Inspiring stories

As the Fab Academy 2024 cycle winds down and we prepare for a celebratory graduation ceremony at FAB24 México (opens new window) later this summer, we’d like to share a few inspiring stories of personal struggle and ultimate success from an impressive and diverse group of students. Representing a broad spectrum of backgrounds and coming from all corners of the globe, these students are bound by a shared determination to learn, grow, and overcome whatever challenges they face. Empowered by the Fab Academy, their experiences demonstrate that striving in community is a core asset of the international Fab Lab Network (opens new window).

Yangtshel Wangyel, only 14 years old, enrolled in Fab Academy “to learn more and experience what technology can do.” The ninth-grader at Druk Gyalpo's Institute (DGI) in Paro, Bhutan has a deep passion for technology and, clearly, a drive for self-improvement. Reflecting on his recent experience, he says the coursework was difficult at first, but with each bit of knowledge gained, he was encouraged to overcome the challenges presented. He credits his success in the fast-paced learning environment of Fab Academy to the kind and helpful community that supported him along the way.

As he continues his learning journey at DGI, this recent triumph will undoubtedly provide the necessary confidence to tackle any obstacle set in his way. “Of all the other learning courses out there, none are like the Fab Academy.”

Jim Hart is a retired Engineering Watch Supervisor from the U.S. Navy nuclear submarine force, a former Assistant Professor of Technology at Missouri State University, and a small business owner who has operated a web hosting service since 2001.

He began attending Fab Academy in 2019 but met *“with many trials and hardships.” *In response, he designed and made a Fab Lab in his own home, which he would use to complete the course. Resisting a lifelong preference for independent learning, he found that success in the course was only possible when he opened his mind to collaborative learning and making.

Having divided his professional life between pursuits in alternative energy and computer technology, Jim now sees a way to fuse the two disciplines, thanks to Fab Academy. *“The value of learning something that is just beyond your reach is transformative. I have been transformed by the renewing of my mind.” *

Maria Angela Mejia Leon is an architect dedicated to the promotion of sustainability in construction, architecture, and landscaping projects. She’s also a professor of Interior Design—someone who believes in the profound and positive impact that education can have on a life.

At Fab Lab Peru, she acts as a mentor in the Innova Fab Women Program, working to reduce the gender gap in technology. For her, this is a dream that started as a personal aspiration and transformed into a social cause. “The Fab Academy program represented for me the ideal platform to further develop this dream.” With more ideas in mind than she can possibly prototype, “the way in which these dreams materialize is still unclear,” but she’s confident that it will be something great, having fully internalized the DIY philosophy. “The Fab Academy experience changed my mindset.”

Ahmed Ishaq thrives on challenge and relishes the thrill of untangling a complex knot of problems. “No hurdle is too high, no detail too small, when it comes to perfecting my creations.”

An expert in embedded systems and robotics, with a strong passion for digital fabrication, he leads Innovation and R&D at the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) in Nigeria. As someone who firmly believes in the power of collaboration, he joined the Fab Academy to share knowledge and bounce ideas off kindred spirits. “Witnessing innovation blossom through joint efforts—that's what truly energizes me.”

In addition to improving his fabrication skills, Fab Academy gave him membership into a strong global network and access to new colleagues around the world. “I would recommend Fab Academy to someone else because it can change their life.”

Congratulations to these stellar students and the entire graduating class of Fab Academy 2024! They are all shining examples of productive struggle and perseverance, combining the power of technology with the superpower of community collaboration. We couldn’t be more proud of their accomplishments.

If you have a passion for technology and are looking for a comprehensive learning experience to develop your skills, we invite you to enroll in Fab Academy. Pre-registration for the 2025 cycle is now open here (opens new window).

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