Veljko Pejovic - Graduate Student Profile

The son of two mathematicians, Veljko Pejovic always knew he would enter into the "family business" and go into academia. Growing up in Serbia, he attended a high school which had an emphasis in the sciences, and later went to the School of Electrical Engineering in Belgrade. After spending some time in California and talking with friends who had positive experiences, he chose the UCSB Computer Science department because of its strength in computer networks and distributed systems. Asked about his interest in networks and wireless systems in particular, Veljko modestly says, "from my point of view, research and work in computer networking produces results that can create an impact on 'real life.' I like the fact that my work can potentially be implemented and used outside the scientific community." Taking courses in the Technology and Society Emphasis has broadened Veljko's perspective on how individuals adapt technology for their own purposes. And he says that, as a technology developer, he hopes to apply this lesson to his future work. Veljko envisions a future where information and communication technology are part of the core curriculum in schools alongside math and English. In parting, he suggests this is the only way to bridge the growing global divide.