Future Leader Spotlight: Pascal Niyomuremyi

“I am learning skills that are crucial in leadership and that I will use both in my role as a Student Guild Representative and also as a founder of my own organization.”

As our first cohort of Davis College students commence their third trimester, we caught up with Pascal Niyomuremyi, Minister of Education and Careers, Davis College Student Guild Representative, and Business Management and Entrepreneurship Class of 2022, to hear about his experiences so far and what his dreams are for the future.

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As a child growing up, I always valued education because both of my parents were teachers. Our mother worked very hard to make sure that we were taken care of, yet my siblings and I started working at a young age to provide additional financial support and to pay for our own school fees. Throughout high school, I worked extremely hard to maintain good grades because I knew that education was the key to unlocking a better future. Sometimes I missed school because I had to work as a painter to earn money so that my siblings and I could keep studying.

When I started to think about applying for university, I knew that I wanted to go to Davis College. I had met Akilah Institute students at the Youth Connekt Africa Summit in 2017. I saw how Akilah students were participating in the discussions, raising questions related to climate change, gender balance, and a range of other global issues and I was impressed. They were very poised, confident, and eloquent while asking interesting and thoughtful questions. They inspired me and I hoped that I could get the same standard of education.

I was very excited when I heard that the Akilah Institute team was introducing Davis College, a co-ed campus that would be based on the same academic model as Akilah. I have always been interested in owning my own business and was thrilled to learn that Davis College offered a diploma program in Business Management and Entrepreneurship. I immediately knew that I would be joining Davis College’s first class. And in 2020 my dream came true; I am in the first class!

Unfortunately, 2020 was also the year that the COVID-19 pandemic hit. My fellow students and I were accustomed to face-to-face learning, but in our first trimester we had to pivot and study in an online modality. At the time, I was disappointed to think that my first day at university would be done online. It wasn’t ideal, but it was the best option I had to continue my studies. Looking back at the level of support we received from instructors, fellow students, and the entire community, I’ve come to realize that it takes great commitment and teamwork to achieve success. We all embraced a growth mindset and ‘drew the owl,’ and soon we got accustomed to studying virtually.

I am so glad that I joined Davis College and grateful for the great amount of support that I receive every day.

Before joining Davis College, my twin brother and I wanted to give back to the community, so we started a non-profit organization called TWINS AND TWINS PARENTS INITIATIVE. We didn’t have much, but we were eager to help other kids receive a decent education. The organization is still in its early stages, but so far we have managed to support five children from very low-income families to go back to school. My goal in the future is to keep working hard and raise funds for the organization, so that we are able to support as many families as possible in our community.

In the meantime, it’s a great honor to serve my colleagues and practice my leadership skills as a Minister of Education and Careers in the Davis College Student Guild Representatives. I take this as a valuable opportunity to learn how to serve others and put my community’s interests first. I know I am learning skills that are crucial in leadership and that I will use both in my role as a Student Guild Representative and also as a founder of my own organization.

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On May 15, we’re holding a virtual fundraiser for East Africa’s future leaders, like Pascal, who will become the region’s changemakers, innovators, technologists, and entrepreneurs. Purchase a ticket or bid on auction items to help Ignite Our Future: www.akilahinstitute.org/events