This is the next segment of our blog series highlighting Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors who achieved the Gold milestone, the highest level attainable, and have recently graduated from university. Each blog in the series features a different student and highlights their accomplishments, their experience with the Student Ambassador community, and what they’re up to now.

Today we meet Adalbert who recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in software engineering and computer systems from Ecole Supérieure d’Informatique Salama (ESIS) in Democratic Republic of Congo.

Responses have been edited for clarity and length.  

When did you join the Student Ambassadors community?

January 2021

What was being a Student Ambassador like?

Being a Student Ambassador has been a transformative experience for me. It has been much more than just an opportunity to represent a renowned brand like Microsoft. It has been an adventure where I’ve been able to not only develop my technical skills but also cultivate leadership, communication, and project management skills. As an Ambassador, I’ve had the chance to plan and organize events focused on Microsoft technologies, collaborate with other passionate students, and share my knowledge with my community. This experience has not only allowed me to enhance my skills but has also helped me make a positive impact on others by inspiring them to explore the world of technology and assisting them in solving their problems, thus guiding them towards realizing their full potential.

Was there a specific experience you had while you were in the program that had a profound impact on you and why?

An experience I underwent during my participation in the program had a profound impact on me. Specifically, my involvement in the Microsoft Build 2022 AI (ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE) Gaming Challenge Tournament was an unforgettable experience. Despite the constraint of the English language, coming from a Francophone country, I persisted. Even though I couldn’t express myself as fluently in English, it did not hinder me from standing out and overcoming certain limitations or barriers. This is what makes me a living proof and a source of inspiration in the face of this major challenge encountered, with determination and hard work, anything is possible.

Tell us about a technology you had the chance to gain a skillset in as a Student Ambassador. How has this skill you acquired helped you in your post-university journey?

During my journey as a Student Ambassador, I had the opportunity to explore and enhance my skills through the benefits of various learning tools and platforms, such as LinkedIn Learning, provided by the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors program. Specifically, my passion for web technologies, including the MERN stack, led me to delve deeper into TypeScript/JavaScript. Working with TypeScript helped me better understand strong typing concepts and modern JavaScript development, thereby strengthening my skills in web application creation. Additionally, I also had the chance to explore Microsoft Power Platform, particularly Power Apps. Working with Power Apps allowed me to gain a deep understanding of creating business applications without code, thereby facilitating the development of customized applications to meet the needs of diverse individuals. This versatility in technology was extremely beneficial during my journey as a Student Ambassador, and I hope it will play a crucial role in my professional success after university.

What is something you want all students, globally, to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program?

What I want all students globally to know about the Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador Program is that it’s much more than just an ambassador program. It is a dynamic community where students can not only develop their technical skills but also acquire leadership, communication, and collaboration skills. The program offers many opportunities, such as participation in exclusive events, networking opportunities with industry professionals, and access to high-quality training resources. As ambassadors, we have the privilege of representing such a prestigious brand as Microsoft while also making a positive impact on our local communities.

What advice would you give to new Student Ambassadors, who are just starting in the program?

For new Student Ambassadors who are just starting off in the program, my advice would be to fully embrace every opportunity that comes your way. Be open to continuous learning and exploring modern technologies. Get actively involved in the community by participating in events, sharing your knowledge, and building relationships with your peers. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and take the initiative. Lastly, remember that you are not only a representative of Microsoft but also a change agent in your community.

Share a favorite quote with us! It can be from a movie, a song, a book, or someone you know personally. Tell us why you chose this. What does it mean for you?

One of my favorite quotes is: ‘You must always dare each time you intend to do something you like or want to achieve.’ This quote reflects my experience on my journey. It was only after being admitted to the Student Ambassadors program that I realized I can also do it. I began taking risks and tackling challenges that seemed beyond my abilities. Today, I am proud to say that I have succeeded in achieving these audacious goals I set for myself, such as becoming a Gold-level Student Ambassador, being recognized as a Microsoft MVP in the Developer Technologies category, and becoming a contributor to FreeCodeCamp, among others. This quote has always encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone and pursue my dreams with determination, and it continues to inspire me to aim even higher.

Adalbert Pungu, Gold Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador hosting a technology workshop.

Tell us something interesting about you, about your journey.

An interesting aspect of my academic journey and experience in the program is my active involvement in organizing technology awareness initiatives and knowledge-sharing activities. As the Lead Campus Club Pilot of the Microsoft program, I have taken initiatives such as promoting the Microsoft Student Ambassadors program in my city, conducting presentations at various universities, and guiding students interested in computer science, along with my team members. I also demonstrated my interest in Francophone countries by organizing an event in Togo for a group of university students. I presented the Microsoft program to them and guided them through the application process, as there were no student ambassadors there at the time. Additionally, I was invited to speak about Introduction and Application Development with C# at two collaborative communities, the Microsoft User Group Gabon and the Microsoft User Group Lomé. Apart from this, I also took the initiative to discuss AI gaming at a meeting with stakeholders from different countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, and myself from Congo. We even collaborated with a Microsoft MVP AI at the time, which was a rewarding experience where we discussed various technologies such as Azure, Python, etc.

Adalbert Pungu hosting a workshop for students.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/AdalbertPungu/

GitHub: https://github.com/AdalbertPungu/

FreeCodeCamp: https://www.freecodecamp.org/news/author/adalbertpungu/

Medium: https://adalbertpungu.medium.com/

Hashnode: https://adalbertpungu.hashnode.dev/

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