Rita Orji facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rita Oluchi Orji
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Rita Orji is a brilliant Nigerian-Canadian computer scientist. She is a Professor and leads the Persuasive Computing Lab at Dalhousie University in Canada. She also holds a special title called Canada Research Chair in Persuasive Technology.
Dr. Orji's work focuses on how people use computers and technology. She designs systems that help people live healthier and happier lives. She has received more than 70 awards for her amazing work. She has even spoken at the United Nations and the Parliament of Canada!
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Early Life and Education
Growing Up in Nigeria
Rita Orji grew up in Enugu State, Nigeria. Her family belongs to the Igbo tribe. Her parents, Maria and Okonkwo Orji, did not go to school. They raised Rita and her eight siblings in a small town called Owelli. This town did not have electricity or running water. Her parents worked hard as farmers to support their large family.
Discovering Computer Science
Rita did not have a computer when she was young. Yet, she was accepted to study Computer Science at Nnamdi Azikiwe University. She had never even used a computer before starting her studies! She worked incredibly hard and graduated at the very top of her class.
During her high school years, Rita was part of the Nigerian team for the International Mathematical Olympiad. In 2002, she started a non-profit group. It was called "Education for Women and the Less Privileged in Nigeria." This group helps women get an education by offering guidance and scholarships.
Studying Abroad
After her first degree, Rita joined a master's program at Middle East Technical University. She was the only African student in her class. She finished her master's degree in 2009. After that, she moved to Canada to continue her studies.
In 2012, Dr. Orji spoke at the Parliament of Canada. She talked about how to promote good health and prevent diseases. She received a special scholarship called the Vanier scholarship. This award helped her continue her important research.
Dr. Orji earned her PhD from the University of Saskatchewan in 2014. She was the first woman from her hometown of 50,000 people to earn a PhD! After her PhD, she joined McGill University. There, she worked on how technology can help people change their behavior for the better.
Career in Technology
Designing Helpful Technologies
In 2016, Dr. Orji joined the Games Institute at the University of Waterloo. She was a Banting Fellow, which is a special research position. She is very interested in "persuasive technology." This means designing technology that can encourage people to do good things. For example, she works on apps that help people stay healthy or improve their communities.
In 2017, Dr. Orji became an assistant professor at Dalhousie University. She creates interactive systems and persuasive technologies. She especially wants these technologies to help people who are often overlooked. She has studied how a person's culture and age can change how well these technologies work. For example, she found that in cultures where people work together more (collectivist cultures), men might respond better to rewards and competition.
Helping Others in STEM
Dr. Orji is a big supporter of diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). She works to get more women and minority groups involved in computer science. She uses her own journey as an example to inspire others. She cares deeply about helping young people and making sure women can get an education.
She was honored as one of the top 150 women scientists in Canada by an organization called hEr VOLUTION. She also attended the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York City. In 2018, she spoke at a special panel for the United Nations. The panel was called "It is Up to Me."
Awards and Honours
Dr. Rita Orji has received many important awards for her work:
- 2013 University of Saskatchewan Research Excellence in Science Award
- 2017 Enugu State Award of Excellence for her scholarly achievements
- 2017 Nnamdi Azikiwe University Award of Excellence for her contributions to Computer Science
- 2017 Recognized as one of the Top 150 Canadian Women in STEM
- 2018 Women Leaders in the Digital Economy Award from Digital Nova Scotia
- 2019 Dalhousie University President's Research Excellence Award
- 2019 International Society for Research on Internet Interventions Rising Star Award
- 2020 Named a Canada Research Chair in Persuasive Technology
- 2020 Inducted into the Royal Society of Canada College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists
- 2021 Recognized as one of Canada's 100 Most Powerful Women
- 2021 Named one of the Top 100 Leading Nigerian Women
- 2021 Received the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards
- 2021 Outstanding Young Computer Science Researcher Awards
- 2021 Nova Scotia Discovery Centre Emerging Professional Award
- 2022 Admitted into the Global Young Academy
- 2022 Recognized in "100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women"
- 2024 Women in Technology Excellence Award
- 2025 Arthur B. McDonald Fellow
