Grace Patrick Kihumulo, the University of Kigali’s Director of Strategy, Monitoring and Evaluation, has been elected Secretary General of the East African Higher Education Quality Assurance Network (EAQAN), a regional body working to strengthen quality assurance and harmonisation in higher education across East Africa.
Kihumulo, who is also the founding President and legal representative of EAQAN’s Rwanda national chapter, succeeds Dr Amaal Kinene Nsereko of Uganda, whose tenure contributed to advancing the Network’s regional quality assurance agenda and strengthening collaboration among quality assurance practitioners across East Africa.
His election took place during the 14th EAQAN Annual General Meeting on September 10, 2026, held as part of the 15th East African Higher Education Quality Assurance Forum and Conference.
Held in Kigali from September 7–10 under the theme "Transforming Quality Assurance for Future-Ready Higher Education Systems in East Africa,” the conference brought together university leaders, regulators, academics and quality assurance practitioners from across the region.
Kihumulo’s election places him at the centre of regional efforts to strengthen cooperation among higher education institutions and quality assurance agencies, promote common standards, facilitate recognition of qualifications and support greater student and graduate mobility.
Headquartered in Kampala, Uganda, EAQAN brings together quality assurance practitioners, higher education institutions and other stakeholders to enhance the quality of higher education through collaboration, capacity building, research, knowledge sharing and the dissemination of good quality assurance practices.
Speaking after his election, Kihumulo thanked members of the Network for the confidence placed in him and said his priorities would include strengthening the capacity and professionalisation of quality assurance practitioners across the region.
"My focus will be on translating EAQAN’s strategic ambition into practical action, with a strong emphasis on building the capacity and professionalising quality assurance practitioners across East Africa,” Kihumulo said.
"We need to strengthen professional standards and competencies, promote continuous development, peer learning and cross-border peer review, and support evidence-based quality assurance practices. We must also work closely with IUCEA, the EAC and national commissions and councils to advance harmonisation and make the East African Common Higher Education Area a practical reality across our institutions and borders.”
He also emphasised the need for closer collaboration among higher education institutions, regulators and other stakeholders, noting that stronger partnerships and professional networks would help build institutional capacity and translate regional policies and frameworks into tangible improvements in higher education delivery and student outcomes.
His election comes as East African countries seek to deepen the harmonisation of their higher education systems and advance the East African Common Higher Education Area (EACHEA). The regional agenda seeks to make cross-border study, recognition of qualifications and mobility more seamless, while strengthening mutual trust among higher education institutions and national quality assurance systems.
The development was welcomed by University of Kigali Vice Chancellor Prof. George Kimathi, who described Kihumulo’s election as an important recognition of his professional contribution and the University’s commitment to advancing quality higher education.
"This is a significant achievement not only for Mr Kihumulo but also for the University of Kigali and Rwanda. His election reflects the confidence of the regional higher education community in his leadership and expertise in strategy, monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance,” Prof. Kimathi said.
He added that the University of Kigali remains committed to working with regional and international organisations to advance quality higher education and contribute to the transformation of higher education systems across East Africa.
He noted that the University would continue to support initiatives that promote academic excellence, research, innovation and collaboration, while expanding opportunities for students and academics to participate in regional and international networks.
University of Kigali (UoK) is one of Rwanda’s leading private higher education institutions, serving a diverse community of students from Rwanda and other countries. The University offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and has a strong focus on academic quality, research and innovation, industry-relevant education and international engagement.
Its distinctive modular teaching system is designed to provide focused and flexible learning, while its growing regional and international partnerships support student and staff mobility, collaborative research and knowledge exchange.