Proposed Hekima University(PHU)

Distinguished guests, esteemed participants both physically present here and those online, Ladies and gentlemen:

I, first and foremost, thank God that we are gathered here in Hekima University College physically and virtually. Through God’s love for each one of us we are here in good health of mind and body. It is in God’s name that we conceptualized the whole idea of a Data Science program, began the discernment process of the viability of this program and placed it in His hands and continually pray for His graces to offer this program in the most productive manner possible for all stakeholders including all of us here present, online and those who will benefit from it. 

Today, as we gather here for the inaugural session of this Professional Data Science Certificate program, I am reminded of the profound way in which knowledge and skills have evolved in the 21st century. We are living in an era where our omnipotent, omnipresent God continues to create through fellow human beings the tools and insights necessary to improve the efficiency, quality, and timeliness of the works we are engaged in, in our various stations of laboring with God. Yes, indeed, we are living in a time when the fusion of technology and knowledge is reshaping the world as we know it.

Before I proceed with my sharing, I would like to thank Hekima University College for graciously offering to host us, the proposed Hekima University. At this point in time, you are holding our hand to make baby steps, learn and grow as a strong Jesuit University that offers quality education both academic and professional. You are our brother who has extended a supportive hand. We truly appreciate this gesture. In a very special way, I would like to thank the Principal of Hekima University College, Dr. Fr Marcel Uwineza, and SJ for your heart of care, listening and a positive attitude towards making collaborations work. Thank you so much! Through you Dr. Marcel, pass our sincere gratitude to the faculty, staff and students of Hekima University College for letting us in here and offering us the support we need to launch and run the professional short courses we offer as the proposed Hekima University such as the one we are now launching. I would also like to thank our dear collaborators in the Directorate, in the Committees and our friends who have joined us for the launch of this Professional Data Science Certificate Program for your hard work, generosity, encouragement and above all being collaborators of goodwill.

Dear Scholars in this auditorium including the online participants, for we are all scholars at various levels, allow me to share a few thoughts about the program we are just about to launch.

Firstly, God is present in the development of the technology that is enabling us to consider Data Science a core component of our everyday life

In both secular and religious traditions of human history, we see that God’s work is manifest through the hands and minds of individuals who innovate, create, and push the boundaries of human understanding and functioning. In the 21st century, this Divine Force has taken to us to higher levels of being in the form of knowledge and skills that enable us to accomplish more than ever before. We are blessed with domains of knowledge like data science, which harness the power of data to optimize our decisions and actions. As we embark on this journey into the realm of data science, let us remember that we are not merely acquiring skills; we are embracing a divine opportunity to improve the world around us. I must hasten to add that I am not a technology evangelist pontificating for technology adoption without discerning the ethics of new innovations. Far from it, we take technology advancement insofar as it grows our human dignity in all its dimensions.

Secondly, Data science epitomizes technology advancement in the 21st century

Data science stands as a signpost of technological advancement in the 21st century. It is the art and science of extracting meaningful insights and knowledge from vast and complex datasets. This field has witnessed astounding growth and transformation, driven by the explosion of data in our digital age. From healthcare to finance, from marketing to environmental science, data science is reshaping industries and impacting our daily lives. For instance, consider how data-driven healthcare systems can predict disease outbreaks, optimize treatment plans, and ultimately save lives. The power of data science is boundless, and it exemplifies the technological power of our time. Furthermore, in a developing continent like ours, we need to utilize these new ways of leapfrogging our development agenda.

Thirdly, to underscore the profound relevance and importance of why we are gathered here and online, let me very briefly remind ourselves of the objectives of this Professional Data Science Certificate Program aware that we have already virtually interacted on the learning objectives and intended outcomes.

1. a) the program we are delving into for the next one week followed by a capstone project, provides a broad knowledge of the data science field: some of us here hold influential positions as decision-makers in our respective fields as well as offices. We often send our teams for skills training, but with a broad understanding of data science, we will be better equipped to make informed decisions about whom to send for what kind of training in this technology-driven development space. For instance, a hospital administrator armed with data science knowledge can discern which medical staff members would benefit most from advanced data analytics training to improve patient care.
2. b) Enabling informed decisions: A core goal of this program is to empower us to make informed decisions by harnessing the power of data. Consider the wealth of data in educational institutions, with student records spanning years. With the skills acquired in this program, educators can extract invaluable insights to enhance teaching methodologies, improve student outcomes, and drive continuous improvement in education.
3. c) Driving business growth: In today’s fiercely competitive business landscape, data science plays a pivotal role in driving revenue. By comprehensively examining the data at our disposal, we can precisely identify opportunities for generating more income. For example, e-commerce companies analyze customer behavior data to optimize product recommendations, resulting in increased sales and customer satisfaction.
4. d) Empowering marketing strategies: The world of marketing is evolving rapidly, especially with the advent of online marketing. This certificate program equips participants with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate this digital terrain effectively. For instance, through data science, marketers can personalize advertisements to target specific demographics, thereby maximizing their advertising Return On Investment ROI.
5. e) Exploring new opportunities: As we delve into the untested waters of data science, we open ourselves up to new opportunities that technology advancement provides, many of which we may not yet be aware of. This program invites us to be pioneers, to explore uncharted territory, and therefore to be at the forefront of innovation.
6. f) Enhancing decision-making in social programming:

For those of us from social science backgrounds, including myself, data science holds immense potential to elevate the quality of the decisions we make, especially in the realm of policy formulation. Through data-driven insights, we can make more informed, insightful, and impactful policy decisions. Imagine a government using data analytics to analyze crime rates and allocate law enforcement resources more effectively, resulting in safer communities and improved quality of life. For those in the natural sciences and all the diverse career pathways that have roots in it such as seismology, biomedicine, manufacturing, finance, health, transportation and logistics among many others, our faculty will take you through the many opportunities that you can exploit to make a significant contribution to the world in which you live. 

Fourthly, allow me to revisit concerns about the technical nature of data science.

I understand that many of us who have enrolled in this program come from humanities and social science backgrounds, and there may be concerns about handling the technical nature of data science. However, let me assure you that our able faculty has designed this program with your needs in mind. Data science is not solely about innovating technology tools and programs; it is also about training the last mile users, the consumers who are ourselves, to optimize technology for our various needs. You will be trained on how to utilize data science tools to address real-world challenges in your space, making the technology accessible and practical at your work place.

What about those of us who have a natural science background (Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology) and/or have taken a degree for instance in Statistics, Economics, IT, or Computational Sciences?

To our colleagues from natural science backgrounds, this program offers a unique opportunity not only to enhance the quality of your decisions but also to actively contribute to the advancement of data science in our developing countries. The impact of data science goes beyond personal benefits; it extends to the betterment of society as a whole. We look forward to some of you developing apps, chatbots, programs or similar projects that benefit not just yourselves but also serve as beacons of progress for our communities. In fact, you stand a good chance to provide employment opportunities as economies are increasingly driven by automation, robotics among others.

Fellow participants, the significance of this program transcends individual needs. It opens doors to new opportunities that many of us may not yet be aware of. In a world constantly reshaped by technological advancement, being ignorant of the possibilities offered by data science is a disadvantage regardless of what your knowledge domain is: in the humanities, social sciences or pure sciences. Embracing this field not only enriches our personal lives but also positions us as contributors to the larger social and economic development.

Dear Scholars, as I move to the conclusion of this opening remark, let me touch a little bit about the administrative nature of the program.

It is organized for comprehensive understanding of data science followed by, if you wish, a specialization. That is, an area of your interest that you will deepen considering how best you want to utilize the knowledge and skills you gain.

This program has been intentionally organized to ensure that participants grasp the full scope of data science. We recognize that data science is a vast field with numerous facets. Therefore, we encourage you to explore and decide which component resonates most with your interest.  To put in other words, each day of these six days we shall be here, or following online, we shall discover new dimensions of Data Science. I therefore advice that do not worry about your capstone project till we are done with the six days. At that point you will be in a better position to make a decision on what area you want to develop. Once you’ve made that decision, we will cluster participants based on their interests and, with the guidance of our faculty, design the most relevant capstone modules or topics to be covered in the next three months for each cluster. This approach ensures that your learning experience is tailored to your specific aspirations and needs.

The learning journey ahead

Following this one-week introductory session, our learning journey will continue online, at a pace advised by the faculty based on your specific needs. We anticipate that this will entail once-a-week sessions, each lasting three hours. Additionally, participants are encouraged to consider working on a capstone project. It’s crucial to remember that this program is not an examination-focused undertaking. Instead, it’s a professional upscaling training where you seek specific skill sets to respond to your unique needs and challenges. And this is what we are here to offer you.

A wish for a fruitful learning journey

As I conclude, I want to extend my heartfelt prayers for a fruitful learning journey to each one of you. I encourage you to make the most of this opportunity. Our experienced faculty members are here to support you as you discover and utilize the power of data science to advance not only your personal growth but also the social development of our communities and nations. Let us embark on this journey together, united by the belief that through knowledge, innovation, and data science, we can open a brighter, more prosperous future. Thank you, and may your quest for knowledge be both fulfilling and transformative.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is now my great pleasure to invite the Principal of Hekima University College, Dr. Fr Marcel Uwineza to speak to us and officially invite us to the premises we are making a home for the next six days but also into the College of Jesuit history and tradition in academics. Karibu sana Padre Uwineza.