Mehreen Najm graduated from the Computer Science Faculty and currently working as a Web Application Developer. She has 4+ years of professional experience in software development with different organizations.
Mehreen was also Google Developer Student's Club Lead from 2019-2020 and currently mentoring the DSC Kabul University Afghanistan chapter. Moreover, she delivered Role Model sessions at GCC( Girls can Code) Womanity Foundation.
Enjoy our talk with Mehreen where she shares her story and future plans.
Watch all Global Awards keynotes on our YouTube channel.
Want to be a part of more events we organize? Join the WomenTech Global Conference 2022 to hear Mehreen's and other inspiring talks.
Congratulations on winning a WomenTech Network Rising Star in STEM of the Year Award! How did it feel when you found out you had won?
First of all, please accept my deepest thanks for your kind consideration of me for this precious award. Words can’t express my feelings about this achievement. Currently, I am an Afghan refugee based in another country, I lost my homeland where I dreamed to become a person to serve my people, especially women. Feel for a second losing everything you strived for 22 years to reach that point. Unimaginable!
That’s what I faced today, I can't even express what I am feeling about my country, my people especially women, which are one of the most vulnerable parts of Afghan society. But being an Afghan girl, I am proud that I came across every challenge in my life and I’ll continue for my journey, for my goals and I am sure I can do it.
One night I was checking my LinkedIn profile when Anna Radulovski massaged me. She asked me, where are you now? I said I am in a corner of the world and I am safe. Anna told me that you have been shortlisted for WomenTech Network awards finalists. I was very excited because I heard good news after a long time. When I saw my photo in the line of winners my tears came out and I was so happy.
Tell us a bit more about your journey to the award, how did you get here and what contribution have you made that is most meaningful to you?
I grew up in Afghanistan, in my beloved homeland in Kabul, and did my bachelor's in Computer Science. While I was at the 12th standard, I had no idea what I wanted to be in my career. I always wanted to be a girl that everyone was proud of. My family’s support was incredible, especially my father who led me to be what I am today. I was always being taught “Believe in yourself and work hard to achieve it”.
I have 3+years of professional experience in the software industry working as a Web Developer with private and governmental organizations in Afghanistan. Initially, I started my career as a faculty in Computer Science. I always had a dream of being an independent girl and having my company. While pursuing my degree, I was working with different internal and international organizations volunteer to just help students and women e.g. Devclub.af, Google Developers Kabul, Internet Society. Moreover, I delivered speeches in various communities and conferences like DevFest19, CodeConf2020, Womanity Foundation Role Model, WomenTechMakers Kabul.
I also served as the Lead of the Google Developers Students Club for my university. This position taught me how to be a leader, how to work, and how to come up with solutions. Therefore, I decided to start my own initiative for the women DynamicWomen. DynamicWomen aimed to help Afghan Women to have accelerated their education through Technology. But luck was not with me, the Taliban took the control of my country and we are forced to stop my activities.
What does it mean to you to be part of the WomenTech Network?
Belonging is hanging out with people who appreciate you for who you are.
That’s what I found on WomenTech Network. I had the chance to learn from the experiences of brave women in this amazing community and expanded my network to get connected with them.
What are your plans, projects, goals for 2022?
This is a little hard question for me because I have to start a new chapter of life as I have lost my homeland.
I have highlighted some points to achieve it in 2022:
1. Restart DynamicWomen and let them learn from their houses via the DynamicWomen online web portal.
2. Obtain my Master’s degree.
3. Engage more in communities to help Afghan People.
4. Work on my Professional life and my technical skills so I can get a job in Silicon Valley.
