JESUIT PROFILE: Boniface Mbouzao

Boniface Mbouzao was born in Koza, a small town in the north of Cameroon. The sixth of 10 children, Boniface comes from a Christian family; his father is a permanent deacon. He went to primary school in Kourgui, then for high school at the seminary of Guider, and from there to study mathematics at the University of Yaoundé. In 1998, he joined the Jesuit novitiate of Bafoussam (Cameroon) and in the same year, obtained a bachelors degree in philosophy in Congo Kinshasa. His studies were interrupted for two years for his regency, which he spent at the Catholic university of Central Africa. He was then sent to Canada, where he completed a degree in computer engineering in 2009 and is now working on a Masters degree in biomedical engineering at the University of Ottawa, researching the field of medical informatics and telemedicine. At the same time he is working on a Bachelors degree in theology at Saint Paul University in Ottawa. 

Boniface at a meeting of African Jesuits hosted by CJI in 2009

Boniface believes that the Society of Jesus should play a major role in the third world, especially in Africa, in terms of the formation of young people in sciences and engineering. Cooperation between the North and South, he holds, could be very beneficial to the development of science for all human beings. In a conversation with CJI Boniface reflects on the nature of this cooperation, especially between Canada and the various African countries.

What message do you have for Canadians about Africa?

The principal message I have for Canadians about Africa is that they realize the plurality of Africa, not to see Africa as “one poor country” but as an entity of several countries with different types of problems. Africa is not only what the media decides to show us: a place where people are dying for hunger, AIDS and malaria, but also a place where we can find hope for the future. My invitation is to see Africa as a continent of hope.

What role do you think CJI and like organizations can play in building links of solidarity between Africa and Canada?

The link or bridge that can be built between Africa and Canada could be one of cooperation, where each participant comes with something. Canada can give to Africa but it can also receive from Africa. Thus the link will be a channel of exchange of experiences and wealth between Canada and Africa. Canada can help Africa and young Africans in term of formation: the formation of young people and responsible leaders; formation in new technologies; and formation in good governance. Canada can lend its expertise to many African countries in this regard.

Boniface at his lab at the University of Ottawa

From your experience working in the field of health care and technology, what can Africa hope for in this field?”  

For me the future of Africa lies in its capacity to access new technologies. The experience of telemedicine, which I am researching, is one key example. With the development of telemedicine in Africa, many people can be diagnosed and treated without travelling. Local caregivers and nurses can be given all kinds of formation without leaving their place of work. In general, the development of new technology in Africa can help to give formation to many people without taking them out of their context. This should help to keep those who have been trained in their context and at the service of their countries.

What do you think your role should be after you return to Africa, to build on  links of solidarity between Canada and Africa?

I see myself helping in the formation of young people and health professionals in the use of information technology to improve their productivity. This would require contact with specialists in Canada to have the opportunity to benefit from teleconferences, telemedicine etc. That will be beneficial in terms of both the cost of formation (no need to travel), and of having a large number of people who can benefit from the formation.

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Canadian Jesuits International