MIT Emerging Talent - Eric’s Story

Meet Eric Tuyizere, a wannabe entrepreneur, studying Computer and Data Science at MITx in Rwanda, who proudly claims to be “exploring the world while sitting in Kigali…”

Exposure to different cultures and perspectives has broadened the horizons of Rwandan student Eric Tuyizere.

Studying business management at Kepler College in the country’s capital, Tuyizere is reaping the rewards of the truly global nature of MIT ReACT’s Emerging Talent programme.

“It’s like a cultural exchange, we share things like song and dance, everything which is interesting in our own culture helps us to be more interactive,” said Tuyizere, citing in particular a dance taught to him by one of his peers from Ukraine.

Though of course, Tuyizere benefits from the academic and professional advantages of studying at an institution like MIT, Tuyizere felt it is important not to overlook the social and cultural impact that the course has.

“The good thing about my personality is I really like to interact with individuals who are characterised by those different cultural backgrounds.”

The 25-year-old continued: “Apart from being my colleagues on the Emerging Talent programme, we are friends, I really like the community.”

Yet, only several years ago, the concept of studying at an institution outside of the Central African nation seemed totally alien to him.

In fact, his introduction to the Data Science course at MIT was prompted by a "tech guy" friend, opening the door to a world where business and technology can seamlessly converge.

“You can know something once you are exposed to that thing, or something that is similar to the thing that you are exposed to.

“What I mean is that I didn’t even know there is a possibility or the option of studying abroad, but once I joined the high school I started to meet with different individuals who were exposed to the knowledge that it is possible, that people can go abroad and explore more skills,” explained Tuyizere.

Though entrepreneurship is very much at the heart of Tuyizere’s vision, his educational background prior to starting his business management course that focused on logistics were related to both construction and engineering.

Having launched his own business after completing high school, he jokingly labelled himself to his friends as “engineering business” because he is integrating technical skills into the business realm.

He recognised the potential of tech within entrepreneurship and decided to step back, acquire skills, and re-enter the business world with a newfound expertise.

This further acquisition of technical skills on the MIT programme suits Tuyizere as the data analysis skills will be incorporated into his future business plans.

"I am very passionate about data science, so I am trying to mix up and earn more skills to help me harness the power of technology in business management," the young Rwandan shared.

Tuyizere has big plans for the future, and hopes to use his knowledge from the Emerging Talent programme.

His ambition is to launch a business that can sell products and services related to construction security, using cutting edge technology along the way.

He said: “The way that I am growing, the dreams that I had before also changed in one way or another.

“I used to think that I could start a small company in construction but I found it to be more helpful for my communities and even myself, combining my skills, both in engineering and construction, business, data analysis and science.”

Despite fairly widespread usage to mobile phones and devices Tuizere acknowledged that in Kigali there are big challenges in gaining internet accessibility.

“Not all people can afford to buy internet, which is a common issue in underdeveloped countries," he states.

His personal experience reflected the struggle, before he received support from Unconnected.or, as he had to travel several kilometers to access a stable internet connection for his studies at a local school.

“If I couldn’t manage to do all activities and assignments, I used to struggle going back home at midnight, because I can’t manage to afford internet on my home computer.

“Now I can just find a place where I can sit with my internet and do my projects.

He continued: “It is really helping me because most of the projects that you are doing via internet, and even at MIT, those demand high connection internet - attending classes, submitting projects, doing research you need to have a stable internet.”

Having previously rarely ever heard of many universities outside of Rwanda, studying through the famed institute that he did know brought a sense of pride and confidence to Tuyizere.

He expressed: "I can say I am blessed because I am learning in this institution.

“I am feeling very confident that I can secure a job because of the reputable institution, because the first days that I started to know about universities it was MIT and Harvard, those are very, very well-known universities across the world, even my country, even people from the low-low areas know these universities.

“I feel proud of myself, I feel very blessed and even confident.”