Chairperson

Neeraj Mathrani

Undergraduate, University of Waterloo

Hi, I am a third year Software Engineering student at the University of Waterloo. I am currently on a co-op work term at Electronic Arts Canada, working on FIFA 2007 for XBox 360, as an Assistant Development Manager. Previously, I have contributed as a Software Engineering co-op to FIFA 2007 for current gen. consoles and to NBA Live 2006 for XBox 360.

CUSEC is a great conference! A chance to gain so much knowledge in so little time, not to mention having fun and partying with fellow Software Engineers (including keynotes). CUSEC 2006 was a great success and CUSEC 2007 aims to be even bigger and better than CUSEC 2006. Hope you can join us!

Director of Finance

John Sloboda

Undergraduate, University of Waterloo

It began like any other day; after spending yet another lunch in the lab working on some ridiculous assignment, I'm walking through the foyer of the Math/Computing building. "SLOBODA! Get over here!" "What's up?" "You want to come to this software conference? Its three days of cutting edge software seminars by day, and massive partying by night!" "Alright... hold on, how much?" Needless to say I went, was blown away (on both counts), and am now acting in the capacity of CUSEC's Finance Director. These days, I'm in third-year Software Engineering at University of Waterloo. This term, I happen to be down in California, working for a database security company and helping the silent Canadian takeover of Silicon Valley =). The reason I've chosen this path is because I've come to realize Software is awesome; the same reason I got so much out of CUSEC, and the same reason you will too.

Director of Presentations

Hugo Levasseur

Undergraduate, Concordia University

Three years ago, I returned to University to complete a Software Engineering degree. Prior to this, I had spent four years becoming a self-taught system administrator at McGill. By the end of these four years, I had realized that I wanted to know more, I wanted to become better at what I did, or, more simply, I wanted to grow as a professional. Software Engineering seemed to be the natural academic choice for me as it was presented by academic institutions as being a program through which was taught the fundamentals of programming, software design, and project management and all this on a base of sound engineering principles and practices. "Engineering principles": words that made me dream of Software Engineering grandeur and of grand historical engineering endeavors. It seemed simple enough for me to associate the future place of Software Engineers with the one of past Engineers, all disciplines confounded.

It was at the start of one of my first programming lectures that a young energetic student had stepped to the front of the class and mentioned "CUSEC" to me (and to my fellow 200 or so students attending class that day). He had described the event with such verve that I was convinced in an instant that attending CUSEC was going to be as essential for my personal growth as my decision to hit the books and take on an engineering degree! What better to way to gain true insight and knowledge about the field than by meeting and listening to successful peers who had walked "the path" before me? After attending CUSEC, I became so enthralled with the conference that last year, in 2006, I decided to help support the CUSEC team in securing a record Montreal attendance by collaborating with the Concordia Head Delegate Michel Parisien.

In my view, CUSEC is, first and foremost, an event where Software Engineers meet to further their understanding of "the trade". It is also a place to meet friends, to feed your passion for Software Engineering, and also to simply have a good time! As the Director of Presentations, I will do everything that is in my power to ensure that our conference meets your high expectations! I invite you all to join us at CUSEC 2007 and come to learn and exchange on how to Design for the Future!

Director of Academic Presentations

Walid Koleilat

Graduate, University of Waterloo

When I was pursuing my Bachelor in Software Engineering degree at Concordia, I attended CUSEC. There, I was blown away by the passion of the attendees and their curiosity for knowledge. After completing my bachelor, I joined the University of Waterloo. I am currently in my second year of Masters in Computer Science Co-op Option and I am working on Software Architecture. Last summer, I did a co-op term at IBM as part of the Extreme Blue Team and I met great creative people. I believe that the backbone of the software business is the community and software engineering students are a big part of it. CUSEC is a place where this community can get together and discuss cutting edge software technology with pioneers in the software industry. As the Director for Academic Presentations, I made sure to invite professors that are renowned for their creative work in the field of software engineering. Come on, join the next generation of software engineers, be part of CUSEC 2007.

Director of Keynotes

Orlando Marquez

Undergraduate, University of Waterloo

I attended CUSEC 2005 to satisfy my curiosity and it turned out to be a life-changing experience thanks to the group of people that I met and the passion that emanated from them. At the same time, my friend Neeraj Mathrani was pushing so that the University of Waterloo could get a bigger role in organizing one of the future editions of this great conference. Thanks to his persistence and the openness of the CUSEC core organizing team, CUSEC 2007 is really a Canadian conference, both from the organizing and the attendee sides.

At this point in time, I am in the third year of a Software Engineering degree. The University of waterloo has provided me with three years of great experiences and friendships. During this summer work term, I am part of one of the Ottawa IBM Extreme Blue teams working with great people and letting my imagination go wild. I am also pursuing a concurrent degree in Economics, my second major passion, which will keep me in school for a couple of extra years. I wish there was something like the Canadian University Economics Conference, but unfortunately there is not; thus, it is really necessary that anyone with interest in Software Engineering attends CUSEC in order to be part of the passion that exists for this field. It is one of our goals for this conference to be a catalyst for a more united Software Engineering community in which passionate individuals can gather and address all those problems that as engineers we are entitled to solve.

Director of Corporate Presentations

Michelle Chua

Undergraduate, University of British Columbia

I started university five years ago with no knowledge of computers (save for a love of games and basic use of Microsoft Word), so I believe that the field is open to anyone interested in figuring out how to manipulate one of the most complicated things man has ever built.

If you're one of these people, CUSEC is for you. You don't have to be a brilliant mathematician, or an award-winning programmer. You don't even need to be an engineer. CUSEC welcomes students interested in computers from all programs (including computer science, cognitive systems, etc.).

As proof: I'm one of the non-engineers. I'm currently completing my final undergraduate year at UBC in Computer Science and English Literature. When I'm not studying, you can find me on my bike, snowboarding on one of Vancouver's beautiful mountains, or at Electronic Arts, where I facilitate classes for new hires. This will be my first year at CUSEC - and I hope I'll see you there.

Director of Interactive Events

Kalu Kalu

Undergraduate, University of Waterloo

Three years ago, when I began my software engineering career, the one thing I've constantly yearned for is more discussion on the current and future state of software/technology. I always delighted in moments where students/professors went beyond discussing what was going to be on the exam to foster interesting, practical discussions about the topic at hand. Unfortunately, very few classes operate this way, since a portion of students are condescending to those asking "irrelevant" (read: non-exam) questions or professors who do not stick to exam-related topics.

Enter CUSEC. Two years ago when I found out about CUSEC, I just had to be there. There was no way I could possibly pass up the opportunity to partake in tech-related discussions with those who share similar passions, including industry speakers. After attending my CUSEC, which was the first technology conference I've been to, I've since become attune to other conferences focussed on technology discussions, such as BarCamp.

I simply cannot wait to discuss "Designing for the Future" at CUSEC 2007!

Graphic Designer and Blogger

Matan Nassau

Undergraduate, Concordia University

Hi! I'm a first-year Software Engineering student at Concordia University. I love computers and almost everything that relate to computers; programming, graphic design, 3D modelling and animation ... I had my first computer, a Commodore 64, when I was a child and started programming then for the first time (Microsoft Basic). Ever since I'm passionate about computers.

When I first heard about CUSEC last year I was thrilled to know there is a conference in which many students in Canada who share my passion gather in three tight days of intense software engineering fun. I find CUSEC an excellent way to start a semester.

Art and Website Director

Richard Shih

Undergraduate, University of Waterloo

I am heading into my third-year of Software Engineering at the University of Waterloo. I try to be involved with the more fun aspects of Software Engineering. Engineering and the workplace is equally as challenging with social networking and interactions; you can't make it by sitting in front of a computer all the time. CUSEC will give you the opportunity to meet new people, make friends, and best of all, see how what you are learning can impact the real workplace.

Director of Promotions

Carleton University - Karen Widish

Undergraduate, Carleton University

Welcome to CUSEC 2007!

I have seen all sides of CUSEC from being an attendee in 2004, an organizer in 2005 and a head delegate in 2006. I am back for my 4th year of CUSEC mania as Carleton University's Head Delegate. I am currently on my last co-op work term at a small software engineering firm in Ottawa and will be heading into my 4th year at Carleton this fall.

As I said last year, CUSEC is a must for any software student. The conference is an excellent complement to what is taught in the classroom and on our co-op placements and it is an opportunity to hear some excellent speakers from our soon to be profession. On top of all this, it is an awesome gathering of students from across Canada with a passion for software. I hope you can join us this January 2007, in Montreal!

Head Delegate

Université de Moncton - Julie Hache

Undergraduate, Université de Moncton

I first attended CUSEC 2005 at Carleton University and came out of it with renewed passion and motivation. I was happy to discover a more human side of Software Engineering that I had not yet encountered in university. I was amazed at the people and the organization and decided I wanted to be a part of it in some way. Since then, I have definitely been enjoying doing my best in bringing other students to this conference so they can reap its benefits as well. It has boosted the all-around participation and motivation of our student association, who is now striving to improve our curriculum and access to better learning ressources, thanks to CUSEC's eye-opening experience!

I am currently in my 3rd year of Computer Science doing a co-op work term with Public Works and Government Services Canada in Ottawa as a Software Developer.