Professor Rose-Margaret Ekeng-Itua has achieved a new height by becoming the world’s first black woman to achieve a doctorate degree (Ph.D) in Cybernetics.
Hailing from Nigeria, Ekeng-Itua’s groundbreaking achievement highlights her pioneering role in STEM education and her unwavering commitment to empowering African youth, especially girls.
According to Vanguard, her journey began with a fascination for technology nurtured in her childhood in Nigeria, where societal norms often discouraged girls from scientific pursuits.
Despite these challenges, Ekeng-Itua pursued her passion for understanding how things work, leading her to earn degrees in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Mobile and Satellite Communications Engineering in the UK.
Undeterred by gender biases and a lack of role models, Ekeng-Itua persisted, driven by her ambition to break boundaries.
Her relentless determination culminated in her historic achievement, earning her Ph.D. in Cybernetics from the University of Reading, UK, under the guidance of Prof. Kevin Warwick, a pioneering figure in the field.
Reflecting on her journey, Ekeng-Itua acknowledged the transformative power of education and the importance of positive role models.
“Every challenge became fuel for my determination. I realized that my success would not only open doors for myself but would serve as an example for other women and girls who might otherwise doubt their capabilities.”
Continue, she said, “I am a Dreamer-Doer-Thinker, so I always had dreams, but my dreams were not necessarily focused on being ‘great’, but more on how I could be a positive change agent, and how to create initiatives, programs and technologies that will impact the world positively. I am human-centric in my approach to making positive change hence, the field of Cybernetics gave me that opportunity as Cybernetics is centered on purposeful design of technologies for society and humans.
Despite facing numerous challenges, she remained steadfast in her pursuit of excellence, viewing each obstacle as an opportunity for growth.
Ekeng-Itua’s passion for mathematics and physics at an early age fueled her career choice, driven by a desire for creativity, innovation, and positive impact in communities.
Her vision extends beyond personal success, aiming to foster global unity and understanding through technology and education.
As the first black woman to earn a Ph.D. in Cybernetics, Ekeng-Itua’s achievement serves as an inspiration to women and girls worldwide, demonstrating the limitless possibilities when passion, determination, and purpose converge.
