KIGALI - A group of Indian investors are in the process of setting up a University in the country.

The group led by Dr. Chenraj Jain, the president and founder of Bangalore-based Jain University and Jain Group of Institutions, made the announcement after meeting President Paul Kagame at Village Urugwiro, yesterday.

Speaking to reporters shortly after the meeting, Jain said that the country’s ambition and progress is so impressive that they considered building a Jain University campus in Rwanda.

"The whole idea is to come here and create a campus-a higher education establishment in the country and that’s what we are looking at,” he said.

"We had a global programme in India and we held Itorero programme in our campus there, and we were impressed by the Rwandan strategy of development and prosperity. So we have come all the way from India to explore this idea.”

Jain said that among things, the University is seeking to explore and develop is Rwanda’s concept of Science and technology education in higher institutions.

He added that he was impressed by how much the country has grown in 16 years, in all sectors, particularly education, agriculture, business and entrepreneurship.

"We think Africa is the future, and Rwanda is an example of developing countries that we want to come and explore,” Jain said.

He also announced that every academic year, 10 Rwandan students will benefit from the "Paul Kagame Scholarships” at Jain University.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Charles Murigande, said that the criteria to select the students will be put in place.

Murigande added that prior to building its own campus, the Indian University will enter into partnerships with Rwandan Universities in a bid to support higher education, particularly is science and technology.

"The long term plan is for Jain University to have its own campus here, but in the meantime, we are looking at collaboration with our own universities and the scholarships, which are more urgent,” Murigande said.

Dr. Jain was accompanied by high ranking members of the institution, including Prof S. Santhosh and S. Parswanath. Rwanda’s High Commissioner to India, Williams Nkurunziza, was part of the delegation.

The Bangalore-based Jain Group of Institutions is a cluster of 59 vibrant educational establishments.

In 20 years, the Group has grown to serve over 30,000 students and 3,120 staff members across 25 campuses and centres of excellence.

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