Jeremie Habumugisha

Jeremie Habumugisha is a Rwandan educator and STEM innovator whose life’s mission was shaped by his childhood experience growing up in a family where neither parent could read or write. As a child, he often read school letters aloud to his parents—moments that stirred a deep commitment to combating illiteracy in his community. Determined to pursue teaching despite doubts about his small stature, he trained at a Teacher Training College and immediately began teaching illiterate adults through the CATCH-UP program. During school holidays, he extended this work to his own village, where both of his parents eventually learned to read and write. His father later became a community leader and sector mediator, reinforcing Jeremie’s conviction in the transformative power of education.

At College du Christ-Roi, Jeremie was the only teacher formally trained in education from secondary school onwards. He played a pivotal role in supporting colleagues, improving pedagogical practices, and integrating digital learning methods in line with Rwanda’s Competence-Based Curriculum. His innovative approaches—including real-world mathematical investigations, technology integration, and online learning platforms—dramatically raised Mathematics pass rates from 60% to 100%, earning the school a national award and recognition from the Ministry of Education.

Jeremie founded the school’s STEM Club, introducing students to robotics, AI, 3D printing, and engineering design, while guiding them to build projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. His leadership has helped more than 100 students secure international STEM scholarships across the USA, UK, Russia, Canada, Jordan, and Mauritius. Additionally, his students have represented Rwanda in global robotics competitions in the USA and Morocco, and one student competed in the Pan-African Mathematics Olympiad, the International Mathematics Olympiad, and the International Mathematics Summer Camp.

Recognised nationally, Jeremie was appointed by the Rwanda National Commission for UNESCO to its ESD for 2030 Committee, where he contributed to Rwanda’s Education for Sustainable Development strategy. He led major initiatives in Global Citizenship Education (GCED), expanding the program to more than 10 schools and connecting students to global peers through international robotics partnerships.

Beyond the classroom, Jeremie founded Second Chance for Change, empowering street-connected children, uneducated adults, refugees, and single mothers through literacy, digital skills, and entrepreneurship. He partnered with a fashion house to help single mothers establish sewing businesses, now exporting garments internationally.

Jeremie is also a national leader in teacher development. He trained educators on curriculum reform, published research on Global Citizenship Education, contributed to textbook development, and trained 120 robotics instructors who expanded STEM programs to over 100 schools. His commitment to sustainability includes leading the Greening School Program—planting over 1,000 fruit trees—and mentoring students to build climate-tech innovations such as hydroponic greenhouse systems and biogas-powered engines.

His long-term vision includes expanding STEM hubs nationwide and scaling GCED programs across East Africa, shaping future generations of empowered, innovative, and globally responsible citizens.