Interview with GCI Alumni: Prince from Zimbabwe
In this GCI Alumni Interview Series, we feature past participants of the Global Consumer Intelligence (GCI) program and share their experiences, learning journeys, and career growth after joining GCI.
This article features Tanatswa Prince Hofisi, a student at Harare Institute of Technology from Zimbabwe. Through this interview, Prince shares what motivated him to join GCI, the skills and knowledge gained through the program, and how the experience has contributed to Prince’s academic and professional journey.
Q1: Please introduce yourself
(In English)
I’m a Zimbabwean student currently in my 3rd year of Information Technology at the Harare Institute of Technology. I have a keen interest in using emerging technology to help solve some of Zimbabwe’s challenges. My hope is to one day start a company focused on data collection to drive better decisions and development back home.
(In Shona)
Ndiri mudzidzi wekuZimbabwe parizvino ndiri mugore rechitatu rekuita Information Technology paHarare Institute of Technology. Ndinofarira zvikuru kushandisa tekinoroji itsva kugadzirisa mamwe matambudziko eZimbabwe. Tariro yangu ndeyekutanga kambani inoita nezvekuunganidza data kubatsira kuita sarudzo dziri nani nekusimudzira nyika yedu.
Q2: What motivated you to join GCI?
(In English)
I was motivated to join GCI by both opportunity and inspiration.
Mayu-san, the JICA volunteer at our school, introduced us to the program and I was excited by the chance to gain new skills and a certificate. More than that, I have always wanted to go to Japan.
During COVID-19 I was in Form 3 and in lockdown at home. A friend introduced me to anime, and through it I saw Japanese innovation, culture, and history. By Form 4 I had a strong desire to visit Japan, work there, and one day live at the center of innovation. To me, GCI is the first step toward that dream.
(In Shona)
Chakandikurudzira kujoinha GCI mukana pamwe nekurudziro.
Mayu-san, mumiriri weJICA kuchikoro chedu, akatizivisa nezve chirongwa ichi uye ndakafara nemukana wekuwana hunyanzvi hutsva nechitupa. Kupfuura zvese, ndagara ndaida kuenda kuJapan.
Panguva yeCOVID-19 ndaive muForm 3 ndakagara pamba nekuda kwekuvhara kwenyika. Shamwari yakandizivisa nezve anime, uye kuburikidza nazvo ndakaona hutsva hweJapan, tsika, uye nhoroondo. Pandakasvika muForm 4 ndakatanga kushuvira kushanyira Japan, kushanda ikoko, uye rimwe zuva kugara munzvimbo yehunyanzvi. Kwandiri, GCI inhanho yangu yekutanga kuenda kuchiroto ichi.
Q3: What skills, knowledge, or experiences did you gain through GCI?
(In English)
I gained technical skills in creating AI and ML models and research acumen , improved my presentation and communications abilities in terms of conveying my ideas, and learned how to collaborate with people from different cultures. I also gained knowledge about Japanese work culture and how to apply academic research to real-world problems.
(In Shona)
Ndakawana hunyanzvi hwetekinoroji muAI ne ML uyezve netsvagiridzo, ndikavandudza nzira yangu yekupa pfungwa dzangu nekushanda nevamwe. Ndakadzidzawo kushanda nevanhu vanobva kunyika dzakasiyana, uye ndakawana ruzivo nezvetsika dzeJapan dzekushanda pamwe nemashandisiro etsva dzedzidzo kugadzirisa matambudziko epasirese.
Q4: How has GCI helped you in your academic or professional journey?
(In English)
GCI boosted my confidence as a researcher and opened doors to international networks. It gave me exposure to cutting-edge research at UTokyo and glimpse into inspiring startups like Bakutan Inc, which strengthened my academic profile and career goals as well as widen my perspective on what’s possible.
(In Shona)
GCI yakawedzera chivindi changu semutsvagiri uye yakandivhurira mikova yekubatana nevanhu pasi rose. Yakandipa mukana wekuona tsvagiridzo yeTekinoroji dzemazuva ano paUTokyo uye kuona makambani anokurudzira akadai seBakutan Inc. Izvi zvakabatsira kusimbisa mbiri yangu yedzidzo nezvinangwa zvebasa, uye zvakawedzera maonero angu pane zvingagoneka.
Q5: What was the most memorable part of your GCI experience?
(In English)
The most memorable part was receiving my award and having Professor Matsuo personally present my certificate. Another highlight was every moment I spent in Japan presenting at Bakutan Inc and UTokyo, visiting temples in Tokyo, and connecting with outstanding students from around the world. Getting a glimpse into their ideas during the competition at UTokyo was inspiring, and placing second in that competition was one of the best experiences of the entire program.
(In Shona)
Chinhu chandisingakanganwe chaive chekugamuchira mubairo wangu uye kuita kuti chitupa changu chipiwe kwandiri naProfessor Matsuo pachake. Chimwe chinhu chakakosha chaive nguva yese yandakapedza muJapan uye kupa kufunga kwangu paBakutan Inc neUTokyo, kushanyira matembere muTokyo, uye kusangana nevamwe vadzidzi vanogona vanobva pasi rose. Kuona pfungwa dzavo panguva yemakwikwi eUTokyo kwakandikurudzira zvikuru, uye kuwana nzvimbo yechipiri mumakwikwi iwayo kwaive kumwe kwezviitiko zvakanakisa zvechirongwa chose.
Q6: What would you say to someone considering applying to GCI?
(In English)
My advice is simple: don’t hesitate, just apply. Ganbatte, as they say in Japan. You have everything to gain and nothing to lose. The skills, friendships, connections, and experiences you’ll get from GCI will stay with you long after the program ends.
(In Shona)
Zano rangu rakapfava: usazeze, nyora. Ganbatte, sezvavanotaura muJapan. Une zvakawanda zvekuwana uye hapana chaunorasikirwa nacho. Unyanzvi, ushamwari, kubatana nevanhu, uye zviitiko zvauchawana paGCI zvicharamba zviri newe kunyange chirongwa chapera.
Thank you, Prince, for sharing your GCI experience with us!
Through the GCI Alumni Interview Series, we hope to highlight the diverse stories of our alumni and show how GCI supports students and professionals in developing practical AI, data science, and business skills for the future.