Over 200 Sudanese students have commenced their medical studies at the University of Rwanda (UR). Displaced by the upheaval stemming from an uprising in Sudan, the students are now finding solace and academic opportunities at UR.
Omar Bashir Taha is one of the students from University of Medical Sciences and Technologies (UMST) in Khartoum, Sudan. He says that he is realizing a dream beginning medical studies in Rwanda.
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The new students underwent an induction on November 19 at UR’s Huye Campus. They will now spend the first two years of their medical studies at the same university.
For Taha, the beauty of Rwanda, its landscapes, mountains, and greenery, exceeded expectations. He expressed joy at the cleanliness of the labs, the state-of-the-art equipment, and the high qualifications of the teaching staff.
Taha said, "After seven months without studying, adjusting will take time and effort, but I eagerly anticipate the experience. I was delighted with the teachers at the Induction event. The labs were impeccably clean with state-of-the-art equipment, and the teachers, along with their 15 assistants, all hold Ph.D.s. I have high expectations to learn from the best in this new academic environment."
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In welcoming the new students, Alphonse Muleefu, Acting Principal at the University of Rwanda - College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS), said: "We invite you to participate in all campus activities to create connections and relationships not only with those on campus but also within the surrounding community.
"We look forward to learning from your diverse backgrounds, as that is the beauty of Africa—we are strong in our diversity,” Muleefu said.
Prof. Mamoun Homeida, Chairman Board of Trustees at UMST, Khartoum, praised Rwanda's gesture to accommodate Sudanese students and referred to it as a display of "pan-Africanism."
He explained the decision to choose Rwanda, citing its political peace, tranquility, and impressive development. "The current batch consists of preclinical students, and the university (UMST) already has a presence in Rwanda through Dr. Suzan Homeida, the deputy chairperson for UMST, who invested in a polyclinic and diagnostic center in Kigali called Frontier,” he said.
"When you think about it, we selected Rwanda even before the war. These students will keep following our university's curriculum to ensure a seamless learning experience. We guarantee that their graduation will align with the accredited curriculum.”
"We plan to spend at least one and a half years on this campus, completing the preclinical phase in anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry. Afterward, we will move to other locations in Rwanda to teach clinical medicine. Thanks to the president, the government, and the people of Rwanda for their warm and friendly welcome,” Homeida said.
The University of Medical Sciences and Technology (UMST) in Khartoum, Sudan, plans to relocate to Rwanda to give its students hope and a second chance to complete their studies, The New Times has learnt.
Under the development, UMST management said, more than 7,000 students who were stranded owing to the security crisis in Sudan would be gradually transferred to Rwanda to complete their studies.