Jeannette Mukamahame Gahunga,one of the first African Institute for Mathematical Sciences -Next Einstein Initiative (AIMS-NEI) graduates to put her skills to work at Ecobank Rwanda following a partnership agreement between the two organisations said that the skills she gained in her studies have allowed her to cope in her new role.
Gahunga, a former Mastercard Foundation scholar and graduate from AIMS Cameroon Centre joined Ecobank Rwanda as an Information Technology Auditor in charge of the banks’ security and risk prevention and mitigation. In the wake of numerous challenges faced by financial institutions arising out of carrying out their businesses online, Gahunga’s position is critical to Ecobank. Gahunga is responsible for conducting internal IT audits to identify threats and areas in need of corrections, controls and improvements.
AIMS-NEI recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ecobank Rwanda to boost the bank’s ability to recruit graduates through the AIMS Industry Initiative (AIMS I2). The AIMS I2 seeks to maximise opportunities and potential for mathematical sciences to contribute to Africa’s economy through human capital, knowledge transfer and applied research. The AIMS Industry Initiative works with organizations to fill top vacancies with graduates who have world-class training in mathematical sciences and applied research
Feedback from Industry used to refine AMS-NEI Curriculum
The AIMS Industry Initiative channels feedback and evaluations from industry partners to influence the design of the AIMS curriculum. This process has helped AIMS’ education model to prepare students to fit squarely in the labour market especially in a banking environment like Ecobank Rwanda.
Gahunga singles out skills gained during her studies such as statistics, modeling, R programming, python, critical thinking, and data analysis as aiding her to do her auditing work at Ecobank Rwanda.
“I am happy to be an IT auditor and I am doing all the best that I can to grow my career. Due to the quality of education that AIMS offers, the testimonies that I heard with other AIMS alumni, I came up with a wish of studying at AIMS,” she said.
“Having an AIMS degree has been an advantage especially on the labor market where I feel so confident and competitive. AIMS has sharpened me into a strong, hardworking and competitive lady
The academic journey
Gahunga graduated with a computer science degree at the University of Rwanda in 2015. At AIMS-Cameroon, she studied the Structured Master’s program in Mathematical Sciences. She did the following courses: Introduction to Statistics and Probability; Statistical Regression with R; Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases; Operation Research; Financial Mathematics; Big Data; and Machine Learning. Her project centred on climate change in Africa. She carried out statistical analysis of Kenya, Rwanda and Zimbabwe, and built a model to forecast climate change for use by farmers.
After graduating, she returned to Rwanda and concentrated in building her soft skills through sessions in professional development training offered by AIMS Industry Initiative. The sessions are organized to enhance AIMS alumni’s non-technical skills so that they can effectively compete in the job market.