A new chapter is unfolding at the University of Kigali. As the academic year begins, recent leadership changes mark a turning point for the 11-year-old institution, already recognised as a key player in Rwanda’s higher education landscape.

On a warm Tuesday morning, the Kacyiru campus buzzed with activity—students focused on classes and faculty engaged in their work, with Continuous Assessment Tests (CATs) around the corner. Against this backdrop, we sat down with the university’s new leadership team: Professor George Kimathi, Vice Chancellor; Professor Margaret Oloko, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academics; and Professor Samuel Sindayigaya, Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor.

Professor George Kimathi, who assumed his role as Vice Chancellor in October, clarified his priorities. "I aim to enhance academic excellence, promote research and innovation, engage the community, and ensure the financial sustainability of the university,” he said.

He is committed to improving the quality of education by implementing a thorough accreditation process for new programmes, in line with the standards set by the Higher Education Council of Rwanda.

Kimathi also highlighted plans for faculty development, with training sessions scheduled later this month. "We want to support our faculty in adopting innovative teaching methods, including the integration of technology,” he explained. His vision includes ensuring that each course offers an online component, providing students with easy access to course materials.

Research is another key focus for Kimathi, who aims to position the university as a centre for addressing local and regional challenges. "We’re working to establish research centres that can contribute meaningful insights to the issues facing our communities,” he said, outlining a practical approach to fostering both academic growth and real-world impact.

Kimathi expressed his desire for students to participate in service-learning projects, and to facilitate partnerships with non-governmental organisations and community groups. "This mutual collaboration benefits everyone involved,” he noted.

"We need to diversify revenue streams to maintain the university’s financial health,” he explained. Strategies include exploring grants, donations, and sponsorships, as well as developing short courses and professional training programmes that cater to market needs.

"I want to enhance our global engagement by increasing the university’s international presence,” Kimathi continued. He aims to establish exchange programmes and partnerships with foreign institutions, as well as participate in international conferences to showcase research and programmes. "For instance, two of our faculty members recently returned from West Africa after presenting their research findings, and others are currently in Europe for exchange programmes,” he shared, highlighting the ongoing international collaborations.

"Embracing technology will improve both learning and administrative processes,” he said, citing plans for investment in modern IT infrastructure and digital learning tools. "We are implementing an enterprise resource planning system based on Microsoft Dynamics 365 to centralise all university processes—be it academics, finance, or procurement.”

"This is an absolute priority for me during my tenure,” he concluded. "If we implement these goals effectively, we can significantly enhance the University of Kigali’s reputation, relevance, and impact in both the local and global educational landscape.

Fostering student success: Engagement and industry collaboration

Professor Margaret Oloko, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, addressed the pressing issue of student engagement amid rising dropout rates. "My goal is to create a supportive learning environment where every student feels valued and engaged,” she explained. "I want to encourage students to develop personal objectives for their time at the university, emphasizing their ownership of their academic journey.”

Oloko stressed the importance of open communication. "It’s vital that students receive timely information about university matters and feel empowered to share their views. After all, their experiences are at the heart of our mission,” she added. "Without students, the university wouldn’t exist. Therefore, I plan to implement various active learning strategies that encourage active participation and creativity in the classroom.”

Reflecting on Rwanda’s evolving educational landscape, I asked how the University of Kigali manages its increasingly diverse student body. "We have students from a wide range of cultures, countries, and languages,” she acknowledged. "Embracing this diversity is key to our long-term survival. Understanding where our students come from is essential to fostering an inclusive environment.”

She emphasised her commitment to respecting each student’s culture: "I want to inculcate a family-like atmosphere where everyone feels appreciated, regardless of one’s background or origin. We all must strive to respect cultural differences while ensuring every student has the opportunity to contribute meaningfully. This diversity will undoubtedly enrich the university community and create a comfortable environment where everyone is valued.”

Asked about the growing concern around universities producing graduates whose skills don’t always align with the demands of the job market, and how she plans to bridge this gap, Professor Oloko said:

"First and foremost, I recognise the importance of partnering with industry. For a long time, universities and industries have been operating separately, with little collaboration. My goal is to close this gap and create stronger partnerships so that what we teach directly addresses real-time world challenges.”

Oloko explained her vision for deepening students’ involvement in the workforce. "My resolve is to enhance existing partnerships and establish new ones, ensuring students aren’t just learning in classrooms, but gaining hands-on industry experience. Through internships and attachments, students will have an opportunity to tackle real industry problems necessary for economic development.”

She also stressed the importance of involving faculty in this process. "Our faculty would also have an opportunity to engage with industries as well, learning about current trends and challenges and bringing that knowledge back to the university. This way, our academic programmes can evolve in step with industry needs.”

Oloko’s commitment extends to the research sector, where she believes universities play a critical role in solving societal issues. "We need to ensure that our research does not just remain on the shelves. It’s about disseminating research findings and being part of the solution affecting society at large.

Her vision is clear: "We are here to excel in academics and provide practical solutions to society. It’s time for universities and industries to work together more closely than ever before.”

Building a research-driven future

Dr Samuel Sindayigaya, Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academics at the University of Kigali, shared insights into the university’s approach to enhancing research output and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Since its establishment in 2013, the university has made strides in various domains, including computing, law, education, and business, with graduates actively contributing to the labour market.

"The university has a research department where academic staff engage in projects across multiple fields. We are working on clustering researchers to foster collaboration within similar domains, helping them compete for awards and secure funding for publications, travel, and networking,” said Sindayigaya.

He emphasised the importance of budgeting for research and strengthening international partnerships to boost the university’s research profile.

When asked about fostering collaboration across the university’s diverse departments, Sindayigaya highlighted the interconnected nature of the programmes offered. "Our programmes are not standalone. For instance, computing and IT naturally overlap with business management, and students in IT need management courses, law for legal protection, and even marketing. It’s about ensuring our graduates are well-rounded and adaptable.”

This holistic educational strategy not only equips students with critical thinking and problem-solving skills but also ensures that they are well-prepared to contribute to the country’s development goals. "Our graduates, with their diverse skill sets, are making an impact immediately after entering the workforce,” Sindayigaya concluded.

The University of Kigali, one of Rwanda’s leading private institutions, has grown rapidly since its inception in October 2013, when it was fully accredited by the Rwandan government. Today, it boasts over 8,500 students from 33 nationalities, more than 9,400 alumni, and 28 active programmes across two campuses in Kigali and Musanze.

With the ongoing construction of a new campus in Kimihurura, the university is set to expand its footprint even further. The initial excavation phases are nearing completion, and construction is now in full swing.