It is 18 months since the University of Rwanda came into force following the merger of all public universities in the country. 

While 18 months is not a long period, the university has taken impressive strides on the journey to become an international university. The university has put in place a focused and balanced mission to rank among the best universities in the region and the world.

Among the key interventions, is the deliberate effort to focus on research, which is the primary role of a university; a university must be able to continuously carry out research recognized at the international level. The research should be quotable internationally as having originated from that university. And this is what UR has embarked on as it encourages academic staff and students to do research and to have this research published.

For those who have keenly followed the developments at the university since its merger, it has progressively introduced innovation and entrepreneurship at the centre of its academic programmes. Each college has an innovation programme aimed at inculcating innovation and entrepreneurship aimed at training students to become job creators.

The university has also closely worked with employers during curriculum reviews, because the employers are better placed to advise on the skills required for the current job market.

Related to the above, the university is in the process of entering partnerships with international universities to promote the quality of the university and its global ranking.

If the university keeps the current pace, it is a matter of time before the image of the university reaches international standards. An image of a university is like one of any establishment, which maintains its consistence in terms of quality services and products over a long period of time.