Professor Silas Lwakabamba, Managing Director of Coventry University’s Africa Hub
The University has signed two memorandums of understanding, one with Rwanda Polytechnic, and the other with European Business Chamber of Rwanda (EBCR) and The African Leadership University (ALU) with the aim of benefiting students in the UK and Africa.
The agreement with Rwanda Polytechnic is aimed at exploring the potential development of joint undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes.
It may help identify joint funding opportunities, lead to exchange programmes for staff and students and allow other activities such as work experience placements, field trips and guest lectures.
As part of the collaboration, a joint task team will be established for the purpose of identifying skills gaps in the region and assessing the potential for programmes to address the identified gaps.
The other MOU, with the European Business Chamber of Rwanda (EBCR) and The African Leadership University, is designed to provide opportunities for internships, placements or jobs with member companies under the Chamber.
EBCR is a network of 150 institutions, investors, businesses, organisations, entrepreneurs and individuals active in Rwanda while ALU is a university established to educate the next generation of ethical and entrepreneurial leaders, through its innovative programmes.
Professor Silas Lwakabamba, Managing Director of Coventry University’s Africa Hub, said: “We were thrilled to open Coventry University’s Africa Hub in Rwanda, our goal is to build exciting new collaborations, develop research opportunities and enable the spreading of best practices.
“Our MOUs with Rwanda Polytechnic, the European Business Chamber of Rwanda and The African Leadership University will open up more opportunities for staff and students, while helping to address skills gaps to help boost economies in the region.
“Coventry University’s aim is to provide job-ready graduates with the competencies to enhance their communities and our collaboration with Rwanda Polytechnic helps us to do that.”
Opened in Kigali in 2021, Coventry University’s Africa Hub aims to establish strategic collaborations with organisations in the region, helping to support their global aspirations. It is part of the university’s network of Global Hubs, which includes hub bases in Dubai, Singapore, China and Brussels. (End)