SWAT: A 13-year-old software and web developer from Swat, who has recently received a recognition certificate from an international software organisation, has vowed to become an artificial intelligence expert.

Inspired by late Arfa Karim, the youngest Microsoft Certified Professional, Marwan Khan, a seventh grader in SPS College Swat, is a self-made software and web developer. He has developed several websites and computer games.

During the Covid-19 lockdown in the country, he developed a website for his classmates and teachers to pursue studies without any hindrance.

“I started using a computer at the age of 10. By visiting different websites, I developed an interest in websites and wanted to understand how they worked. So, I tried to make websites for which I learned Photoshop, HTML, Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) and JavaScript,” Marwan told Dawn.

At the time when his other classmates were busy in playing mobile games, Marwan was learning how to code.

He said that he thought to develop a website so that he and his classmates could properly study online when his school was closed during the Covid-19 lockdown. He added that he developed a website for his class where they could easily log-in and get connected with their teachers of all subjects.

Marwan said that the website was not only for online classes but also good for physical classes. “From attendance to lectures and assigning homework, a teacher can perform every activity as he/she does in the class while students can receive lectures; in video and PowerPoint presentation, get notes and homework assignments on my website,” he said.

Marwan has also achieved a recognition certificate from BYJU’S Future School, an online learning platform for students, when he successfully developed a game through coding. “I was watching cartoons online in which I saw an advertisement for a coding class. I applied for the course and attended classes of international trainers. After the training, the trainers assigned me to make a game through coding,” he said and added that he developed a badminton game, which was more advanced their assigned task.

“When they received my created game, they were happy and awarded me a certificate and eight stars. This was a really proud moment for me to receive recognition from an international organisation in coding,” he said.

Marwan said that he had a great passion for computer coding and software development and wanted not only to introduce innovative approaches in web development but also earn name in artificial intelligence.

“My ultimate goal is to become an expert in artificial intelligence and serve my country in the field,” he said with determination.

He said that it was the age of coding, artificial intelligence, robotics and modern technology and the new generation must come to the field.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2021