Dr. Mark Dean Ph.D., Chief Technology Officer for IBM Middle East and Africa and one of the architects of the modern-day Personal Computer.

He is responsible for creating the computer technology which started the digital revolution and is currently being used in 40 million computers produced each year.

“A lot of kids growing up today aren’t told that you can be whatever you want to be,” he said. “..there may be obstacles, but there are no limits”.

Dr. Mark Dean led a team that developed the software that enables multiple devices, such as modems and printers, to be connected to personal computers. He holds more than 20 US patents including three of IBM’s original nine PC patents.

Born in 1957, Dean knew from an early age that technology would play a major role in his life. Building his first computer, radio and amplifier during high school, Dr. Dean went on to obtain his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee, his Masters at Florida Atlantic University, and his Ph.D. from Stanford University.