[PHOTOS]: Rwandan Masters students graduate from US varsity

Rwanda’s partnership and close ties with world leading universities has in recent years contributed to the growth of a pool of professionals in the country. The latest addition to the pool of professionals courtesy of such partnerships is 41 graduates of Masters in Business Administration from the Oklahoma Christian University yesterday. Minister for Education Dr. Musafiri Papias Malimba (C), chairman for Graduate School of Business, Dr Ken Johnson (L) and Dr Scott LaMascus vice president for academic affairs. The graduates underwent intensive one-year course in various fields such Accounting, Finance, Leadership and Project Management, among others. The American varsity commenced its operations in Rwanda in 2012 following a previous relationship with the government beginning 2006 initiated by President Paul Kagame offering undergraduate scholarships to the university. The recent batch of graduates are professionals working in government agencies, the private sector and from the business community. Dr Ken Johnson, Chairman for Graduate School of Business veils Eddie Balaba during the graduation ceremony yesterday. The students in Kigali take their classes primarily online with the guidance of facilitators in Oklahoma. The continued partnership is expected to further facilitate national development by continually developing skills and capacities relevant for Rwanda’s socio-economic growth. Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the Minister for Education, Papias Musafiri, said there was high expectation from the graduates to contribute to the socio-economic transformation of the country using their recently acquired skills. Dr Scott LaMascus hands certificate to one of the graduates yesterday. “We welcome you to join in the building and development of the country,” Musafiri said. He added that government would continue to support such partnership with world leading universities to build much needed capacities in the country. Dr Scott Lamascus, the vice-president for academic affairs at the institution, called on the graduates to be of service to their country and ensure they have an impact in their work. Dr Scott LaMascus hands certificate to one of the graduates yesterday. He said the graduates acquired both qualitative and quantitative skills and an understanding of business ethics that would have a positive impact to the national business environment in the long run. Lamascus said the university was looking at going beyond the courses offered to offer other relevant programmes that would contribute to national development. Dr Scott LaMascus speaks to The New Times reporter after the graduation ceremony at Christ Church of Rwanda in Gaculiro, Kigali yesterday. (All photos by Faustin Niyigena) “It is our hope that we will find more areas that are defined as a need by the Rwandan government, corporations and people which we can provide capacities in,” Dr Lamascus said. This is the third batch of students to graduate from the programme; last year, they were 42 graduates and 38 in the previous year. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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[PHOTOS]: Rwandan Masters students graduate from US varsity