Testimonials for BiLD 2025

I am a 7th year medical student from the Lebanese American University (LAU), and I learned about this program through my university. I really enjoyed the program. The international, interdisciplinary, and collaborative space allowed for such an enriching learning environment. The lectures provided an excellent framework to engage with more complex deep learning concepts, and the hands-on sessions allowed us to contextualize these concepts within the field of biomedical imaging. All throughout, insightful discussions with the speakers, tutors, and other participants elevated the learning experience. I found these conversations to be the most interesting part of the school: connecting with people from different backgrounds, gaining a greater understanding of their perspectives, and working together towards a more ethical, sustainable, and equitable use of AI. We also had a lot of fun exploring Tunis together, sharing delicious meals on the shore of a city with a rich cultural heritage and amazing company!

I am a 5th year medical student at the University of Bonn, currently working on my doctoral thesis in Radiology with a focus on Brain-Age prediction using deep learning methods. I first learned about the Summer School through Professor Shadi, whom I met last winter and whose seminars on AI in Radiology I had attended. The program exceeded my expectations. The lectures were highly informative and provided a broad perspective on the applications of AI in medicine. The speakers gave insightful talks that were both engaging and thought-provoking. I especially appreciated the hands-on sessions, which were very well structured and clearly explained, allowing us to directly apply the concepts we learned. The tutors played a key role as well; they were approachable, motivated us throughout the sessions, and created a collaborative atmosphere where students felt encouraged to participate and learn. For me, the most exciting part of the school was the combination of theoretical knowledge with practical training, which made the learning experience dynamic and enriching. It was inspiring to see how the field is advancing and to get a sense of its future directions. Beyond the academic program, I also enjoyed the social events. The trips to Sidi Bou Said, Carthage, and Tunis were memorable highlights, giving us a chance to experience the cultural and historical richness of the region. Sharing meals at local restaurants and spending time together outside the classroom added to the sense of community and made the entire experience even more enjoyable. Overall, the Summer School was both academically stimulating and socially rewarding. It provided me with valuable insights for my research and a wonderful opportunity to connect with peers and mentors from different backgrounds.

My name is Imen Miladi, a student from ISI University in Tunis. I discovered the Summer School through LinkedIn, applied, and here I am—grateful to be writing this testimonial to thank everyone who contributed to making this such a wonderful experience. I am deeply thankful to all the mentors, tutors, and the organizing team for their support and dedication. شكرًا شادي الله يخليك (thank you Shadi, may God bless you), grazie mille Diletta, and a special thank you to David and Elyes for your constant help, and to Hadil and Sara, عايشكم (thank you), for your support. I would also like to express my gratitude to all the speakers and lecturers: Prof. Nassir Navab, Prof. Vasileios Belagiannis, Prof. Islem Rekik, Prof. Ezzeddine Zagrouba, Prof. Hanene Boussi, Dr. Narjes Ben Ameur, Dr. Aditya Rastogi, Dr. Lara Marie Reimer, Leon Nissen, and Rached Abdelkhalek, for their inspiring talks. The program was truly enriching, from the high-quality lectures to the warm and welcoming atmosphere. Beyond the academic side, the social events were unforgettable. I hope you enjoyed discovering Tunisia—especially Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, and Tunis. I truly enjoyed visiting these places with you, and I hope you also enjoyed playing Chkobba. Finally, to all the participants: I’m so glad to have met you, and I hope that we meet again one day. Thank you all!

I am Kmar Mezghani, a final-year engineering student at École Polytechnique de Tunisie. I discovered the BILD Summer School application through Dr. Shadi's LinkedIn, and I must say it was an incredible experience! The topics were insightful, up-to-date, and the hands-on sessions offered so many practical and valuable takeaways. A huge thank you to all the organizers and tutors for their kindness and support throughout this journey. I also loved connecting with participants from diverse specialties. I’m truly excited and hopeful for the next edition of the Summer School, and I can’t wait to see what new opportunities it will bring!

My name is Chaima Attafi, I am Tunisian and currently studying Software Engineering at ESPRIT – École Supérieure Privée d’Ingénierie et de Technologies in Tunis. I learned about the BLID Summer School through a LinkedIn post shared by Professor Shady, and I was immediately interested in joining. The program itself was very interactive and enriching; the lectures, speakers, and tutors created a dynamic environment where we not only gained knowledge but also shared ideas openly. What I found most exciting was the way the program connected doctors and IT specialists, showing how collaboration between these fields can lead to meaningful impact.

My name is Khadija Ben Mansour, a second-year Research Master’s student in Biophysics and Biomedical Signals at the Higher Institute of Medical Technologies, University of Tunis El Manar. I first heard about the BILD Summer School from my supervisors, who encouraged me to participate, and I also came across it on LinkedIn. The program immediately caught my attention because it aligns perfectly with my field of study. I was truly impressed by the entire program—the lectures, the speakers, and the tutors. The content was well-balanced between theory and interactive sessions, creating an enriching learning experience. The lectures were full of valuable information and discoveries, and I learned so many new things that kept me engaged and excited from start to finish. I particularly enjoyed the lectures by Dr. Nassir Navab and Dr. Islem Rekik; they were incredibly insightful and inspiring. The speakers delivered the knowledge clearly and professionally, and the tutors were simply amazing—helpful, kind, and very understanding. One of the most exciting parts of the summer school was Dr. Nassir Navab’s lecture, as well as the networking and social activities. Even though I’m Tunisian and already familiar with places like Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, and Tunis, revisiting these beautiful spots with the group made me appreciate my country even more. The atmosphere, the interactions, and the shared experiences with such talented people made this an unforgettable journey

My name is Alae Elmekki, a Computer Science graduate from the Higher Institute of Computer Science. Taking part in the BILD Summer School was truly an enlightening experience. The lectures were captivating and covered very engaging topics, while the hands-on sessions were clear, practical, and easy to follow. The atmosphere was equally remarkable thanks to the organizers, speakers, lecturers, tutors, and fellow participants who made it such a memorable event.

My name is Malte Dommes, and I am a 5th-year medical student at the University of Bonn. I discovered this Summer School through the website of Prof. Albarqouni, who is the Professor of Computational Medical Imaging Research at our university. The event was truly enriching, allowing me to dive deeper into the fascinating world of Deep Learning and its applications in Biomedical Imaging. I also had the pleasure of connecting with many inspiring individuals from Germany, Lebanon, Iraq, and Tunisia! The lectures were outstanding, and I particularly enjoyed the Keynote Speech by Prof. Nassir Navab on Augmented Reality in high-intensity, dynamic surgical environments, as well as the lecture on Graph Intelligence by Associate Prof. Islem Rekik. A highlight of the experience was exploring the beautiful city of Tunis, along with our trip to Sidi Bou Saïd and Carthage. Discovering the city alongside Tunisian students and immersing myself in their traditions and delicious cuisine was exhilarating. I look forward to reconnecting with everyone in the future! Another remarkable aspect was that the entire school was funded by the DAAD and the Federal Foreign Office of Germany. I am incredibly grateful for this unique opportunity!

My name is Sarra Guirat, I am a Biomedical Engineer , specialized in health information technologies and data processing at the Higher Institute of Medical Technologies of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar. I first heard about the BiLD Summer School from my supervisor, who encouraged me to participate. I had the privilege to join BiLD as a tutor, and it was truly a rewarding experience. The lectures were insightful, the speakers inspiring, and it was an honor to support the students during the hands-on sessions. The most exciting part for me was witnessing the motivation and creativity of the participants while working on real biomedical imaging challenges. Beyond the academic program, the social events in Tunis, Carthage, and Sidi Bou Said were memorable and gave us the chance to connect on a personal level. This combination of high-level scientific exchange and cultural immersion made BiLD a unique and enriching experience for me. I am truly grateful for this opportunity, and I hope to contribute again in the future.

My name is Dilan Jameel Sulaiman. I am a master's student in Information Technology Management at Duhok Polytechnic University, specializing in deep learning for the classification of medical imaging. This summer school represents the beginning of my journey in this field, where I aim to expand my knowledge and skills in artificial intelligence and its applications in healthcare I learned about the summer school through my academic network and online announcements. The program was very well-organized and informative. The lectures were engaging, and the speakers shared valuable insights into the latest advancements in AI and deep learning. The tutors were very supportive and knowledgeable, always ready to answer questions and provide guidance. Overall, it was a great learning experience. The most exciting part for me was gaining new knowledge and exposure to concepts I had never encountered before. It was inspiring to learn from experts and interact with participants from different backgrounds. I especially enjoyed discussions about practical applications of AI in medical imaging, as they are closely related to my research. The social events were wonderful and added a special touch to the summer school. Visiting Carthage, Sidi Bou Said, and Tunis was an amazing experience. It allowed us to explore the local culture, history, and beautiful scenery.