Career and Industry Day

March 07, 2025

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. CAT

CMU-Africa PEZ, Plenary Hall

The Career and Industry Day is a cornerstone event for the CMU-Africa community. It is crucial in bridging the gap between academia and industry, providing our students with invaluable exposure to real-world opportunities. For CMU-Africa, this event strengthens our ties with industry partners, enhances our reputation, and showcases our talent and innovation.

This year, we are honored to host a lineup of distinguished speakers who are leaders in their respective fields. These experts will share their insights into current industry trends, future opportunities, and the skills needed to succeed. This is an excellent opportunity for our faculty members to engage with industry leaders, gain fresh perspectives, and explore potential collaborations that can enrich our teaching and research.

This event is about networking and a platform for our students and faculty to showcase their research to a diverse audience, including potential employers, collaborators, and investors. The day will feature three panel discussions, a career fair with more than 40 companies, and networking sessions.

Agenda

8:00 a.m. Arrival and registration
Location: Plenary Hall

9:00 a.m. Welcome note
Location: Plenary Hall

9:10 a.m. Keynote speech
Location: Plenary Hall

9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Industry, faculty, student interactions

9:30 a.m. Panel 1
Africa's Digital Leap: What's Next for AI, Cloud, and Connectivity?
Location: Plenary Hall

Career fair and networking
Location: Tent

10:30 a.m. Coffee break
Location: Dining Area

Poster session
Location: Upanzi Room

11:30 a.m. Panel 2
Bridging the Talent Gap: Skills That Matter for Africa's Tech Future
Location: Plenary Hall

Career fair/interviews
Location: Tent/DEC Room

12:30 p.m. Lunch with exhibition, interviews, networking, poster session
Location: Dining Area

2:00 p.m. Panel 3 and closing
Shaping the Workforce of the Future: What Companies Want
Location: Plenary Hall

Career fair/interviews
Location: Tent/DEC Room

Panel details

Explore bios of the panelists

Panel 1: Africa's Digital Leap: What's Next for AI, Cloud, and Connectivity?

Panelists

  • Jeremiah Chienda (AI Developer, Irembo)
  • Didas Ndoli (General Manager, Enterprise Business Unit, MTN Rwanda)
  • Alain Murara (Senior Data Analyst, RURA)
  • Jean Marie Vianney (Dusengimana Engineering Lead, Digital Faculty, Bank of Kigali)

Moderator

  • João Barros (Associate Director and Research Professor, CMU-Africa)

Panel 2: Bridging the Talent Gap: Skills That Matter for Africa's Tech Future

This panel will offer actionable insights for students, faculty, and industry leaders looking to bridge the gap between education and employment in Africa's rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Synopsis 

Africa's tech industry is growing rapidly, but a critical challenge remains: the skills gap between graduates and industry demands. As companies seek highly skilled professionals in AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and data science, universities and training institutions must evolve to equip students with the right expertise.

This panel will explore:

  • What specific technical and soft skills are most in demand across Africa's tech ecosystem.
  • How companies and universities can work together to better align education with industry needs.
  • Strategies for young professionals to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving digital job market.

Target takeaways

  • A clear understanding of the skills that companies are looking for in new hires.
  • Insights into how African universities and industries can collaborate to close the talent gap.
  • Practical advice for students and young professionals to future-proof their careers.

Panelists

  • Jean Claude Gaga, Managing Director, Airtel Rwanda
  • Louis Major, Managing Director, ANSYS Rwanda
  • Innocent Muhizi, CEO, Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA)

Panel 3: Shaping the Workforce of the Future: What Companies Want

This panel will provide a real-world perspective on hiring trends, industry expectations, and career growth strategies to help students and professionals position themselves as the workforce of the future.

Synopsis

As Africa's economy becomes increasingly digital, companies are seeking talent with the right mix of technical expertise, adaptability, and problem-solving skills. Employers are not just looking for qualifications—they need professionals who can drive innovation, collaborate across disciplines, and adapt to a rapidly evolving market.

This panel will explore:

  • What companies are really looking for in new hires, beyond academic degrees.
  • How emerging industries are shaping future job opportunities in Africa.
  • The key mindset shifts young professionals need to remain competitive in the workplace.

Target takeaways

  • Firsthand insights from CEOs on what skills, attitudes, and experiences make candidates stand out.
  • An understanding of how industry trends are shaping the future of employment in Africa.
  • Practical career advice on how students and professionals can position themselves for success.

Panelists

  • Alex Ntale, CEO, ICT Chamber
  • Kevin Rudahinduka, CEO, Eden Care
  • Israel Bimpe, CEO, Irembo

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