Meet Masoud Shakiba, who is bring his passion, TechTALK, to Unitec and when he is not busy with that, loves bringing people together and making connections.
What is your role and what is something you’re working on?
My official position at Unitec is as an IT lecturer at the School of Computing, Electrical and Applied Technology. As a part of my job, I am coordinating the Capstone Project and also engaging with industries and our alumni as a School champion. I love what I do. I am passionate about coaching, mentoring and empowering my students to enhance their employability and connect them with industry projects. I normally invite our alumni back to our school and share their experiences and stories with current students. So, in a nutshell, I am a connection king who loves organising events to bridge education and industry.
Next week we will have a great event organised collaboratively by Unitec, MIT and ITPNZ as a part of Techweek 2022. Amazing speakers who will talk about the future of work and education. You are more than welcome to join us for free; I love to meet you in-person: https://techweek.co.nz/whats-on/programme/view/the-future-is-closer-than-you-think-146/
My home town
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
As I said, I love what I do and I do what I love 😊. I spend most of my time on TechTALK. I founded TechTALK a few years back, aiming to empower people to develop a sustainable technology ecosystem! I organise regular education-oriented seminars in collaboration with institutions and corporates. You are even more than welcome to join us at the TechTALK Techweek event again for free: https://techweek.co.nz/whats-on/programme/view/techtalk-21-ai-and-automation-18/
But, I am not that boring 😊 I play badminton every week, go to the gym 4-5 times a week, and really enjoy camping with friends in the beautiful NZ nature.
Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Gonbad-e-Kavus, a town in Golestan province in the north of Iran (Persia). Golestan means land of flowers and the largest and the most beautiful jungle in Iran is located in our province. My hometown is a historical and multicultural city; where human settlements in this area date back to 10,000 BC. It was an important city of Persia located on the Silk Road.
Tell us a memory from childhood…
When I was a kid, we had a replica of the Earth at our home. When I moved to NZ in 2017 – please consider that I use to live in Malaysia for eight years before moving to NZ – one of my cousins called and said that when I was a kid, I used to show New Zealand on the map and tell them that I will move there in one day.
Can you recommend a good book or movie?
I like the book entitled: The Hard Thing About Hard Things: Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers. Ben Horowitz, co-founder of Andreessen Horowitz and one of Silicon Valley’s most respected and experienced entrepreneurs offers essential advice on building and running a startup—practical wisdom for managing the toughest problems business school doesn’t cover, based on his popular ben’s blog.
I like watching TV and I can say Forrest Gump is one of the bests.
Tell us an achievement you’re proud of.
Founding a great community around TechTALK and conducting 21 education-industry seminars over last 3 years.
Is there a song that reminds you of a significant time in your life?
When I was a teenager I liked Ricky Martin – Livin’ La Vida Loca a lot 😊
Best event you’ve ever been to?
Years ago when I was younger I joined the Pitbull concert in Sunway Lagoon Malaysia in 2011. Believe me, it was an amazing night.
What’s your favourite food?
I don’t like to cook every day; but I really enjoy cooking for fun. My favourite food is Shishlik. It is a traditional Persian kebab normally serve with rice and saffron.
Who do you admire?
Masoud in five years.