Flow’s newest programmer, Tinashe Gunda, was awarded a Bachelors Degree of Computing cum laude from Belgium Campus ITversity, in Pretoria, on 22 August.
Tinashe ended up studying at the Belgium Campus ITversity after leaving Zimbabwe due to the economic and political unrest. He was already studying for his advanced diploma in computer sciences, so leaving Zimbabwe to study computing in Pretoria “was an easy decision to make”. However, the rest of his studying wasn’t so easy. While he was studying Tinashe got married, his wife had a baby and his studies were interrupted several times, but now he is a proud graduate and working in his field of interest.
Tinashe’s degree focused on software engineering, with subjects including C++, C#, PHP, system analysis and design, software project management and multimedia. Thankfully, Tinashe has an aptitude for mathematical logic. He says: “Maths is the only subject I ever got As for, so I would say it comes naturally.”
Mathematical logic may come naturally but Tinashe’s achievements have all come about due to hard work and determination. Says Tinashe: “Most of [what I studied] was overwhelming, but I fell in love with programming. I have to say, it has not been easy. I guess it’s never easy. But here I am.”
Of his graduation ceremony, Tinashe says: “As I waited for my name to be called I didn’t really care, but when the dean said ‘The following are cum laude graduates’ and my name was called first… let’s just say guys don’t cry.”
Tinashe is positive about his time at Flow, saying: “I really enjoy the fact that there is always something new to be solved, the friendly work environment, oh, and lunch is a bonus.” He also enjoys working in the field that he studied, saying, “I would not have it any other way.”
Richard Frank, the development studio manager, is also happy with Tinashe’s addition to the team, saying: “He’s quickly adapted to the world of ExpressionEngine having formerly worked on Drupal-based projects. It’s amazing that he’s already finishing web projects after only three weeks at Flow.”