NUR moves to harmonise fees for EAC students

HUYE - The National University of Rwanda (NUR), effective this academic year, is charging uniform tuition fees for all students from the East African Community (EAC) member states. The move, according to officials, is in line with a resolution of the Council of Ministers to have all universities from partner states charge the same tuition for students from across the region. At NUR, nationals paid up to Rwf600,000 for non science courses while international students, including those from the EAC, have been paying Rwf1.2 million per year.For science courses nationals paid up to Rwf 1.325, million (Medicine) while international students paid Rwf1.5million per academic year. “We have had to revise our tuition structure to suit the recommendations of the Council of Ministers of East Africa. Students from member countries will pay the same tuition like their local counterparts,” said Dr Emmanuel Havugimana, the University registrar. He hastened to add that the rates will not change for students from other countries outside the EAC bloc. According to Dr Uzziel Ndagijimana, the University’s vice Rector in charge of Administration and Finance, the university has been quick to adopt the resolution despite joining the bloc only recently. “We are far ahead of our counterparts in ensuring that students from the EAC pay the same tuition like the locals,” said Ndagijimana. The university receives over 100 students from Burundi and a few from Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya. There is also a sizeable number from Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Students who spoke to The New Times welcomed the move, saying that it will enable them to study from any country of their choice without being restricted by tuition fees. “Students from the region will no longer feel restricted, they will be able to explore better academic opportunities, learn the culture of other countries and in the process promote the spirit of the EAC,” said Lyne Nziza, a third year statistics student from Burundi. Rwandan public Institutions that subscribe to the Inter-University Council of East Africa are; the Kigali Institute of Education, School of Finance and Banking and the National University of Rwanda. The Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA) and the Rwanda Tourism University College (RTUC) are associate members of the regional body. Ends