From succeeding in Cameroon to taking the world stage, student Melong Njoumangen Yvan De La Paix shows how certification can create once-in-a-lifetime experiences. A two-time Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Cameroon champion, World Championship finalist, and featured voice in the Spreadsheet Champions documentary, he pairs digital skills with a heart for giving back.
Hear how De La Paix (who goes by his surname) got involved in certification and the MOS World Championship, along with practical advice he hopes every student takes.
Who is De La Paix?
JVIDÊÓƵ: De La Paix, thanks so much for chatting with us today.
De La Paix: Thank YOU! I’m so happy to be with you.
JVIDÊÓƵ: Of course! We’re so excited to hear about your story and your experiences with certification and the MOS World Championship. But before we go into all of that, we want to learn more about you. Tell us about yourself.
De La Paix: I’m a two-time Microsoft Office Specialist Cameroon champion. It’s been amazing to represent my country at the MOS World Championship as well. Outside of the competitions, I’m working for a non-profit I co-founded called Empower Cameroon.
Giving back
JVIDÊÓƵ: You founded a non-profit? That’s amazing! Tell us more about the work you do.
De La Paix: Empower Cameroon aims to empower youth across my country with courage, education, and skills. We align our efforts with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, so we’re making a long-term impact. We focus on breaking cycles of poverty and inequality. Now these efforts take lots of different forms, including teaching digital literacy to underserved communities and preparing girls and young people with disabilities for STEM careers.
My own journey with MOS certification is deeply connected to our work at Empower Cameroon. I want Cameroonian youth to see that certifications aren't just credit credentials. They are tools to unlock global opportunities.
Growing up with technology
JVIDÊÓƵ: Your passion is contagious. What incredible work you’re doing. Obviously technology is a big part of your work at Empower Cameroon. Is that something you’ve always been interested in?
De La Paix: My love for technology began when I was a child. I was fascinated with Microsoft Word and spent time exploring every feature! My early experiments grew during my studies in school, and earning a MOS certification became a personal challenge. Little did I know that earning my certification and competing in the national and global competitions would make such a big impact on my life and my work. My experiences reminded me that every child deserves a chance. After competing I wanted to give that chance to all youth in my community.
Not just skilled, but certified
JVIDÊÓƵ: How impactful! You mentioned that earning your MOS certification became a personal challenge for you. Did you get certified while in school?
De La Paix: Yes, the certification was added as a requirement for all the engineering students at my university. I realized that Microsoft Excel, especially, really enhanced my engineering work. It became my secret weapon for complex calculations and helped me to produce professional reports. I did very well on the certification exam, and my professors noticed and encouraged me to compete in the MOS Cameroon Championship. It was a long journey. From childhood interest to graduation requirement to the world stage.
Ready to show his expertise
JVIDÊÓƵ: Let’s talk more about that stage you mentioned. What was it like to compete in the MOS Championship?
De La Paix: It was very stressful. I almost quit before the competition, but my teacher really encouraged me to keep going. Winning at the national competition meant that I got to travel to the United States. I’d never been to an airport or flown on a plane in my life.
When I got to the United States, I saw people from different cultures coming to do the same thing I was doing, representing our countries. For me it was really, really amazing. Seeing all of this, I realized that with education, we can go everywhere.
JVIDÊÓƵ: We couldn’t agree more. Your education has given you some wonderful, life-changing experiences. We’re thinking about the Spreadsheet Champions documentary, in particular. What was it like to be a part of the filming?
De La Paix: In the beginning, I was surprised I was chosen. I nearly cried when I found out because I could not believe it. That a little boy from the trenches could become a main character in an international documentary. I couldn’t believe that people would travel from Australia to Cameroon to film me. It was a very big opportunity. Just another one I’ve had because of my education.
The future is bright
JVIDÊÓƵ: How do you think these experiences you’ve had will impact you in your future career?
De La Paix: I want to work as a civil engineer. That means I’ll need to present my ideas to clients to win projects. To do that, I’ll need Microsoft PowerPoint. To estimate the project cost, I’ll need to use Microsoft Excel. These are tangible tasks I can tackle because of my certified skills.
When I’ve shown people my CV and portfolio, they are amazed to see someone my age with this type of experience. National Championship. Global finalist. And now I’m part of the Spreadsheet Champions documentary. It’s given me a lot of confidence. Back in the day, people could say they knew the applications. But what proof did they have? Nothing! With the certification, you have proof you’ve really mastered Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, or Word. When a recruiter is in front of you, they don’t need to take the time to test your skills. The certification speaks for itself.
Words of wisdom
JVIDÊÓƵ: Absolutely. De La Paix, thank you for sharing your story with us. Any final advice you’d like to share?
De La Paix: First, for students: Use the tools to solve real problems in your life. When I was calculating my school averages with Excel, I did not know it was preparing me for the MOS World Championship. But those experiences helped me! Start with tracking family expenses or organizing some community projects or analyzing sport statistics. It doesn’t matter what you start with, as long as you start!
And always remember, your current environment does not limit your potential. You can transform your challenges into opportunities.
Want to hear even more about De La Paix’s experience? Get all the Spreadsheet Champions documentary details . Learn more about MOS certification .