SWIS ART Project Continues: Personal Branding Workshop at Carnegie Mellon University Africa – Rwanda Campus
- SWIS Africa
- Feb 20
- 2 min read
SWIS Africa continues to champion African women in STEM through the SWIS Africa Research Training Program (SWIS ART)—a transformative initiative designed to strengthen research communication, confidence, and visibility. In partnership with the Carnegie Mellon University Africa Women in Tech Club, the second phase of the SWIS ART project was successfully delivered as a dynamic hybrid personal branding workshop.
Bridging the Research Confidence Gap
While more women are entering STEM fields, many still face challenges when it comes to confidently presenting, publishing, and sharing their research. These gaps become even more evident during the transition from academia into professional careers. SWIS ART was created to address this very challenge—equipping African women scientists with practical skills in:
Scientific research presentation
Personal branding
Digital storytelling
Communicating research impact effectively
Following the successful virtual launch of the program in October
Phase Two focused specifically on Personal Branding as a strategic tool for research visibility and career growth.
A Hybrid Learning Experience
The second phase was designed as a hybrid session: participants gathered physically on campus in Rwanda, while speakers joined virtually—creating an engaging cross-border learning experience.
Two distinguished speakers led the workshop:
Dr. Patience Obi – YouTube as a Tool for Personal Branding
Dr. Patience Obi delivered an insightful session on leveraging YouTube to amplify research visibility. She emphasized how scientists can use video content to:
Break down complex research into accessible language
Build authority and credibility in their fields
Establish a consistent online presence
Connect with global audiences beyond academia
Her session encouraged participants to see YouTube not just as a social platform, but as a strategic research communication tool.
Dr. Anna Olanrewaju – Podcasting for Research Visibility
Dr. Anna Olanrewaju followed with a compelling presentation on using podcasts as a medium for personal branding. She highlighted how podcasting can:
Humanize research journeys
Build thought leadership
Create collaborative opportunities
Amplify African women’s voices in STEM
Participants learned how storytelling, authenticity, and consistency can transform research into relatable narratives that resonate across disciplines and industries.
What’s Next: Elevating Voices Further
The journey does not end here. The next phase of the SWIS ART project will spotlight student voices even more intentionally:
15 participants will be selected for in-depth interviews with SWIS Africa, providing them with a platform to share their research journeys and aspirations.
They will also create short research spotlight videos highlighting their work and interests.
This phase ensures that learning moves beyond theory into practical visibility—empowering participants to actively showcase their expertise.
Why SWIS ART Matters
SWIS ART is more than a training program; it is a movement toward reshaping how African women scientists are seen, heard, and valued. By focusing on research communication and digital presence, the initiative addresses a critical gap that often limits opportunities for women in STEM.
Through strategic partnerships like the one with Carnegie Mellon University Africa Women in Tech Club, SWIS Africa continues to build a community of confident, visible, and influential African women researchers ready to transition successfully into global careers.
To learn more about the SWIS ART project, visit: https://www.swisafrica.org/swisart
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