Over 100 vulnerable secondary students from Imbuto Foundation have received the second installment of their sponsorship from Mount Kenya University. The Rwf 26,850,000 million handed over to the foundation’s Director-General, Sandrine Umutoni, were part of Rwf 134, 250, 000 that Mount Kenya University will paying over a period of five years.
While handing over the money at the university campus on February 22, the varsity’s Chairman and founder, Prof. Simon Gicharu, said that this was part of giving back to the community that has been so supportive to Mount Kenya University. "We entered this partnership with Imbuto Foundation because we wanted to give back to the community in Rwanda. We started small and when we wanted to build our university, people and the local authorities here were cooperative and willing. So we decided to help vulnerable students attain education here in Rwanda.”
Last year, Imbuto Foundation entered a five-year partnership with Mount Kenya University with an aim of providing education opportunities to brilliant but economically disadvantaged Rwandan students in secondary schools. Through this partnership Mount Kenya University contributed $150,000, which will be disbursed in five annual installments of $30,000, to support the education of 100 vulnerable students in secondary school through Imbuto Foundation’s Edified Generation scholarships programme.
Prof. Simon Gicharu adressing guests during the event. / Joseph Mudingu
In addition, the varsity will provide scholarships to brilliant girls – also beneficiaries of Imbuto Foundation scholars programme – every year for the next five years. In an effort to promote East African integration, three of those scholarships will be used at Mount Kenya University-Kigali campus, while the remaining two will be allocated at the main campus in Nairobi.
Mount Kenya University is a chartered private university operating in the East African region, and a member of Inter-University Council of East Africa, African Association of Universities and Association of Commonwealth Universities.
The handing over ceremony in Kigali was witnessed by, among others, Prof. Edwin Odhuno, the Vice Chancellor, students from Mount Kenya University and some of the beneficiaries.
The Edified Generation scholarships programme was initiated in 2003 with an objective to financially support secondary school students from economically vulnerable backgrounds in their pursuit of education. Beneficiaries of this programme receive assistance of up to $300 per year, to help pay for their living costs, health insurance and their school supplies.
Each year, through a holiday camp, the scholars are equipped with health and socioeconomic knowledge to prepare them for their professional and personal well-being. Since its establishment in 2003, over 8,000 students have benefitted from the programme of which 4,379 are girls while 3,687 are boys.
Students enter Mount Kenya University Wall of Fame
21 students of Mount Kenya University Rwanda who excelled in the academic year 2018 were recognized for their performance and entered the University’s Wall of Fame. The inaugural ceremony was held on February 21, 2019, at the ultra-modern Mount Kenya University Complex at Kagarama, Kicukiro and graced by the Chairman, Board of Directors, and Founder of Mount Kenya University.
The awardees take a group photo with the founder. / Joseph Mudingu
While officiating over the ceremony, the varsity’s Chairman and founder, Prof. Simon Gicharu, said the University set up the Wall of Fame in order to motivate students towards academic excellence "The management established an award system in September 2018, to motivate students to excel. For one to be the best, it is about determination and going an extra mile to achieve the best in order to be the best,” said Gicharu.
He challenged the awardees to keep up the good performance which will place them ahead of their peers in the job market. He emphasized the commitment of Mount Kenya University in creating job creators other than job seekers
The students who demonstrated high academic achievement in each semester were put on the Dean’s List based on the average grade achieved as well as consistency in class attendance. Students who post excellent performance for three consecutive semesters are placed on the Vice Chancellor’s List and are eligible for such awards as fees rebate and partial scholarships.
The recipients of this prestigious award for September/December 2018 were 21 and included Vincent Patrick NGARAMBE; Ange Victorine UMUTONIWIMANA; Juliette TUMURERE; Tuza Nelly HAKIZIMANA; Marie Gertrude RUTWAZA BAHIRE; Everest TURATSINZE; Ezechiel TUYISHIME; Amina FATUMA; Theoneste TUYISENGE; Noella CLAIRE; Jean Paul NIYONSENGA; REBERO Benjamin; HARINDINTWARI Jean De Dieu; NSHIMIYIMANA Egide; MUKARUKUNDO Yvonne; RWEMA Frank; Jean D'Amour DUSENGIMANA; Dorothee NIYONSABA; Judith MUTONI; Innocent KANYAMIBWA; Mubarak Suleman Swaleh and Cecile MUKAYISENGA.