Marie Grace Umumararungu

Eng. Marie Grace Umumararungu is a seasoned Civil Engineer and Engineering Technician with more than 12 years of progressive experience in infrastructure development, project management, and research. A Rwandan national, she holds a Master of Engineering (MEng) in Civil Engineering from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, where she specialized in hydraulic structures and water resources, and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Civil Engineering and Environmental Technology from the University of Rwanda.
Her career spans diverse roles across international organizations, academia, and private consultancy. She currently serves with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) as an Engineering Technician, where she leads the planning, design, supervision, and execution of construction projects, including camp infrastructure, water and sanitation systems, and reinforced concrete works. Previously, as a UN Volunteer Civil Engineer with MONUSCO, she managed multiple large-scale projects, ensuring compliance with engineering standards, environmental regulations, and UN financial rules.
In addition to her UN experience, Marie Grace has worked as a Project Manager at DCCS Ltd, Bridge Site Assessor with Bridges to Prosperity, and Water Assessor with Water Access Rwanda. She has also contributed to national infrastructure projects with the STRABAG International GmbH, Ng’andu Consulting, and Real Contractors Ltd. Her academic involvement includes serving as a Lecturer at St. Joseph Integrated Technical College and as Co-Principal Investigator in the Gendered Design in STEAM program with the University of Rwanda and Carleton University, focusing on gender and mobility constraints in urban areas.
Beyond her professional career, she is an active advocate for women in science and engineering. She volunteers as Secretary of the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD) Rwanda Chapter and is a member of the Rwandan Association for Women in Science and Engineering (RAWISE), the Institution of Engineers of Rwanda, and the Partnership for Women in Water Engineering and Research (POWWER).
Her technical expertise includes hydraulics and hydromechanical analysis, road and bridge construction, water and sanitation infrastructure, and project lifecycle management. She is also skilled in modern engineering tools such as AutoCAD Civil 3D, EPANET, ArcGIS, and Microsoft Project.
Marie Grace has represented Rwanda in several high-level conferences and panels, including the IEEE Entrepreneurship for Engineers and Scientists, and FAWE’s Investing in Tertiary Education. She is recognized for her leadership in integrating gender perspectives, sustainability, and resilience into engineering solutions that address pressing challenges in water, energy, and infrastructure.