Zaka

Hey, I'm Ahmad Dorra, a software developer, and participating in the Machine Learning Certification Program (16-weeks) was one of the best decisions I made. Very well-organized lectures. High standard and easy to follow at the same time. Between the concise material (slides, deep-dive) provided and the round-clock support (office hours, slack channels) there is no need to check anywhere else. I would recommend the Bootcamp to anyone regardless of academic background since the instructors explain everything from the ground up. The quizzes and weekly challenges really helped retain most of the material. Honestly, my expectations were surpassed especially when we started learning how to build a neural network from scratch and solve back propagation on our own. That goes to show you that this course is not just about using libraries and copying code. Everything you need to get started in the AI/Ml field is in this Bootcamp. If you can code you must enroll today!!

I came from a petroleum engineering background, and chose to enter the MLC program for the sake of following the automation trend in oil and gas.

The learnt topics are interesting and provide various approaches to design optimized models.

I was surprised by the advancement that neural networks can provide to the improvement the accuracies, in addition to the various parameters tuning methodologies.

After accumulated knowledge, I made with my partner a voice analysis project that uses deep learning to identify the speech emotions and language fluency.

From now on, I am seeking combining my energy background with the unique ML knowledge I gain with Zaka, to support the energy solutions that rely on AI.

Background and Motivation I possess a background in business administration; however, during my three years at university, I independently developed a keen interest in programming and data analysis. This interest grew significantly, prompting me to delve deeper into the field of Data Science. As a result, I decided to join this comprehensive program to expand my knowledge and gain practical experience, effectively integrating my business education with AI and data expertise.

Program Structure and Specializations One of the aspects I highly valued about the program was its comprehensive approach, which did not strictly segregate Data Science (DS) and Machine Learning (ML) specializations. Instead, it provided a balanced mix of both, covering essential foundations such as the DS Lifecycle, Modelling, Time Series, Computer Vision, Geospatial Data, and Deep Learning. The DS specialization focused more on Data Extraction and Storytelling, while the ML track emphasized deployment, production, and large language models (LLMs). Detailed explanations, hands-on notebooks, and weekly challenges ensured a thorough understanding of every concept.

New Learning Experiences Several new topics captured my interest, particularly Computer Vision. This subject revealed the vast array of AI tools and real-life applications such as object detection, classification, segmentation, and anomaly detection in various fields like fashion and medicine. Transitioning from being merely an end user to a creator of these technologies was empowering. Another intriguing topic was Time Series Analysis and Forecasting, which became the focus of my capstone project. Our team developed a model to forecast meal demand for a cloud kitchen months in advance, a challenging yet rewarding experience.

Project Experience The project phase was both demanding and exhilarating. It provided a real-world simulation of a data scientist’s role, complete with deadlines, data constraints, and business challenges. This hands-on application of my learning encompassed the entire DS lifecycle—from data acquisition to model deployment. A significant contributor to my success was the program manager, Samer El Zant, whose guidance and mentorship were invaluable.

Transformation and Career Impact The program proved to be a transformative journey, enabling me to pivot my career towards AI and Data Science. I emerged as a market-ready certified Data Scientist, equipped to excel in any related job. Furthermore, the program integrated my business acumen with AI solutions, facilitating more efficient problem-solving than traditional methods.

Future Aspirations Looking ahead, I am eager to delve deeper into specific subfields and explore additional use cases. I am currently developing demonstrations with real-life datasets, aiming to secure a Data Scientist or AI-related position in the near future. My ultimate goal is to become a leader in the field, continually pushing the boundaries of what AI can achieve.

This program was not just an educational experience but a pivotal chapter in my career, opening new horizons and equipping me with the skills needed to thrive in the dynamic world of AI and Data Science.

 I decided to join the program to enhance my data analytics skills and leverage data-driven decision-making in my career. My goal was to gain comprehensive knowledge of data analysis tools and techniques and to apply this knowledge effectively in real-world scenarios.The topic I liked the most was data visualization. I found transforming raw data into visually appealing and informative charts and graphs fascinating. This topic stood out because it gave me powerful tools to communicate complex data insights clearly and effectively, which is crucial for making informed business decisions.A new topic for me was big data analytics. I was amazed by the scale and complexity of analyzing large datasets. The most surprising aspect was how advanced tools and techniques can handle massive amounts of data, uncovering patterns and trends that were previously hidden.For my project, I analyzed customer purchase behavior to develop a dashboard for sales forecasting. The career fair experience was invaluable, offering opportunities to connect with industry professionals and receive feedback on my work.The program significantly improved my analytical skills, particularly in Python, R, and advanced statistical methods. This has prepared me to tackle challenging data problems and contribute effectively to any team.My plans include pursuing a career in data science and analytics, where I can apply my acquired skills to drive innovation and efficiency in business processes. 

As a techincal support specialist, I decided to learn about AI and working with data. I discovered Zaka, one of the outstanding academy and community for AI field. I had the opportunity to be accepted in the AI Certification Data Science Specialization which took over 20 weeks. In those 20 weeks I learned alot and every week module was insightful and very well explained. The instructors were very helpful and constantly available for assistance. To the fact that I was not very good in Python programming (or basically any other programming langauge), I was very pleased and content to have sharpened those skills and improved them by the end of the program. Zaka also represented lots of workshops during the program, as well as hosting a virtual career fair which was really one of a kind. It was great meeting companies and ambassadors from the AI field and connect with them. Zaka school is highly recommended!

I've had a few experiences on educational websites and platforms before, but to be honest, I was so satisfied to have used the ZAKA program and website and I'm hugely grateful for the work and dedicated effort that was made by the ZAKA team to be following up with their students. The courses were very clear and the live sessions were supporting and concentrating my knowledge, and they were correcting any gaps that I had. What I liked the most about the bootcamp is the project we had to create by the end of the workshop besides the test as it triggers our practical knowledge to be in real action and it helps us get a direct rating for the project live online during the class. I'm beyond grateful for this and I will definitely be catching up with the future courses offered by ZAKA!