The founder of Kigali Independent University (ULK) Rwigamba Balinda briefed over 3500 students on how discipline remains the major pathway to success and that one can acquire knowledge but without discipline, it remains impossible to make it in life. Rwigamba, who also doubles as the president of the university, made the remarks on Monday while addressing both local and international students for the first time in three years as public gatherings were restricted during Covid-19. The meeting took place at the university premises. He also introduced new staff including the Vice Chancellor, Innocent Nkundabatware. “The university is here to facilitate you excel by equipping you with advanced knowledge. We have students in ULK main campus and ULK Polytechnic from more than 24 countries with over 600 international students. This makes ULK an international University and this rhythm with the quality of education that we offer,” he said The university founder went on to advise students that quality education alone does not translate to success but it is part of a holistic approach to help students meet standards locally and internationally at the job market. “As a University, we look forward to being a platform where students get skills that will help them be cadres of economic growth in their respective countries. The principles of the University are hinged on faith, you have to have faith in God, yourself and the university,” he said Part of ULK’s expansion plan is to attract more international students and according to Rwigamba, international students are equally obliged to abide by the university principles and the country’s laws. Speaking to The New Times, the Secretary General of the student’s guild council, Gaspard Nzabahimana, said that they have been advised on how to be better students with discipline at the lead. He shares his inputs with the school administration on how to better facilitate students. Nzabahimana added that the school has enough facilities in terms of infrastructure and good lecturers for students to exploit. Alice Niyigena, a third-year Computer Science student, said discipline is one of the core values and principles of the University. “We have an opportunity to learn from students from Madagascar and other parts of the world. The quality of education we get is good and with new innovations coming up, the knowledge and skills are promising,” she said.
