Mount Kenya University Rwanda (MKUR) will take part in the upcoming Higher Education Council (HEC) exhibition and STEM competition scheduled to take place from 9th to 10th, May 2023 at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village. The event will feature the display of works by students and lecturers from Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs). In light of this development, the Vice-Chancellor designate, Prof. Edwin Odhuno, has lauded HEC's initiative, stating that the exhibition will play a vital role in raising the profile of universities in the public domain. Prof. Odhuno also noted that universities would be able to forge partnerships with other organizations to promote education in the country. MKUR recently attained full accreditation status and will re-brand as Mount Kigali University (MKU). Prof. Odhuno described the exhibition as an excellent platform to explain to the public what the accreditation entails. He emphasized that the certification affirms that MKUR met the established standards governing university education in the country, thus enabling students to identify it as an acceptable institution committed to quality education. Prof. Odhuno further clarified that MKU would retain its international status under the new name, and there would be no significant changes to the university's operations. Graduations would take place in Rwanda for those under MKU, and the academic structure, including the fee structure, would remain unchanged among other issues. Over the past eight years, MKUR has invested heavily in infrastructure such as the University Medical Center and the Hospitality and Tourism Training Hotel, which are expected to be operational by the end of this year. Both facilities will provide hands-on training and address the urgent need for such facilities in the country. During the exhibition, MKUR will showcase its niche areas, including the School of Health Sciences, IT, School of Business and Economics, Journalism and Media Studies, and Hospitality and Tourism, according to Dr. Martin Kimemia, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor designate in charge of academics. He added that the exhibition would provide a platform to promote the university's market-driven programs to a broader audience. HEC's mission is to enhance the quality of education and its modes of delivery in HLIs to ensure that graduates from such institutions are knowledgeable and contribute to the betterment of the welfare and development of Rwandan residents. The council encourages HLIs to conduct impactful research and inform the public of the educational opportunities, research, and innovation activities conducted by the HLIs and other stakeholders in education. The event will also feature a STEM competition of pre-selected projects to provide a platform for staff and students to apply their STEM knowledge and skills in real-world scenarios and enhance collaboration, teamwork, and healthy competition between institutions.
