Benitha Niyonagize is pursuing Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering at the College of Science and Technology (CST), University of Rwanda
Benitha Niyonagize will turn 20 next month, in November 2024. She is a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at the University of Rwanda, part of the recently recruited third cohort, and is currently in year one. Benitha is pursuing Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering at the College of Science and Technology (CST), University of Rwanda.
Benitha, along with her team of four from Rwanda, emerged as the 2nd Runner-Up at the Llama 3.1 Impact Sub-Saharan Hackathon, held in Kigali from October 8th to 10th, 2024, hosted by AfriLabs in partnership with Meta and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF). The hackathon gathered top developers, innovators, students in technical fields, and startup founders from across Sub-Saharan Africa and focused on AI solutions to resolve most pressing issues in Africa.
Banitha and her team won an award of USD 5,000. They are at the 1st phase of the project where developers will receive feedback from experts at Meta, BMGF, and AfriLabs to refine their prototypes and continue the completion in upper phases.
The hackathon aimed to leverage the power of Llama 3.1, an advanced AI tool, to address the region’s challenges by tackling issues such as inclusivity, diversity in digital content, gender inequalities, and challenges related to economic development, science, innovation and education using Meta’s Llama AI technology.
Benitha’s team developed an AI-powered interactive sign language responder, which is an advanced AI tool designed to assist students with hearing and speech impairments. The tool allows students to interact with AI using sign language, receive explanations in sign language, and understand complex concepts that may otherwise be challenging in traditional classrooms. This will boost the education of people living with hearing impairment and address gap in educational accessibility, ensuring that students with impairments have equal opportunities to learn and succeed.
Benitha Niyonagize (2nd right) and the team receiving their award at the Llama 3.1 Impact Sub-Saharan Hackathon, Kigali.
Driven to create meaningful change and impact
Benitha has done Physics, Chemistry-Mathematics in secondary school (A level) at Lycée Notre-Dame de Cîteaux, Kigali after finishing O level studies at Groupe Scolaire EPA St Michel, Nyarugenge, Kigali.
She started participating in competitions while she was still in senior 1, secondary school, and she since participated in different competitions including Debatemate in 2017 and 2018, the Spelling Bee competition in 2018 and 2019, and the National Bank of Rwanda School Quiz Challenge in 2023.
"While applying for this specific AI competition, I was motivated by the desire to make a tangible impact and use technology to solve real-world challenges," Benitha says. "Participating in such competitions early in my university academic journey will help me to build the skills and connections needed to work on impactful projects and grow as an innovator," she adds.
According to Benitha, the competitions have shaped her into a competitive person, helping her build resilience and a passion for excellence, which she brings to every project she undertakes.
For this project, Benitha is working with other four team members. They collaborate in a group, with individual milestones completed weekly, and they and agree to meet regularly to check on progress.
“Working with the team has been an enriching experience. We collaborate closely, pooling our diverse skills and knowledge. Each member brings unique insights, and we learn from one another, building both technical and soft skills. This experience has been crucial in developing hands-on skills, particularly in AI, programming, and user-centered design." Benitha says.
As a student of Electronic and Telecommunications Engineering and a Mastercard Foundation Scholar, Benitha aspires to become a transformative leader in her field. “My goal is to leverage technology to create innovative solutions that address pressing challenges in Africa and beyond. I want to develop systems that improve connectivity, enhance communication, and drive technological advancements that can positively impact communities, bridging the gap in access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities." She says.
Inspiring Mastercard Foundation Scholars and other young innovators
Benitha encourages other scholars to participate in such competitions as it is an opportunity to build something meaningful, collaborate with talented individuals, and gain hands-on experience that can’t be acquired through lectures alone. She strongly recommends participating in such competitions to grow both personally and professionally. She urges other scholars and young innovators both in IT and other fields to seize every opportunity, not just thinking of themselves but considering how their projects would contribute to a better future.
Benitha aims to use her knowledge in IT and AI to develop solutions addressing pressing issues like educational inequality, healthcare accessibility in African communities. “Through projects like these, I hope to create tools that empower others and bring about positive change, ensuring technology benefits everyone, with a focus on inclusivity and accessibility, regardless of their background or abilities." Benitha adds.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Rwanda is a partnership with the Mastercard Foundation to develops the next generation of ethical and transformative leaders by enabling highly talented, service-oriented young people, primarily Africans, to pursue higher education and cultivate their leadership potential. Through the program, Mastercard Foundation Scholars at the University of Rwanda receive inclusive and relevant education, along with support to transition smoothly into dignified and fulfilling work.
For Benitha Niyonagize, being a Mastercard Foundation Scholar is an incredible opportunity. "It not only allows me to pursue my academic ambitions but also connects me with a network of change-makers. I feel proud and motivated to make a meaningful contribution to my community and maximize this opportunity for personal and career growth, and I’m determined to become the transformative leader the program aims to shape me into," she says.
Benitha Niyonagize (right) receiving her certificate at the Llama 3.1 Impact Sub-Saharan Hackathon, Kigali
Working together builds both technical and soft skills among team members
Benitha aims to use IT and AI to develop solutions addressing pressing issues including educational inequality and healthcare accessibility in African communities
Benitha Niyonagize is determined to become a transformative leader the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Rwanda aims to shape her into