Dr Agnes Binagwaho, the Minister for Health was yesterday awarded Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) by the University of Rwanda (UR), the first of its kind since the University’s merger last year.

Binagwaho was conferred with the PhD during the second day of UR inaugural graduation ceremony, since the merger of seven public higher learning institutions into one University, in mid 2013.

The minister, who attained her PhD in Health Management, researched on HIV/Aids epidemic, with Rwanda as her case study.

"I thank the government for allowing me to continue my education while at work,” Binagwaho adorned in blue gown with red top said.

"My research matches international standards, because it was reviewed by an international penal; people from the UK, South Africa... And it was affirmed to be on the international standard,” she said.

She said her research findings are under implementation at her work.

"Being in Rwanda, at work,  and using the innovations available, we can do huge and interesting studies. What I have discovered, I will make it useful for my people and society. And some of my discoveries have actually been implemented,” Binagwaho added.

Binagwaho’s PhD course that she started in 2008 becomes the first PhD honour to be awarded to a Rwandan national at the University of Rwanda.

Other PhD holders in the country have in the past studied abroad.

Dr Binagwaho is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, US since 2008.