Education Minister Joseph Nsengimana challenged 4,953 University of Rwanda graduates to look beyond finding jobs and use the knowledge and skills they had acquired to create employment opportunities and address challenges facing their communities.
Speaking during the university’s 12th graduation ceremony at its Rukara campus in Kayonza District on October 23, Nsengimana encouraged the graduates to explore opportunities in entrepreneurship, innovation and other fields where their expertise could make a difference.
He emphasised that their education was not only a personal achievement but also an investment in the country’s development, which should translate into practical solutions that improve people’s lives.
The minister encouraged them to embrace technological advancements and adapt to changes in the labour market, stressing that their contribution to society should extend beyond securing employment.
University of Rwanda Vice-Chancellor Prof. Didas Kayihura Muganga also encouraged graduates to continue developing their skills as technology transforms the world of work.
He reminded them that learning should not end with graduation and that adapting to new developments would be essential to remaining competitive in their respective professions.
Of the 4,953 graduates, 1,086 received master’s degrees, while 49 earned PhDs. The graduating class included 3,036 men and 1,917 women, representing 61.3% and 38.7%, respectively.
The Ministry of Health reported that 1,331 graduates had completed studies in health-related fields, including 497 nurses and midwives, 120 doctors, and 78 specialists and subspecialists.
Their areas of specialisation included neurosurgery, orthopaedic surgery, anatomical pathology and medical oncology, reflecting Rwanda’s efforts to expand its healthcare workforce and strengthen specialised medical services.
Among the graduates were Dr Alexandre Nyirimodoka and Dr Emmanuel Muhawenimana, whom the Ministry of Health identified as Rwanda’s first two surgeons trained in kidney transplantation.
According to the ministry, the kidney transplant programme at King Faisal Hospital has performed 114 procedures since 2023, with the two doctors receiving specialised training and mentorship from Professor Jeffrey David Punch of the University of Michigan.
The University of Michigan reported in July that Rwanda had completed its 100th kidney transplant in June, with the locally trained surgical team developing the capacity to perform procedures independently.
The Ministry of Health linked the latest achievements to Rwanda’s 4×4 health workforce reform, which was introduced in 2023 to quadruple the number of trained healthcare professionals within four years.
The programme also seeks to expand specialised medical training and improve access to healthcare services, reducing the need for patients to travel abroad for certain treatments.
Nsengimana maintained that the country’s investment in higher education should produce results beyond individual career achievements, particularly through graduates who apply their knowledge to improve public services, solve community problems and create employment opportunities for others.
Elie GATETE
RADIOTV10