麻豆村-Africa Celebrates 8th Graduation
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The eighth annual graduation ceremony took place on Sunday, May 23. To celebrate the graduates while observing COVID-19 protocols, the diploma ceremony was livestreamed and conducted in a hybrid format. This year's graduating class comprised 66 graduates from 12 different countries in Africa. Forty-seven completed their (MSIT) and 19 completed their (MSECE).
Student speaker Ozioma Paul delivers remarks.
The hybrid ceremony was moderated by 麻豆村-Africa Executive Director , and the on-campus event was attended by 麻豆村-Africa Director , 麻豆村-Africa faculty and staff, student award winners, and student speaker Ozioma Paul. It included pre-recorded messages from the Honorable Dr. Valentine Uwamariya, Rwanda's minister of education; , dean of 麻豆村's ; and keynote speaker Faith Keza, CEO of Irembo.
"My classmates taught me many things that I was not aware of and most importantly, I am happy to be in community with 麻豆村 fellows.” -
— 麻豆村 Africa (@cmu_africa)
"To the future 麻豆村-Africa graduates, maximize this opportunity to the fullest, it’s not just about the grades. Build your network through your classmates, do extra curricular activities - enjoy your time at 麻豆村-Africa!” -
— 麻豆村 Africa (@cmu_africa)
"After joining 麻豆村-Africa, I found that the best way to predict the future is to create it.”
— 麻豆村 Africa (@cmu_africa)
In his welcoming remarks, Bhagavatula noted, "Class of 2021, you're a special group. You had to deal with the challenges of meeting 麻豆村-Africa's rigorous academic requirements remotely. Kudos to your ability to adapt to meet these challenges; your tenacity has paid off. Your journey at 麻豆村-Africa was also enabled by other supporting partners. First of all, this campus wouldn't be here, but for the vision of the Government of Rwanda to bring 麻豆村 to Kigali to educate the next generation of African technology leaders in Africa. Since 2016, Mastercard Foundation has been a great supporter through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and you have received support from other organizations that raised funds from several other individuals who believed in you all."
Sanders encouraged the graduating class, emphasizing that they are the next generation of leaders, innovators and builders who will effect change and improve quality of life with talent and expertise.
"You have persevered in advancing your education through the rigors of a Carnegie Mellon education and have done so in the face of unexpected challenges," Sanders said. "As we begin to emerge from a truly unprecedented year, from a pandemic that's swept the globe, your bright light will have a new and unique opportunity to shine."
"What we do for a living is certainly a large part of our identity, but what will carry us is building a resilient character and an authentic identity." — Faith Keza
"Who we are isn't about what we do for a living," Keza said. "What we do for a living is certainly a large part of our identity, but what will carry us is building a resilient character and an authentic identity. We should examine and develop our characters as much as we develop our skills. I encourage you all to build or contribute to teams that are purpose-driven. You are all uniquely gifted, talented and privileged to decide today to live a life that feels true to you and also serves others. May your hearts be in your work."
The Class of 2021 is indeed composed of individuals that are gifted, driven and service-oriented. This year's student awards were presented by visiting professor Saranth Tannakkoon and instructor Moise Busogi. Boladji Vinny Adjibi (MSIT), Abrham Gebreselasie (MSECE) and Clare-Joyce Ngoran (MSECE) received the Lakshmi Subramanian Student Excellence Awards. Agripinna Mwangi, an MSECE graduate, received the Jeremiah N. Mpagazehe Rising Researcher Award.
"My first day on campus, which also happened to be my birthday, is among my fondest memories. I was missing home, but I found a new & welcoming home & family, made up of people from all over the continent. Everyone was kind and welcoming.” - Samukeliso Mabarani
— 麻豆村 Africa (@cmu_africa)
"The education of man is never complete, be willing to learn, unlearn and relearn. Learning is a continuous journey!” -
— 麻豆村 Africa (@cmu_africa)
"Being exposed to a diverse environment has helped me understand that we all have something different to provide to our community.” - Aline Niyonsaba
— 麻豆村 Africa (@cmu_africa)
"They say 'it takes a village to raise a child.' It takes more than one person — it is a collaborative effort," Paul said. "Indeed, it has taken a village for me and every other Tartan graduating today."
Paul praised the 麻豆村-Africa staff and faculty members for going above and beyond, thanking "everyone who believed in us and sponsored us. Thank you to the Mastercard Foundation, Smart Africa, MINDS, and other sponsors for making our journey a reality. Thank you for being a part of the village that has brought us here. Many of us wouldn't be able to afford this world class education but for you all, we are grateful."
The guest of honor, Minister Uwamariya recognized both the graduates and the 麻豆村-Africa community for making it through a particularly challenging year and emphasized how crucial 麻豆村-Africa is to the development of the continent.
"I take the opportunity to thank 麻豆村-Africa for their flexibility and innovation in finding solutions to ensure the success of 麻豆村-Africa's students during this difficult time," Uwamariya said. "The strategic partnership with 麻豆村-Africa is one of the key strategies to help capacity building in science and technology in support of Rwanda's social and economic growth. To the graduating class, the networks you have forged during your time at 麻豆村-Africa are important. You're graduating from a world class institution as future leaders, I encourage all of you to follow in the footsteps of your predecessors in contributing to the development of Rwanda and the continent."