Dr. Margaret Mutumba (PhD '23) returns to UWaterloo with words of support
Dr. Margaret Mutumba (PhD '23) addressed the Faculties of Health and Science at the fall 2023 convocation ceremony. She is a global health innovator focused on access to affordable health care in low resource settings with more than 10 years of health sector management experience in sub-Saharan Africa. She also has research experience in maternal, reproductive, fertility and health systems.
Mutumba earned an Honours Bachelors of Science, Pharmacology, Kings College London; a Master of Public Health, Imperial College London, and a PhD in Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo. She is program director at Frugal Medical Innovations at Western University.
Here is her address:
It was not too long ago, that I, too, was sitting where you are, getting ready to receive my doctorate degree in Public Health Sciences, during the spring 2023 convocation.
Feeling all the same emotions and excitement. And now to be on this side, is a full-circle moment.
The right institution
I would like to start by saying we could not have chosen a finer institution to graduate from. Do you agree? What you and I have been a part of here, at the University of Waterloo, is exceptional.
When I first came to Waterloo in 2018, from Uganda, I wanted to use my doctoral journey to understand a problem in my community.
What I did not realize at the time is that the institution I chose would not only equip me to understand the problem deeply but also ignite a fire in me to build a solution for it.
It is a journey that took my research and turned it into a company, forever changing the trajectory of my life and the lives of my community.
Founding MedAtlas, a digital health company increasing access to specialist health care in Africa, was an unexpected but worthwhile turn.
And this is a testament to the 'Water' in Waterloo.
A University that will ask you to dream bigger and empower you to achieve those dreams. From researcher-to-researcher entrepreneur; who knew such a career existed?
This is one of the reasons this institution has earned its reputation as Canada’s most innovative university.
It is because I took this unexpected turn that I now get to collaborate with fellow researchers looking to transform their innovations into medical solutions for remote and low-resource contexts, just like my community. Life can be fascinating that way.
The right times
And in these unprecedented, volatile and uncertain times, we need more people that are willing to try what they have never tried before, face up to novel challenges and opportunities, speaking up in times of adversity and daring to do things differently.
Taking the bold, creative and compassionate spirit we have inherited from our time at Waterloo to make your mark on the world.
The right individual
And don’t be mistaken, you are the right person for the times. You are uncommon, you are unique, you are a dream realized You, today, are a success story!
You have shown that when you make up your mind, you can achieve anything. Look at all the love and support in this room, all for you! Celebrating you! Because you deserve to be seen, appreciated and applauded.
Take in this moment, hold on to it and carry it with you into the world. When doubt and uncertainty try to weigh you down, pause and come back to this moment and remember this day. You did it once, you can do it again. You did it here, at Waterloo! So, you will do it out there too! Yes?
In closing, I would like to share these two quotes with you. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” Think about that.
The second quote is from my Kingdom, Buganda Kingdom, it says, Akozesa emikono gyombi, talemwa kulya. Meaning, they who work with both hands, who work hard, who give it 100 per cent and keep trying in the face of adversity, cannot fail to succeed.
You have proven it here today. You have overcome and won the race. You are what is great about Waterloo! And you should always be #UWaterloo Proud. Congratulations and thank you very much.
