Name: Bupe Chikumbi
Role/Occupation: Human biologist and founder of Genius Education Zambia
Country: Zambia
Bupe Chikumbi's passion for STEM began at a young age. She was fascinated by biology and science and wanted to study the brain, "as a little girl I didn’t know about neuroscience or neurology but I knew that I wanted to study the brain dedicate my life to it. I was intrigued by concepts in behavioural science, cognitive psychology, neuroscience and how they translate into human evolution."
Her aspirations pushed her to excel academically and she completed her Human Biology medical undergraduate degree and graduated from the University of Zambia, School of Medicine. She then entered into a 3 year medicine and surgery program (MBCHB). Unfortunately, due to personal and health reasons, she could only complete one year and had to take a leave of absence. However, she did not let this get her down and founded the Genius Education Zambia, an EdTech STEM organisation of which she is the Executive Director.
The mission of her organization is to facilitate, enhance and promote quality STEM education in Zambia through the hosting of annual science fairs, writing contests, innovation hubs, STEM summits, STEM camps, E-learning, curriculum development and education policy reformation, STEM Awards and innovation hubs. Since 2019, she has reached 100,000 people and directly impacted 1000 people annually.
Her job at Genius Education Zambia keeps her motivated, "knowing that I am contributing positively to the lives of many other young people motivates me. Access to quality education remains a far fetched dream for many young Zambians from marginalised communities. My life mission is to help others unleash their inherent Genius..." She has not given up on her medical ambitions either, " I have not yet become the neuroscientist I aspire to become but I am incredibly proud that I’m half way there."
She describes her experience as a woman in the STEM space as daunting. One of the challenges she faces is being forced to conform to a man’s idea of what STEM should be, "I don’t subscribe to that narrative because as a woman my physiology and biology is different. I have a unique set of strengths and weaknesses that differ significantly from those of men... This doesn’t mean I can’t be an excellent STEM professional, however, it means I will be different at my achievement of excellence." Her advice to young women, "is to find a mentor. Find a support system of people who can give you good sound advise, of people who have gone ahead of you in that field and people who will pick you up when you fall."
The pandemic had highlighted the need for quick adaptability to change and Chikumbi believes that Africa should be prepared, "Africa, with it’s abundant resources and vast youth population is the ideal environment for opportunity and expansion in every field. And Africa knows that in order to compete globally and stay locally relevant, there’s need to grow our capacity for STEM." She has an overall positive outlook of the progression of STEM in Africa, "I foresee exponential growth and the rise of novel STEM ideas that aren’t even in existence today. Africa will lead the world to the 5th and 6th industrial revolutions."
She has a unique take on how to maintain a work-life balance in the sense that she consciously pursues harmony instead of balance. She has created a system where her career, hobbies, lifestyle and education all flow in a harmonious manner. She believes that with this approach, she ensures "that [her] work blends into everything. Work isn’t something that exists externally from other areas of [her] life, rather, work is part of my life.
Read more about the younge female Genius, Bupe Chikumbi behind the Genius Education Zambia in an interview with the African Steminist where she shares pearls of wisdom.
1. Describe what your work entails.
I am a graduate human biologist who completed her Human Biology medical undergraduate
degree in 2019 and graduated in 2020 from the University of Zambia, School of Medicine. I
thereafter proceeded into a medicine and surgery program(,MBCHB) which is a 3 year course.
Due to personal and health reasons, I only did one year of that MBCHB and took a leave of
absence. I am yet to return.
In addition to this, I am the founder and Executive Director of Genius Education Zambia, an
EdTech STEM organisation whose mission is to facilitate, enhance and promote quality STEM
education in Zambia. We do this by hosting annual science fairs, writing contests, innovation
hubs, STEM summits, STEM camps, E-learning, curriculum development and education policy
reformation, STEM Awards and innovation hubs. We have undertaken these projects since
3019 and have a reach of 100,000 people and a direct impact of 1000 people annually. You can
find us http://6pointsgenius.com
2. Describe your engineering/STEM journey.
My passion for STEM began at an early stage of my life. I was fascinated by biology and science
and wanted so much to study the brain. As a little girl I didn’t know about neuroscience or
neurology but I knew that I wanted to study the brain dedicate my life to it. I was intrigued by
concepts in behavioural science, cognitive psychology, neuroscience and how they translate into
human evolution. Through this passion, I intend on helping society elevate it’s consciousness
and harness the power of our brains in new and innovative ways.
My aspiration pushed me to excel in academics and get into medical school. I have not yet
become the neuroscientist I aspire to become but I am incredibly proud that I’m half way there.
3. What excites you about your job? What motivates you to get out of bed every morning?
My job at Genius Education Zambia gets me out of bed every morning. Knowing that I am
contributing positively to the lives of many other young people motivates me. Access to quality
education remains a far fetched dream for many young Zambians from marginalised
communities. My life mission to help others unleash their inherent Genius and I believe access
to quality education is a huge part of that.
4. How would you describe your experience as a woman in the engineering/STEM space?
Daunting. STEM is quite demanding of one’s energy and time and as a woman you’re
constantly striving to achieve that “balance” between your STEM career and personal life. The
challenge for me as a woman is being forced to conform to a man’s idea of what STEM should
be. I don’t subscribe to that narrative because as a woman my physiology and biology is different. I have a unique set of strengths and weaknesses that differ significantly from those of men. For instance, my energy levels can’t stay constant throughout the month because my body undergoes several hormonal and physiological changes every month. This doesn’t mean I can’t be an excellent STEM professional, however, it means I will be different at my achievement of excellence. STEM is hugely male dominated and I hope to see more woman in decision making processes so that we can adjust the system to cater for us as well.
5. What advice would you give to young women aspiring to enter the engineering/ STEM field?
My advise to young people is find a mentor. Find a support system of people who can give you
good sound advise, of people who have gone ahead of you in that field and people who will pick
you up when you fall. The truth is, you’ll face several setbacks along the way and your support
system is important. Find your tribe.
6. As a STEM woman in Africa, how do you foresee the growth and progress of STEM on the
continent? Is Africa a “land of opportunity”?
STEM continues to perpetuate innovation and the expansion of the 4 th Industrial Revolution,
leading to the constant and sometimes rapid changes seen all around the world. Skills relevant
today become obsolete tomorrow as some new technology, gadgets or Artificial Intelligence
takes over. The pandemic overemphasised the need for us to hasten our response to constant
change and that we should prepare for these overnight changes. Africa is not exempted from
this system and as the world evolves into a more connected global ecosystem, it becomes obvious
that every continent must be on the same page. Africa, with it’s abundant resource and vast
youth population is the ideal environment for opportunity and expansion in every field. And
Africa knows that in order to compete globally and stay locally relevant, there’s need to grow
our capacity for STEM. This is already happening as more African countries are investing in
STEM education, STEM careers and STEM industries.
I foresee exponential growth and the rise of novel STEM ideas that aren’t even in existence
today. Africa will lead the world to the 5 th and 6 th industrial revolutions.
7. Have there been any milestone moments or eureka moments in your career?
My epiphany came about a few years ago when I realised that I am responsible for my country’s
contribution towards STEM. As the adage goes, ‘I am the change I have been waiting for’. With
that realisation, my organisation has been able to push forward the STEM agenda and has
worked with stakeholders including government, embassies, local STEM organisations and
global STEM organisations. Through our efforts we have managed to make STEM resources
available to the average Zambian youth.
8. How do you maintain a work-life balance?
I make a conscious decision to pursue harmony instead of balance. I have created a system
where my career, hobbies, lifestyle and education all flow in a harmonious manner. I do this by
being mindful of the seasons, my priorities and my goals. I learned that I couldn’t achieve
balance no matter how hard I tried because the scales never balanced. With harmony, I ensure
that my work blends into everything. Work isn’t something that exists externally from other
areas of my life, rather, work is part of my life. I prioritise my tasks instead of dividing my time into structured times slots. Some of the practises that help with harmony are practising mindfulness, being present in the moment and enjoying whatever I am currently doing, following my gut instinct, prayer and meditation.
9. Who is your role model? Who inspires you?
My dad is my role model. He inspires me with his work culture, his family values, his
consistency and how he has never been too busy to care for me and my 5 siblings. Despite his
busy work schedules, my father is the most present, most compassionate and conscious parent
ever. He is 100% present at home and at work because he stays anchored in the moment. He
dedicates excellence and undivided attention to whatever task is at hand, even if the task is
simply frying an egg. Ha-ha.
10. Where can more information or insight into your work be found?
Twitter Handle: https://twitter.com/bupechikumbi?s=09
Additional optional questions
a) How has the global pandemic affected you professionally/career?
The pandemic gave me the gift of time and helped me step out of a life of rushing and racing.
The world came to a standstill and I was able to refocus and recalculate without having the
pressure of looking at what others are doing. It was a season of inner introspection and deciding
what’s actually important in my life. Losing loved ones to Covid-19 was a wake up call to value
those I love and once again remember to be anchored in the present. The present is what
matters most.
b) If you have started a business or a non-profit organisation, what advice do you have for
women aspiring to start a business or a non-profit organisation?
Start where you are, with what you have. Be gracious with how you measure your success,
don’t compare yourself with someone has a business running for over 5 years or 20 years when
you’re simply in your first year. Set realistic goals and expectations. I’ll tell you something; the
truth is if you stay on the course long enough, you will see expansion. That’s just how life works.
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