The Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA) celebrated its 29th graduation on Sunday, November 12, conferring degrees upon 537 undergraduate and master's students.
Among these graduates, 23 international students from 10 African countries (Mali, Cameroon, Chad, Ethiopia, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Burundi, Madagascar and Lesotho) added a global perspective to the ceremony. The university discloses that its staff, faculty and students come from 36 nationalities from Africa, Asia, North America, Central America and South America.
Overall 52.8 percent of the graduates were female, and 52 percent of the total graduates achieved scores of 70 percent or above, distinguishing themselves with Distinctions and Grand Distinctions.
The graduates emerged from various fields, namely: Bachelors of Theology, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, as well as Master of Business Administration and Master of Education programs.
Rose Mukankomeje, Director of Rwanda’s Higher Education Council, commended AUCA's transformative journey from Mudende to state-of-the-art campuses in Masoro and Gishushu, and AUCA Ngoma College of Health Sciences.
"AUCA’s partnership with the government is playing a big role in addressing Rwanda's health worker shortage, we’re urging AUCA to keep aligning with the Ministry of Health's vision of quadrupling the healthcare workforce,” she said.
Mukankomeje encouraged graduates to uphold AUCA's legacy of excellence and contribution to national development. She emphasized AUCA's unique full-time education model, and assured support in job applications and continued studies. "Dear graduates across all disciplines leverage your acquired skills towards Rwanda's global advancement.”
Dr. Blasious Ruguri, AUCA Chancellor, and President of the East-Central Africa Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA), congratulated the graduates for overcoming challenges and hardships during their time at AUCA.
"As you walk out today, make us proud in your services and workplaces. Go shine, and promote AUCA's brand around the world. It is our belief that AUCA's values of Love, Faith, Integrity, Respect, Compassion and Care, Fairness and Justice, and Excellence will accompany you in your new endeavors. Most importantly, remember that having faith in God and serving Him should be a top priority in your lives, as this stands as the bedrock of any success you are likely to register in your lives,” Ruguri said.
Keren Simbi Iyamuremye, speaking on behalf of the undergraduate students - Class of 2023, said: "We acknowledge AUCA staff for their dedication to our education. Our deepest gratitude is to our Heavenly Father, whose boundless grace met our needs on this journey. As we conclude, our motto 'Faith for Service' guides us. May God's presence be with us outside these walls. Let hope and dedication distinguish us in all we do."
In the same line, Amb. Kanyamashuli K. Janvier, representative masters’ graduates – Class of 2023, urged fellow graduation to become agents of positive changes in society, as they trust in God to lead them to success.
Razafimandimby Zarahenikaja Hygin, a graduate from Madagascar who earned a Master of Business Administration in Management, shared: "The Rwandan society is amazing, very welcoming. My experience at AUCA has been incredible, providing opportunities to interact with teachers, lecturers, and colleagues.”
He added that the classes’ organization and environment were a standout, offering genuine interaction beyond traditional lectures. "AUCA's focus on current trends, especially in big data analytics, is impressive, setting it apart from many universities in Rwanda and Africa,” he said.
Selamawit Gabremariam Haile, an Ethiopian graduate with a Master of Business Administration in Management, expressed: "I had choices among many Rwandan universities, but AUCA was the best fit for me. The school's organization and well-structured courses equipped us to handle global crises.”
"The teachers acted as mentors, guiding us effectively. I plan to utilize this master's degree and knowledge in my home country, as well as in Kigali, wherever opportunities arise,” Gabremariam Haile said.
The AUCA advantage
AUCA believes in a wholistic education: body, mind and soul. This unique philosophy of education and the core values in place make the university academically outstanding, and impact is seen n graduates AUCA produces.
The core values as listed above by the university Chancellor, the virtues, morals and principles they instil in students mould a commendable behaviour and character, preparing students for this life and the life to come. This is what constitutes "the AUCA Advantage”.
Being the first private university to be established in Rwanda since 1984, AUCA is praised for its track record quality education, and for producing competent graduates on the job market. It has for decades maintained its sterling reputation as a university of which graduates excel both academically, professionally, and spiritually.
AUCA also runs a state-of-the-art medical school, the Adventist School of Medicine of East-Central Africa, located at Masoro campus. The school trains mission oriented and best doctors for the country and the region, as embedded in its motto "Teach – Preach -Heal”.
Apart from Rwanda’s Higher Education Council, AUCA’s programmes are also accredited by the church’s international accrediting bodies (International Board of Education (IBE) and the Adventist Accrediting Association (AAA).
The accreditation exercise is conducted every four years to evaluate compliance with the standards of quality education.
The colourful ceremony was attended by different dignitaries from the government, the Seventh Day Adventist Church, academicians, students and parents and partners.