Carnegie Mellon University Africa

Student exchange program

Study abroad

Through the student exchange program, College of Engineering students have the opportunity to experience what it is like to be enrolled at another CMU location. These students take courses, participate in student activities, and broaden their career prospects while experiencing a new city and culture.

Spend a semester in Pittsburgh

Every semester, our top students are selected to spend a semester at Carnegie Mellon University's campus in Pittsburgh. If selected, CMU-Africa will cover airfare and accommodation in Pittsburgh.

Group photo outside — CMU-Africa students enjoy an ice-skating outing

Group photo of students at Duolingo — CMU-Africa students visit Duolingo headquarters

Group photo of students at dinner — CMU-Africa students enjoy dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe

Three students with Advanced Collaboration sign. — CMU-Africa students tour the Pittsburgh campus.

Group selfie — CMU-Africa students join Jennifer Spirir, director of graduate affairs, to explore the city of Pittsburgh

Group photo of students at Google — CMU-Africa students visit Google's Pittsburgh office

Group photo of students and faculty — CMU-Africa students and CMU-Africa Director Conrad Tucker in Pittsburgh

Follow the day of a CMU-Africa student studying in Pittsburgh

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Experiencing a semester in Pittsburgh

The drive for technical excellence led Mark Iraguha (MSIT '26) to CMU-Africa and then to Pittsburgh as an exchange student, which has allowed him to be exposed to an interdisciplinary, high-intensity research ecosystem.

CMU-Africa exchange student: a global citizen with an African heart

With a passion to inspire young people in Africa and beyond, CMU-Africa student Joshua Momo spent his fall semester in Pittsburgh as an exchange student earning his master of science in engineering artificial intelligence.

Marie Alice Uwingabire’s journey of purpose and impact

MS ECE-AD student sees problems as opportunities and is motivated to make a difference.

Making systems safer in Africa and the world

An ethical hacker with a passion for cybersecurity, Aklile Mamo (MSIT ’26) wants to give back by making systems safer for users in Africa and around the world.

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CMU-Africa student Mariam Sulleiman addresses manufacturing challenges in Africa by integrating 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, into existing infrastructure.

Community & connectivity, around the globe

On his journey to learn everything he can about distributed networks, Mike Mwanje (MSIT ’25) picked up some insights on the value of global connections as a CMU-Pittsburgh exchange student.

Mastercard Foundation Scholar ready to become a leader in AI

For Clemence Ingabire (MS EAI ’25), it’s always been about tech; as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar, she’s developing the skills to lead the charge towards responsible AI use in healthcare.

Growing opportunities as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar

Maurine Gatimu (MSIT '25) wanted to grow beyond the basics at her job, and the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship allowed her to attend CMU-Africa, opening up a wealth of new opportunities.

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Getting out of your comfort zone

Natasha Mutangana (MS EAI '24) reflects on her experiences at CMU-Africa and with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

Community means joy for one Mastercard Foundation Scholar

As a Mastercard Foundation Scholar alumnus, Oke Obadofin (MSIT '24) aspires to be a contributor to community problem solving with a technical prowess developed at CMU-Africa.

Improving air quality worldwide

Richard Djarbeng (MS ECE '24) participated in air quality research in Pittsburgh as part of CMU-Africa’s student exchange program last semester.

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Combining passion with education

Arinloye, who graduated this past May, made the most of her time at CMU-Africa through academics, research, clubs, and the exchange program.

The t-shaped learner

Ndze'dzenyuy Lemfon Karl is a MSIT student completing his last semester in Pittsburgh as part of CMU-Africa’s student exchange program.

Getting to know the city

MSIT student Rachel Ayateke is in Pittsburgh this semester as part of CMU-Africa’s student exchange program.

A passion for power systems

Electrical and computer engineering master’s student Marshal Ruzvidzo is in Pittsburgh this semester as part of CMU-Africa’s student exchange program.

CMU's Flying Club visits Rwanda

CMU students from the Flying Club packed up the flight simulator and took off for a five-day visit to CMU-Africa where they were greeted with an enthusiasm well beyond what they imagined.

Serving the student body and beyond

Seth Abayo (MSIT ’23) is using the support he has received from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program to bridge his academic interests and serve his community in impactful ways.

Exchanging campuses, making global connections Opens in new window

Through the Student Exchange Program, engineering students have the opportunity to experience what it is like to be enrolled at another CMU location.

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Pursuing AI dreams

Medhn pursued her lifelong interests in math and physics as part of the first cohort in the new Master of Science in Engineering Artificial Intelligence program.

Wambui Njogu’s path to a career in cybersecurity Opens in new window

On a journey that’s taken her from Kenya to Rwanda to Pittsburgh, MSIT student Wambui Njogu looks back on the experiences that instilled her passion for cybersecurity and how she developed her skills at CMU-Africa.

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The CyLab Security and Privacy Institute recently hosted CMU-Africa Week on CMU’s Pittsburgh campus. In its first year, the event aimed to build collaboration around research problems in Africa.

Energy course continuum: a CMU-Africa and Pittsburgh collaboration

Barry Rawn and his colleagues teach a continuum of seven alternative energy courses to both CMU-Africa and Pittsburgh students.

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The CyLab Security and Privacy Institute will host CMU-Africa Week April 10-14 on Carnegie Mellon University’s Pittsburgh campus.

A global approach to tackling grand challenges Opens in new window

CMU-Africa students join CMU-Pittsburgh and CMU-Qatar students in a hybrid course that focuses on critically evaluating the progress of artificial intelligence.

From Kigali to Colorado

With different backgrounds, cultures, and languages, Eric Serge Uwimana and Brian Lamtoo never would have guessed that they would find themselves following the same career path.