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Link here to watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1icf_YZx24

 

 

 

Houston Tech Rodeo@HCC: Join us for a unique opportunity to connect with experts, professionals, and students in AI & Education, Entrepreneurship Resources, and Global Mindsets & Skills. This series of panel discussions will bring together leaders from academic institutions, tech startups, and international students to share their experiences, insights, and advice on the most important issues facing our community.

Date: Febraury 28, 2023
Time: 9 AM to 12 PM

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE PROGRAM SCHEDULE

 

Message for Host Committee 

Dear Houston Tech Rodeo Entrepreneurs and Participants,

We are thrilled to welcome you to the Houston Tech Rodeo@HCC's series of panel discussions on Entrepreneurship Resources,  AI & Education, and Global Mindsets & Skills. This is a unique opportunity to connect with experts, professionals, and our students in these important fields and learn from their experiences and insights.

The panel discussions will bring leaders from academic institutions, tech startups, and international students to share their knowledge and advice on our community's most pressing issues. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a seasoned business leader, or just interested in the future of work and technology, these discussions are not to be missed.

These panel discussions will be an excellent opportunity for you to network, learn, and grow professionally. By participating, you'll have the chance to ask questions, make new connections, and gain valuable insights into the current and future state of these important industries.

We look forward to seeing you at the Houston Tech Rodeo@HCC and hope that you will find these panel discussions to be a valuable and enlightening experience.

Sincerely,

HCC Houston Tech Rodeo Committee (Ravi, Igor, Nithy, & Odeta)
 

Houston Community College

Details

Start: February 28, 2023
9:00 AM
End: February 28, 2023
12:00 PM
HCC Innovation and Entrepreneurship Student Club

Houston Community College – Central Campus, 1300 Holman Street, Houston, TX, USA

1300 Holman Street SJC 112
77004 Houston TX
United States

Program Schedule

Panels Schedule:

Time: 9:00 A.M.

Title: "Navigating the Entrepreneurial Landscape: Accessing the Resources You Need to Succeed"

Description: Starting a business is a challenging and rewarding journey, and access to the right resources can make all the difference. In this panel session, local entrepreneurs and experts in the field will discuss the various resources available to startups and small businesses in the Houston area. The panel will cover a range of topics, from funding and mentorship opportunities to coworking spaces and accelerators.

The panelists will share their experiences and insights on accessing resources for entrepreneurs and will provide practical advice and tips on how to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape in Houston. They will also discuss the challenges and opportunities facing startups and small businesses, and how they can access the resources they need to succeed.

This session will be of interest to anyone who is considering starting a business, or who is already running a startup or small business in Houston. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, network with the panelists, and gain valuable insights into the resources available to them. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this panel is not to be missed!

Panelists:


Time: 10:00 A.M.

Title: "Global Mindsets and Skills: The Impact of Education on the Future Workforce"

Description: In today's global economy, having a diverse and inclusive workforce is more important than ever. This panel will bring together international students who have studied at Houston Community College to share their experiences and the digital skills they have acquired during their education. The panel will discuss how these skills have prepared them for internships at local tech startups and how they are eager to bring their unique perspectives and experiences to the global workforce. 

The panelists will share their experiences and insights on the impact of education on the global workforce and will discuss the importance of having a diverse and inclusive workplace. They will also discuss the digital skills they have acquired and how they prepare themselves for careers in the technology industry.

This session will be of interest to anyone interested in the future of work and the impact of education on the global workforce. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, network with the panelists, and gain valuable insights into the role of international students in the technology industry. Whether you're an educator, a tech startup founder, or a student, this panel is not to be missed!

Panelists:

  • Ms. Sahar El Hoderi, International Student from Libya studying Business & Economics at Houston Community College
  • Ms. Rara Ranjiwa, International Student from Indonesia studying Data Science at Houston Community College
  • Mr. Dharshan Krishna, International Student from India studying Cyber Security at Houston Community College
  • Ms. Abiatou Sidibe, International Student from Ivory Coast studying Accounting at Houston community College
  • Special Guest: Rakhee Das, Global Leader, Chief Strategy Officer, Sirius Solutions, LLLP 
  • Moderator: Dr. Nithy Sevanthinathan, Director of International Student Services at Houston Community College

Time: 11:00 A.M.

Title: "AI & Education: Transforming the Future"

Description: As AI plays a more prominent role in our daily lives, its impact on education is becoming increasingly apparent. From personalized learning to virtual classrooms, AI has the potential to revolutionize the way we teach and learn. In this panel session, local experts and advisors from academic institutions will discuss the current state of AI in education and explore the possibilities and challenges ahead.

The panelists will share their perspectives on the role of AI in education, from its current applications to its potential to shape the future of the classroom. They will also discuss the challenges and ethical considerations involved in integrating AI into education and the steps that need to be taken to ensure that AI is used to benefit students and teachers alike.

This session will interest anyone who is passionate about the future of education and wants to learn more about the impact of AI in this field. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, engage in discussions, and gain insights from some of the leading experts in the field. Don't miss this chance to learn more about AI & Education and to be part of shaping the future!

Panelists:


Speakers

Abiatou Sidibe

Business Student
Houston Community College
Abiatou Sidibe
  • Abiatou Sidibe

    My full name is Abiatou Sidibe Samira, I came from Ivory Coast located in the West part of Africa. In addition of being an International Student Ambassador, I am also an honors student, and a Central Campus Student Government Association Parlementarian. My goal after the completion of my Associate of Art in Business, is to obtain my Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.

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Aruna Viswanathan

Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer
AlphaX Decision Sciences
Aruna Viswanathan
  • Aruna Viswanathan

    Aruna is a unique combination of a tech startup and SMB COO delivering growth with fiscal responsibility and a successful VC/PE and angel-investor, having managed over 150 investments across various portfolios. Throughout her career, she has led and developed companies to peak performing organizations with limited resources by creating and optimizing processes in technology and software development, customer-centric delivery, sales and marketing, and finance in sectors including cloud infrastructure and data-centers, SaaS and PaaS based Artificial Intelligence solutions, education, commercial real estate and consumer products.

    A lifetime Houstonian, Aruna is a recognized member of the community who continues to give back by serving as a Board Member and Advisor to investment vehicles, educational institutions, non-profits and startups. She has an MBA from Rice University and BS and MS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin.

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April Felton

MBDA Pandemic Recovery Center
Director of Entrepreneurial Initiatives
April Felton
  • April Felton

    April Felton is Director of Entrepreneurial Initiatives for the MBDA Pandemic Recovery Center, a collaborative initiative operated by HCC’s Office of Entrepreneurial Initiatives and funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), where she develops program initiatives to build and sustain Houston’s minority business community. In this role, she provides the strategic and organizational program direction in assisting the minority business community in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. April’s dedication to entrepreneurship, higher education and public service has led to her current roles as founder of Immaculate Concepts, a lifestyle management and concierge brand, business adjunct instructor and as a licensed Texas real estate agent. She holds a Master of Business Administration from Texas Southern University, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Houston, and a Certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University.

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Dharshan Krishna

Cyber Security Student
Houston Community College
Dharshan Krishna

Mohammad Almani

CEO
ARTGRO.com

Nithy Sevanthinathan

Director, International Student Services
Houston Community College 
Nithy Sevanthinathan
  • Nithy Sevanthinathan

    Sevanthinathan served public, private, and state universities before joining HCCS. He engages organizations of all types on academic and workforce situations in different regions of the world on academic and workforce solutions in different regions of the world.

    Sevanthinathan was featured in international publications such as USA Today, The Chronicle of Higher Education, India Times, Voice of America, Business Officer-NACUBO, and The Hindu. He is a member of CCID and was a member of the NAFSA International Education Leadership Knowledge Community. Recently he was a panel speaker for the first U.S.-India Summit hosted by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and a guest for the first U.S.-Indonesia Summit hosted by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

    Nithy created an experiment lab for exploring interactive educational expedition around the world. He designed and led bicycle expeditions across five regions of the world - South East Asia, Europe, South and Central America, Mexico, the United States and Africa. He shared the human exchange through a cyber space classroom, media outlets and bridging the exploration to K-12 students around the world. Now, journeying parenting with his twin boys-Eshan and Siddharth.

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Pamela Sighn

CEO & Co-founder
CaseCTRL
Pamela Sighn
  • Pamela Sighn

    Pamela Singh is CEO and Co-founder of CaseCTRL, an AI platform that streamlines surgery coordination for improved efficiency and patient care. Pamela is a seasoned technical manager in both the IT and healthcare settings. She studied Systems Engineering & Operations at George Mason University and Systems Engineering & Technical Management at Johns Hopkins University. Her current focus is currently applying her expertise to modernize the delivery of personalized surgical care! 

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Pearl Cajoles

External Affairs Manager
City of Houston Office of Business Opportunity (OBO)
Pearl Cajoles
  • Pearl Cajoles

    Pearl Cajoles leads OBO’s External Affairs division, which operates the OBO Solutions Center and OBO’s business development and workforce development programming. She also serves as OBO’s Public Information Officer. Prior to joining the City of Houston, Pearl served as marketing manager at the University of Houston’s Hilton College for Global Hospitality Leadership. She also served as writer and editor at the Houston Chronicle, and has worked in global operations management.

    Read more

Rara Ranjiwa

Student: Illustrator
Houston Community College
Rara Ranjiwa
  • Rara Ranjiwa

    ​Rara Ranjiwa is an international student from Indonesia studying Animation and Special Effects at Houston Community College. She previously worked as a lead illustrator at Ruangguru.Ltd, South East Asia's largest education technology company. 

    Currently, Rara is collaborating with the Director of Education in the City of Houston on an educational children's book about Indonesia and working on her community impact project an infographic campaign related to child safety.

    Read more

Ravi Brahmbhatt

Director of Student Innovation and Entreprenuership
Houston Community College
Ravi Brahmbhatt

Risa Myers

Assistant Teaching Professor/Director
Rice University
Risa Myers
  • Risa Myers

    Dr. Risa Myers is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Computer Science department at Rice University, where she teaches students about databases and data science. She is also the Director of the Rice Computer and Data Science summer Research Experience for Undergraduates. She holds degrees from MIT, Stanford, and Rice University. Her interests include applications of data science in healthcare and exploring and innovating in data science pedagogy. 

    Read more

Sahar El Hoderi

Economics Student
Houston Community College
Sahar El Hoderi
  • Sahar El Hoderi

    I am Sahar El Hoderi, originally from Libya and have lived in Istanbul, Turkey for almost six years. As a passionate international student at HCC, I am eager to make the most of my time in the USA. I have a passion for hosting events and making a positive impact on those around me. I have a personal goal to continuously improve and better myself, which led me to become involved in student organizations at HCC. Since joining, many opportunities have arisen for me. Currently, I hold the position of President of the United Student Council, where I represent the entire student body of HCC. Additionally, I am the Vice President of Membership for the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

    Read more

Sandra Louiver

Director, Center for NW Entrepreneurship
Houston Community College
Sandra Louiver
  • Sandra Louiver

    Sandra Louvier, Director, Glenda & David Regenbaum Center for Entrepreneurship – Northwest, Houston Community College, Ms. Louvier has 17 years of experience in economic feasibility analysis and appraisal in the hospitality industry at PKF Consulting, Marriott International, and as President of her own consulting practice, Louvier & Associates.  She also served for nine years as U.S. Real Estate Director for the franchisor, Haagen-Dazs Shoppe Company, Inc.  Sandra joined HCC NW in 2009 to launch HCC’s first Center for Entrepreneurship at HCC Northwest and to grow the center’s programs.  She develops and holds entrepreneurial summits, workshops, seminars, classes, and programs, including three signature programs: the annual HCC Business Plan Competition, the Small Business Success Series by HCC© and the HCC Mattress Mack School of Selling©

    Read more

Willy Verbrugghe

Chairman
SCORE Houston
Willy Verbrugghe
  • Willy Verbrugghe

    Willy was born in Belgium. He has been CEO of 6 Billion dollar International Industrial Manufacturing Technology companies and 4 Technology (non IT) startups in ten different industries. He has five Masters (Master in Electronics and Semiconductors, Master in Nuclear Science Technology and Radioprotection, Master in Finances, Business and Administration, Master in International Sales, Marketing and Business Development, and a Master in Industrial Manufacturing Process Optimization). He has spoken 8.5 languages during his career, lived in five countries, and worked for twenty thousand people as a servant leader and has had manufacturing plants and service centers in over 186 countries around the world. His nickname is Mr. International.

    He created more than $ 100 Million dollars of shareholder value per year for every large organization he has run as a leader. He has been the chairman of the Belgian Chamber of Commerce of Texas and the Southwest, the Chairman of the Mayor of Houston International Trade and Development Council, a founding member of the World Chamber of Commerce of Texas and the Chairman of SCORE. He has been married for 45 year, and they live in the USA for more than 30 years and in Houston for 20 years They have 3 children and 9 grandchildren. He is now a CSO or Chief Spoiling Officer.

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Contact

Contact Information of Organizing Committee:

  • Ravi Brahmbhatt - Ravi.brahmbhatt@hccs.edu (HCC Student Innovation & Entrepreneurship Director)
  • Igor Lucic - W212992399@student.hccs.edu (HCC Innovation & Entrepreneurship Club President)
  • Nithy Sevanthinathan  - n.sevanthinathan@hccs.edu (HCC International Student Services Director)
  • Odeta Zheku - odeta.zheku@hccs.edu - CCIP International students Program Coordinator

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