MKU’S  SCION  RECEIVES FULL AUTONOMY

Rwanda’s Mount Kigali University, a scion of Mount Kenya University ( MKU) , has received instruments of power signifying a new dawn of full autonomy. The university was previously a campus of MKU, established in 2010. After an elaborate process that lasted more than five years, the campus was granted full accreditation to operate as Mount Kigali University on 20^th April 2023.

In a  ceremony held at the university in Gatenga sector, Kigali, founder and board of trustee chairman Prof. Simon Gicharu handed over the instruments to Mount Kigali University Chancellor Prof. Stanley Waudo,  who in turn handed them over to Dr. Innocent Mugisha, the chairman of university governing body (Council). Finally, Dr. Mugisha handed over the instruments to Dr. Martin Kimemia, Vice Chancellor of Mount Kigali University. Prof. Gicharu becomes the founder of the two universities.

“This is a culmination of tireless efforts by the board, council, university management and support from our students and their parents and guardians,” said Prof. Gicharu. On his part, the chairperson of the council, Dr. Mugisha said: “This is the first time that an institution has started as a campus and graduated into a fully-fledged university in Rwanda,” adding that, “many have tried and failed.”

 Dr. Kimemia said the institution is determined to shape its own destiny and provide a nurturing environment where intellectual curiosity will flourish. This will be backed up by state-of-the-art infrastructure for curricular and co-curricular activities. With the autonomy and receipt of instruments of power, students from Mount Kigali University will now be graduating from Rwanda. “I am looking forward to that day,” said Dr. Kimemia. “Our graduands will celebrate their academic milestones in the presence of their parents, guardians, friends and siblings,” he added.

Instruments of Power

 The  instruments of power  that were  handed over  include :  the mace, seal, internal university statues and the communique from the Government of Rwanda. The mace which mostly leads the chancellor’s procession during graduation ceremonies is a visual representation of Mount Kigali University’s commitment to upholding academic integrity, tradition and pursuit of knowledge. The seal is the official signature of the university and   through it, the  official documents, degrees, diplomas  and certificates are imbued with the weight of the university’s authority. The statutes on the other hand   are the foundation upon which the new university will be governed.

The entry of MKU  into Rwanda was enabled by Annexure 12 of the East African Community (EAC) Common Market Protocol. The protocol allows mutual recognition of academic qualifications. The accreditation of Mount Kigali University has continued this momentum to embrace internationalization of education.

Mount Kigali University is now a member of the Inter-University Council of East Africa. The internationalization drive has also seen the university recruit international faculty, students and benchmark against some of the best universities in the world.

Launch of electronic sports for students

The event saw the launch of electronic sports (e-Sports) for students making Mount Kigali University the first institution of higher learning in Rwanda to have such facilities domiciled at its campus. E-Sports are an electronic (digital)  version of popular sports and other variations of video gaming. A state-of-the-art gaming laboratory featuring several consoles of Play Station 5 and Smart TVs was unveiled.

“The launch of electronic sports is in line with our reputation as a university that keeps up with the modern trends,” said Prof. Gicharu. Long gone are the days when sports were confined to outdoors physical activities. The journey to establishment of e-Sports at Mount Kigali University was pioneered by Kenyan-based Santiago E-Hub Gamers. Last month, two members of the E-Hub team who are also students at MKU  participated in the world’s largest gaming and e-Sports festival – Gamers8 in Saudi Arabia.

“I look forward to seeing Mount Kigali University students participating  in these international tournaments ,” said Santiago founder Solomon Kahiga. “We will hold their hands until this dream comes true,” he added.  Prof. Gicharu pledged to support the Rwanda dream team players by donating a controller for every member of the team. The controllers, just like the consoles and smart televisions  do not come cheap. Each costs nearly 100,000 RWF.

Colourful event

Besides the  top Mount Kigali University’s administrators who attended the event, some notable guests  included Imbuto Foundation’s Ms. Mireille Musaniwabo and Kagabo Innocent the registrar of the National Council of Nurses and Midwives. The event was lit up by entertainment from the Rwanda Cultural Troupe who performed the famous Intore dance.

Kagabo described Mount Kigali University as an  indispensable partner in training of nurses.

“This remarkable institution has changed the course of our lives,” said Roseanne Muregwa, an alumnus. “We are proud to be beneficiaries of Prof. Gicharu’s vision,” she added.

Growth plans

The university is constructing a five star hotel in Gatenga sector, which will offer practical training for its students from the school of hospitality and  tourism management. Kigali Paramount Hotel will be a regional centre of excellence in hospitality training. Additionally, Mount Kigali University will soon open a university medical centre where its staff, students, alumni and community will receive medical services.

“We have also invested about 200 million Rwandan Francs (about Kshs. 20million) to buy dental equipment in preparation of  dentistry courses roll out,” added Prof. Gicharu. During the event,  Dr. Kimemea received an accreditation certificate from  the  International Human Resource Certification Institute. The development  will allow  Mount Kigali University to start giving certification to human resource professionals.