East African University Rwanda graduated 779 students on Thursday, October 29, as university leaders urged them to create jobs, address community challenges and contribute to national development.

The university’s seventh graduation ceremony, held at Intare Conference Arena, brought together graduates, parents, academics and other guests. The graduating class comprised 439 women and 340 men, including 778 bachelor’s degree holders and one university diploma recipient.

The ceremony was held under the theme, "Inspired by Knowledge and Character, Ready to Lead the Challenge,” highlighting the university’s focus on professional competence, integrity, innovation and responsibility.

All graduates also received the International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL), demonstrating proficiency in essential computer applications and digital skills.

Prof. Callixte Kabera, Vice Chancellor of East African University Rwanda, said the university had so far recorded an employment rate of more than 92 per cent among graduates across its seven graduation ceremonies.

"Today, we are sending 779 graduates into the job market. This is a positive and exciting milestone. It is also the first time we have had such a large number of graduates. It is a sign that the university has grown,” he said.

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The university prepares students for employment through internships, career guidance and interactions with prospective employers.

"We start preparing them early, while they are still undertaking internships, so that they develop confidence and the courage to approach employers,” Kabera said.

He added that Career Day events allow employers to assess students’ skills and provide feedback to inform updates to academic programmes.

Graduates urged to create jobs

Prof. George Mondo Kagonyera, the university’s chancellor, said higher education should equip graduates to create employment rather than rely solely on existing job opportunities.

"One of the challenges we have in Africa, and I think other parts of the world, is unemployment. Therefore, we must train our people to be able to create jobs rather than to be job seekers,” he said.

Kagonyera called for practical training in fields such as science, medicine, engineering, economics and business management, saying graduates needed skills to establish enterprises and contribute to economic growth.

He also highlighted the importance of education in addressing climate change, food insecurity and advances in artificial intelligence, urging African countries to use knowledge and skills to develop solutions and compete internationally.

"So we Africans, if we remain ignorant, how are we going to answer the challenge of artificial intelligence?” he asked.

James Ndahiro, chairman of the university’s Board of Governors, similarly urged graduates to identify opportunities within their communities rather than focus only on jobs in established organisations.

"The education or programme they have completed should open their eyes to the opportunities around them. They should not only look for opportunities far away or focus only on large companies,” he said.

He encouraged graduates to identify local problems and develop solutions that could create jobs for themselves and others, while continuing to learn after completing university.

"They have learned how to learn and how to conduct research, and they should not stop there. We tell them that their education must continue,” he said.

Maureen Umwiza, a Mass Communication graduate who represented the graduating class, thanked parents, families and university staff for supporting students throughout their studies.

"Today we celebrate not only our success but also your love, your sacrifices and commitment to our future,” she said.

She urged graduates to apply their knowledge and skills to community development. Kabera also challenged them to turn their qualifications into practical solutions and opportunities.

"Do not wait for change. Initiate it. Do not only seek employment. Create opportunities,” he said.

Business administration leads graduates

The School of Business Administration and Management Studies produced the largest share of graduates, with 457, followed by the School of Education with 124, Film Making and Film Production with 98, Mass Communication with 78, and Industrial Art and Design with 22.

The Bachelor of Business Administration in Leisure, Tourism and Hotel Management was the largest programme, with 287 graduates.

The graduating class included students from Rwanda, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda.

Ndahiro said the participation of students from different African countries reflected the importance of cooperation in tackling the continent’s challenges.

"It means a lot. It means that we are an inclusive country,” he said.

Scholarships and skills recognition

Kabera said the university provides scholarships to students with academic potential who face financial barriers to higher education. Between 500 and 800 students receive scholarships annually, according to the vice chancellor.

"What makes our scholarships special is that students do not have to pay for them. A student receives the scholarship, completes their studies and becomes a good ambassador for our university,” he said.

The university also supports international students through internships, organisational partnerships and recommendation letters to help them pursue employment opportunities. It works with embassies to monitor their progress, sharing reports every three months, Kabera said.

Through a recognition of prior learning initiative supported by the Rwanda TVET Board and the World Bank, the university supported 1,450 beneficiaries during the year: 1,200 in career arts and 250 in warehouse management. Another 20 people received practical training in videography and photography.

Established in Rwanda in 2015, East African University Rwanda (EAUR) operates two campuses in Kigali and Nyagatare District. It offers undergraduate programmes through five academic schools: the School of Business Administration and Management Studies, offering specialisations in Economics, Accounting, Marketing, Procurement, Human Resource Management, Finance, Credit Management, and Leisure, Tourism and Hotel Management; the School of Education, offering programmes in History and Geography, Mathematics and Computer Science, and Mathematics and Physics; the School of Mass Communication; the School of Film Making and Film Production; and the School of Industrial Art and Design.