The number of foreign students in Rwanda’s higher learning institutions and universities increased from 1,397 in the 2016/2017 academic year, to 9,109 in 2023/2024, according to a report approved by the lower chamber of Parliament on Wednesday, February 26. Such data implies that foreign learners, who mainly come to acquire tertiary education in Rwanda, increased by 6.52 times in seven years. ALSO READ: Rwanda enhances international students' experience with new guidelines The parliamentary report consists of an analysis of the implementation of Rwanda’s 2003 education policy and 2017/2024 education sector strategic plan. The report was provided by the house’s standing committee on education, technology, culture, sports and youth which assessed the application of both the education policy and strategic plan. “There is a need for improving strategies that can make that number continue increasing and ensure that they [the foreign learners in Rwanda] continue being provided with quality service,” said MP Emma Furaha Rubagumya, the chairperson of the committee. ALSO READ: Asia’s top university establishes field station at University of Rwanda The lower house pointed out that there are academic programmes that were revised and put at international level (benchmarked programmes), including those in health and education sections. Meanwhile, the report indicates that there is a need to increase the number of Rwandan lecturers in the health section. Overall, the report pointed out that the government carried out various activities in line with promoting education, that led to an increase in the number of learners at all levels. ALSO READ: UGHE, University of Rwanda ranked in 10 top varsities in Sub-Saharan Africa In November 2024, the Higher Education Council (HEC) announced that it developed guidelines for the effective management of international students who wish to pursue or are pursuing their studies in Rwanda. Through the guidelines, higher learning institutions (HLIs) must establish a focal office in charge of international students with clear responsibilities such as overseeing the daily management of foreign students by ensuring that they comply with the set pre-arrival requirements both in the country and the HLIs, during their stay and after studies through alumni establishments. The office plays the role of liaison between the students, before leaving their respective countries and the institutions of higher learning in which they are seeking admission but also outside it such as immigration, and health insurance services. To be enrolled, each HLI shall ensure that the student has the financial capacity to sponsor all costs related to his or her studies. According to HEC, the guidelines were developed in the framework of making Rwanda a hub for higher education.
