ULK and ULK Polytechnic Celebrate Excellence at the 22nd and 9th Graduation Ceremony
On Friday December 12, 2025 Kigali Independent University ULK and ULK Polytechnic Institute (UPI) proudly marked a historic milestone as they jointly celebrated the 22nd ULK Graduation Ceremony and the 9th ULK Polytechnic Institute Graduation Ceremony at the Kigali Campus. The colourful event brought together government officials, university leadership, academic staff, parents, partners, and graduands in a shared celebration of academic excellence, innovation, and service to society.
The ceremony was presided over by the Guest of Honour, Dr. Theoneste Ndikubwimana, representing the Ministry of Education and the Higher Education Council (HEC), alongside the Founder and President of ULK and UPI, Prof. Dr. Rwigamba Balinda, members of the governing bodies, and senior university leadership.
In his opening remarks and address, the Vice Chancellor of Kigali Independent University ULK, Prof. (Dr.) Martins Onyekwelu Onuorah, congratulated the graduands and welcomed guests, highlighting the enabling environment created by the Government of Rwanda under the visionary leadership of H.E. Paul Kagame. He emphasized that peace, stability, and good governance remain the foundation upon which education and national development thrive.
The Vice Chancellor of ULK Prof. (Dr.) Martins Onyekwelu Onuorah addressing the audience
For the academic year 2024–2025, a total of 1,179 students graduated from ULK Kigali Campus, comprising 913 Bachelor’s graduates and 266 Master’s laureates, across disciplines including Computer Science, Law, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Development Studies, and International Relations. Notably, women accounted for 56% of the graduating class, underscoring ULK’s strong commitment to gender equity and inclusivity in higher education.
The Vice Chancellor also outlined key institutional milestones, including:
Accreditation of the new MBA (six options) and Master of Software Engineering programmes in addition to already existing ones.
Award of an EU-funded Erasmus+ (KA171) mobility project
Continued digitalisation of academic services and improved ICT infrastructure
Completion of student hostels accommodating 1,200 learners
Indexing of the ULK Scientific Journal in African Journals Online (AJOL)
Establishment of an online research repository for global scholarly access
With students from around 41 nationalities, ULK continues to strengthen its identity as an international and Pan-African academic hub. Speaking at the same ceremony, the Principal of ULK Polytechnic Institute reflected on a year of transformation and innovation. He announced the successful launch of fully accredited Bachelor of Technology (BTech) programmes in, Construction Technology, Land Surveying, Electrical Technology and Electronics and Telecommunication Technology
These programmes, offered in both day and evening modes, are already responding to Rwanda’s growing demand for technically skilled professionals.
Principal of UPI Eng. Jean Pierre Musabyimana addressing audience during the graduation
Significant investments were made in modern laboratories and workshops, enhancing hands-on, industry-aligned training. Strong partnerships with industry players enabled students to benefit from internships, industrial attachments, field visits, and collaborative projects, ensuring graduates are workplace-ready.
Beyond technical skills, ULK Polytechnic Institute reaffirmed its commitment to education with a heart, highlighted by a community service project where students renovated a home for a genocide survivor an embodiment of compassion, responsibility, and social impact. Today we congratulate and celebrate 374 graduates in addition to another big number that ULK Polytechnic has graduated so far.
In his keynote address, Prof. Dr. Rwigamba Balinda, Founder and President of ULK and UPI, expressed gratitude to God, the Government of Rwanda, security organs, regulatory bodies, parents, staff, and partners. He proudly noted that ULK and UPI have together produced over 45,000 graduates, a tangible contribution to Rwanda’s human capital and national transformation.
Founder and President of ULK ltd Prof. Dr. Rwigamba Balinda addressing the audience during the ceremony
Aligning institutional priorities with NST2 and Vision 2050, he emphasized strengthening digital and IT skills across all programmes, reinforcing internships, industrial attachments, and career guidance, expanding entrepreneurship and business incubation training and enhancing quality assurance, internal audit, and academic governance
Addressing graduates directly, he encouraged them to pursue competence, performance, and character, and to embrace entrepreneurship as a driver of innovation, job creation, and sustainable development. He further called on graduates to uphold the ideals of Pan-Africanism, unity, good governance, peace, and inclusive development.
Umutoni Clairia and Gayweh Delino Karmah speaking on behalf of the graduating class of 2025
On behalf of the graduating class, Umutoni Clairia and Gayweh Delino Karmah expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Founder and President, university management, lecturers, and support staff for the quality education, mentorship, and supportive learning environment that enabled their success.
The Guest of Honor Dr. Theoneste Ndikubwimana who also represented HEC and MINEDUC giving his remarks during the graduation ceremony
Representing the Ministry of Education and HEC, Dr. Theoneste Ndikubwimana congratulated the graduands and commended ULK and ULK Polytechnic for their sustained contribution to national development through the production of skilled professionals. He encouraged graduates to apply their knowledge beyond borders and reaffirmed continued government support in strengthening quality teaching, learning, and research.
As the ceremony commenced, graduates were reminded that they leave not only with degrees, but also with values of integrity, excellence, innovation, service, and resilience. They depart as proud ambassadors of Kigali Independent University ULK and ULK Polytechnic Institute, ready to contribute meaningfully to Rwanda, Africa, and the global community.
The institutions extended warm wishes to all stakeholders for a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year 2026, as ULK and UPI continue their journey of shaping leaders, innovators, and agents of positive transformation.
ULK and UPI Founders and Management members in a group photo with Guest of Honor, partners and other dignitaries after the ceremony
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.