Over 1,500 students graduated from Kigali Independent University (ULK) and ULK Polytechnic Institute (UPI) on Friday, December 12, accompanied by a powerful message of not limiting themselves to seeking jobs, but also becoming creators through using their skills, resilience, and passion to build solutions and generate employment. The highly attended ceremony, marking ULK’s 22nd and UPI’s 9th graduation, brought together university leadership, faculty, government officials, graduates, and their families. The cohort included 267 master’s degree recipients, 913 bachelor’s degree graduates, and 376 graduates from UPI with advanced diplomas. ALSO READ: FEATURED: BRD, Kigali Independent University partner to construct eco-friendly hostels ULK Vice Chancellor, Martins Onyekwelu Onuorah, highlighted the university’s growing inclusivity, noting that 656 of this year’s graduates were women, representing 56 per cent of the entire class. “This encouraging trend reflects our continued commitment to inclusivity, equity, and equal opportunity in higher education,” Onuorah said. Onuorah urged graduates to carry ULK’s values of integrity, innovation, excellence, and service into their professional journeys. “Use your knowledge not only to advance yourselves but to transform your communities and contribute to national and global development,” he added. ULK has a culturally diverse environment, with more than 3,000 foreign students representing 41 nationalities, and continues to affirm its appeal as an inclusive and academically competitive institution, as well as setting Rwanda as a safe and high-quality education destination. Officials emphasised that while graduates may pursue diverse careers, they should look beyond seeking employment and embrace entrepreneurship to support their own growth and contribute to national development. This, officials emphasised, aligns with Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), which targets over one million decent jobs by 2030 focusing on youth and women. Engineer Jean Pierre Musabyimana, UPI Principal, reminded graduates that the perseverance, creativity, and discipline they demonstrated during their studies must continue beyond graduation. ALSO READ: ULK, UPI kick off 2025/26 academic year “Beyond your technical expertise, I call upon each of you to embrace the entrepreneurial spirit, mindset of innovation, initiative, and problem-solving,” he said. “Graduates with an entrepreneurial mindset are not only job seekers; they are job creators, solution designers, and leaders of positive change.” This year, ULK launched fully accredited Bachelor of Technology (BTech) programmes in civil engineering, construction technology, land surveying, electrical technology, electronics, and telecommunication technology. The programmes received high enrolment for both day and evening sessions, underscoring their relevance to Rwanda’s growing technical and industrial sectors. Musabyimana said ULK’s engineering laboratories equip students with practical skills while also providing a space for innovation and creativity. “Whenever I enter our engineering lab, I feel like an engineer, not a student,” he added, recounting a student’s experience after using the newly established facilities. To support Rwanda’s digital transformation, ULK founder and president Prof. Dr Rwigamba Balinda revealed that four IT modules have been made compulsory across all academic programmes. He also emphasised the university’s strong focus on internships and industrial attachments to ensure graduates gain practical exposure and career networks. He expressed his gratitude to President Paul Kagame for his visionary leadership as well as the Rwanda Defense Force(RDD), Rwanda National Police(RNP), and other security services that have made Rwanda a welcoming hub to international students. Balinda encouraged graduates to stay committed to continuous learning, noting that advanced knowledge gives them a competitive edge in both entrepreneurship and the job market. Representing the Minister of Education, Theoneste Ndikunwimana, Head of Academic Quality, Accreditation, and Qualifications at the Higher Education Council (HEC), commended ULK’s longstanding contribution to developing Rwanda’s human capital. “Over the years, ULK has produced 42,958 graduates from its Kigali and Gisenyi campuses, and 2,301 from UPI. These are not just numbers, they represent a major contribution to the workforce of a nation that has chosen to become a knowledge-based economy,” he said. Ndikunwimana encouraged graduates to use the knowledge and experience they gained to thrive in both employment and entrepreneurship, adding that the Ministry of Education and HEC remain committed to supporting ULK’s aspirations of global competitiveness. The 267 master’s laureates represent nine programmes, including Internet Systems, Public International Law, International Economics and Business Law, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Development Studies, and Governance. Claria Mutoni, a Bachelor of Finance student who has won an award for her performance in writing and reading competitions, described ULK as “a platform that let my talents shine, a home, and a place where I explored my potential.” She has already started her master’s studies and feels ready to enter the job market. Delino Gayweh, a Liberian graduate who was awarded Best Performer in the Master of Finance programme, praised ULK’s supportive academic environment. “Beyond the strong academic structure and infrastructure, the staff were helpful and committed to bringing out the best in every student,” Gayweh said.
