Rwandan students who have had opportunities to study in the United Kingdom said the experience has helped them advance their careers, gain new skills and pursue goals that once seemed out of reach. ALSO READ: New UK higher education programme to benefit women across Africa, Asia They shared their experiences at a UK Education Alumni reception by the British High Commission in Kigali on Thursday, October 29. More than 400 Rwandans have studied at UK universities over the past 10 years through government financing and scholarships, including Commonwealth Scholarships, according to the Higher Education Council (HEC). ALSO READ: Rwanda, UK look to stronger education ties The two countries have established at least 63 active partnerships between educational institutions. Landry Sugira is one of the alumni. He received a Commonwealth Scholarship to pursue a master's degree in Refugee Protection and Forced Migration Studies at the University of London, graduating in 2020. “I couldn't have imagined that I would go to a UK university,” said Sugira, who is a consultant and digital learning specialist for Oxford University's Refugee Research Hub. He said the cost of studying abroad would have made it difficult to pursue the qualification without financial support. “It's a very expensive education, and this kind of opportunities can only happen through programmes such as Commonwealth Scholarships, Chevening,” he said. He urged prospective applicants to research available programmes and seek advice from alumni. He also advised students to choose courses that match their interests, skills and career goals, rather than pursuing a scholarship simply because it offers a chance to study abroad. “There's something you like, there's something you're passionate about, but there's also something that matches your skills. And if you don't combine all three, then it's harder for you,” he said. ALSO READ: UK-based Rwandan youth share how they are shaping their future Engineering skills could benefit Rwanda Cyprian Niyigena said his PhD studies in Geotechnical Engineering gave him research skills and exposed him to new ways of approaching civil engineering projects. He began his Commonwealth-funded scholarship in 2022 and graduated in July 2026. He has worked in education for more than 10 years. Niyigena said access to research tools and resources in the UK showed him how innovation could help engineers improve existing methods and develop solutions based on evidence. “Instead of just simply applying techniques that are already existing, all they do is to learn from what they're doing and try to come up with some new methodologies and see how their infrastructure will respond,” he said. He believes Rwanda can apply similar approaches to its own infrastructure projects and develop engineering standards suited to the country's conditions, rather than relying entirely on standards developed elsewhere. “We have so many projects, so many ongoing projects. Instead of just taking whatever theory we've obtained from standards developed in other countries, why can't we try to learn from what we are doing and develop our own standards, which are particular to the context of our country?” he said. Niyigena encouraged Rwandans to apply for Commonwealth and Chevening scholarships, saying the opportunities expose students to different ideas, professional networks and global challenges. ALSO READ: Nine designers selected for UK-backed fashion entrepreneurship programme A second chance through distance learning For Francine Mwitende, pursuing a master's degree in the UK required finding a way to balance her studies with work and raising her child. In 2023, she received a scholarship for in-person study in the UK but turned it down because her baby was only four months old and the funding was not enough to cover expenses for both of them. She still wanted to continue her education, but needed a programme that would allow her to remain at work and care for her child. Mwitende later applied for a Commonwealth distance-learning scholarship. Her first application in 2023 was unsuccessful, but she sought advice from others and applied again, winning the scholarship in 2024. She is now in the final year of a master's degree in Global Health at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. “I noticed that the Commonwealth was a bit more flexible because they were looking for people who have some years of experience, which I had attained at that time,” she said. Mwitende said distance learning allowed her to study while working full-time and raising her child. She also praised the support she received from her professors. ALSO READ: Rwanda’s fashion industry eyes global reach through UK exchange She found the UK's emphasis on critical thinking and assessment challenging at first, but said it helped her develop academically. “UK is opening more doors for young people, for Rwandans, but especially young people,” Mwitende said. Expanding Rwanda-UK education links UK High Commissioner Alison Thorpe said the two countries have active partnerships between educational institutions, covering various areas such as health, energy, climate, technology, law and creative industries. She said there was room to expand joint research and innovation, as well as links between universities and businesses that could support jobs and investment. Thorpe said partnerships should benefit both countries and respond to Rwanda's development priorities, including those set out in the second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2). “The strongest partnership between Rwanda and the UK will not be built by governments, it will be built by people,” she said. Thorpe encouraged alumni to help shape future partnerships and support others seeking opportunities to study in the UK. ALSO READ: Rwandan fashion shines at UK King’s Birthday event in Kigali HEC Director Edward Kadozi said studying abroad helps students gain knowledge, skills, wider perspectives and professional networks that can contribute to Rwanda's development. He urged alumni to mentor other students and help them access similar opportunities. “Human capital developments remain the central to our ambitions of building a technology-based economy, driven by innovation, productivity, and highly skilled workforce,” Kadozi said “Our education priorities include strengthening the quality and relevance of higher education, promoting research, technology, engineering, mathematics, the whole of STEM, advancing digital transformation, artificial intelligence, expanding research and innovation, and ensuring that graduates possess the competencies required by the evolving labour market.” The next round of Commonwealth Shared Scholarships is expected to open in November.
