Sixty nursing graduates from Mount Kigali University in Rwanda will soon be able to work in Austria.

This is after an Austrian organisation, Lebenshilfe Tirol, signed a letter of intent with Mount Kenya University (MKU), on July 26, in Nairobi, Kenya.

The MKU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi, and Georg Willet, the Vice-President of Lebenshilfe Tirol, signed the letter.

The agreement offers opportunities to interested Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) graduates from both Mount Kigali University and MKU. Each university was allotted an initial 60 job opportunities in Austria.

The Mount Kigali University Acting Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Martin Kimenia, hailed the agreement with the Austrian firm as a positive development.

The agreement opens the door for qualified graduates to work as nursing professionals in Austria, subject to meeting specific conditions.

Eligible graduates must have successfully completed the BScN programme, completed a one-year internship and obtained a valid nursing practice license. They must also be proficient in the German language.

Kimemia welcomed the news and believes it will be key to the professional growth of the graduates and the advancement of nursing and healthcare in Rwanda and Austria.

He said: "It exemplifies international cooperation and knowledge-sharing, leaving a positive and lasting impact on both institutions and their nations."

Highlighting the advantages, he added: "This opportunity will expose them to a diverse group of healthcare professionals in a highly developed country, granting them invaluable experience. When they return to their home countries, they can share and apply this knowledge, elevating local healthcare practices.”

Kimemia added that the partnership will also create "an excellent platform for joint research in the nursing profession between the universities and our Austrian counterparts.”

"We shall explore innovative nursing approaches, exchange best practices, strengthen academic ties, and improve healthcare systems in our countries.”

Lebenshilfe, in cooperation with TYE Pathways Limited of Kenya, will provide pre-departure training and relevant information from Austria to ensure a smooth transition for the selected candidates.

The Austrian firm will also assist in processing visas and work permits, cover travel expenses, secure suitable accommodation, and ensure equitable salaries at par with Austrian or EU citizens.

The German language examination fee will be reimbursed for successful candidates in the first group.

Mount Kigali University and MKU will actively support the graduates' preparation. They will organise German language classes to meet the required B1 Level qualification. It will also provide additional training to address any curriculum gaps in nursing.

After signing the letter of intent, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Deogratius expressed delight about the collaboration.

He said: "We are thrilled to cooperate with an esteemed organization from Austria to enable our nursing graduates to work in Austria. This partnership makes both institutions very special, and we eagerly anticipate its growth and future success."

Willet echoed the sentiment, calling it a remarkable opportunity to soon welcome 120 talented nursing graduates from Kenya and Rwanda.

He expressed happiness at the signing of the letter of intent, considering it a significant milestone in both the Austrian health sector and his organisation.

Mount Kigali University, formerly Mount Kenya University Rwanda Campus, gained full accreditation in April 2023. The name change was approved through a cabinet resolution chaired by President Paul Kagame.

The School of Nursing is one of the university’s centres of excellence equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.