Data fellows pumped to help government catalyse data use
Data fellows pumped to help government catalyse data use
8 November, 2024 •Data can be used to improve policy decisions as well as to better understand the outcome of decisions taken. To enable this, policymakers need access to a spectrum of data that has been appropriately collected, cleaned, stored and analysed. And so, in phase 1 of the Rwanda Economy Digitalisation Programme, nine data fellows were deployed to several ministries and public sector institutions to provide data capacity support to key programme partners.
The fellows benefitted from practical exposure to data and organisational challenges as they were given an opportunity to apply their data science knowledge. The host institutions were able to rely on sponsored data support and increasingly appreciated the value of data scientists and data teams to drive data-driven decision-making.
One outcome of this initiative is that the Government of Rwanda recently appointed two of our fellows from last year to key positions. Kevin Sebineza was appointed as the Director General of National Research and Gabriel Ntwari as a Senior Data Scientist in National Development Planning at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning
This successful data fellowship initiative has been incorporated in phase 2 of the programme with a key adjustment – our collaboration with Umurava and ALX.
Previously, the programme received many applications for the data fellowship, requiring time and resources to screen and assess candidates. Umurava and ALX connect us with talent, reducing the time involved in recruiting. Where we used to sift through countless applications, we now receive pre-screened CVs of high-quality candidates who have been vetted and trained specifically for roles in data science and applied statistics.
Phase 2 data fellowships
Cenfri is expanding the data fellowship in this second phase of the programme by placing data science fellows in several institutions, including the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI), the Ministry of Public Service and Labour (MIFOTRA), Ministry of Trade and Industry (MINICOM), Ministry of Environment (MoE), and the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA).
Over the next year, these fellows will work on critical tasks such as cleaning and analysing data, developing comprehensive dashboards, and translating complex data insights into actionable strategies for decision-makers.
Each fellow brings a diverse range of skills and experience in areas such as data mining, data analysis, machine learning, SQL queries and creating dashboards using Power BI. In addition to their technical expertise, they are eager to develop soft skills like communication, collaboration, and teamwork.
Meet the data fellows
Bernice holds a Master of Science in Data Science from the University of Rwanda’s African Centre of Excellence in Data Science. She first joined Cenfri as an intern and, prior to that, worked as an Account Manager Trainee at Career Directions in Nairobi.
Bernice’s passion for data science stems from her love of mathematics. While researching statistics in her third year, she discovered machine learning and fell in love with the field. Placed at the MINAGRI, Bernice is particularly interested in how different ministries and agencies collaborate and hopes to answer sector-specific questions through data.
Fred holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Rwanda, College of Science and Technology. Before joining Cenfri, he worked as a Monitoring and Evaluation Assistant at the Rwanda ICT Chamber.
Fred was often told that career options were limited for Applied Mathematics graduates but when he started pursuing Data Science in 2022, he recognised its potential to help businesses and governments make strategic decisions. During his fellowship at MINICOM, Fred is keen on solving the issue of data sharing within departments and agencies, identifying data ownership, and encouraging responsible data management.
Schadrack holds a Master of Science in Engineering Artificial Intelligence from Carnegie Mellon University Africa, where he also worked as a Teaching Assistant in AI Systems Design. Prior to joining Cenfri, he worked as an IT Operations Officer at Umwalimu Sacco.
Shadrack’s journey into data science began in 2021, motivated by his love for mathematics and an interest in artificial intelligence. His time at CMU, where he solved real-world problems using data, inspired him to specialise in this field. While at MINICOM, his goal is to address issues like scattered data by promoting data’s critical role in decision-making.
Diane holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from the University of Rwanda. Before joining Cenfri, she worked as a Business Intelligence Analyst at Rwanda ICT Chamber and later joined MTN Rwanda as a data fellow.
In 2022, a friend introduced Diane to data science, and she quickly immersed herself in self-learning through online courses and YouTube. Her passion grew as she realised how organisations like the National Post needed data to improve their service delivery. While at the MIFOTRA, Diane is excited to support the public sector in making data-driven decisions and improving service delivery.
Vital holds a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University Africa. Before joining Cenfri, he was a Business Strategy Analyst at ENGIE Energy Access.
Vital initially ventured into electrical engineering as data science was not an option at the time. After working at Kivu Watt and engaging in system visualisation and voltage management, he was driven by curiosity about the underlying logic behind these systems, which led him to data analysis. Vital will be working at MIFOTRA and he is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Data Science to deepen his knowledge.
Ange holds a Master’s degree in Data Science and Organisational Behaviour from the Burgundy School of Business. Prior to joining Cenfri, she worked as an Early-Stage Researcher at Vanguard Economics.
Ange’s passion for data science began during her bachelor’s studies at the African Leadership University (ALU), where courses on data and statistics ignited her interest in numbers and technology. This led her to pursue programming through online courses. Ange will be working at MINAGRI and is eager to share her skills and continue providing impactful solutions through data.
Claudine holds a Master’s degree in Information Technology from Carnegie Mellon University (Africa). Before joining Cenfri, she was an Artificial Intelligence Fellow at CMU Africa.
Claudine’s journey in data science began in 2021, inspired by how data was transforming various sectors. She was drawn to the potential of data insights to improve decision-making across diverse fields. During her fellowship with the Ministry of Environment, she aims not only to leverage data for weather forecasting and predictions but also to support internal decision-making and strengthen strategic initiatives.
Egide holds a Master’s degree in Information Technology from Carnegie Mellon University (Africa). Prior to joining Cenfri, he worked as a geospatial data scientist at VIDA.
Egide’s passion for data science started in 2019, driven by his desire to find data-driven solutions that directly impact people’s lives. He is particularly interested in advancing his skills in modelling techniques and applying data science in real-world contexts. During his fellowship, Egide hopes to address issues around data accessibility, having observed that valuable data is often out of reach for those who could benefit from it.
Jules holds a Master’s degree in Information Technology from Carnegie Mellon University (Africa) and another Master’s degree in from the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS). Before joining Cenfri, he worked as a Data Analysis & Outreach and Olympiad Coordinator at AIMS.
Jules’ passion for data began while pursuing his bachelor’s degree at the University of Rwanda. He is focused on developing skills to become a data engineer, enabling him to integrate systems and build applications with machine learning and AI frameworks. During his fellowship, Jules’ goal is to support his department to automate data flows, eliminate manual processes, and accelerate decision-making through strategic data use.
