Hacking her way to success

Zahra Rezai
I have VU to thank for so many opportunities. From placing me at my internship where I got first-hand industry experience in the Footscray community, and giving me access to the best experience ever.

Zahra Rezai
Bachelor of Information Technology, Master of Applied Information Technology

Through a combination of supportive VU pathways, hard work and hackathon success, Zahra Rezai found her place in the world of IT.

"I was born in Afghanistan and grew up without a word of English. My journey hasn’t been easy but VU has given me supportive friends and mentors who have helped me find my right place.

"I started at VU in the Certificate IV of Information Technology to pathway into the Bachelor of Information Technology. Now, I’m working full time while doing my Masters as VU is flexible enough for me to handle both.

"I have VU to thank for so many opportunities. From placing me at my internship at the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre where I got first-hand industry experience in the Footscray community, and giving me access to the best experience ever – European Innovation Academy (EIA).

"After my team won the 2016 hackathon, I got a scholarship to EIA to study on exchange in Nice, France. I took part in their extreme entrepreneurship program where you take your idea and turn it into a start-up in just 15 days. It was amazing. 

"I couldn’t have got to where I am now without VU, the friends it gave me and my mentors. I’m proud to say I’m a VU student."

Courses studied

Find out more about our College of Sport, Health and Engineering.