The Center of Excellence in Biomedical Engineering and e-Health (CEBE) is one of Rwanda's key projects aimed at advancing education and healthcare. This initiative focuses on building a critical mass of qualified professionals in fields such as biomedical engineering and e-health to address immediate and long-term health sector needs within the East African Community. As African Development Bank Group marks its 60th anniversary its signification to look back at the AfDB-funded projects in Rwanda that have contributed to the country’s growth. One of these projects is the Center of Excellence in Biomedical Engineering and e-Health (CEBE), which was initiated and supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB). The center is expected to build a critical mass of qualified professionals in priority areas such as biomedical engineering and e-health, which aims to meet the immediate and long-term market needs in the health sector within the East African Community. In an exclusive interview with The New Times, Prof. Celestin Twizere, the rector at CEBE, discussed the impact that AfDB has had, the milestone, and the issues it has addressed, among other topics. Below are excerpts: How has the African Development Bank’s funding specifically advanced CEBE’s mission, particularly in achieving your goals at the University of Rwanda? The University of Rwanda (UR) envisions becoming a leading institution that develops enterprising graduates committed to building a just and sustainable society through innovation. Its mission is to support Rwanda’s development by advancing knowledge and maintaining high academic standards, preparing students for service, leadership, and problem-solving. The UR community is committed to developing interdisciplinary, problem-based academic programs aligned with Rwanda's needs; integrating global IT resources; equipping students with leadership, entrepreneurship, and management skills; preparing students for service through applied learning programs; establishing evidence-driven research centers; and offering continuous education to enhance skills. The Center of Excellence in Biomedical Engineering and e-Health (CEBE) aligns with UR's vision and goals. Focused on biomedical engineering, e-health, and rehabilitation and mobility sciences, CEBE operates within the Colleges of Sciences and Technology (CST) and Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS), leveraging expertise from both fields to address medical challenges. Can you share examples of how AfDB support has enhanced CEBE’s infrastructure, research facilities, or programs? The CEBE Project, funded by AfDB, focused on establishing infrastructure, equipment, and systems for a network of centers of excellence in East Africa, representing over 95% of the project budget. Key achievements included the successful procurement of assets for the University of Rwanda (UR), such as IT equipment, furniture, and books. Specialized laboratories received essential equipment, including Comsol and Lab view software, biomedical test devices, Biopac biomedical engineering and physiological measurement devices, bioinstrumentation devices, hand tools, electronic components, 3D printer plastic, and equipment for rehabilitation and mobility sciences labs. What measurable results or key milestones has CEBE achieved with AfDB support, such as the number of students trained, projects developed, or research breakthroughs? The CEBE Project has successfully achieved several key milestones. A total of 196 students were trained, surpassing the target of 120, with 40% of the students being women, achieving 163.3% of the planned target. In terms of the number of students who completed the program, 128 students successfully graduated, exceeding the planned target of 120, with 35.7% of graduates being women, reaching 106.6% of the target. Additionally, 357 students participated in various project activities, slightly below the planned target of 400, representing 89.2% of the goal, with 35.2% of participants being women. Under the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group, 11 projects were developed, each with different grant titles. In terms of research achievements, 46 publications were supported, and some of these publications were presented at international conferences, showcasing the project's contributions to advancing knowledge in its field. The CEBE Project also organized two significant international and regional forums that were the 2nd East African Community (EAC) e-Health and Telemedicine Conference in 2018 and a strategic meeting and symposium. The First Rwanda Rehabilitation Conference in 2023 provided a platform for various rehabilitation representatives to collaborate and strengthen rehabilitation efforts in Rwanda. Furthermore, key strategic documents for CEBE were developed, and the final reports have already been approved. How have AfDB-funded projects at CEBE benefited the broader Rwandan community and healthcare system? CEBE's initiatives are integrated into the market to improve the living conditions of the Rwandan community through education and healthcare. With significant government investments in education and health, CEBE, as an EAC Regional Centre of Excellence, continues to build capacity in biomedical engineering, digital health, and rehabilitation sciences. The application of technology in medicine enhances human life and extends life expectancy through disease prevention and management, which is the focus of all research projects at CEBE. Could you highlight success stories where CEBE’s programs or graduates have contributed significantly to biomedical engineering or healthcare in Rwanda? One of the CEBE beneficiaries is Dr. Mugisha Michael, who completed his Ph.D. at the University of Oslo, publishing over 20 articles. He now serves as the UR-SPIU Coordinator and lectures in the CEBE e-health program. What challenges has CEBE faced in implementing AfDB-funded projects, and how were these addressed? The implementation of the CEBE Project faced several challenges, including institutional arrangements, project staff management issues, a change in the site for the CEBE Center, a shortage of required experts in the academic programs, inappropriate procurement methods, the negative impact of COVID-19, and a lack of transport facilities. These challenges hindered the smooth progress of the project, requiring significant adjustments and support to address them effectively. With the collaboration of the bank team, these challenges were successfully tackled. The bank approved the hiring of additional project staff, and the government of Rwanda agreed to allocate the CEBE Center to Kigali Innovation City. To meet HEC requirements, the bank also approved the hiring of a permanent expert to support CEBE. Changes to procurement methods were accepted to resolve issues related to academic services, and the negative impact of COVID-19 was addressed, particularly concerning contract management. Furthermore, the University of Rwanda made efforts to resolve transport facility issues, ensuring smoother project implementation. What are CEBE’s future aspirations for growth and innovation, and how do you envision AfDB’s funding playing a pivotal role in achieving these goals? CEBE's future growth and innovation focus on addressing key challenges in Rwanda's healthcare and biomedical sectors. These include a lack of specialized infrastructure and equipment, with healthcare facilities struggling to meet international standards, particularly for diagnostics. A 2023 Ministry of Health report highlights insufficient institutional capacity, with few healthcare institutions having the necessary accreditations for high-quality training. There is also a shortage of certified biomedical practitioners, as identified by the National Skills Development Strategy, which points to a critical gap in biomedical engineers and technicians. Furthermore, regional integration in biomedical engineering is needed to foster collaboration and sustainable healthcare solutions across Africa. To address these issues, financial contributions from AfDB are crucial. These funds will not only help tackle the identified challenges but also serve as a catalyst to attract additional development donors, driving further progress in Rwanda’s biomedical and healthcare sectors. What long-term impact do you foresee from AfDB's partnership with CEBE in shaping Rwanda’s healthcare and education sectors and possibly the wider African region? The African Development Bank (AfDB) is a key development partner of Rwanda, the East African Community (EAC) region, and across Africa. Its impact on the continent's development is significant. The CEBE is a new initiative from AfDB that is still in its early stages. CEBE needs to develop in order to effectively address issues related to education and health, as well as to promote research and innovation aimed at reducing the gaps observed between Africa and the rest of the world. The AfDB can play a vital role in supporting this endeavor.
