Laasya Eluri

Which course are you studying? 

Computer Science MEng.

Why did you choose this course? 

I really enjoy problem solving and mathematics and computer science is a perfect intersection of them both!

There’s always something new to learn and the vast range of multifaceted problems our world today faces motivates me to develop powerful solutions. 

What’s the best thing about studying at the Computer Science department? 

The access to opportunities and resources. Studying computer science at UCL instils a powerful spirit that the world is your oyster and opens doors you have never even heard of before.

The second is, as cliché as it sounds, the people.

People really are the heart and soul of UCL Computer Science and I have learned so much from the diverse, talented people I have known and become friends with both on my course and within the larger department!

What challenges have you faced in your studies so far and how did you overcome them?

COVID-19 is a big one. It is hard to stop myself from wondering what a “normal” start to university would have felt like and from wishing that everything goes back to how it was pre-covid.

The pandemic has led to us dealing with devastating news on a daily basis, being constantly anxious about you or your loved ones falling ill and for international students like me, constantly changing travel restrictions and bans.

What brings me hope is that everyone is doing their best, and as humanity, we have come closer together. It is up to us to embrace the uncertainty and focus on doing more good, as it is what the world needs more of now.

What things do you wish you’d known before starting at UCL?

How easily something can go from an idea to implementation when you surround yourself with the right people in a global university that seeks to do more good.

I have been fortunate to be a core part of projects like these in the past and it motivates me to constantly innovate in the future.

What does equity mean to you? 

Equity is walking into any place where important decisions are made and being seen and heard for who you are.

It should exist in both the small moments and the big, from socialising in class to leading on the global stage.

It is about being respectful of one another and seeing the beauty that lies within each person.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

When things do not go your way, it’s important not to let it affect your self-worth.

Always give yourself time to recuperate before drawing lessons from a ‘failure’ and think about what you could have done better, for that is how you truly succeed.

Who inspires you and why? 

I know two people who wake up every day striving to be a better version of themselves, they think critically about everything they do and live more selflessly than I ever thought was possible.

That being said, I am extremely fortunate to call them my parents.

Where would you like to be in 5 years? 

Anywhere I am, I want to be solving problems, working hard and surrounding myself with people who make me happy and push me to do better!

I am particularly interested in learning about and tackling problems relating to medicine and education and how tech can change these crucial industries for the better.

What’s your favourite coding language? 

Python through and through. It is most people’s favourite language but with good reason. It’s constantly improved and helps get work done easily and efficiently. (As a good tool should!)