From Dreams to Code

By Tawfig Taib Yassien
Nagashi Graduate, Class of 2025–2026

I was born in Kassala, in a modest environment that taught me an important lesson early in life: opportunities are rarely given—they are built.

From a young age, curiosity shaped who I was. I found myself asking questions, reading beyond my school textbooks, and exploring mathematics and logic. I was fascinated not just by answers, but by understanding how problems worked—and how solutions were formed.

Even without access to advanced resources or private tutoring, I learned something that stayed with me throughout my journey: self-reliance is built through consistency and effort.

Long before university, I began teaching myself. Programming, problem-solving, and independent learning became part of my daily routine. At the same time, I worked toward financial independence, supporting myself and learning the value of responsibility and discipline.

At the age of seventeen, my life took a major turn.

I received a scholarship to study Computer Science at Albukhary International University (AIU) in Malaysia, with the support of the Nagashi Foundation. This opportunity was not just about education—it was the beginning of independence.

Moving abroad meant stepping into the unknown. I had to make decisions on my own, face challenges without familiar support, and grow beyond my comfort zone.

Arriving in Malaysia introduced me to a completely new world. The academic system was different, the culture was diverse, and the expectations were higher than anything I had experienced before. Balancing studies, daily responsibilities, and life away from family was not easy—but it shaped me.

To stay focused, I built structure into my life. My days were carefully planned around lectures, self-study, and projects. At the same time, I began working online. What started as small freelance tasks gradually developed into more advanced technical work.

Balancing university and professional growth was one of the most challenging parts of my journey.

Days were filled with assignments, lectures, and group work. Nights were dedicated to freelance projects, learning new tools, and improving my technical skills. The workload was demanding, but it taught me how to manage time, stay disciplined, and perform under pressure.

Through this experience, I learned that success is not sudden—it is built through persistence, planning, and continuous learning.

But university life gave me more than academic and professional experience.

I actively participated in student organizations, where I developed leadership and communication skills. During my time at university, I had the opportunity to serve in several roles, including:

Head of External Relations for the Arab Student Union
Vice President of the Faculty of Computer Science
President of Technical and Social Student Activities

These roles taught me how to work with diverse teams, organize initiatives, and make decisions in challenging situations. Leadership became more than a title—it became a responsibility.

At the same time, volunteering strengthened my belief that education should always be connected to community impact.

A turning point in my academic journey came when I began studying Artificial Intelligence.

Learning about machine learning, neural networks, natural language processing, computer vision, and data analysis opened my perspective on what technology can truly achieve. It was no longer just about coding—it was about solving real-world problems.

Through practical projects, I saw how theory connects with impact. I learned that technology is most powerful when it is human-centered—when it is used not just to innovate, but to improve lives.

Today, I see my university journey not as an ending, but as a foundation.

My goal is to develop technology-driven solutions that create meaningful social impact, especially in education and community development. The support of the Nagashi Foundation played a crucial role in shaping this path, reminding me that knowledge carries responsibility.

This journey—from a curious student in Kassala to a graduate in Malaysia—has taught me that progress happens step by step.

Through effort.
Through adaptability.
Through purpose.

And I am only getting started.