Category: Education

The competition promotes education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) by encouraging participants to use robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) to solve global challenges.

The Rwandan team will compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC), the most advanced category that involves designing and building large, industrial-style robots. These students earned their spot after excelling in the FIRST Lego League (FLL) competitions held in Rwanda.

Following their victory, they joined forces and applied to compete in the more challenging FRC category. Their request was approved, allowing them to become the first African team to participate at this advanced level.

Their team, known as Ladybug FRC 9647, will make history as no other African country has competed in the FRC category. This level requires advanced technical skills and significant resources, making it difficult for most African countries to participate beyond the FLL level, which involves simpler robots.

The team is receiving vital support from the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, ICT Chamber, and FabLab Rwanda. These institutions are providing equipment, training, and financial support. Every weekend, the students gather at FabLab in Kigali to work on their robot and prepare for the competition.

The competition will take place in two phases. The first phase will be held on April 2, 2025, in Florida, where the team will face 47 other teams from around the world. If they succeed, they will advance to the final phase in Texas on April 19, 2025.

Beni Bonheur Karangwa Muhoza a sixth-year student at Collège du Christ-Roi in Nyanza, described the competition as a life-changing opportunity. “Working on this project every week teaches us a lot. Being one of the 30 students representing Africa is a huge honor,” he said.

Liza Ndabikunze Ineza, a fifth-year student at Collège Saint André in Nyamirambo, is excited to improve her technical skills. She hopes the competition will help her build robots that solve real-world problems beyond industrial use.

Pacifique Rubagumya, a student at Kagarama Secondary School in Kicukiro, is passionate about robotics and believes the competition is a chance to showcase Rwanda’s potential. “Youth are the driving force of our country. We want to lead in technology and accelerate national development,” he said.

Philemon Manzi Mucyo, a research specialist at FabLab, expressed pride in supporting the team. He said FabLab is committed to providing the tools and resources needed to help the students succeed.

Ladybug FRC 9647’s participation marks a historic moment for Rwanda and Africa. Their journey demonstrates the potential of African youth to lead in global technological innovation and paves the way for future generations.

The accreditation, awarded to institutions meeting rigorous requirements, signifies RIIO’s professionalism and the high quality of its ophthalmology curriculum.

Minister of Education, Nsengimana Joseph, commended the institute for its dedication to ophthalmology education.

Speaking at a celebration marking this achievement on February 15, 2025, Minister Nsengimana stated that RIIO’s success reflects Rwanda’s commitment to advancing healthcare and quality education. He praised RIIO’s focus on expertise and innovation in ophthalmology.

“We are proud of the remarkable progress RIIO has made, demonstrating that Rwanda has the capability to educate and provide ophthalmic services at an international level. This achievement helps us move toward self-reliance and ensures quality healthcare is accessible to all,” he said.

Professor John Nkurikiye, one of RIIO’s founders and head of medical services, expressed his delight at the milestone.

“Even though RIIO was registered in 2012, we didn’t start the School of Ophthalmology until 2018, as we wanted to ensure we got things right. Our trainees are certified by the College of Ophthalmology of Eastern Central and Southern Africa, but we also encourage them to sit other international exams,” said Professor Nkurikiye, Co-Founder and Medical Director at RIIO.

He added, “Our Rwandan graduates are now working in Rwamagana, Musanze, Kabgayi, the Rwanda Military Hospital, and one has recently joined the University of Rwanda as faculty.”

The Ophthalmology Foundation’s accreditation process evaluates curriculum, faculty qualifications, educational resources, and clinical facilities, encouraging institutions to assess and improve their practices.

“It was quite nerve-wracking when I first submitted RIIO’s name for accreditation,” said Professor Cikū Mathenge, Co-Founder and RIIO Director of Training.

“We applied at the basic level, but during the self-evaluation, we realized we already met several advanced criteria. The onsite assessment verified our evaluation, and we were delighted to receive accreditation at the advanced level. The report provides tips for further improvement, which we will begin implementing immediately.”

Dr. Ndayishimiye Alexis, a student at RIIO, anticipates gaining valuable knowledge to enhance his ability to treat patients with eye conditions.

Dr. Olivier Uwizeye, an ophthalmologist at Kibagabaga Hospital, noted that without RIIO training, one might lack essential skills, including proficiency in using advanced medical equipment.

Since beginning training in 2018, RIIO has educated 26 doctors from five countries. Ten have completed their studies and are now providing ophthalmic care in various medical facilities in Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Sixteen students from Rwanda, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Bahamas are currently enrolled.

RIIO boasts both local and international faculty and offers training at Kibagabaga Community Eye Hospital and RIIO iHospital.

According to a 2023 World Health Organization (WHO) report, 2.2 billion people worldwide suffer from visual impairment, and one billion of these cases could have been prevented or treated.

The call was made during a high-level dialogue on gender equality in education, held on Tuesday at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The event, titled “Investing in Girls’ Education Systems as a Form of Reparation, Justice, and Sustainable Development for African Communities,” took place on the sidelines of the 38th AU summit.

The gathering focused on the importance of investing in girls’ education as a tool for justice and sustainable development, aligning with the AU’s 2025 theme: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.”

Mohamed Belhocine, AU Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, emphasized the need for policy reforms to improve access to education for African girls.

He pointed out that increased financial investment, safer school environments, and gender-responsive data were key to advancing girls’ education across Africa.

“This year, in line with the AU’s theme, we are placing a greater focus on education as a foundation for addressing long-standing inequalities,” Belhocine stated.

A joint report by the AU and UNESCO on the status of girls’ and women’s education in Africa was launched during the meeting. The report provided a detailed analysis of the progress made toward achieving inclusive and equitable quality education.

The dialogue served as a vital platform for policymakers, experts, and activists to share strategies and best practices to tackle the challenges hindering girls’ education in Africa.

The AU summit will continue through Sunday at the AU headquarters, with key meetings scheduled for the Executive Council and African heads of state and government.

For some time now, messages encouraging girls to embrace vocational training have been widely shared through the media and other public spaces. These efforts are paying off, as more girls are now joining TVET schools.

RTB’s Director General, Eng. Paul Umukunzi, noted that while the number of girls in TVET schools is still lower than that of boys, the gap is much smaller compared to previous years.

“Girls now make up 43% of students in technical, vocational, and training schools. The challenge is that they tend to concentrate in certain programs while avoiding others,” he said. In 2023, only 15% of TVET students were girls.

Umukunzi explained that the government has introduced initiatives to encourage girls to enroll in fields they traditionally avoided due to cultural perceptions.

“For example, in construction and manufacturing, the number of girls remains low. We have introduced programs to show them that they are just as capable as their male counterparts.”

Among these initiatives is a scholarship program designed to increase female participation in underrepresented fields, with RTB planning to award scholarships to 4,000 girls.

Additionally, the government is improving infrastructure in TVET schools to make them more accommodating for female students.

“The equipment we purchase today is modern and does not require excessive physical strength. Even though strength differences are often exaggerated, technological advancements now ensure that no job is exclusive to men,” he added.

Established by the Rwandan government in 2020, RTB is tasked with enhancing the quality of technical and vocational education to support economic development and improve the well-being of citizens.

Founded in 1881, The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is the world’s first collegiate business school. Renowned for its rigorous curriculum, world-class faculty, and focus on practical applications, Wharton is a global leader in business education, excelling in fields such as finance, analytics, and innovation.

Led by Professor Katherine Klein and Eric Kacou, the group is in Kigali for the 11th Wharton Global Modular Course on Rwanda, titled “Conflict, Leadership, and Change: Lessons from Rwanda.” The course examines the transformative policies, governance, and leadership practices that have propelled Rwanda’s remarkable progress since the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

As part of their visit, the students met with President Paul Kagame on Wednesday, January 15, 2024, for discussions on Rwanda’s development trajectory and leadership principles.

President Kagame, who led the Rwandan Patriot Front (RPF) to end the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, is widely credited with spearheading Rwanda’s recovery and transformation. Under his leadership, the country has achieved notable economic growth, political stability, and social development milestones.

Since 2000, Rwanda has maintained an annual GDP growth rate of approximately 7-8%, making it one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies. Kagame’s policies emphasize national reconciliation, poverty reduction, improved healthcare and education, and gender equality.

The country’s achievements include a significant decline in poverty rates, which fell from 60.4% in 2000 to 38.2% in 2017, while extreme poverty dropped from 40% to 16% over the same period.

Universal health insurance coverage expanded dramatically from 43.3% in 2005 to 97.3% in 2022, greatly enhancing healthcare access. Additionally, access to electricity grew from 4.3% in 2005 to 61% in 2022, while the proportion of households using improved sanitation facilities increased from 58.5% in 2005 to 72% in 2022.

The institution, co-founded by Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and Ethiopia’s former Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, aims to redefine leadership across the continent through evidence-based policymaking, ethical governance, and cutting-edge research.

The inauguration drew notable dignitaries, including Rwanda’s Minister of Education, Joseph Nsengimana; the inaugural ASG president, Professor Kingsley Moghalu; Dr. Donald Kaberuka, former President of the African Development Bank; Prof. Peter Materu, Chief Program Officer at Mastercard Foundation; and other board members, including Francis Gatare, a senior presidential advisor.

The event came just days after the institution, which also has the backing of the Mastercard Foundation, received accreditation from the Higher Education Council of Rwanda on January 6, 2025.

In his keynote address, former Prime Minister Desalegn highlighted the urgent need for leadership tailored to Africa’s unique challenges. He emphasized that the school’s establishment is driven by the belief that “Leadership matters, and one of the greatest things holding Africa back is a clear deficit in leadership that is fit for the purpose.”

Desalegn added that the ASG represents a response to the continent’s leadership challenges, characterized by a “lack of vision or strategies to deliver results, and even backsliding after periods of some gains.” He stressed that the school seeks to reverse this trend by nurturing leaders with a deep understanding of Africa’s history, political economy, and untapped potential.

He further noted that the ASG will integrate *home-grown solutions* to address Africa’s unique problems, ensuring leadership strategies are rooted in the continent’s realities, cultures, and values.

Professor Moghalu outlined the institution’s ambitious plans, including graduate-level programs in public policy, governance, and leadership.

The programs are designed to nurture current and future leaders capable of driving sustainable development, economic growth, and social transformation across Africa while elevating the continent’s voice in global governance discussions.

“This is an event of profound historic importance. ASG, as an accredited Pan-African graduate-level institution, is dedicated to leading the transformation of governance in Africa,” Moghalu remarked.

The ASG campus, located at the former Rwanda Development Board headquarters in Gishushu Village, Gasabo District, is under construction and will welcome its first cohort of students in September 2025.

Minister Nsengimana expressed Rwanda’s pride in hosting the ASG, describing it as a testament to the country’s commitment to visionary governance.

“The ASG finds a natural home here in Rwanda—a country that reflects the very principles this institution seeks to cultivate. Hosting the ASG is our shared responsibility to contribute to Africa’s future by investing in the next generation of leaders,” Nsengimana said.

He emphasized the institution’s potential to transform Africa’s challenges into opportunities through leadership that embodies integrity and resilience.

“The challenges facing Africa today range from economic inequalities and climate change to issues of social justice, and they are undoubtedly complex. Yet, with the right leadership, grounded in integrity and guided by strong values, these challenges can be transformed into remarkable opportunities,” he added.

ASG will offer five distinguished academic programs designed for students and executives across Africa and globally, each tailored to build governance and leadership capacities in public administration.

The courses include the Master of Public Administration (MPA), Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA), General Executive Courses, the Young Leaders Program targeting high-potential recent graduates, and the Senior Leadership Fellowship.

Former Prime Minister Desalegn affirmed that admissions will be need-blind, with partnerships between governments and the private sector expected to pool resources to support students in need.

The leadership group will guide the institution as it continues its mission to promote academic excellence and innovation in governance across the African continent. The ASG initiative, launched in October 2024, aims to be a transformative force in leadership development across Africa.

In a statement, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, President of ASG, highlighted the significance of the appointments, emphasizing that the new leadership team is composed of world-class executives committed to advancing governance education.

“This exceptional group of leaders embodies the values of the African School of Governance. Their collective expertise, vision, and commitment to education and governance will drive our mission to shape the next generation of leaders in Africa,” Prof. Moghalu said.

Professor Anna Lucy Mdee, a renowned academic in the Politics of Global Development, has been appointed Acting Vice-President of Academic Affairs. Prof. Mdee, currently based at the University of Leeds, UK, brings over 25 years of experience in development research across Africa, with a focus on sustainable development, local governance, and social protection. She holds multiple degrees, including a PhD in International Development from the University of Bradford, UK.

Dr. Edward Kadozi has been appointed Director of Academic Affairs. With a PhD in Economics from the University of Amsterdam and vast experience in environmental economics and development economics, Dr. Kadozi previously taught at the University of Rwanda and Kigali Independent University. He is also the founder of the Center for Development Policy, a Pan-African research think tank.

Dr. Lite J. Nartey has been named Director of Executive Education. Holding a PhD from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Nartey has extensive experience designing educational programs at top global institutions such as INSEAD and Tufts University. She is also a Managing Partner at Saense Strategy Consulting LLC.

In addition to the academic leaders, Ms. Ngozichukwu C. Njemanze has been appointed Director and Senior Policy Adviser to the President of ASG. A governance expert with vast experience in corporate governance, Ms. Njemanze has previously worked at the World Bank and the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Ms. Aissatou Diajhate will serve as the Director of External Affairs and Acting Director of Admissions. With a strong background in institutional partnerships and philanthropy, Ms. Diajhate has held leadership roles at institutions such as Mastercard Foundation and Suffolk University.

The appointments mark a new phase for ASG, which is committed to shaping future African leaders capable of tackling the continent’s governance challenges. The institution’s curriculum will integrate African socio-economic contexts, offering Master’s programs such as the Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Executive Master of Public Administration (EMPA) for professionals.

ASG is also building research centres dedicated to generating evidence-based solutions tailored to African governance challenges. These initiatives will engage with governments and other stakeholders to promote good governance and sustainable development across Africa.

With its distinguished leadership team and continued focus on innovation in governance education, ASG is poised to play a critical role in advancing leadership and governance excellence on the continent.

The African School of Governance is a pioneering institution focused on transforming leadership and governance in Africa.

ASG offers graduate-level programs and conducts research to develop innovative solutions to governance challenges.

The institution is backed by leading African figures, including President Paul Kagame and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, and receives support from the Mastercard Foundation.

These details were shared by the BRD leadership during a gathering for Rwandans living abroad on January 3, 2025.

The event hosted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, was attended by over 130 Rwandans from more than 40 countries.

In his address, the Minister emphasized that achieving the goals of the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) will require ongoing effort and collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including the Rwandan diaspora.

The student loan scheme, which started in 1980 under the Ministry of Education, has undergone several changes over time.

Initially managed by the Ministry of Education, the responsibility shifted in 2008 to the Students Financing Agency of Rwanda (SFAR).

In 2013, following a merger of institutions under the Ministry of Education, SFAR was integrated into the Rwanda Education Board (REB) as a department responsible for student loans.

In 2016, BRD took over the management of student loans and collection of repayments from beneficiaries.

During the event, Wilson Rurangwa, Head of the Education Department at BRD, urged those who had benefited from the loans to begin thinking about repayment.

“As the Minister mentioned, the NST2 development agenda aims to build a knowledge based economy, and this can only be achieved through education.

“Many of us here have had the privilege of studying with these loans, but we must repay them so that future generations can have the same opportunity,” Rurangwa said.

BRD also advises loan applicants to open accounts with BRD Minuza, which will allow them to easily track their payments or have their employers deduct payments directly from their salaries if applicable.

The bank has been making adjustments to student loan repayment procedures as needed.

For example, in July 2024, 300 million Rwandan Francs were refunded to those who had overpaid on their loans.

The National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA) had earlier announced that the first group of boarding students is scheduled to return to their schools on January 3, 2025.

Congestion has been reported at various bus stations across Kigali, where students board vehicles to return to school, making it difficult for some to find transport.

Joseph Rutajobwa, an employee of Virunga Express, explained that the transportation challenges faced by students are largely due to non-compliance with the set return schedule.

“The problem is that students do not respect their designated days. For instance, if students from the Southern Province are assigned a specific date, they often fail to travel on that date and instead show up on other days, leading to overcrowding and delays,” he stated.

Emma-Claudine Ntirenganya, the Kigali City Director General in Charge of Communication and Education, stated that some parents have developed a habit of disregarding the schedule for returning students, creating challenges for service providers.

“When parents fail to follow the schedule, it becomes challenging for us as the Kigali City administration, and it also creates difficulties for transportation companies. These companies cannot combine students with other passengers, as students travel under standard fares without additional charges,” Ntirenganya explained:

Ntirenganya warned parents who delay their children’s return to school, stating that penalties will be introduced.

“Penalties will be implemented, requiring parents to either comply with the schedule or make personal arrangements to transport their children to school.”

NESA has indicated that the final group of boarding students is expected to return to school by January 6, 2025.

Huang Xin, deputy dean of the School of International Education at Jinhua University of Vocational Technology, said, “Talent training programs and teaching plans for the new group of Rwandan students are being perfected based on the feedback from the first group of students.”

Vocational education, as an important bridge to continue the traditional friendship between China and Africa, shoulders the important responsibility of training variety of talents, passing on technical skills, promoting employment and entrepreneurship, and adding youth power to the dream of modernization for China and Africa. At present, China has built the world’s largest vocational education system.

In the system, Luban Workshops shines like a pearl in the international cooperation of China’s vocational education. Currently, more than 30 workshops have been jointly built in Asia, Europe and Africa. And nearly 10,000 students have been trained in academic education and more than 31,000 people received vocational training.

Jinhua’s cooperation with African countries in vocational education is a “golden card” for China-Africa educational exchanges and cooperation.

As the first batch of pilot institutions of “Future Africa– China-Africa Vocational Education Cooperation Plan” project, Jinhua University of Vocational Technology welcomed the first group of 30 Rwandan students involved in the Future of Africa—Vocational Education Cooperation Plan in April this year. They gained fruitful results during the year in Jinhua.

At Africa Tech Challenge (ATC) Season IX in 2024, MBONIMANA Philimine won the highest score while Tuyihimbaze Israel won the third prize.

In the finals of Industrial Robot Installation and Maintenance Technical Competition Season V(International Group) of the 2024 Belt and Road and BRICS Skills Development and Technological Innovation Competition, Tuyihimbaze Israel, Musengamana Eugene and Iradukunda Abel won the third prize; Umwali Ange Natacha, Ngabonziza Elie and Uwamahoro Alphonsine won the gold medal in the finals of the Finance and Business Circuit (International Group) of the 2024 World Vocational College Skills Competition, while Mbonimana Philimine won the bronze medal in the Equipment Manufacturing circuit (International Group).

Umwali Ange Natacha was also employed as the international communication envoy of Jin Hub and the promotion officer of Jinhua Mountain Cultural Travel, telling the good story of Jinhua to the world.

At present, Jinhua University of Vocational Technology is also preparing the graduation ceremony for these Rwandan students. The students say that they have lived an extremely fulfilling life in Jinhua and hope to become witnesses, beneficiaries, builders as well as story tellers of China-Africa friendship and cooperation.

Umwali Ange Natacha and Hafashimana Patrick say that they will stay in Jinhua after graduation and have signed letters of intent with Zhejiang Wandefu Intelligent Technology Co., LTD. and Jinhua Runxing Technology Co., LTD respectively.

“Most overseas students choose to return to their country after graduation. We have contacted Chinese enterprises in Rwanda through the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Rwanda and the Association of Overseas Chinese in Rwanda, and actively helped them realize their dream of returning to China.”

Qian Xiangming, dean of Musanze International College of Jinhua University of Vocational Technology says. He hopes that Rwandan students will innovate and explore “small but beautiful” cooperation projects when promoting local economic development, and become a link of business exchanges between Jinhua and Africa.

In the overseas development of vocational education for Africa, in addition to Jinhua University of Vocational Technology, Yiwu Industrial & Commercial College and Zhejiang Guangsha Vocational and Technical University of Construction are highly active as well.

In October 2023, Yiwu Industrial & Commercial College and Morocco Mondiapolis University cooperated in running an overseas branch – Morocco Yiwu Business School, jointly carrying out the training of international trade talents, big data technical talents, and e-commerce talents.

In 2018, Zhejiang Guangsha Vocational and Technical University of Construction gave full play to the industrial advantages of national intangible heritage Dongyang wood carving, and cooperated with the Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of the Congo to recruit the first batch of international students from the country, becoming the first vocational college in Zhejiang province to recruit international students in the field of arts and crafts.

At the end of March this year, it cooperated with Sassu University of the Republic of the Congo to build the “China-the Republic of the Congo Silk Road College”, carrying out all-round cooperation in running schools around personnel training, skills training and cultural exchanges.