I’m really glad I got it. The first thing I did when I found out was go and hug my mother. It was a special moment.”
In terms of the future, Tahzeeb’s goals know no limits.
With thoughts of going into research and obtaining his PhD, his overarching goal is to contribute something meaningful to the field, and hopefully be able to share his learnings and love of it all with the next generation.
“Oh, and I’d love to live in the mountains for a year or two. Hopefully, I’ll be in some cottage overlooking the Himalayas by the time I’m 50.”