I'm Ahamed Nishadh Najeem

Experience

• Plus Studio International JAN 2023 - DEC 2023

  Founder / Consultant / CEO (JAN 2024 - Present)

  Crafting Your Digital Future

• UNDP Asia and the Pacific JAN 2023 - DEC 2023

  Subregional Digital Expert - South Asia (JAN 2023 - DEC 2023)

  Under the guidance of the Regional Innovation Specialist, to develop a clear and coherent strategy for Digital Transformation across the subregion/ countries, to identify new trends and opportunities across the digital ecosystem to partner with organisations outside the UNDP to grow and scale the UNDPs impact, to provide timely services to UNDP Country Offices on digital advice in partnership with various other parts of the UNDP including the Chief Digital Office. Additionally, assist in developing transformative digital products and services into well-defined digital investable offerings that support more innovative and digital ways of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through integration of digital transformation in the post-COVID19 recovery.

• Citra Social Innovation Lab / UNDP Sri Lanka MAY 2019 - DEC 2022

  Tech For Development Lead (MAY 2019 - DEC 2022)

  Citra Social Innovation Lab is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research and the UNDP. It is the first social innoation lab to be established in Sri Lanka. My role at Citra includes working with the HackaDev National Youth Social Innovation Challenge towards driving social innovation and entrepreneurship, setting up the Citra Social Innovation Incubator as well as working with the Citra team bringing in technology expertise in the projects undertaken by Citra.

• ICT Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) MAR 2014 - APR 2019

  Project Coordinator (MAR 2014 - DEC 2015)

  In my role as Project Coordinator, I was handling the Spiralation Tech Startup Seed Funding Support program. Everything from project planning, initiation, execution and reporting was done by me. I also undertook organizing a delegation of Sri Lankan technology startups to participate in the 4YFN Program in Barcelona, Spain while also supporting the other activities of the Industry Development Program.

  Project Officer (JAN 2016 - DEC 2016)

  In my role as Project Officer, I continued handling the Spiralation program and supporting other activities of the Industry Development Program. Arranged startup delegations to 4YFN in Barcelona, Spain and also InnovFest unBound in Singapore. I also co-founded Disrupt Asia - Sri Lanka's premier startup conference and innovation festival. I was also involved in many other startup initiatives happening in the ecosystem. Contributed to setting up "Sri Lanka IT BPM", the first umbrella brand of the IT industry in Sri Lanka. In addition to my responsibilities of the startup program, I was also handling digital media for ICTA.

  Project Manager (JAN 2017 - APR 2019)

  In my role as Project Manager, I continued to expand the startups and innovations program at ICTA which was by now established as a key program in the ecosystem of Sri Lanka. I also supported other entrepreneurship initiatives of ICTA such as the ImagineIF Entrepreneurship Bootcamps and the Educate to Innovate programs. I also supported other ICTA programs in the education and capacity building domains. Added responsibilities include handling public relations, communications and event management for ICTA organizing launch events for wide range of programs, eSwhabhimani Awards Program, etc.. I was also involved in policy disucssions at various levels related to the startup and innovations ecosystem while also actively being involved in many startup events happening around the country.

• TEDxColombo / TEDxYouth@Colombo APR 2013 - JAN 2019

  Event Director / IT (APR 2013 - JAN 2019)

  As the Event Director and Head of IT, my responsibilities were to plan all the aspects of the event from ticketing to pre-production, production and post-production of the event and execute it while also look into all technology aspects of the event such as the website pre-event and side event technology requirements.

Education

• Bandaranaike Academy for Leadership and Public Policy OCT 2024 - Current

  Postgraduate Diploma in Cybersecurity Policy

• Asia e University, Malaysia JAN 2020 - SEP 2021

  Executive MSc, Entrepreneurship and Innovation

• Staffordshire University, UK / APIIT Lanka OCT 2010 - DEC 2014

  BSc in Computing (Specialized in Software Engineering)

  > GPA - 2.8

  Extra Curricular Activities

  > Area 51 Research Unit
  > Student Activity Club Events
  > Tantalize 2012 - Joint Committee Secretary

• S.Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia 1997 - 2010

  London Edexcel GCE Advanced Level - 2010

  > Business Studies - B
  > Accounting - B
  > Applied ICT - C

  General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level - 2007

  > English - A
  > Information Technology - A
  > Mathematics - A
  > Tamil Language - C
  > Sinhala Language - C
  > Religion (Islam) - C
  > Science - C
  > Social Studies - C
  > Western Music - C

  Extra Curricular Activities

  > Computer Club - President (2009), Secretary (2008), Asst. Treasurer (2007)
  > Islamic Society - Secretary (2009)
  > Tamil Literary and Debating Association - Vice-President (2009)
  > Red Cross Youth Unit - Secretary (2009)
  > Tamil Drama Society - Secretary (2009)

• Bhagya Maheshi PhD Candidate - Monash University / Data Scientist

  I had the privilege to work with Ahamed at Citra Social Innovation Lab of UNDP Sri Lanka. We worked in multiple projects together as teammates and managed to create effective and tangible outputs. Ahamed's knowledge on the technological landscape in Government Sector in Sri Lanka positively contributed us to develop holistic digital solutions and strategic plans for number of government institutions including the Department of Motor Traffic, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and Sustainable Development Council.

  Ahamed is a fast learner and his curiosity enabled me to explore new ways of analysing and presenting things to different audiences and try out different approaches in solution designs. He is well aware of the ground reality and easy to collaborate and communicate. I am proud to be his teammate and I always had the assurance that he will have my back.

  He is also very passionate about supporting young entrepreneurs and I have witnessed how much heart and soul he puts into the HackaDev programme. One of the outstanding work I admire is the conversion of the whole Hackadev programme into a virtual camp within few weeks of time with the help of the teammates. The technical support Ahamed provided is remarkable.

  I am strongly recommending Ahamed to any organisation who would like to work on technology and youth space as he will be a valuable asset

• Mohammed Fawaz Founder & CEO, CurveUp (Pvt) Ltd.

  I rarely come across real talents who stand out like Ahamed. I had the pleasure of working with Ahamed for 5+ years with different projects in different organization he contributed for , collaborating on several project teams. Ahamed ability to handle multiple projects was unlike any I’ve seen before and made a dramatic increase in the productivity level of programs and development projects he was part of. I strongly recommend his skills in planning and executing development and empowerment program with both short term and long term outcomes

• Tamasha Fernando Senior Manager - ICT Agency of Sri Lanka

  Ahamed is without a doubt, one of the most experienced and knowledgeable national level project manager I've ever worked with. His passion towards what he does makes his work super perfect and its pity easy to work with this gentleman. His technical understanding combined with the Eco-system knowledge of start-ups makes Ahamed undoubtedly one of the best choice which a company can ever have.

• Aminda James Senior Manager - ICT Agency of Sri Lanka

  Always up to date on technological advancements, Ahamed was was instrumental in ensuring the next layer of entrepreneurs and startups in Sri Lanka had more than the usual to offer and pushed them to think out of the box. He has been a key resource person at many of the workshops I have organized and the feedback has been always (not sometimes, always) amazing. His passion defines him and was instrumental in pushing national level initiatives to international standards. I'm absolutely looking forward to working with him again.

• Nilan Thimbiripola Project Manager - ICT Agency of Sri Lanka

  I have had the pleasure to work alongside Ahamed, for private sector industry development, in which he managed programs for building the tech startup's/entrepreneur ecosystem. Ahamed is highly passionate in all what he does to contribute towards a positive social impact. He is truly a team player and will not hesitate to offer any assistance to his fellow team members. I found Ahamed to be natural and possessing a knack for building good working relationships with stakeholders.

• Dayan Cooray Teacher - S.Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia

  Ahamed is a dedicated, trustworthy student. A student who listen to others and suggest his views diplomatically.!!!

• Yasmin Ahmad Mazlani CEO and Managing Director - neOOne Associates

  I knew Ahamed since 2018 for my involvement with UNDP-CITRA LAB HackaDEV Social Innovation Bootcamp. Throughout my years of working with Ahamed, I find him as a reliable, committed and caring team member. I always refer to Ahamed, and seek his point of view, whenever I need clarity, and he is always very generous with his sharing and honest with his feedback. As a friend, I describe Ahamed as a kind, trustworthy, reliable and loyal. Someone that you can always count on. I would definitely treasure our relationship, be it at the professional and personal level.

• Vemani Kaushalya Project Officer - ICT Agency of Sri Lanka

  I highly recommend Ahamed for his exceptional contributions as a team player, not only in the "Industry Development Program," but also for the entire ICTA. His ability to foresee and think outside the box has been instrumental in the success of the projects we worked on. Ahamed consistently demonstrated the capacity to perform tasks with the effectiveness of three or more people, while being a great mentor to myself and my colleagues. His passion for his work is truly remarkable and he is well-known for completing tasks in a timely manner, while remaining realistic and truthful in his approach. Additionally, Ahamed's unparalleled creativity in his work is impressive. As Co-founder of the "DisruptAsia" program, he has played a key role in supporting the IT industry in Sri Lanka by conceptualizing and deploying projects for startups, which has significantly increased the number of startups in the country. Ahamed has led many initiatives and has been an instrumental figure in the IT industry-related Government projects. He is an exceptional character and a great example to others. I highly recommend Ahamed for any future endeavors he may undertake.

• Koshal Krishnakumar Co-Organizer - TEDxColombo

  A focused and committed person. Ahamed and I worked together as a part of the TEDxColombo 2015 team. He is someone who manages his tasks superbly as he knows what his strengths are and delivers quality work in the domains that he is supposed to be responsible for during the project. Ahamed is a hard worker and works to get things done to meet the deadlines. It was great working with Ahamed and I am sure he will do great work in any roles he takes up.

• Hamza Alibhoy Co-Organizer - TEDxYouth@Colombo

  Ahamed is extremely talented in the field of IT and organizing events. He possess vast experience in these areas and is committed to deliver the perfect experience to users or participants. He is also a strong leader who can get things done when needed. Ahamed is a 'MUST HAVE' on your event team.

• Safra Anver Licensee - TEDxColombo

  Ahamed has constantly proven himself to be the go to man to get anything solved. Having him sort out our website and direct the technicalities of the event - made my job a breeze. It also helps that he has the appropriate contacts to get whatever is required at the appropriate times.

  People like him are hard to come by and I am glad he is a dedicated member of the TEDxColombo steering team.

• Yudhanjaya Wijeratne Author, researcher, storyteller

  Ahamed is extremely informed, professional and constantly on the ball, and has time and time again proved himself an invaluable source of factual data on the inner workings of the IT industry. A pleasure to work with.