Field of Study: Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence)
Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
Why were you interested in participating in the SIE?
I wanted exposure to the academic theory and business fundamentals necessary for growing a large organization and I felt the compressed 4-week schedule of SIE presented an ideal opportunity to learn these skills before venturing into untested waters. I also wanted to solidify the knowledge gained through my own prior business experience with several small companies started during the course of my PhD.
Were your expectations for the program met?
SIE not only met my expectations, it vastly exceeded them. SIE featured an excellent mix of content and the professors who were energetic, entertaining, and extremely knowledgeable gave some of the best lectures I have ever attended - they made even the dullest topics exciting and engaging (not that any content was dull!). The special sessions on rapid prototyping, organizational behaviour, negotiations, and non-verbal communication were an unexpected delight, as were many of the guest speakers.
What are you doing now?
I am putting the finishing touches on my PhD thesis and planning the expansion of my businesses.
How will your experience in the SIE help you in future endeavors?
SIE gave great insight into industries that were previously foreign to me. I will be able to apply the lessons learnt in these industries to the relatively new web businesses I intend to create and I expect this understanding to help me communicate more effectively with people from other industries. Since my return from Stanford, I have already made numerous analogies that have helped to explain my ideas to people from other industries.
In your opinion, what was the most valuable aspect of the SIE?
The entire program was excellent, but the unique attribute of SIE is the diversity of the intelligent people brought together by the program. Exciting discussions ensued at every opportunity, starting with research interests and branching out to envelope everything imaginable. With this great group of people, there was never a dull moment, always something new to learn, and the lunch time conversation or debate was not be missed.
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