Lara Kukec: Breaking Barriers in Tech
"I look forward to the new challenges and opportunities that await me in the university setting." — Lara Kukec, Computer Science Student at Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Croatia
My Story
Hi everyone! I’m Lara Kukec, and I am 18 years old.
Originally from the small town of Belišće near Osijek, I have called Bale my second home for the past six years. My spark for computer science was ignited back in the fifth grade, sparked by the simple curiosity of watching my mother install new versions of Windows. That early interest blossomed into a clear goal: pursuing a degree as a Computer Technician. Having just graduated, I can say with confidence that I made the right choice.
Throughout my education, various competitions and projects have proven—to both myself and others—that I possess far more potential than I once imagined. It wasn’t always easy; I often faced skeptical voices asking, "Why that major? Isn't it a 'man’s field'?" Those comments only fueled my drive to work harder and prove them wrong.
After four years of dedicated study, I am proud of what I’ve achieved. In 2021, my classmates and I, alongside a team from Australia, secured 3rd place in the "Health" category at the international First Global competition. This year, I had the honor of returning to the competition as a mentor, sharing my experience with younger students. This past October, our team’s hard work took us to Singapore, where we won the Gold Medal in the Fundraising category.
Additionally, my teammate and I won 1st place in the 2022 WorldSkills Inter-county Robotics Competition. I owe a great deal of that success to my professor, Lovro Šverko, who truly pushed me to explore the world of robotics.
Beyond competitions, I’ve been involved in several ambitious projects, most notably the Cube School Esport League. After successfully launching it within our school in 2022, we expanded the league in 2023 to include teams from across all of Croatia. Looking back at those milestones provides the motivation I need to keep pushing forward.
Now, I am ready for the next chapter: studying Computer Science at the Faculty of Engineering in Rijeka (RITEH). I am eager to embrace the challenges of a university environment, continue my growth, and connect with others who share my passion for technology.
Lara