{"id":53727,"date":"2025-04-04T21:59:16","date_gmt":"2025-04-04T21:59:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/rwanda-and-nordic-nations-forge-strategic-academic-partnerships\/"},"modified":"2025-04-04T22:34:38","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T22:34:38","slug":"rwanda-and-nordic-nations-forge-strategic-academic-partnerships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.igihe.com\/english\/rwanda-and-nordic-nations-forge-strategic-academic-partnerships\/","title":{"rendered":"Rwanda, Nordic nations forge strategic academic partnerships"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The high-level forum, hailed as a pivotal step in strengthening international collaboration, unfolded in Kigali and served as a platform for signing significant academic partnerships and exploring mutual opportunities in higher education and innovation.<\/p>\n<p>It brought together prominent institutions from Nordic countries, including Finland, Sweden, and their Rwandan counterparts, including the University of Rwanda (UR), Rwanda Polytechnic, the Catholic University of Rwanda, and the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS Rwanda).<\/p>\n<p>Speaking at the forum\u2019s conclusion, Rwanda\u2019s Minister of Education, Hon. Joseph Nsengimana, warmly acknowledged the significance of their presence.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt is an absolute honor to stand before you today at this remarkable gathering of academic leaders from Nordic and Rwandan universities, coming together to foster partnerships and collaborations to advance a shared vision of quality education for social economic transformation of our people,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n<p>Nsengimana praised the Nordic nations for their globally admired education systems, emphasizing their progressive values and innovative practices. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-84877 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/pic_5-86.jpg\" alt=\"The forum closed with renewed optimism and a shared commitment to building education systems that are inclusive.\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cThe Nordic model offers valuable insights into fostering inclusive education, leveraging technology for learning, and ensuring that no child is left behind. Likewise, Rwanda\u2019s resilience, innovation, and commitment to homegrown solutions provide a strong foundation for collaboration,\u201d he emphasized.<\/p>\n<p>Rwanda has placed education at the center of its development strategy with the government investing heavily in STEM education, technical and vocational training (TVET), and digital learning to ensure that its youth are equipped for the rapidly evolving global landscape.<\/p>\n<p>In this spirit, the forum celebrated new collaborations set to shape the future of education across both regions. Eight MoUs were signed between various Nordic and Rwandan institutions.<\/p>\n<p>Among these, LAB University of Applied Sciences signed agreements with both UR and the Catholic University of Rwanda, while Sein\u00e4joki University of Applied Sciences also entered into partnerships with the Catholic University of Rwanda, UR, and Rwanda Polytechnic. <\/p>\n<p>The forum also saw M\u00e4lardalens University and AIMS Rwanda formalizing a collaboration with AIMS as the Campus Company Co, represented by CEO Laura Nevanlinna, signed partnerships with both UR and the Catholic University of Rwanda.<\/p>\n<p>Prof. Didas Kayihura Muganga, the Vice Chancellor at the University of Rwanda, underscored the long-standing history and benefits of Rwanda-Nordic partnerships.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-84881 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/pic_1-270.jpg\" alt=\"Rwanda\u2019s Minister of Education, Hon. Joseph Nsengimana, warmly acknowledged the significance of the partnerships.\" \/><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cAt the UR, we believe in partnerships as one of the drivers for higher education growth in research, innovation, and capacity building,\u201d he remarked. \u201cThis forum therefore represents an invaluable opportunity to initiate new partnerships but also deepen existing ones.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He cited the 20 year UR\u2013Sweden program as a testament to the enduring nature of Nordic-Rwanda cooperation, which has produced 98 PhD graduates to date. Muganga also emphasized the critical role higher education institutions play in addressing global challenges.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHigher education institutions, in close collaboration with industries, are at the forefront of this journey. The relationships we build here today could lead to huge impacts in terms of both their reach and period,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>The forum closed with renewed optimism and a shared commitment to building education systems that are inclusive, innovative, and responsive to the needs of an ever-changing world.<\/p>\n<p>Both the Rwandan and Nordic delegates left with a vision to shape not just national, but global academic landscapes, united by purpose, strengthened by partnerships, and driven by a mutual pursuit of educational excellence.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-84882 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/pic_2-191.jpg\" alt=\"Prof. Didas Kayihura Muganga (R), the Vice Chancellor at UR signing one of the cooperation agreements.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-84879 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/pic_7-50.jpg\" alt=\"Discussions were held on strengthened partnerships driven by a mutual pursuit of educational excellence.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-84878 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/pic_6-66.jpg\" alt=\"Both the Rwandan and Nordic delegates left with a vision to shape the global academic landscapes.\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-84876 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/pic_3-153.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-84875 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/pic_4-111.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"spip-document spip-document-84880 aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/en-images.igihe.com\/jpg\/pic-113.jpg\" alt=\"\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In an effort to deepen ties in education and research, Rwanda hosted the Nordic\u2013Rwanda Education Forum, bringing together a distinguished delegation of Nordic and Rwandan academic leaders, policymakers, and industry stakeholders.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":135,"featured_media":2000084874,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[75],"byline":[170],"hashtag":[],"class_list":["post-53727","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-homenews","byline-igihe"],"bylines":[{"id":170,"name":"IGIHE","slug":"igihe","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default avatar","title":"Default avatar","caption":"","mime_type":"image\/jpeg","sizes":[]},"user_id":8}],"contributors":[{"id":170,"name":"IGIHE","slug":"igihe","description":"","image":{"id":0,"url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/?s=96&d=mm&f=y&r=g","alt":"Default 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