Mastercard Foundation Scholars at the University of Rwanda have been challenged to combine knowledge with a spirit of service to become transformative leaders.

The call was made during the launch of a week-long Summer Camp at the Nkumba Ubutore Development Centre in Burera District on August 31, 2026.

Held under the theme "Raising the Next Generation of Transformational Leaders,” the camp brings together more than 600 University of Rwanda mostly supported by the Mastercard Foundation Scholar Program, for training and a transformative learning and networking experience.

The camp was organised to promote personal growth, leadership development, community engagement, physical and mental well-being, and creativity, while preparing students to make meaningful contributions to society.

Speaking at the opening, Northern Province Governor Mugabowagahunde Maurice said academic success alone was not enough to prepare young people for leadership.

"We want future leaders to be transformative,” the Governor told the gathering. "A leader is a leader with transformation. He urged the Scholars to guard against influences that can derail young leaders, citing indiscipline, laziness and substance abuse.

"You need knowledge, but knowledge alone won't be enough. You need wisdom and good character as well. Let the knowledge you acquire guide you to become real transformative leaders,” he advised.

Leadership as a teachable skill

Dr. Raymond Ndikumana, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Strategic Planning and Administration at the University of Rwanda, said leadership is not simply an innate trait but a capability that can be developed.

"Our belief is that leadership is a trainable and learnable skill that can be developed over time,” Ndikumana remarked.

He urged Scholars to embrace discipline, humility and unity as they develop their leadership abilities.

"Everything that you do must be rooted in unity and discipline. Without discipline, you cannot be a transformative leader. If you want to be one, just be humble. You have a long journey, but you need confidence that goes with discipline and humility.”

A partnership for transformation

The camp is part of a 10-year partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and the University of Rwanda through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

Associate Professor Anne Marie Kagwesage, Director of the program at the University of Rwanda, said the initiative aims to support 1,400 academically talented students who face social and economic barriers. So far, 38 Scholars have graduated, while 970 have been enrolled from 13 African countries.

"These students are academically talented and selected to grow into ethical, transformative leaders driving change in Rwanda and across Africa,” Prof. Kagwesage explained. "Leadership is not about titles, it's about mindset. Giving back is the core of the program.”

She said the camp focuses on building confidence and resilience, leadership development, community service and networking among Scholars from different campuses.

Ruth Mukakimenyi, Lead of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Partner Networks, said the partnership is focused on developing young people who can contribute to society now and in the future.

"The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is more than a scholarship. It is a journey of transformation,” she added.

"At its core, the partnership is built on the shared belief that young people are not merely leaders of tomorrow, but leaders of today,” Mukakimenyi stated.

She identified five pillars of transformational leadership: purpose and vision, service to others, innovation and problem-solving, integrity and accountability, and resilience in the face of challenges.

"Leadership is not something that begins after graduation. It begins now, in how you engage with others during this camp, how you respond to challenges, and how you choose to use your talents and opportunities,” she reminded the students.

Scholars commit to leadership and discipline

Samuel Bimenyimana, an Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering student at the University of Rwanda's College of Science and Technology, said the camp had reinforced the importance of discipline alongside academic knowledge.

"I am learning time management, the importance of waking up early, and discipline. I've realised that knowledge is not enough; we need to embrace discipline, positive values, and go beyond self,” Bimenyimana said. "It is also an opportunity to network with peers and exchange ideas that can help us turn our potential into opportunities as global citizens.”

The camp also includes community service. On August 29, Scholars joined residents of Burera to support the construction of a house for a vulnerable resident in Kinoni Sector, Burera District. Students also conducted screenings for non-communicable diseases in the community and held community talks on combating the use of illicit alcohol, particularly among young people.

Hala Waleed Makki, a first-year medical student from Sudan, said the community engagement experience had broadened her understanding of the importance of serving communities.

"Helping the community has been such a wonderful experience. It makes me feel better to help people,” she said.

"The values of being on time, being dedicated, being disciplined, I try to adhere to them. It is really nice to see the organisers being strict on time and the structure; that is honestly really, really important,” she said.