Assoumpta: Advancing Food Safety and Excellence
“Gashora gave me a solid foundation in critical thinking, problem-solving, adaptation, and collaboration. The biggest impact was the confidence I gained in my abilities. The robust curriculum and supportive environment pushed me to excel and believe in myself, especially in STEM fields. The skills I developed in mathematics, chemistry, and biology have been invaluable in my further studies and career.”
-Assoumpta
Hi! My name is Assoumpta Umwali Ujeneza, and I graduated in 2018 from Gashora Girls Academy of Science and Technology, majoring in Mathematics, Chemistry, and Biology (MCB). When I joined GGAST, I was eager, excited, and anxious about what lay ahead. I remember being impressed by the beautiful campus, the state-of-the-art facilities, the warm, welcoming atmosphere, and the best food ever, which seemed a miracle to a secondary school student. I felt inspired by the dedication of the teachers, administration leaders, and my fellow students. I knew that I could thrive academically and personally.
Gashora’s emphasis on leadership and community engagement developed a sense of responsibility and desire to make an impact in my country and taught me the importance of giving back and being an active, positive member of society. Gashora prepared me not just academically, but also instilled in me a strong sense of purpose and resilience. I wanted to find a way to serve my country, and my passion for math, chemistry, and biology led me to the food processing sector. After discovering that the Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA) offered the option of specializing in food processing, I decided to pursue my Bachelor of Science in Conservation Agriculture specializing in food processing systems as part of the RICA pioneering class.
I graduated in 2023 and started my professional internship at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Rwanda in the Better Nutrition department as a Food Safety and Nutrition Intern. I later became a Food Safety Technical Assistant. At FAO, I contributed to projects in the Better Nutrition department that aim to enhance food safety in Rwanda. Generally, my responsibilities are to contribute towards Better Nutrition - leaving no one behind. Better Nutrition aims to end hunger, achieve food security, and improve nutrition in all its forms, including promoting nutritious food and increasing access to healthy diets. Its five priority areas of intervention are healthy diets for all, nutrition for the most vulnerable, safe food for everyone, Reduced food loss and waste, and transparent markets and trade.
I also recently participated in World Food Safety Day (WFSD) on June 7th. World Food Safety Day aims to draw attention to and inspire action to help prevent, detect, and manage foodborne risks, contributing to food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism, and sustainable development.
On WFSD, we remember that food safety is a collective responsibility – everyone, from producers to consumers, needs to play their part to ensure the food on our plates is safe. No matter who you are or what you do, you play an essential role in ensuring food is safe. When you don't play your role well at a particular stage of the food value chain, the next person in the value chain can't do better, and the final product is not well made, risking unhealthy food consumption. If it isn't safe, it isn't food.
As I look ahead, I aspire to become a food safety specialist with a strong desire to reduce foodborne illnesses. To achieve this, I will head to the University of Nebraska this fall of 2024 for a three-year master's in food science and technology. I will also serve the next 3 years as the Mentorship and Career Development Committee Chairperson in the RICA Alumni Association. My responsibilities will be to provide opportunities for fellow alums to mentor current students and support career development initiatives. This journey will prepare me to become an expert and a significant decision-maker in food policies, standards, regulations, and certification, promoting national and international trade.
The network of friends and mentors I gained at Gashora and RICA continue to support and inspire me. The emphasis on "excellence" at GGAST deeply influenced me, and I have carried this principle forward. My ultimate goal is to leverage my education to impact my community and country meaningfully, ensuring safer food practices and contributing to public health and economic growth. Wherever I go and whatever I do, I strive to embody excellence, ensuring that my actions and achievements reflect the high standards instilled in me at GGAST.
