Industry meets talent

More than 40 leading tech firms and industry organizations attended the 2025 Career and Industry Day at Carnegie Mellon University Africa. The full-day program featured networking, panel discussions, poster sessions, and recruitment opportunities, serving to foster connections between students, faculty, and industry leaders.

The event, held each spring semester, plays a key role in bridging the gap between academia and industry, and offers students invaluable exposure to potential career paths. By showcasing the talent and innovation of the CMU-Africa community, the event also helps the university build and strengthen its partnerships and collaborations.

The day opened with a keynote address by the CEO of the Rwanda Social Security Board, Regis Rugemanshuro. João Barros, research professor and associate director of CMU-Africa, then moderated a morning panel entitled "Africa’s Digital Leap: What’s Next for AI, Cloud, and Connectivity?" Panelists included Jeremiah Chienda, AI developer at Irembo; Didas Ndoli, general manager of enterprise at MTN Rwanda; Alain Murara, senior data analyst at Rwanda Utilities and Regulatory Authority; and Jean Marie Vianney, engineering lead at Bank of Kigali.

Following the panel, the career fair and networking pavilion opened, giving students the chance to meet representatives from local startups, multinational corporations, and government agencies. At a poster presentation, students also presented research projects to potential employers and investors.

Midday programming featured a second panel, "Bridging the Talent Gap: Skills That Matter for Africa's Tech Future," with senior executives Jean Claude Gaga of Airtel Rwanda and Louis Major of ANSYS Rwanda, and Innocent Muhizi, CEO of the Rwanda Information Society Authority. The discussion focused on in-demand technical and soft skills, from cloud computing to data science and cybersecurity, as well as strategies for better preparing graduates for the workforce.

After lunch, students participated in one-on-one interviews and informal conversations at company booths. Many organizations also hosted information sessions on internship and employment opportunities.

The final panel, "Shaping the Workforce of the Future: What Companies Want," brought CEOs to the stage to discuss hiring trends and future talent needs. Panelists included Alex Ntale of the ICT Chamber, Kevin Rudahinduka of Eden Care, and Israel Bimpe of Irembo. The conversation emphasized adaptability, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovation as key traits for professionals in Africa’s growing digital economy.

By the end of the Career and Industry Day, CMU-Africa students had learned about potential jobs and internship leads aligned with their world-class education, and established meaningful connections with companies and professionals. Both first- and second-year master's students took full advantage of the event, interviewing for positions with the participating organizations and securing follow-up meetings on the spot.

For employers, the event provided a targeted opportunity to engage with the emerging tech talent at CMU-Africa and align their recruitment strategies with Africa's evolving digital landscape. Conversations held throughout the Career and Industry Day have already sparked plans for collaborations, recruitment agreements, and research partnerships in the coming months.

For more information about Career and Industry Day, contact Rosine Urujeni.