Rwandan dons tour US varsities

The Minister of Education, Pierre Damien Habumuremyi accompanied by a delegation of Rwandan scholars, is in the USA to review existing partnerships with several universities and also to explore the possibility of launching new joint ventures. The group that left the country on 27 last month for the USA official visit has so far visited four Universities. According to a statement, the purpose of the tour is to assess the existing partnerships with institutions, especially the Presidential Scholarship scheme, and chart ways on how the co-operation with US varsities could strengthen the Rwanda Institutions of Higher Learning in the areas of quality education. “The areas of enhancing quality education include the training staff, increasing research capacity such as through joint research projects, use of the latest educational technology to support teaching and improving access such as open, distance and e-learning,” the statement reads. Habumuremyi’s delegation includes the Rector of Kigali Institute of Science and Technology Dr. Jean D’Arc Mujawamariya, , Prof. Silas Lwakabamba, Rector of the National University of Rwanda, Fr Dr. Deogratias Niyibizi Rector of Ruhengeri Institute of Higher Education (INES). Others are Mike Hughes, Advisor Science and Technology in the Ministry of Education, and Desire Gacinya, Director of Student Loan Recovery in Rwanda Examination Board. The group is also accompanied by two officials from the Rwanda Embassy in the US. The institutions visited include Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Universities of Maryland,Carnegie Mellon and William Penn where the University officials agreed to strengthen partnerships with the Rwandan delegation. The team is continuing its journey to the Hendrix Consortium, Oklahoma Christian University, California Baptist University, and Rochester Institute of Technology.. Ends