University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) on Sunday, January 25, graduated its first cohort of medical doctors alongside its 10th class of Master of Science in Global Health Delivery (MGHD), marking a major milestone in the institution’s mission to train equity-driven health professionals for Rwanda, Africa and beyond. A total of 78 students graduated this year, including 30 from the dual Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery–Master of Science in Global Health Delivery (MBBS–MGHD) programme and 48 from the MGHD programme, drawn from multiple countries and disciplines. ALSO READ: First Lady Jeannette Kagame awarded honorary doctorate by UGHE The ceremony, held at UGHE’s campus in Butaro, brought together dignitaries including Prime Minister justin Nsengiyumva, First Lady Jeannette Kagame, who received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree, and university leadership to celebrate what they described as the “almost unbelievable” achievement of training world-class physicians in a place that, 30 years ago, was emerging from genocide. Chancellor Dr. Jim Yong Kim acknowledged the extraordinary partnership that made UGHE possible. “Seven years ago you began this journey when the university itself was still taking shape,” he told the medical graduates. “There were no long traditions to lean on, no alumni stories to reassure you. There was only an idea that medicine could be taught with equity at its center, he added. Chancellor Kim reminded graduates that they remain permanent members of the UGHE community. “When the work is hard, when fatigue or discouragement sets in, this place remains yours,” he said. “Come find us in person or online. We will be here to listen, to encourage, and to help you renew that spirit that brought you to medicine in the first place.” He expressed deep gratitude to the Government of Rwanda and the First Family for their vision, as well as to major donors including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Cummings Foundation, whose founders, Bill and Joyce Cummings, received this year’s Paul E. Farmer Bending the Arc Award for their contributions to health equity and social justice. Honoring Paul Farmer’s legacy Throughout the ceremony, speakers invoked the spirit of Dr. Farmer, whose philosophy of “preferential option for the poor” shaped every aspect of UGHE’s approach. Kim recalled Farmer’s joy in teaching and his deep connection to the inaugural medical class. “Paul loved the time he spent here,” Kim said. “He knew you individually. He followed your progress closely and delighted in your seriousness, your humor, and your refusal to accept easy answers.” ALSO READ: PM Nsengiyumva urges UGHE graduates to lead resilient health systems Vice Chancellor Professor Phillip Cotton challenged graduates to embrace the same courage that liberated and transformed Butaro. “If you have a vision, a heap of courage, a touch of outrage, belief in the people you are serving, and never-ending hope, you can do the almost unbelievable,” he said. In a poignant moment, First Lady Jeannette Kagame was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in recognition of her lifelong commitment to health, education, and human development. “I accept this honour with keen awareness of the responsibility with which it comes,” Mrs. Kagame said during her acceptance speech. She reflected on Dr. Farmer’s legacy, calling him “one of the rare believers in the inherent dignity of every human being” and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to continue his mission of bending the arc toward equity and justice. Prime Minister Justion Nsengiyumva praised the First Lady’s impact, saying her “leadership and lifelong commitment to health, education and human development have made her a role model and inspiration to a generation of Rwandan girls and women.” ALSO READ: UGHE, University of Rwanda ranked in 10 top varsities in Sub-Saharan Africa Nsengiyumva challenged the graduates to approach their work with professionalism and a strong sense of service as they enter a healthcare landscape facing emerging diseases, workforce shortages, and financing constraints. “You are expected to serve not only as practitioners, but also as leaders who strengthen institutions, improve service delivery and support sound decision-making across the health sector,” he said, emphasizing that “Africa’s progress will depend on strong and resilient systems, supported by a skilled and accountable workforce.” During the ceremony, special recognition was given to outstanding academic achievers, including Heritier Mfura in the MBBS-MGHD program, Jean Eric Niyitanga in Health Management, Alexander Habte Habtemariam in Global Surgery, and Madelaine Ndegeya Kazindu, Jean de Dieu Nkurikiyumfura, and Belyse Mukayiranga in One Health. For the 30 medical students who began their journey together on July 7, 2019, the path to graduation was anything but ordinary. Graduate Heritier Mfura, speaking on behalf of his class, reflected on their transformation from uncertain high school graduates to fully credentialed physicians. “The difference is that today, we know when, how, and where to look for answers,” Mfura said. “We understand that good medical practice is not about knowing everything, but about knowing how and when to start.” The class weathered extraordinary challenges, including the COVID-19 lockdown and the devastating loss of UGHE’s founder, Dr. Paul Farmer, yet all 30 who began together reached graduation day, a testament to their resilience and the institution’s commitment to accompaniment. Hope Florence Mizero, representing the master’s students from 10 countries, emphasized the interconnected nature of health equity. “We have learned that health is interconnected and that equity cannot be achieved in isolation,” she said, noting the influence of Dr. Farmer’s teaching that “extreme inequality is at the root of what is wrong with the world.” UGHE was founded to address stark disparities in global health capacity, particularly in regions where disease burden far outpaces available trained clinicians. The university’s rigorous dual-degree program integrates clinical excellence with leadership in health systems strengthening and equity-centered delivery, with graduates specializing in One Health, Health Management, Gender, Sexual and Reproductive Health, or Global Surgery.
