FEATURED: MKU Rwanda marks a great year, looks forward to even better times

Mount Kenya University Rwanda has enjoyed a successful academic year and going by current plans, 2022 promises to be even better. The campus graduated 444 students on 10th December, bringing this year’s total graduands to more than 1,000. MKU Rwanda graduates are well trained for the Rwandan and global labour markets. They also have the necessary skills to operate as entrepreneurs and managers to drive the nation’s economy forward. MKU Chairman, Prof Simon Gicharu, said the university’s 20th Graduation Ceremony held at the main campus in Thika, Kenya, was a major milestone. He said the university anticipates that, starting next year, students from MKU Rwanda would graduate from their country. “I hope today’s MKU Rwanda lot is the last to travel to Thika to graduate,” he said. Infrastructural developments MKU Rwanda has witnessed massive infrastructural developments over the last few years, and, consequently, continues to attract students from Sub-Saharan Africa and the rest of the world. The 444 students who graduated in Business, IT, Education, Social Sciences, Public Health, Nursing and Pharmacy bring the total number of MKU Rwanda graduands to more than 7,000 in 12 years. Of this number, 350 are pharmacy students trained at the main campus in Thika, with the last lot from MKU Rwanda graduating on 10 December. MKU Rwanda is currently building Mount Kigali Utalii Hotel, a training centre for the School of Hospitality, Travel and Tourism. Construction will be completed next year. Academic Programmes To produce graduates with the skills demanded by then job market, MKU Rwanda frequently reviews its academic programmes. A review is currently underway and so far, the University has confirmed the need to introduce, in phases, prioritized health programmes. The new programmes are in line with the needs identified by National Strategy for Health Professions Development Plan for 2020-2030. These will include: Bachelor of Dental Surgery, Bachelor of Dental Therapy, Bachelor of Biomedical Engineering, Masters of Biomedical Laboratory Science with different options and, Masters in Nursing (Education, Leadership and Management options). To this end, MKU Rwanda plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nyamata District Hospital in Bugesera District to train medics. Prof Gicharu welcomed the idea and said the university will invest in the relevant equipment to support the training of the students. Nyamata District Hospital is responding to the Government of Rwanda’s directive to hospitals to train medics and help improve the people’s health. Dr William Rutagengwa, Nyamata District Hospital’s Director General, supported the idea of collaborating with the university. “Sometime back, a certain investor had expressed interest in working with the hospital, but unfortunately, that did not work out. MKU can fill that gap and help us train our people, to meet the Government’s objective.” Human Resource This year, MKU Rwanda has attracted nine senior lecturers. Of these, five are PhD holders, and the rest, holders of Master’s Degrees, joined at assistant lecturer level. Staff recognition In October this year, MKU Rwanda feted its top performing employees. It plans various other initiatives to boost staff morale amid the Covid-19 crisis. Providence Mukundwa of administration and Zachary Thiga of the academic department emerged as the best employees. Research and publication The University has set a budget for Research and publishing as it continues to develop its capacity. Within its academic family, Mugo wa Karuiki, an award-winning writer in the first East Africa Creative Eyes competition, has published a book titled “Hills that heal”. His book tells a special story that will resonate with many people across the world who face and take the challenges that come in their life head on. International students “We continue to attract international students from Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Cameroon Tanzania, Liberia, Chad, Nigeria, Kenya, China and the Netherlands. We project their numbers to reach over 500 by the end of next year,” says MKU Rwanda Vice-Chancellor Designate, Prof Edwin Odhuno. Co-curricular activities MKU Rwanda is working hard to develop its co-curricular activities and recreational facilities. It has lined up major football, basketball, volleyball, and swimming competitions starting next January. Student leadership MKU Rwanda has a new student Guild body elected in June and sworn in September this year. The Guild is led by Mwizerwa Giscard, a third year student in the School of Nursing. Collaborations MKUR has signed a number of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) this year to boost service delivery and ensure quality education. Some of them include: i) Renewed Memory of Israel to train students scripting, filming and editing using new media technology. ii) Sweden’s Fojo Media Institute, Pax-press, and the Swiss Embassy in Rwanda to raise journalism training standards in the country iii) Recognition and awarding the best performing teachers with laptops during World Teachers Day on 5th October, 2021. The University recognized teachers for their work in shaping young people and their role in building the nation through education. iv) Rwanda Diabetes Association in collaboration with MKUR undertook Diabetes screening at Nyanza Bus Park, Kicukiro District, to mark World Diabetes activities from 7th to 14th November 2021. Corporate Social Responsibility MKU Rwanda continues to offer scholarships to deserving students. Additionally, the University’s School of Health Sciences has been vibrant in its outreach programmes, such as diabetes screening and; making and distributing hand sanitisers to the community.

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FEATURED: MKU Rwanda marks a great year, looks forward to even better times