Somaia Zabihi

Somaia Zabihi’s professional life has been dedicated to teaching, in spite of numerous challenges. After earning a Master’s degree in Software Engineering from the Technical University of Berlin, she joined the Faculty of Computer Science at Herat University in Afghanistan, where she excelled as an outstanding instructor over the course of 11 years.

Throughout her academic career, Somaia has held various leadership positions, including serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Computer Science and leading the development of the “Department of Professional Computer Education.” Her expertise in curriculum development, research, and student advocacy has been instrumental in driving positive change and promoting inclusivity in education, particularly for young women in STEM fields.

Somaia’s research interests span Software Engineering, Data Science, and Cloud Computing, and she has authored numerous articles and theses, utilizing programming languages like R, Python, and Java. She has also been actively involved in community outreach and mentorship programs, dedicated to supporting underrepresented groups and fostering a culture of empowerment and resilience.

Following the Taliban’s takeover in Afghanistan in 2021, Somaia made the difficult decision to migrate to Canada, where she collaborates with organizations like MIT Emerging Talent, designing and delivering workshops on discrete mathematics and software development, and teaching assistant for MITx courses on Python, Data Science, and Probability.

Somaia’s unwavering commitment to education and her passion for empowering the next generation, especially young girls, have been the driving forces behind her remarkable career. She continues to make a significant impact in the field of education, both locally and globally.