Profile on Digital Transformation for Community Impact scholarship recipient Kosi Henry

Please tell us your name, hometown, and educational background

My name is Kosi Clinton Henry, and I am originally from Enugu State, Nigeria. I am currently pursuing a Master of Computer Science by Thesis at Dalhousie University. I completed my undergraduate studies in Computer Science at Legacy University, Nigeria, graduating as one of the top students. My academic background and research experience focus on computer science, artificial intelligence, persuasive technology, and human-centered digital systems. During my research internship at Dalhousie University’s Persuasive Computing Lab, I contributed to AIdriven health and behavior-change research that resulted in peer-reviewed publications. I am building on this foundation through my master’s research, which uses AI and gamification to improve cybersecurity education for African Nova Scotian youth. 

What inspired you to pursue your current area of study, and what drew you to digital transformation?

My inspiration comes from my personal experiences growing up in Nigeria, where access to technology and quality STEM education was very limited. In high school, we lacked a functional computer lab, and learning to code required traveling to a nearby city. This experience showed me how digital exclusion can limit opportunities for young people. As I progressed in my education, I became passionate about using technology to solve real-world problems and create opportunities for underserved communities. I participated in several initiatives to empower young people with digital skills. These experiences shaped my belief that technology should not only be innovative but also inclusive, accessible, and designed around the needs of the people it serves. What drew me to digital transformation is its potential to improve education, healthcare, and access to opportunities. I believe digital transformation is most meaningful when it empowers communities, reduces barriers, and lets people actively shape the technologies that affect their lives. For this reason, I am focused on research that combines artificial intelligence, interactive technology, and community-centered design to create solutions with lasting social impact.

Can you tell us about a project, experience, or achievement that reflects your commitment to creating positive community impact?

One experience that strongly reflects my commitment to community impact is empowering young people with digital skills.Growing up in a community with limited access to computers and technology, I understood how these barriers could limit students’ educational opportunities. Together with a group of friends, I helped train young people in rural communities in digital skills. This experience taught me that even a small contribution, such as teaching someone a digital skill, can create meaningful opportunities and positively influence a person’s future. More recently, during my research internship at Dalhousie University’s Persuasive Computing Lab, I contributed to several digital transformation projects that deepened my interest in this area. These experiences demonstrate my commitment to using technology, research, and community engagement to address real-world challenges. They have also prepared me for my proposed project, in which I hope to co-design a culturally relevant cybersecurity education platform with African Nova Scotian youth.

What does receiving the Digital Transformation for Community Impact Scholarship mean to you, and how will it support your goals?

Receiving the Digital Transformation for Community Impact Scholarship is a great honor. It supports my academic journey, my commitment to inclusive technology, and my goal of creating meaningful impact through computer science research. This scholarship would enable me to continue my master’s research at Dalhousie University and develop my proposed thesis, which focuses on co-designing AI-powered, gamified cybersecurity education that incorporates African Nova Scotian culture and history. Beyond financial assistance, this scholarship would motivate me to continue developing inclusive technologies and to carry these values into my future career as a computer scientist and researcher.

Looking ahead, what impact do you hope to make through your work, and how do you see digital transformation helping you achieve it?

Looking ahead, I hope to become a technology innovator and researcher who uses artificial intelligence and digital technologies to address the challenges faced by underserved communities. I hope this project will equip youth with practical knowledge to recognize online threats and protect themselves in increasingly complex digital environments. I also want educators and community organizations to have a resource they can use and adapt to support cybersecurity learning.

In the long term, I hope to apply this research to other communities facing digital exclusion, including the community where I grew up in Nigeria. I see digital transformation as a means to expand access to education, improve services, and empower people. However, it should be guided by community needs, ethical practices, and inclusive design. My goal is to help create a future in which technology not only reaches people but also helps them learn, grow, and improve their quality of life. I believe communities with limited access to technology deserve inclusive, meaningful innovation.