Angelique Redempta Icyishaka, a 19- year-old Rwandan from Gakenke district in Northern Province will, for the next six years study Bachelor of Medicine at Mount Kenya University (MKU) in Thika, Kenya. Last month, she was awarded a scholarship worth Rwf 26,802,000 from MKU in collaboration with Rwanda Education Board (REB) and Imbuto foundation. The scholarship will cover tuition, accommodation and other scholastic needs.

Speaking to The New Times, Icyishaka expressed excitement over the scholarship, stating: "This is a very good opportunity for me. The MKU School of medicine is equipped with all my learning needs. I’m sure that I’m going to learn a lot.”

Dr Simon Gicharu, the founder of MKU, says the scholarship is just one of many learning opportunities that are in store for Rwandan students. "We intend to provide for an exchange programme for some Rwandan students studying at MKU in Kigali.”

In this regard, some Rwandan students will be given an opportunity to study some or all their semesters in MKU campuses in Kenya without paying an extra coin. On average, Rwandan students at MKU pay between Rwf200,000 and Rwf350,000 per trimester while their Kenyan counterparts pay approximately twice as much.

"We want to give our Rwandan students a chance to gain exposure. This is our contribution towards the country’s economic growth,” says Dr Gicharu.