By James Wakahiu
Mount Kigali
University, a scion of Mount Kenya University, has received the instruments of
power in Rwanda.
The university was previously a
campus of Mount Kenya University, established in 2010. On April 20 this year,
after an elaborate process that lasted more than five years, it was granted full
accreditation to operate as Mount Kigali University.
The
university in based in Gatenga sector in Kigali. The Instruments of Power namely Mace, Seal, Internal
University Statues, and the Communique from the Government of Rwanda were
handed over by the Board of Trustee chairman Prof. Simon Gicharu.
Prof. Gicharu is also the founder of the two
universities.
Photo/Dr Martin Kimemia, Vice-Chancellor, Mount Kigali University (L) displays the University Mace as Dr. Innocent Mugisha, the Chairman of university Governing Body looks on.
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. It
is through the Seal that official documents, degrees, diplomas, and
certificates are imbued with the weight of the university’s authority.
The Statutes are the foundation upon which Mount
Kigali University will be governed.
In the hand-over ceremony held at the University in
Gatenga sector, Kigali, founder and Board of Trustees 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). Dr. Mugisha then handed over
the Instruments to Vice Chancellor Dr. Martin Kimemia.
“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, a Kenyan-born international
educationalist.
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. Many have tried and failed.”
The entry of Mount Kenya University into
Rwanda was enabled by Annexure 12 of the East African Community Common Market
Protocol. The Protocol allowed mutual recognition of academic qualifications.
Mount Kigali University has continued with
this momentum to embrace the internationalization of education.
Mount Kigali University is now a member of the
Inter-University Council of Easy Africa. The internationalization drive has
also seen the university recruit international faculty, students, and benchmark
against some of the best universities in the world.
Besides top Mount Kigali University
administrators, others who attended the event were Imbuto Foundation’s Ms.
Mireille Musaniwabo, and Kagabo Innocent the Registrar of the National Council
of Nurses and Midwives.
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.”
Mount Kigali University Vice Chancellor Dr.
Martin Kimemia said the institution is determined to
shape its own destiny and to 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.
The university is constructing a hotel in
Gatenga sector, offering practical training for its students from the
School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. Kigali Paramount Hotel will be
a regional centre of excellence in Hospitality training.
In addition, 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 KSh20million) to buy Dental equipment in preparation to
roll out Dentistry courses,” added Prof. Gicharu.
During the event, the Vice Chancellor received
an accreditation certificate from the International Human Resource Certification
Institute, enabling Mount Kigali University to start giving certification to
Human Resource professionals.
With the autonomy and receipt of Instruments
of Power, students from Mount Kigali University will now be graduating right
here in 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.”
The colourful ceremony was lit up by
entertainment by Rwanda Cultural Troupe who performed the famous Intore dance.
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