Artificial Intelligence

First Rhodes Scholar to focus on artificial intelligence


RWANDA

The first Rwandan to be awarded a Rhodes Scholarship for study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom aspires to harness artificial intelligence (AI) in areas such as education, economics, business and medicine and contribute to improving the lives of people on the African continent.

Billy Byiringiro, 23, was one of 2,300 applicants from the East African countries of Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda who competed for the prestigious scholarship, first awarded in 1902. He was chosen after a rigorous selection process which, because of COVID-19, was done virtually for the first time in the history of the scholarship, according to a statement from the Rhodes Trust.

Byiringiro told University World News he was delighted about the opportunity. “It is a privilege for me to be in a network of like-minded individuals who are making a difference in the world, and it is an amazing opportunity for me to grow and to keep learning about using my skills and passion to make a positive impact in my community,” he added.

He thanked his grandmother, a farmer who taught him hard work and discipline, and his mother, who had always been caring and supportive.

Born in Musanze town in the Northern Province of Rwanda, Byiringiro attended Muhoza Primary School before he went to Kirambo Secondary School in the rural Burera district of the Northern Province for the first part of his secondary education. He later attended upper secondary school at Collège Saint André in Kigali, where he did mathematics, physics and computer science.

After completing secondary school, he attended a college preparatory gap-year programme in the capital city of Kigali.

Since 2011, the Bridge2Rwanda programme has been building a network of globally educated young leaders in Africa with the capacity to transform their communities and countries. The programme selects the most talented high school graduates, helps them earn scholarships to study abroad, and equips them to launch their careers back in Africa.

A first scholarship

Byiringiro was subsequently one of the recipients of the Mastercard Foundation scholarship and went to the University of Edinburgh in the United Kingdom where he is working for a bachelor degree in artificial intelligence and computer science.

At Edinburgh University, Byiringiro was also the founder and captain of the university intramural basketball team and served as class representative. He is the co-founder of BuniTek, a student-led social enterprise that introduces young people in Africa to new technology through interactive activities.

BuniTek offers simplified, hands-on tech courses to inspire young people to use technology creatively to invent the future.

Byiringiro believes technology is useful only if it is used to create solutions to the problems humanity faces. BuniTek’s courses are designed to trigger learners’ imagination and make them problem-solvers through real-world projects and challenges, he said.

Although Byiringiro first learned about the Rhodes Scholarship programme from Richard Siegler, a former teacher at Bridge2Rwanda, it was at Edinburgh University where his interest was piqued again after meeting Rhodes scholars.

“That was when I learned more about the programme, went onto the website to read about the application process and experience of the scholars and then decided to apply. I knew it was a very competitive and prestigious programme and I thought the odds were slim, but I said to myself that I shouldn’t be the one to say ‘no’ to myself, so I gave it a shot and gave it my best,” he added.

A thirst to change lives

Byiringiro intends to pursue a masters in advanced computer science at Oxford University, which he hopes will be a further springboard to a doctorate and working in the field of AI.

“I have always loved to build tools that enhance the lives of people around me. I see artificial intelligence and computer science as tools that will allow me to keep doing that on a larger scale.

“AI’s interdisciplinarity also fascinates me because the main ingredient is information; thus, I see the potential to impact many other sectors. So I am interested in exploring areas such as economics, business, and medicine where I can employ AI to [make a difference] as well,” he said.

Byiringiro said that, as an AI engineer and researcher employing state-of-the-art technology, he hoped to accelerate the development of Africa in various sectors.

Exemplary student

Former teachers of Byiringiro have applauded his achievement.

“He [Byiringiro] was an excellent and hardworking student. He was focused and was an IT enthusiast. He always wanted to discover new IT skills … as teachers, we could see that he would go far,” said Angelique Uwimana, an IT teacher at Collège Saint André, who taught Byiringiro at upper secondary level.

According to Dr Elizabeth Kiss, warden of Rhodes House, the selection committee considered academic excellence, personal energy, leadership, character, and a commitment to service.

“Billy Byiringiro impressed the committee in all these areas in the context of an incredibly talented group of finalists from all five countries in the East Africa jurisdiction,” she said.



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