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Have you ever wondered what it’s like to study at a modern university while working on cutting-edge tech projects? Or how someone juggles work, family, and school all at once?
Al’amin Ibrahim, a software engineering student at Miva Open University, is doing just that. His story is not just inspiring; it’s proof that with the right environment, passion and purpose can thrive side by side.
In This Post
Working on MIND
One of Al’amin’s most exciting experiences at Miva has been contributing to MIND (Miva Interactive Neural Dialogue), an AI-powered dialogue system developed to challenge students’ thinking rather than just testing memorisation.
As an AI and back-end engineer on the MIND project, Al’amin helped build a system that encourages learners to think more critically and express their ideas more clearly. He collaborated with a team to architect the system, integrate third-party APIs, and contribute ideas, some of which were implemented, while others were kept for future updates.
“It was actually one of the most exciting things I’ve worked on. I’ve learnt a lot.”
The MIND project is one of many ways Miva allows students to engage in real-world work while studying, giving them practical skills that go beyond theory.
Building Portfolio as a Work-Study Assistant
Al’amin Ibrahim serves as a work-study research assistant at Miva, a role that allows him to work on real projects like MIND while learning. His contribution to MIND began after being contacted by the Chief Content Officer to discuss the project.
“He described the idea, and I was pumped… It was really exciting, and we just went ahead and started working on it.”
Being part of the work-study programme has not only strengthened Al’amin’s portfolio but also helped him network with others, including a teammate he describes as friendly, reliable, and helpful.
Studying with Family
Interestingly, Al’amin Ibrahim’s learning experience is a family affair. He’s not the only one studying at Miva; his siblings are also students, including his sister, who is also studying software engineering.
Learning together has not only strengthened their bond but also created a small but supportive learning community within their own family.
Balancing Work and Study
Before joining Miva, Al’amin had tried the traditional university route but found it limiting. With Miva’s flexible approach, he’s now able to study and work on his own schedule.
“The traditional university system is inefficient. It wouldn’t allow me to work while studying. But then joining Miva… It gave me the flexibility to work while also studying.”
He typically works during the day and studies at night, tailoring his schedule to match both his career goals and academic needs.
Miva’s Curriculum Relevance and Flexibility
What does Al’amin think of the curriculum at Miva? In his words, it’s “pure low-noise-to-signal education”, meaning the learning is direct, relevant, and stripped of unnecessary content.
“The curriculum is very, very good. It’s very elegant. They teach the actual thing. No additional useless stuff.”
His favourite course? Artificial Intelligence. He appreciates how the curriculum focuses on the real-world applications of programming, maths, and AI, all of which tie back into his work and passion.
“If you’re looking for flexibility and want to learn state-of-the-art skills while working, you should join Miva.”
Final Thoughts
Al’amin’s story is a strong example of how Miva Open University supports learners with big dreams and busy lives. Through flexible learning, real-world work opportunities, and a sharp curriculum, Miva empowers students like Al’amin Ibrahim to pursue their passions without compromise.
Whether you’re looking to upskill, switch careers, or deepen your knowledge while working, Miva might just be the place to start your journey, just like Al’amin did.
Explore our undergraduate or postgraduate courses, and let your learning journey begin!
