Claudine Umutoniwase made history by becoming the first winner of the Inter-Universities Water Resources Modelling Hackathon, organized by the Rwanda Water Resources Board and ARCOS Network. She walked away with a prize of one million Rwandan Francs.

This hackathon aimed at promoting sustainable water resources management, building capacity among talented youth, fostering innovation for resilience, and encouraging data-driven decision-making. This event was launched in conjunction with the celebration of World Water Day 2024, attracting over 80 students from various universities across Rwanda.

During the Awarding Ceremony on July 30, 2024, Deputy Director General of RWB, Evariste Nsabimana, underscored the importance of the hackathon.

He stated, “There is a large consensus that industry and academia need to collaborate to generate not only innovation and knowledge responding to the country’s critical issues but also to identify the profile of future technical personnel or professionals. Hackathons are one of the areas where such collaboration can be realized through small contests for students.”

The CEO of ARCOS Network reiterated the hackathon's significance in empowering future water resources managers.

He remarked, “It is therefore imperative that we invest in the next generation of water experts. By empowering young minds with the knowledge and tools to address water-related challenges, we are not only securing a sustainable future but also inspiring a new generation of leaders.”

Among the 18 participants who submitted their models, the top six were awarded. The winners were Umutoniwase Claudine in first place, followed by Singirankabo Emmanuel, Iradukunda Olivier, Fidele Mwizerwa, Hodari Jean Pierre, and Jean Bosco Ntirenganya.