Dubai. March 2, 2010. Tech Ed Middle East & Africa. Dubai is hosting the first ever Tech Ed in the Middle East and Africa, one of only 10 cities in the world to host this 17 year old tradition. Today, during the keynote, S.Somasegar, Senior Vice President Developer Tools, presented the youngest Microsoft Certified Professional, Babar Iqbal, with a round trip to Redmond to visit with product managers and executives. Walid Abu-Hadba, Corporate Vice President of DPE WW, also presented Babar with a new Windows 7 tablet PC. Babar is the highest contributor to ImagineCup through the power of his 80,000 person fan base.
I had an opportunity to ask Babar, along with his older brother, Asif, and asked a few questions about Microsoft and our role in technology for youth and girls.
There’s a lot of technologies out there, you started with Flash. What interests you most about Microsoft technologies?
“Touch. Game development. Windows development. Surface, Windows 7, XBox XNA and .NET 4. I like interface development. For non Microsoft products I do like UnReal and iPhone development.”
What could Microsoft do with Mobility?
“We should have a portable XBox games to Zune as handheld control. With Win7 mobile, I compare it to Zune interface. I think Zune interface is simpler and easier to use than the Windows 7 mobile interface. I like the Zune more than Win7 interface. Easier to navigate with Zune and more simple."
I am excited about project Nepal did programming experiments with V-mode, it was very good. I am excited about learning more about project Nepal. “
You received your MCP at age 9. What would tell other 9 year olds about the benefits of being an MCP? What can Microsoft to help attract young developers like yourself?
“Education, technology, programming – these should be fun things to learn. Also there should be more teaching on Games development – fun stuff should be taught. not all the boring stuff. we have IT education, but it is not fun. They teach : Theory theory theory. Instructors should teach fun stuff and easy stuff.”
Until we do that, do you think kids will not be interested?
“When I was working in flash and web development first, it was a hobby at first, and this way, always fun. I do it because I like to do it. The kids should start with something fun to do.”
There are not a of girls doing what you do, are there? Why do you think that is? What do you think we can tell girls your age to get them interested in technology?
In this region, girls are far more interested in technology than the boys are. Babar’s brother Asif comments that girls are more interested in the graphical elements, like iPhone and gaming development.
More than 60% of Babar’s 80,000 fans of girls – many of these local Emiratis. Geographically dispersed with 2300 in UAE. You can find Babar’s community at Students-cafe.com – nearly most of these are university and college students. “People want to work with technology but they don’t know how to do.”
“I do posts and asks them questions what facilities your university provides in IT, posted and gathered ideas on Students-cafe.com.” Babar finds it difficult to manage all these questions all by himself, and asks Microsoft to do something small, in a sustainable way with good quality.
What should be do for the people are local?
Asif remarks “Microsoft needs to get to the level of students. evangelists are talking at too complex levels, need to have students teaching students. Students want someone young like Babar to teach them, especially in this region. When he shows them. They are comfortable at his level. He’s one of us. Bring one of their own to teach them. Grooming program in Gulf region for people he’s teaching. Some show good promise – 50 people. All they need is incentive. Build a simple gaming animation app app and get a tour. Led Babar leads 10 people. Small tours Burj Al-Arab. Microsoft Gulf offices. Trips to Redmond. “
Babar cites a lack of resources in schools. “Game development should be taught – 3D modeling. In big university I have visited there are no facilitators for 3d animation, 3d modeling. No classes or trainings. “
Who are you most interested in meeting when you visit Microsoft?
“Steve Ballmer & Bill Gates. I would like to get involved with the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation to help children get education.”
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