Hello hello !

I am Marwa Thabet, a Zambassador from the “Malla Malla Tunisia '', as IBM Z’s Chief Penguin, Melissa Sassi, calls my country 😊. I am a PhD student in Computer Science with a research focus on cloud computing.

I have been fond of algorithms, design, and problem solving since I was in high school. I believe these are the mandatory weapons to prepare me for my future. Currently, I am in love with AI features, demands, and applications…like everyone else ! My ideal job is a college lecturer and cloud computing and AI researcher.

Through my experience as a Zambassador, I have developed my skills in event management, organization and promotion where I had an opportunity to positively influence and inspire people from around the world. I would love to take advantage of these skills in my future job too.

Let’s jump into my IBM Z experience! Many virtual events emerged during the very first lockdown in Tunisia. By chance, I attended a session where Melissa Sassi shared the new IBM Z Ambassador program. I applied without any clue about IBM Z or what enterprise coputing was all about. Afte doing some research and discovering that mainframes were the first to introduce the concept of virtualization, which is behind the famous cloud nowadays, I was hooked. IBM Z is all about hybrid cloud and designed to be highly secure, reliable, and rapid. 

I enjoyed every moment of being a Zambassador. I had access to amazing experts who supported it along the way. Maybe I should mention the following as the best ones:

- Every time I connect with an IBMer, they join my event !

- My second event included overwhelming demand with amazing feedback and questions from curious students and tech clubs.

- I pitched an idea for the IBMZ4Good Ideathon for the first time in my life.

- I was an IBM Expert TV partner in the “Ija codi” event which was all about empowering students in my country with tech skills necessary to prepare for the future of work.

-The hours I spent with my fellow Zambassadors – Sabine and Mikateko – online to finish IBM Z’s student contest together was so empowering and fulfilling!!

After this experience, I am a more confident person. For instance, I used to be conservative to speak in English publicly, but I did it imperfectly and I improved without being judged. And I really believe that practice in real-world situations that enhanced my capabilities. Now I have more prestigious connections and badges :D

I look forward to more Zambassador opportunities that have given me access to mentorship, and rewards ! Will you join us ?

Marwa Thabet 

Z Ambassador