EMIZ
AI-powered Digital Twin
Contributed to a first-phase prototype supporting decision-making across manufacturing, engineering, logistics and construction.
Chapter Four · The Living CV
Sam Oluwadare
Software Engineer | AI & Digital Systems | Technology & Governance
MSc Information Technology graduate with Distinction and over four years of experience delivering full-stack applications, AI-enabled systems and data-driven digital products across commercial, academic and innovation environments. I combine hands-on software engineering with systems thinking, stakeholder engagement and board-level governance experience, building technology that is reliable, useful and centred on people.
Selected evidence
Impact before chronology.
MSc Distinction
Secure LLM research platform
Designed a private, offline proposal-assessment platform using React, FastAPI, PostgreSQL, Docker and locally hosted LLMs.
34,000+ students
University governance
Serve as a University Governor, contributing to strategic oversight, organisational performance and digital transformation.
470 representatives
Elected education leadership
Served as Vice President (Education) and Trustee Member, representing students and shaping education policy and engagement.
Experience
Engineering, leadership and governance in one journey.
Jul 2025 - Present
governance
University Governor / Director
University of Derby
Derby, United Kingdom
Contribute to the strategic oversight of a university serving more than 34,000 students and 2,000 staff.
- Participate in board-level discussions covering institutional strategy, risk, organisational performance and digital transformation.
- Review complex reports and executive proposals, providing independent challenge and supporting evidence-based decision-making.
- Represented the University at a House of Lords policy and industry event marking the launch of the Institute of Carbonomics.
GovernanceStrategyRisk awarenessDigital transformation
Jul 2025 - Jul 2026
leadership
Vice President (Education) & Trustee Member
University of Derby Students' Union
Derby, United Kingdom
Elected to lead on education strategy and represent the academic interests of more than 34,000 students.
- Coordinated engagement across approximately 470 student representatives and presented recommendations to senior stakeholders.
- Led initiatives spanning student voice, academic representation, AI in education and service improvement.
- Contributed as a charity trustee to governance, accountability and organisational decision-making.
LeadershipPolicyStakeholder engagementTrusteeship
Jun 2025
teaching
Computer Science Teaching Intern
Department for Education / George Spencer Teaching School Hub
Nottingham, United Kingdom
Completed a competitive secondary teaching placement focused on computing, data science and learner development.
- Delivered interactive Year 8 data science lessons and translated technical concepts into accessible learning experiences.
- Marked Year 11 GCSE Computing preparatory scripts and participated in safeguarding, SEND and adaptive-teaching development.
TeachingData scienceCommunicationAssessment
Jan 2025 - Mar 2025
engineering
Software Developer (Contract)
East Midlands Combined County Authority / University of Derby / Bloc Digital
Derby, United Kingdom
Developed frontend capabilities for an AI-powered Digital Twin prototype delivered under the East Midlands Investment Zone initiative.
- Built a responsive interface integrating with an AI-powered backend and real-time digital representations of physical assets.
- Worked within a graph-based, edge-enabled Retrieval-Augmented Generation architecture supporting causal analysis and domain-specific learning.
- Collaborated with developers, researchers and industry specialists to align technical delivery with real-world operational needs.
ReactDigital TwinsRAGLLMsCausal analysis
Explore related case study →Oct 2022 - Sep 2024
engineering
Full-Stack Software Developer
Sunej Global Ventures
Lagos, Nigeria
Designed, developed and supported user-centred web applications, APIs and database-backed business systems.
- Developed an enterprise sales analytics platform supporting operations generating more than $10 million annually.
- Led the end-to-end development of Blue Kollars, a service marketplace connecting users with verified providers.
- Implemented REST APIs, secure authentication, database solutions and third-party integrations across multiple applications.
ReactNode.jsExpressPythonPHPMySQLMongoDB
Feb 2022 - Jun 2022
engineering
Web Developer Intern
Tech Studio Academy
Lagos, Nigeria
Built responsive full-stack applications in a structured software-development programme and ranked among the cohort's top performers.
- Recognised as a top 2% performer for high-quality technical delivery.
- Developed responsive interfaces and backend features using JavaScript, Node.js, Express, MongoDB and WordPress.
JavaScriptNode.jsExpressMongoDBWordPress
Education & research
Built across technology and the humanities.
Sep 2024 - Aug 2025
Distinction
MSc Information Technology
University of Derby
- • Dissertation: LLM-Assisted Project Proposal Assessment and Improvement Platform.
- • Designed a secure multi-container system with React, FastAPI, PostgreSQL, Docker and locally hosted LLMs.
- • Modules included IT Project Management, Database Development, Web Technologies, OOP Analysis & Design and Business Analytics.
Sep 2019 - Aug 2021
Distinction (4.76/5.00) | Best Graduating Student
MA English Literature
University of Lagos
- • Dissertation: Patterns of Female Representation in Nollywood.
- • Served as Class Governor and developed advanced research, analysis and communication capabilities.
Sep 2013 - Aug 2017
Second Class Upper Honours
BA English & International Studies
Osun State University
- • Served as Departmental Financial Secretary and represented the university in a regional oratory competition.
Capabilities
A full-stack toolkit shaped by systems thinking.
Frontend Engineering
JavaScriptTypeScriptReactNext.jsHTML5CSS3Tailwind CSSResponsive UI
Backend & APIs
Node.jsExpressPythonFastAPIDjangoPHPREST APIsAuthentication
AI, Data & Databases
LLMsRAGDigital TwinsPostgreSQLMySQLMongoDBData modellingBusiness analytics
Architecture & Delivery
System designRequirements analysisDockerGitLinuxAgileTechnical documentationTesting
Leadership & Governance
Strategic oversightStakeholder engagementPolicy developmentBoard governanceRisk awarenessPublic speaking
Professional development
Learning remains part of the work.
Governor Development Programme
Advance HE
Governance, strategic oversight, risk management and regulatory responsibilities.
Jan 2026
Back-End Web Development
ALX Africa / Mastercard Foundation
Python, Django, backend architecture, APIs, data structures, Git and secure application development.
Jun 2024 - Dec 2024
Node.js, Express, MongoDB & More
Udemy
REST APIs, authentication, authorisation, MongoDB and scalable backend development.
2023 - 2024
Future Proof with Python
Kibo School of Technology
Python programming, OOP, data structures, error handling and problem-solving.
2022
JavaScript Full-Stack Web Development
Tech Studio Academy
JavaScript, Node.js, Express, MongoDB, authentication and full-stack application development.
2022
Continue the evidence