ACM Scholar Spotlights: Vikensa Grabocka
Welcome to ACM Scholar Spotlights, a series where we shine a light on the inspiring paths of students in computing who received the 2024 ACM-W scholarship. Through their own words, we hear how they found their place in tech, what motivates them, and how they’re making an impact. These stories reflect not only technical achievement, but also courage, curiosity, and community.
In this edition, we feature Vikensa Grabocka, a bachelor student at the University of New York Tirana in Albania, whose passion for mathematics and problem-solving is driving her journey in computer science and creating meaningful connections in the tech community.
My Passion for Computer Science
My passion for Mathematics led me to pursue a degree in Computer Science. I have always been interested in using numbers and mathematical concepts to find solutions for real-life problems. The intersection of mathematical thinking and computational problem-solving has been the driving force behind my academic journey.
My First womENcourage Experience
WomENcourage 2024 was my first participation in the conference, and I would say that it was a valuable experience for my career. Apart from learning a lot through the different sessions, I had a really good time in the vibrant city of Madrid.
In the first day of the conference, I participated in the Hackathon, which was a great opportunity to develop my collaborative skills, to meet new people and to have fun. The theme of the Hackathon was to ensure equity in language technology. The team that I was part of consisted of four members and the task that we chose was related to the healthcare domain. Developing a Large Language Model that would give accurate and free from biases responses related to the specific conditions of each patient was our goal.
Learning Through Workshops and Sessions
Apart from the Hackathon, I attended two workshops. The first one was titled “Introduction to High-Performance Computing”. This workshop gave me an insight into how supercomputers work and what they are used for. Moreover, difficult concepts such as parallel programming were explained in an easy-to-understand way.
The second workshop that I attended was titled “The Promises vs Risks of Generative AI in Transforming Education”. This workshop helped me to reflect regarding the future of education. Many questions that were related to the future impact of AI in education were raised. Is the use of AI revolutionizing the traditional education system? Are robots going to replace teachers? These questions and many others should be taken into consideration when dealing with the implementation of AI in education.
Networking and Career Development
Moreover, the poster sessions were beneficial. They gave me the opportunity to have interesting talks with the authors of many researches. The career fair that was organized on the last day was another valuable event that connected students with the top-ranked participating companies.
My Present and My Hopes for the Future
To conclude, I really enjoyed the experience in womENcourage 2024. It helped me learn a lot and create connections with people with whom I share the same interests. I would really recommend this conference to everybody who wants to take a step further in his/her career. Looking forward to taking part in future events and continuing to use my mathematical background to solve meaningful problems in computer science.