A total of 46 graduates received degrees in business studies at Kepler Kigali Campus in Kimironko on Saturday.

The president of Southern New Hampshire University and guest of honour at the event Paul J. LeBlanc urged the graduands to use their success to help others.

"Success does not mean that some people win and others lose. Success is a lot more and considers how we make opportunities for the rest, sustainable environmental conservation, promoting equity and equality for women. Those are more important than everything during success,” he said.

Blanc commended the graduands for their hard work and urged them to use their knowledge to create global solutions to the various challenges.

"Rwanda graduates are smart and hard working as well. These are the kind of products the country needs while trying to transit to a generation with a reading culture,” Blanc said.

Chris Hedrick, the Chief Executive Officer of Kepler, advised the graduands to always cherish teamwork if they want to achieve big things in life.

"All of you worked diligently as individuals but not alone. We may think that we worked hard but did not accomplish it all alone hence when you look around you will see someone who has helped you reach this far, just thank them,” Hendrick said.

Gisele Gihozo, one of the graduands, said she had learnt a lot at Kepler.

"When I joined the institution, I was trained in good communication skills and critical thinking which has helped me convey my message better,” Gihozo said.

 This is the first time that a cohort of international university students has remotely earned a competence-based degree from the US.

During the event, an agreement was also signed to extend the partnership with Southern New Hampshire University until 2020. This means the institution will be able to award degrees from Southern New Hampshire in Rwanda without students necessarily travelling to the US.