Report to Community: In conversation with Rumeza Fatima

What excites you most about Calgary? What opportunities do you see for yourself here?

As I approach the end of high school, I keep asking myself a simple question: do I stay in Calgary, or do I move away? Ultimately, I want to stay. And I want to stay because of the potential I see in Calgary. This city has so many emerging opportunities and so much diversity. When I go to events, I see more people like me. That helps me relate to their journeys. If they can do it, so can I.

What got you interested in tech?

I did high school entirely online, which meant I had a lot more time for myself in the day. That led me to coding and programming. Through coding I have learned to channel my inner potential. We have all seen the stereotypes about programmers and coders, which made me worried that tech would be an isolated journey. But the opposite is true.

"I have met so many interesting people who all share a common interest in impacting the world in a positive way. I see tech as the best medium for me to make my mark on the world."

You were one of the ten students who received a $1,000 cash scholarship through the 10x Future Founders Scholarship. Can you tell us about that experience?

I heard about the scholarship in May of 2023 when I was involved with The Knowledge Society, an accelerator program for teens. My director nominated me, and I was fortunate enough to be selected. The cash was great, but there was so much more value than that. The best thing I got from the scholarship was the network and connections through Platform Calgary. Being at Launch Party in November last year was my Christmas. The incredible people I am meeting are opening up amazing pathways for me as I think about my future.

Fast forward ten years, what do you hope your career in tech looks like?

There is a quote that really resonates with me:

“To get the things you don’t have, you have to do things you aren’t doing.”

This is what drives me. I want to use technology to change the world. The opportunities through tech are endless. So where do I want to be in ten years? I want to be involved in something that is
bigger than myself.