Last Saturday, 54 students of Kepler, a Kigali-based programme, were awarded diplomas and degrees in various disciplines.

The ceremony, held at Kepler Kigali campus in Kimironko, was the first graduation for students under the bachelors’ degree programme.

According to Carrie Ellet, Kepler’s county director, the graduates were equipped with skills to study and work in competitive environments.

"We believe our graduates are going to make a huge contribution towards building and developing their country.

It has been a long journey but you should continue working towards achieving your future dreams,” Ellet told the graduates.

Georgette Ishimwe, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication and business consultation, expressed confidence in the skills acquired from the institute saying she will be able to fit in the job market.

Ishimwe, currently working at African Healthcare Networks as an administrator: "My responsibilities include developing a marketing plan to help reach out to patients with kidney failure. I am also able to communicate and ensure the growth of the company as well as ensuring that all patients get not just treatment but also satisfaction in other services.”

Kepler is a program based in Rwanda where students have an opportunity to earn a degree that helps them to study in the US by southern Hemisphere University.

The function was attended by various officials, includingthe director of academics quality at High Educational Council, Abdadalla Baguma and Kepler board member, Patricia Uwase, among others.

Kepler is a non-profit university programme based in Africa and designed for the developing world. Students get the best of online learning paired with in-person seminars — all while students work toward a U.S. accredited degree.