Hiba Malas
Hiba Malas, a 17-year-old from Northern Lebanon, is currently studying Life Science at a public school where access to education in computers and technology is limited. Hiba dreams of integrating health professions with technology by creating innovative applications that streamline communication and workflows among healthcare providers. Her vision is to develop solutions that enhance collaboration and significantly improve patient care and health management.
Although Hiba had a computer at home, she lacked the skills to use it effectively and was too shy to ask for help. Her experience improved after joining design thinking training sessions, which boosted her confidence, helped her communicate more openly, and collaborate with classmates. Completing the ICT Essentials course was another turning point, enabling her to use her computer independently, especially for PowerPoint and online research. She also took university mini-courses in mobile programming, where she learned key concepts, explored different programming languages, and built apps using MIT’s block-based programming tool.
Hiba and her friends successfully developed an application titled “لبنان يقاطع” (Lebanon Boycotts) through the MIT program. The app aims to educate users about product boycotting, offering alternatives to boycotted products and allowing users to add new products to the list.
Her favorite quote, “من الظلمات الى النور” (“From darkness to light”), resonates deeply with her journey. For Hiba, it symbolizes the transition from ignorance and confusion to a state of knowledge, clarity, and hope.
Reflecting on her experience, Hiba shared, “I’ve had such a transformative experience thanks to LaSer’s Digi-YESS Digital Leaders Program and the Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair Refugee Education Fund. I came in wanting to learn essential computer skills, and now I feel empowered to use my computer confidently. I’ve learned how to search for opportunities and respond to emails effectively—skills I never thought I’d master. Thanks to this training, I’m now volunteering with ‘نحن متطوعون,’ and it feels amazing to give back to my community. The mobile programming training has deepened my interest in technology and broadened my aspirations. I am now focused on developing an application like WhatsApp, tailored for the medical field, using the MIT program. This aligns perfectly with my interests and my goal of making a meaningful difference in healthcare.”
Hiba’s plans include enhancing the boycotting application by adding features that allow users to manage items more efficiently and minimize bugs. She is also dedicated to advancing her programming skills by studying JavaScript, which will enable her to implement more sophisticated functionalities and grow as a developer. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of education and perseverance in pursuing a brighter future.