HUYE - The National University of Rwanda (NUR) is set to embark on an eighteen-month project that will see the construction of  students’ hostels, lecture rooms, office blocks, laboratories, staff housing and a larger library.

The project is expected to cost US$30 million (approximately Rwf18bn), with funding from the Korean Government.

NUR and Sangmyung University from Korea signed a memorandum of understanding on the expansion and construction works set to begin once funds are availed by the latter.

Speaking to The New Times, the Rector of NUR Prof. Silas Lwakabamba said that the reason behind the construction overhaul is the mismatch between the existing infrastructure and the current student population.

"When the university was constructed, it was supposed to accommodate only 2,500 students and yet the number has risen to 13,000 now,” Lwakabamba said.

He cited the biggest problem as accommodation and lecture rooms. "Of the 13,000 students, the university is able to accommodate only 4, 000.”

Lwakabamba further says that the university also needs more lecture rooms due to the increasing post-graduate programs now amounting to 24.

Currently, the university is benefiting from the newly opened ICT School supported by Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) which is considered to be an ultra-modern ICT facility, even regionally.

The university hopes to increase its student population to  18,000 in four years and 36,000 in 10 years.

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