University of Rwanda (UR)
The University of Rwanda is Rwanda's largest higher education institution. UR was formed in 2013 through the merger of previously independent public institutions of higher education, the largest of which was the National University of Rwanda. The university's head office is in Kigali. The university is composed of six independent, self-governing colleges.
Initial work to establish the institution was undertaken by Professor Paul Davenport, a member of Paul Kagame's Presidential Advisory Council, who now acts as chair of the university's board of governors.
The University of Rwanda was established in September 2013 by a law that repealed the laws establishing the National University of Rwanda and the country's other public higher education institutes, creating the UR in their place. Law number 71/2013 transferred the contracts, activities, assets, liabilities, and denominations of seven institutions to the University of Rwanda:
- National University of Rwanda (UNR);
- Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST)
- Kigali Institute of Education (KIE)
- Higher Institute of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry(Institut Supérieur d’Agriculture et d’Elevage, (ISAE)
- School of Finance and Banking (SFB)
- Higher Institute of Umutara Polytechnic (UP);
- Kigali Health Institute (KHI)
The office is, along with the College of Business and Economics, in GikondoMburabuturo.
It is organized into six subject-based colleges:
- College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS), )
- College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (CAVM)
- College of Business and Economics (CBE)
- College of Education (CE)
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS)
- College of Science and Technology (CST)
The University has a total of 14 Campuses:
- Gikondo Campus
- Remera Campus
- Nyarugenge Campus
- Huye Campus (Butare)
- Busogo Campus
- Rubirizi Campus
- Nyamishaba Campus
- Nyagatare Campus
- Rusizi Campus
- Kicukiro Campus
- Musanze Campus
- Rukara Campus
- Byumba Campus
- Kibungo Campus
vision
To be a leading University that develops highly enterprising graduates prepared and dedicated to building a more just and sustainable society locally, nationally, and globally, with appropriate innovations that advance the quality of life.
Mission
To support the development of Rwanda by discovering and advancing knowledge, committed to the highest standards of academic excellence, where students are prepared for lives of service, leadership, and solutions.
Objectives (to include):
- Develop interdisciplinary, problem-based academic programs aligned with Rwanda’s development needs.
- Integrate IT-based resources from around the world.
- Ensure students have the leadership, entrepreneurship, and management skills needed to create employment.
- Prepare students for service to their communities and country through applied service-learning programs nationally and internationally
- Create applied, evidence-driven, research centers focused on problem-solving, aligned with Rwanda’s development needs.
- Develop continuous education programs for upgrading skills and knowledge.
