A delegation from the University of Rwanda (UR) has called on the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, as part of their experiential visit to the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi. Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson, the Vice-Chancellor of KNUST received the UR team, led by the officials of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at KNUST, Mastercard Foundation e-Learning Initiative Project, and the International Programmes Office (IPO).
In his submission, Professor Florein Nsanganwimana, the leader of the UR team and Principal of the College of Education, articulated the purpose of their visit: to glean insights into exemplary educational practices from one of the foremost universities championing quality education aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 4). Emphasising the significance of their journey, Professor Nsanganwimana underscored the University of Rwanda's longstanding commitment, spanning over three years, to hosting the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. Consequently, forging a collaborative alliance with KNUST - a renowned bastion of educational excellence across Africa and beyond - became imperative, given its distinguished records of accomplishment of hosting the aforementioned Program for over a decade.
Professor Nsanganwimana expounded on the University of Rwanda's stature as a confluence of higher learning institutions, boasting a formidable faculty contingent exceeding one thousand members and a student populace surpassing thirty thousand. Notably, the institution fosters partnerships with approximately four hundred establishments globally. Looking ahead, the University aspires to metamorphose into a data-centric academic powerhouse, with a pivotal focus on blended pedagogical approaches and Information Communication Technology (ICT) integration. Envisaging a strategic collaboration with KNUST, Professor Nsanganwimana highlighted the prospective benefits, including fortifying south-south alliances, enhancing proficiency in e-Learning methodologies, and augmenting institutional visibility on the global stage.
In her welcome remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor (Mrs.) Rita Akosua Dickson expressed KNUST’s preparedness to welcome constructive partnerships in executing its core mandate of producing global professionals. She stated that KNUST continues to thrive through partnerships and effective strategies. This is because there has been massive investment before, during, and post-pandemic into the datacentre, e-Learning resources, and infrastructure. Professor (Mrs.) Dickson also acknowledged the efforts of the Former Vice-Chancellor, Professor William Otoo Ellis, who is the Executive Advisory Board Chairman of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at KNUST and the Former Dean of Students, Professor Kofi Owusu Daaku, the Principal Investigator for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at KNUST, whose vision and hard work had culminated in the success of the first and second phases of the entire Program as a model for other institutions in Africa.
Accompanying Professor Florein Nsanganwimana were the Deputy Program Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Professor Celestin Ntivuguruzwa and Professor Jean Claude Byungura, the Program Lead, e-Learning and Educational Support, all at the University of Rwanda.
The Dean of the International Programmes Office, Professor Daniel Y. A. Duah, the Director of the KNUST E-Learning Centre, Professor Eric Appau Asante, Director of the University Information Technology Services (UITS), Mr. Emmanuel Nii Okai Afful and the Principal Investigator and Lead for the Mastercard Foundation E-learning Initiative at KNUST, Mr. Courage Julius Logah were present during the visit.
