Ernest Mugisha, a 22-year-old student at Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA), is among the 50 nominees shortlisted for the Chegg.org Global Student Prize 2022.

The annual $100,000 award is given to one exceptional student that has made a real impact on learning, the lives of their peers and society.

Chegg is an American education technology company based in Santa Clara, California.

 Mugisha was selected from almost 7,000 nominations and applications from 150 countries.

 The Varkey Foundation partnered with Chegg.org to launch the annual Global Student Prize last year, a sister award to its $1 million Global Teacher Prize.

The Varkey Foundation is a global charitable foundation focused on improving the standards of education for underprivileged children.

The contest was established to create a powerful new platform that shines a light on the efforts of extraordinary students everywhere that, together, are reshaping the world for the better. 

The prize is open to all students who are at least 16 years old and enrolled in an academic institution or training and skills program.

Part-time students, as well as students enrolled in online courses, are also eligible for the prize.

Who is Ernest Mugisha?

Ernest Mugisha is an entrepreneur, public speaker, mentor, and youth advocate whose goal is to improve the living standards of people from underserved communities.

He has initiated and led several social impact projects aimed at solving pressing challenges in Rwanda and beyond.

He is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer for INFIM AG-TRANSFORM AFRICA, a Rwanda based professional consultancy and manufacturer dealing in agricultural production, supply-chain, and project development.

Mugisha is also the co-founder and director of MHF, an integrated farming system that allows users to produce foods at home without leaving the house or tilling land.

He also founded and currently serves as the Executive Director of PANGELASSA REVIVAL, a non-profit that aims to solve the problems of social exclusion among communities. 

 A talented and inspiring speaker, Ernest has served as the Public Speaking and Debate Coach and Judge at the iDebate Rwanda, an NGO that is using debate to change the lives of young Rwandans and East Africans by equipping students with public speaking and critical thinking skills.

He is also a University Mathematics and English peer tutor, and has worked for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Rwanda, as well as United Nations Volunteers in Disaster and Humanitarian Relief where he assisted refugees in resettlement and helped with family reunification.

Dan Rosensweig, CEO of Chegg, said: "Since its launch last year, the Global Student Prize has given incredible students all over the world a chance to share their stories, connect with each other, and reach influencers in education and beyond.

"Now, more than ever, students like Ernest deserve to have their stories told and have their voices heard. After all, we need to harness their dreams, their insights, and their creativity to tackle the daunting and urgent challenges facing our world.”  

He said the finalists this year have made a huge impact in areas from the environment to equality and justice, from health and wellbeing to education and skills, from youth empowerment to ending poverty.

Sunny Varkey, founder of the Varkey Foundation, said: "I extend my warmest congratulations to Ernest. His story is a testament to the crucial role that education plays in building a better tomorrow for us all.

"It is the key to solving humanity’s greatest challenges, from war and conflict to climate change to growing inequality. As time runs out to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, it is more important than ever to prioritise education so we can face the future with confidence.”

Applications and nominations for this year’s Global Student Prize opened on Thursday January 27 and closed on Sunday May1.

Students are being assessed on their academic achievement, impact on their peers, how they make a difference in their community and beyond, how they overcome the odds to achieve, how they demonstrate creativity and innovation, and how they operate as global citizens.

Last year’s winner was Jeremiah Thoronka, a 21-year-old student from Sierra Leone, who launched a start-up called Optim Energy that transforms vibrations from vehicles and pedestrian footfall on roads into an electric current.

With just two devices, the start-up provided free electricity to 150 households comprising around 1,500 citizens, as well as 15 schools where more than 9,000 students attend. 

The top 10 finalists of the Global Student Prize are expected to be announced in August this year.

The winner, who will be announced later in the year, will be chosen from the top 10 finalists by the Global Student Prize Academy, made up of prominent individuals.