Alumni

Hilly Cookey-Gam

I am from Opobo Kingdom, Rivers State, Nigeria. I developed an interest in computers when I was exposed to PC games in 1997. My favourite game then was Wolfenstein and I just wanted to know how that wonderful game was created. An interest in computers and a natural flair for creating things resulted in my study of software engineering.

What are you doing now?

I'm currently the CEO of Scutarii Advisory - an advisory firm that provides strategic warning intelligence to policymakers and business leaders.

How did studying at Northumbria help you achieve your career goals / give your career an edge?

Studying at Northumbria helped me develop an appetite for excellence and professionalism. It was not that difficult for me to handle projects that require the highest levels of precision.

What was the best thing about your course?

My course made me understand why IT projects fail and the best way to avoid such failures. It also taught me the importance of professionalism and precision.

Who inspired you the most, and why?

My source of inspiration is God. I am deeply religious and my association with God has moulded me into a better person. God is the source of my dedicated to work, family and country.

Which skills/knowledge did you learn on your course that you use most now/throughout your career?

Object-oriented design skills are of primary importance when building models to understand the relationship between actors and variables in geopolitics and the development and update of proprietary tools to aid open-source investigations.

What did you enjoy most about your time at Northumbria University?

What I enjoyed the most was the case study project. Being in a professional setting with people from different parts of the world was really exciting.

What advice would you give somebody who is thinking of studying at Northumbria?

It is a good thing when your tutors are sociable and likable. However, don't get carried away thinking they'll bend the rules when you don't submit your assignments on time or meet all the requirements. Party less, study hard and you'll be smiling at the end of your course.