Rwanda-One University of Rwanda to be launched soon

According to The New Times, MPs have endorsed a bill that seeks to have some 10 universities in the country merged to form one institution of higher learning.

The Senate is now expected to give its approval on the institution set to be called the University of Rwanda in the next few days.

Presenting a pertinent report prior to the debate, MP Agnès Mukazibera, Chairperson of the standing Committee on Education, Technology, Culture and Youth, told Parliament that, the law will ease the implementation of the new project.

The University of Rwanda, she said, would have legal personality, administrative, teaching, research and financial autonomy and will be run in accordance with the law governing the organisation and functioning of higher education.

The Minister for Education, Dr Vicent Biruta, told MPs that the university would, among others, have autonomy to carry out academic research under guidelines set by other higher institutions such as the Higher Education Council (HEC), whose Bill lawmakers had just passed as well.

Dr Biruta said, “With respect to matters of research, the higher council of education is concerned with matters of enhancing quality education and research in the higher learning institutions and improving the structures, organisation and functioning of institutions of higher learning.”

He added that for autonomy in teaching and research, the university, basing on the guidelines in place will have autonomy to conduct research in particular areas.

“It can publish its findings without seeking permission from the higher council of education,” he said.

How it will work:

The Bill allows the university-t0-be to develop high education quality and innovative teaching and research for addressing the problems of the population, the students, the nation, the region and globally.

Article 6 says the university’s main responsibilities include:

-preparing and offering high-level courses to award undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate degrees in various fields of science and technology;

-to aid by research and other means the advancement of knowledge and its practical application;

-and to participate in the discovery, transmission and preservation of knowledge and to stimulate the intellectual and cultural development of Rwanda.

The New Times