Benjamin Musuhuke is a University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) alumnus, from where he attained a master’s degree in African Studies in 2006. Today, he is the Liaison Officer of UCLA-Rwanda, and part of his brief is to coordinate UCLA programs in Rwanda, specifically at the University of Rwanda, College of Education. Moses Opobo had a chat with him …

Tell us about UCLA-Rwanda

UCLA came to Rwanda two and half years ago, primarily to implement the Women’s Leadership Program. It is a USAID-funded programme managed by the Washington-based Higher Education Development (HED) organisation. This programme is implemented by UCLA in the University of Rwanda’s College of Education.

We are just beginning, but possibly this will open doors for more future engagements. What we are asking is: Is there a way that Rwanda can benefit from such an institution? How can UCLA be of benefit to Rwandans, with its research credentials, excellent engineering and medical expertise?

As an alumnus of UCLA, what memories do you carry from your time at the university?

My experience at UCLA was great, and I treasured every minute of my stay at the university.

This is an institution that gives you so much exposure. It gave me an opportunity to meet with people who challenged me into thinking beyond myself.

One thing I learnt from the university is how much I didn’t know – that the world is so full of intelligent people who have written books, people at whose feet you just need to sit and listen. It opened me to my own limitedness.

But the biggest lesson I learnt is the power of focus: how someone can spend 15 years just writing a book on one particular subject.

How did you end up with UCLA in Rwanda?

There was this project coming to Rwanda, and they asked if I could be part of it. There is one vow I’ve always made to myself: that anything which can add value to, or transform Rwanda, I’ll always commit my best efforts to it.

As liaison officer, what’s your typical working day?

My day starts at 7:00 am and ends at whatever time that work gets done. On a daily basis I try to coordinate the UCLA programs in Rwanda.

Away from work

I read every day. I am a disinterested reader, which simply means that I read whatever comes my way. I love knowledge, and the neatest way to get to it is through books. People always ask what refreshes and relaxes me, and I always tell them it’s reading. It is one of my greatest passions.

I grew up in an extremely vulnerable and poor background. One thing I do remember is that I always admired pupils who would come to school and talk about what they had read in a book.

At home we did not have electricity, so I grew with this insatiable desire to be a better student.

When the opportunity came, I think I over did it (reading), and it became one of my best hobbies.

When you read a book, you learn so much, and discover how much you don’t know. Reading has got this snowball effect, in that one thing leads to the other.

Any other passions and hobbies?

Standing in class and sharing knowledge is one of those. Teaching is one of those professions that I highly respect. A good teacher is called to teach, and teaching is more than just a profession. As a teacher, you can either build or you can destroy a nation.

Before my graduate studies, I taught in high school. I taught history, political science, and philosophy. Actually I have a Masters in Education from the Erskine College in South California.

I believe that foundational education is the background of a nation. It’s easier to improve the upper structures once the foundation is strong. One of my biggest concerns about basic education in the developing world is quality. Quality foundational education prepares a child for global success. You can’t go wrong on that.

As a nation we must ask tough questions: Ten years from now, will the kids we have in elementary school today favorable compete with other kids from other parts of the world?