Child development & ECD
Programme leadership, policy-informed practice and systems that help every child thrive.
Kigali, Rwanda · Working internationally
Building better
beginnings.Creative learning & innovation for all.
Child development leader, educational technologist and researcher turning evidence, innovation and collaboration into stronger learning systems.
LEADERSHIP
WITH PURPOSE
15+years across education,
technology & development
technology & development
About my work
Local insight.
Global outlook.
My work sits where child development, education, technology and public leadership meet. Across government, international development and higher education, I have focused on one practical question: how can systems, people and technology work together to expand opportunity?
From national child-development leadership to university teaching, teacher learning and digital product design, I bring a grounded Rwandan perspective and a collaborative, internationally engaged approach.
Working languagesKinyarwandaEnglishFrenchSwahili
Areas of expertise
From ideas to
lasting impact.
Connecting public purpose with practical delivery—from strategy and research to programmes, training and digital tools.
↗
Educational technology
Digital learning, teacher development, instructional media and open-source learning platforms.
Research & innovation
Evidence-led inquiry translated into useful programmes, tools and scalable approaches.
Consulting & facilitation
Strategy, training, programme design and advisory support for public and development organisations.
Career journey
Experience built
across systems.
*The source CV was last signed in April 2023; “current” roles are shown through that record date rather than assumed beyond it.
Deputy Director General
National Child Development Agency
Senior leadership within Rwanda’s government institution responsible for child development and the promotion and protection of children’s rights.
Programme Manager — Education & ECD
Plan International Rwanda
Led education and early childhood care and development programming for a child-centred international organisation.
Independent Educational Technology Consultant
Public & private organisations
Delivered consultancies spanning digital learning, instructional media, ICT in education and teacher development.
Project Manager
Plan International Rwanda
Managed the Teacher Self Learning Academy, an innovation-focused ICT for education initiative.
Deputy Director / Educational Technologist
National University of Rwanda
Led instructional technology work and contributed as Research Assistant B at the Centre for Instructional Technology.
Research Assistant / ICT Lecturer
National University of Rwanda
Taught ICT courses and headed the Instructional Technology Training Unit.
Research interests
Questions worth
pursuing.
Innovative learningEducation & ECD leadershipTechnology in education and managementBridging the knowledge digital divideOpen-source solutionsGISVocational trainingEntrepreneurshipInnovation project management
Selected work
Projects with
purpose.
A selection of consultancies, research and innovation work drawn from my professional record.
SRHR digital learning materials
Designed and developed educational videos for Plan International Rwanda.
↗ICT for teacher training mapping
Consultancy for UNESCO–Korea Funds-in-Trust’s ICT Transforming Education in Africa project.
↗Mobile language-learning applications
Designed two mobile applications: Speak Kinyarwanda and Vuga English.
↗Teacher Self Learning Academy
Managed an ICT for education project implemented by Plan International Rwanda under the DFID Innovation for Education fund.
↗Virtual learning environments
Master’s research critically assessed UNISA’s virtual learning environment through a pedagogical conversational framework.
↗ICT4Kids
Designed and implemented a practical digital learning project for children.
↗Digital portfolio
Learning made
engaging.
Apps and digital experiences that bring together education, creativity and useful technology.
Language learning app
Speak Kinyarwanda
A mobile application designed to make learning Kinyarwanda more accessible.
Project link coming soon ＋Language learning app
Vuga English
A mobile application supporting practical English-language learning.
Project link coming soon ＋Creative learning
Edutainment Apps
A growing collection of playful educational experiences for children and learners.
Project link coming soon ＋Coming next
Future Project
Reserved for a future learning, technology or child-development initiative.
Project link coming soon ＋More edutainment and creative-learning projects will be added here as they become available.
Education
Learning as a
lifelong practice.
Master of Education
University of the Witwatersrand · Johannesburg, South Africa
Bachelor of Arts
Information Technology Applications in Management · National University of Rwanda
Additional professional development includes ECD programming, project management, ICT and pedagogical development, emergency response, instructional video, e-learning quality and learner-centred pedagogy.
Recognition
Selected
awards.
Regional innovation award
Teacher Self Learning Academy recognised as the best innovative project in Plan International’s East and Southern Africa region.
Best paper presenter
5th International Scientific Research Conference, National University of Rwanda, 2012.
Innovative video presentation
Recognised by the ICT and Pedagogical Development programme, Kampala regional phase, 2015.
Drupal Association award
Recognition for active contribution to technology education in East Africa, 2017.
Arnhold Summer School award
Support from the Georg Eckert Institute to present research on mobile language learning in emergency settings.
Speaking & insights
Ideas for
the field.
Gilbert has presented at national and international conferences since 2006. This section is ready for future articles, talks, research notes and field reflections.
Invite Gilbert to speak ↗Mobile learning in emergency settings
Exploring the potential of language-learning applications to support people and communities in disrupted contexts.
Learning through conversation
A critical assessment of virtual learning through a pedagogical conversational framework.
Field notes coming soon
A home for reflections on ECD leadership, education systems and technology with purpose.