Bernard Masika

🚀 Profile Summary

I am deeply passionate about software design, development, and immersive content creation, specializing in Extended Reality (XR) for apps and games. With a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering & IT from the University of Dar es Salaam, I leverage emerging technologies to create meaningful educational and social impact in Africa.

From winning the AR/VR Africa Hackathon 2022 to co-founding SeedeXR, I strive to revolutionize training, storytelling, and cultural preservation through immersive XR experiences.

🛠️ Key Qualifications

XR Development: Unity (C#), AR/VR simulations, Lens Studio.
3D Art & Design: Blender, photogrammetry, UI/UX with Figma.
Full-Stack Development: JavaScript, Node.js, Reactjs/Nextjs, PostgreSQL.
Cultural & Educational XR: Creating immersive learning tools & preserving African heritage.

🎨 Photogrammetry Samples:
🔗 Scan 1 |
🔗 Scan 2 |
🔗 Scan 3 |

💼 Employment & Projects

Lead XR Developer – Anaza Storytelling Group (OnaStories)

Leading the AncestARs Project, preserving Makonde Tribe cultural heritage through XR.
Developed an AR lens showcasing traditional Makonde Tribe face tattoos.
Created 360° Tour VR experiences for Tanzanian landmarks like TANESCO's HydroElectricPowerPlant Dam & TCRA Museum.
As the go-to XR developer, I take on any project involving Unity-based AR/VR development, ensuring seamless integration of immersive technologies into storytelling and interactive experiences.

Co-Founder & CTO – SeedeXR

Revolutionizing medical training in Africa with VR Surgery Simulations.
Won the AR/VR Africa Hackathon 2022 beating competitors across 42 African countries for the C-Section VR Training Simulation.
I lead AR and VR development projects, merging creativity with technical innovation to transform education and storytelling through immersive XR experiences.

Freelance VR Developer

Built VR experiences for artists like Arafa.
Created PaintBall VR, TicTacToe VR, and LETU – an LGBTQIA+ VR experience.

🧠 Hackathons and Game Jams

🏆 MIT Reality Hack 2025 – Cambridge, USA (In-person)

Project: MUSAIC – A mixed reality collaboration tool blending gesture, AI, voice, and body movement to co-create live, interactive sound sculptures.
Role: XR Developer – prototyped in ShapesXR, built core MR pipeline in Unity.
Team: Maciek Ziarkowski , Aurelio Martin, Ankitha Sarvesh, Joshua Stein.
Achievement: Finalist & 3rd Place – Best Use of ShapesXR Track. Presented at MIT Media Lab.
Prize: Each team member received a Meta Quest 3 to support continued development.
🔗 Watch Demo on the Submission Page (DevPost)
🔗 Link to the Hackathon Page

🥇 Echoes Game Jam 2025 – Goethe-Institut & Africa Comicade (Online)

Project: Cradle MR – A mixed reality experience that preserves and reactivates African spiritual memory, protective rituals, and oral traditions through spatial storytelling.
Role: XR Developer and Game Design.
Team: The Dream Team – a diverse group of creatives: 1 Ethiopian ( Oliyiad Tesfaye ), 2 Kenyans ( Kesh Nthamba, Venna), 2 Nigerians ( Mariam Yusuf, Joy George ), and myself (Tanzanian).
Achievement: Winner – Best Immersive Tech
Prize: Awarded €600 and showcased at Lagos Game Week 2025 and the National Museum, Lagos.
🔗 Download the Game (Itch.io)
🔗 About the Game Jam

🥇 Auggio AR Hackathon 2025 – Hosted by Auggio & AIXR (Remote)

Project: Boba Passport – A playful, location-based AR trail-shooting game designed to keep boba tea lovers engaged while waiting in shops.
Role: XR Developer and Gameplay Designer – prototyped and built the core AR experience using the Auggio SDK for location-triggered activation.
Team: Joy Guey (Captain), Yolanda Xing, Awodi Abdulmujeeb Ayomide, and myself.
Achievement: 🏆 1st Place Winner
Prize: 🥇 $2,000 USD cash prize + full nomination to the AIXR XR Awards Gala at United XR, offering global visibility and recognition.
🔗 View Certificate (A Google Drive link)

🎓 My Education Journey

🎓 B.Sc. in Computer Engineering & IT – University of Dar es Salaam (2018-2022).
🎒 Uru Seminary Secondary School – Ordinary & Advanced Secondary Education (2012-2018).
📚 St. Anne Primary School – Moshi, Kilimanjaro (2005-2011).

🌍 Community & Leadership

🏆 XR Mentor – Guiding emerging creators in the XR Inclusion Mentorship Program Cohort 2.
🎤 Speaker & Educator – Teaching XR Design at global events, including the Meta Global XR Design Challenge.
🚀 Hub Manager – Led the University of Dar es Salaam Incubator UDICTI (2019-2022).
❤️ Volunteer – Supporting Hear My Voice Tanzania, advocating for disability awareness.

🎮 Hobbies & Interests

📖 Reading books | ⚽ Playing soccer | 🎥 Videography | 🕺 Dancing | 🎬 Watching movies

🔗 Let’s Connect!

💼 LinkedIn: bernard-masika
🖌️ ArtStation: 3D Render Gallery
✍️ Hashnode: Latest Blogs

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