Johns Hopkins University Global MBAs

On January 19th, 24 global MBA students from Johns Hopkins University Carey School of Business gave the presentations about their projects in Rwanda. A four-student team worked with UOB on designing an ideal mix of agents to serve its clients in Gicumbi and Kiramuruzi through mobile banking. There were four other teams that worked on other projects, such as solar energy company, health clinic and Rwandan art-craft maker.

These students began their research on the assignments in the U.S. a couple of months prior to their arrival in Rwanda approximately 20 days ago. For three weeks, they had been on the ground, conducting field studies with their sponsors.

Our team students were all sincere and hard-working. They went to Gicumbi and Kiramuruzi, spotting the client group meeting places and potential retail agents on the Google Map, using GIS mapping devices. They also analyzed the data with qualitative as well as quantitative tools. At the end, they made recommendations and conclusion. After the team's 30-minute presentation, other students and sponsors were invited to critique their presentations. It was exciting to listen to their presentations and see the dynamic exchanges of information and analysis.

They have now gone back to the U.S. For the next month of so, they will refine their report and submit it to the faculty for grading. A copy of their final report will be made available to us. I look forward to the final report that will contain fresh perspectives and suggestions for us to consider in developing an agent network that will provide easy and convenient access to cash for our rural clients.

A total of seven MBA students from a different school in the U.S. is scheduled to come to work on two projects with UOB in May. It thrills me to work with "borrowed talents" who bridge the gap that exists in certain fields in Rwanda. - Jeffrey