MIT Emerging Talent - Stephen’s Story

Meet Stephen Mangai, an aspiring AI engineer from Jos in Nigeria and studying Computer and Data Science at MIT remotely who hopes that the younger generation can obtain the same opportunities that he has…

A 40-year-old computer science enthusiast, in the city of Jos in Plateau State, Nigeria is on a transformative journey.

Before diving into the world of data science, Stephen Mangai volunteered at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, collaborating with APIN Public Health Initiatives.

Specialising in caring for individuals with HIV and AIDS, Mangai's role involved data analysis and entry.

Describing his responsibilities, he explained, “We capture data of all the patients, prepare it for the laboratory, liaise with doctors for reviews concerning treatments and other outcomes.”

This experience forms a crucial part of Mangai's journey, shaping his commitment to leveraging technology for societal well-being.

Currently studying at the University of Jos, Mangai is also enrolled in the MIT Emerging Talent programme in Computer and Data Science.

This unique programme blends MIT's cutting-edge content with local connections to offer a high-quality learning experience to individuals like Mangai, including refugees, migrants, and first-generation low-income students.

“After my studies at the University of Jos, particularly, I have been looking at and exploring opportunities to improve skills to be able to get a tech job,” Mangai reflected, highlighting his quest for continuous learning beyond his local academic pursuits.

His interest in data science, especially in the realm of AI and Machine Learning, propelled him to sharpen his skills and deepen his understanding in this evolving field.

Mangai expressed his desire to contribute to the dynamic and transformative developments in the AI landscape, “I imagine myself in the nearest future as an AI engineer. I want to be working in the field of Artificial Intelligence.”

Acknowledging the challenges of self-paced online learning, having previously taken free online courses on sites like Codeacademy, EdEx and YouTube, Mangai contrasts it with his experience in the MIT Emerging Talent programme.

“When I study individual courses online by myself, it is kind of odd because often times I have to hold myself accountable to my own success,” he observed.

The MIT programme, however, offers a structured environment with coaches, mentors, and collaborative opportunities, keeping him engaged and accountable.

Mangai is especially grateful for the support from Unconnected.org, ensuring his constant internet connectivity – a necessity for his active participation in the programme.

A notable aspect of the MIT programme is its global reach; the Nigerian expressed his enthusiasm for the international nature of the course, with students from all four corners of the globe.

This diversity not only broadens his perspective but also offers opportunities for global collaboration.

“I have been able to network with all of these people,” Mangai added, emphasising the importance of technology in connecting individuals worldwide.

 “You can work with other people, work on projects together, have discussions together, and this is awesome.”

While technology facilitates global connections, Mangai acknowledges the challenges of internet connectivity in Jos.

“The internet connection in my city most times is plagued with challenges,” he noted.

Despite commending telecom companies for their current efforts to improve services in Nigeria, rare access to a stable and reliable internet in the region meant that the support Mangai receives from Unconnected.org became critical to his studies.

Mangai expressed immense gratitude for the monthly data connection that has kept him seamlessly connected to all parts of the MIT programme, reflecting: “I feel there is a lot of obligation for me to do what I need to do, to meet all the deadlines, to pass all my modules and I am very grateful because when I started this programme, I was thinking ‘ok how can I stay connected?’

“I was glad because I was told that an organisation ‘Unconnected’ is going to be supporting me with a monthly data connection, this has tremendously helped me and has kept me going, so thank you so much to all the team at Unconnected.”

Mangai is not only focused on his personal growth but also on creating opportunities for others.

Having only came across the course thanks to extensive research that he had done, Mangai is hoping that people from his community can have greater access and knowledge about the programme in order to be able to apply.

“My hope is that a lot of people are going to be engaged in this programme, that people will be able to find this information,” he shared.

Actively promoting the MIT Emerging Talent Certificate, Mangai believes in expanding access, especially for young people in remote areas.

He suggested: “Maybe they can expand the number of people they take into the programme, considering demographics, to be able to help young people in remote areas benefit from this wonderful opportunity.”

Reflecting on his childhood, Mangai revealed that when he was a child, there were no computers around him until he went to university.

Despite the lack of early exposure, he discovered his passion for technology during his second year at university upon his first encounter with a computer.

“I fell in love with it, and I said, 'this is what I want to study’,” Mangai recounted, describing the awe he felt during this moment.

The prestigious name of MIT became a powerful motivator for Mangai to apply for the Emerging Talent Certificate programme, recognising its global reputation and potential to open doors for future opportunities.

He joked: “When I first saw the ads, I wanted to check to see if it was the [same] MIT that I had heard of before.

“It is a very big institution, it is globally reputable, it is the top in technology and in computing, so I told myself if I should get this opportunity I know this is going to open up a lot of doors in the future.

“So, I am very hopeful and very confident, with my interaction and connection to MIT it is going to open up many opportunities for me; that’s what I believe because it is a household name, it is respected globally.

“I know I am going to be considered for a lot of opportunities after this.”

Before reaping the rewards for his participation on the course in a professional sense, Mangai is already a story which shows the powerful relationship between education and meaningful internet connectivity in the 21st century.

With the support of Unconnected.org and a global community at MIT, Mangai is not only shaping his own destiny but also paving the way for others in his community to embrace the possibilities that technology and education can offer.