Pierre Sindambiwe, an academic, has become the first Rwandan to scoop the Global Leader Academic Excellence Award.

Sindambiwe, a lecturer at the University of Rwanda, received the award during a ceremony held at the New Zealand Parliament on June 16.

"The winner for 2015 is an academician from University of Rwanda, College of Business and Economics and a candidate at Jönköping International Business School, Sweden,” reads a statement from the organisers.

Sindambiwe is currently pursuing his PhD at the Swedish school.

According to the awarding committee, Sindambiwe used his voluntary time to support the Rwandan students in the Global Enterprise Experience (GEE) through his inspirational academic, demanding high professional standards while warmly encouraging his students.

Sindambiwe was recognised for, despite the demands of his PhD programme, having continued with his online voluntary coaching for Rwandan GEE participants from different universities.

In 2014, he co-authored a publication on youth entrepreneurship problems, and continues to develop models for promoting youth empowerment in Rwanda.

The GEE is organised every year by Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. The competion attracts 179 varsities from 52 countries.