Empowering Tertiary Students: Introducing PyClubs for Enhanced Python with Johanan Oppong Amoateng

Hello everyone. My name is Johanan Upon Amartin. Um this is my Twitter username. You can follow me and you can also DM me on Twitter. I'll be talking about empowering Cheshire students Introducing PyClouds for enhanced Python scores and community engagements. Something small about me. I'm a veterinary student, passionate about animal health and technology. I'm currently serving as a PyClub 's career study. I am a dedicated backend developer and an open source enthusiast. I am also exploring AI and machine learning to drive innovation.

I am also exploring AI and machine learning to drive innovation in veterinary applications. This is an overview of my presentation. My tech journey. So um I started my tech journey in first year. Before that, I um I was always a bit interested in computers. But it wasn't really that much and I I knew how to work around with computers. So in first year of veterinary school I started to learn how to write programs in Python, but I stopped because of academics and the lack of motivation to continue.

So in so I I when I stopped what I did was I continued watching YouTube videos on tech related stuff. And then in third year, um I dedicated all my free time to learning how to pro write programs in Python So I initially started learning how to write Python learning about Python and I used resources like SoloLen, um YouTube and And then I think Casera to learn. And then I focused on backend development with Django. So I I at that time didn't really know the benefits of joining a community. So I was

I didn't I wasn't in any tech community and I was just um building projects and then pushing it to GitHub and then hoping that someone would see it or someone like if I applied for anything someone would see it and um Someone would sit and everything would work out. So in fifth year of veterinary school, I had the opportunity to join Py Clubs. Um so I joined my local chapter of five class at KMST and I And I think at our first meeting I was given the opportunity to propose a solution for um was a for a coding challenge. And

I was initially very nervous because I hadn't done something like that um in front of so many people before um I I b I became a bit confident and I was able to do it. So I at When I joined PyClubs, the lead at that time encouraged me to participate in coding competitions and hackathons. So I remember I just participated in so many of them And then I got encouragement from him. And he also advised me to uh join communities, right? And then um build open source stuff, build open source projects, and and help um help the communities by maybe mentoring others and stuff.

So um I as I've already said I was someone who wasn't confident, but when I joined PyClubs, I got confidence and then I exceeded my own expectations that I set So I I started going for meetups, community meetups on in Python and other um other general tech community meetups. And I met a lot of people, right? I met so many people. I had so many opportunities to network. And it was a very, very nice experience So um when I joined Pi Clubs, I had the opportunity to lead to get lead the club

Initially I I helped the lead organize some sessions on Django and Django Rest framework to help people, students who are interested in joining them who are interested in learning about Django and Django Res framework for backend systems. So I took them through how to install Django how to write simple backend systems with jumbo, how to write APIs with Jumbo. And it was a really nice experience. Then I also got the opportunity to become the PyClubs lead. And I also had an opportunity to um mentor others on Django. Um I I guess I I think in the month of July

we I finished a mentorship in a mentorship program at Because she can where I had the opportunity to mentor two females on Django. um do Django and backend development. So I guess I took them through the basics of Django, how to build backend systems and deployments and those things. So I've also had the opportunity to volunteer at to volunteer and it's been a really amazing experience volunteering in the community So currently I'm a I'm a volunteer and I I volunteered at Python Kumase. I help the lead organize meetups and stuff. And then I currently

So Python Ghana released applications for people who wanted to volunteer for to help build up the community. And I submitted my application as a subgroup lead. And by the way, um I'm happy to announce that I got it. So I'm currently going to be helping Python Kumasu with the activities. And one thing I've also realized is I've experienced fulfillment in guiding others in their tech journey. And I'm hoping to guide more people towards their tech journey. So these are some of the impacts of PyClubs, inclusivity, collaboration, continuous learning, leadership development. And I think all these things are a benefit of them

Um I'm in a beneficiary because um I'm not from a tech I'm not doing I didn't do um but uh computer science or computer engineering in the university. I'm currently offering um veterinary medicine, but I have the opportunity to lead Biclubs, By Clubs King University. as a lead and I've also had the opportunity to collaborate on projects open source some open source projects um with other people in the community and I'm always I'm always getting the opportunity to learn new stuff. And I always had my have the opportunity to develop my leadership skills. And I think that's really a blessing in And

that's per for for me that's a personal impact that PyClubs has had on me So what really is PyClabs? So PyClabs is a community initiative which is aimed at fostering Python programming skills. and knowledge among university students. So basically the goal is that we want to create um for every university in the world, we want to have a club over there Where the students can meet up and then learn more about Python, use it to solve their problems, use it to solve their problems in their various disciplines. So Py Clubs is open to all the students across the world and all disciplines. And I think I'm a I'm a direct example of that

because um As I as I have already said, I don't come from a computer science background, but I was able to join the club and I'm currently leading as the lead. And I think that's a very good example of why how open PyClubs is. So what the goal of PyClubs is to empower the students through Python and then bring about innovation and and then bridge the gap between academia and then the industry. So um one thing we realized is Students when they learn programming in school, there's a big difference between programming in academia and programming in the industry. So

I I actually have friends who are who did computer science and computer engineering and most times they tell me that what they learned in school is very different from what they are what they are doing in the industry. So like In school, they might not learn about version control, gates, GitHub, and all those things. But when they're going out into the industry, they have to know how to use GitHub and all those other tools. And And in school, even in school, like some of the things they learn, you might realize by the time they get out of school, it's outdated, right? So if you have a community of students on campus with diverse backgrounds who are studying different disciplines, but who are all have one goal to learn Python. I think the the it will be

easier for them to be abreast with the current technologies and then be able to help themselves learn about it and then bridge the gap between academia and the industry. So these are there are currently five clubs. These are some of the current clubs, Pi clubs. So these are all local clubs or in in in in in universities. in Africa. So we are hoping that people make submissions, people will make applications to register their clubs on their campuses at Py Clubs. So how do you start a PyClub on campus? So the first thing you have to do is you log on to www.

pyclabs. org. And then you you sign you register the club. So you register the club, there you you have to make sure that There there isn't already an existing club on your on campus, right? So if there isn't any existing club on campus, you then register the club and then PyClubs, the PyClubs organization will reach out to you with the feedback. Um if you go on their site you can find out more information about how um we are supposed to do the registration and stuff So these are some of the pictures from our local PyClub meetings and events. So I think these are pictures from um this picture in particular is from PyClub Armstead.

Um I think this was one from one of their sessions. And this this is a picture from when I was I was not yet the lead. I was just a normal member at Spy Club Pike Lab King is the helping um helping organize events. This is me. At the time. And this is A picture of me um talking about Python and showing my solution. I think that's one of our coding challenges Um and I think there's also a picture of um other events and things. So how do you get involved with PyClubs? So you find your local PyClub on campus Then you need to sign up for membership at your local pie

club. Then you have to make sure you attend the meetings and then be very punctual and always be regular at meetings. At the meetings Then you take part in the collaborative projects and coding challenges. So how can you contact the PyClubs organization? So you can email the PyClubs organization at team at pyclabs. org. Um you can find them on you can follow the PyClubs organization at Twitter at PyClubs, Twitter on at Py Clubs, LinkedIn is just PyClubs. And then this is the link for the PyClab site. Um www. pyclabs. org. Um, does anyone have any questions?

Um, and then how can you contact me? Can contact me on Twitter at Johanna2001. On LinkedIn is just Johanna Nupuamatin. And then this is my GitHub username Then my email is Johanan Oponamwatin2001 at gmail. com. Um thank you