Speaker

Ildar Akhmetov

Ildar Akhmetov

Director of Computing Programs | Exploring how we learn, build, and lead in tech

Vancouver, Canada

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Educator, systems thinker, and lifelong learner. I lead the Computing Programs at Northeastern University’s Vancouver campus, where I work at the intersection of teaching, leadership, and software development. I care deeply about building systems that scale — whether that’s a capstone project, a degree program, or a set of habits that help students grow.

My background blends academia, entrepreneurship, and international experience. Before joining Northeastern, I ran a publishing business in Russia for over a decade — leading a team, streamlining operations, and building internal tools long before low-code platforms became popular. These days, I bring that same bias toward clarity, efficiency, and real-world results into how I teach and lead.

As a computer science educator, I’ve mentored hundreds of students through project-based learning, often partnering with industry and nonprofit clients. I’ve designed and taught 60+ capstone projects, developed AI-focused pathways, and created structures to help students turn their academic work into something meaningful — sometimes even startup-worthy.

I’ve been lecturing, facilitating workshops, and giving talks for over two decades — in universities, industry settings, and more recently, on stage as a Toastmaster. What makes that meaningful to me is the personal journey: I used to stutter as a kid and avoided speaking up whenever I could. These days, I find joy in clarity — not just in what I say, but in helping others articulate ideas that matter. Whether I’m teaching a technical concept or sharing a story from the classroom, I aim for engagement over perfection.

I speak and write about computer science education in the age of AI, teaching across cultures, building entrepreneurial mindsets, and how to preserve cognitive rigor without burning people out. My talks are grounded in classroom experience but often go beyond pedagogy — into leadership, mindset, and systems design.

Outside of work, I’m into distance running, slow travel, strange programming languages, and learning Spanish (with a thick Argentinian accent, apparently). I’m also raising a curious and sporty teenager, which is probably the most humbling teaching gig of all.

Area of Expertise

  • Business & Management
  • Government, Social Sector & Education
  • Information & Communications Technology

Topics

  • Computer Science Education
  • Educational Technology
  • Educational Leadership
  • Future of Education
  • Education for Sustainable Development
  • Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education
  • Software Engineering
  • Project-Based Learning
  • AI in Education
  • Teaching with AI
  • Technical Communication
  • Cross-Cultural Education
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Entrepreneurship in Tech
  • Public Speaking
  • Lifelong Learning

Ildar Akhmetov

Director of Computing Programs | Exploring how we learn, build, and lead in tech

Vancouver, Canada

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