MKU to rebrand to Mount Kigali University following a ministerial order approved by the Cabinet chaired by President Paul Kagame
The Government of Rwanda has granted Mount Kenya University Rwanda (MKUR) full accreditation to operate as a fully-fledged university.
The accredited institution will now rebrand to Mount Kigali University (MKU) according to a communique from the Office of the Prime Minister of Rwanda. The communique details several orders made by a Cabinet meeting chaired by President Paul Kagame on April 20, 2023.
Among others, the Cabinet approved the “ministerial order granting accreditation and legal personality to Mount Kigali University.”
Mt Kigali University Vice-Chancellor designate, Prof Edwin Odhuno, thanked the government of Rwanda for granting the university the new status. “We are extremely grateful to the Ministry of Education for this recognition,” said Prof Odhuno upon learning of the news. “As an institution, we are happy with this achievement and will work even harder to expand access to higher education,” he added.
The VC designate said the accreditation is an exciting, yet challenging development because it means the university has the responsibility of delivering much more in teaching, research and community outreach. The college has 6,000 students currently. “To whom so much has been given, so much is expected from,” he noted.
The VC designate said he was confident that the MKU Chairman, Board of Directors, Prof. Simon Gicharu, will continue supporting the new institution so that it can attain greater heights of success. “We have seen how his support over the last 13 years has raised the profile of this campus through prudent investment in infrastructure, equipment and personnel. We are sure he will walk with us on the journey to a bright future for Mount Kigali University,” said Prof Odhuno.
Mount Kigali University becomes the first ever cross-border campus in Rwanda to attain this status. Damalie Tumushime, a current student at the university, said it was a privilege to witness history unfolding. “I enrolled at MKUR and had no idea that it would transform into a fully-fledged university operating from this campus. Team work has been key to this development,” she said.
Another student, Ronald Nkusi, said he was delighted with this new development and looks forward to graduating in Rwanda, rather than travelling to MKU’s main campus in Thika, Kenya. “Obviously, I look forward to not spending money and time to graduate in Kenya as has been the case in the past.”
MKUR offers a wide range of academic and professional courses through various flexible modes that include online, face-to-face, day and weekend and institutional based learning (school-based). The institution launched its memoir earlier this year. The book, titled “Mountain meets Land of 1,000 Hills,” traces MKUR’s journey into Rwanda.
The university boasts of leaders in government, private sector and civil society organizations as among its alumni. The book also details its infrastructural developments such as the upcoming Kigali Paramount Hotel, primed to be a regional center of excellency for hospitality and tourism training.
Also captured by the book are corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities such as participation in Umuganda, and empowering the girl-child academically through partnering with Imbuto Foundation, as well as infrastructural developments, among other investments.
During the launch, MKUR renewed a partnership with Imbuto Foundation to offer support to students from humble backgrounds in accessing Higher Education. During the event MKU committed a donation of Rwf 36,750,000 (about Ksh4.5 million) to the Foundation over five-year duration of the renewed MoU.
By James Wakahiu
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