KIGALI INDEPENDENT UNIVERSITY AND ULK POLYTECHNIC GRADUATE 1187 STUDENTS
On 13th December 2024, Kigali Independent University ULK and ULK Polytechnic Institute graduated 1187 students comprised of 232 Advanced Diplomas, 707 Undergraduates and 248 Masters’ degrees holders. This was ULK’s 21st and UPI’s 8th graduation ceremony at Kigali Campus. The ceremony was preceded by an academic procession led by a music band, singing Rwandan National Anthem, ULK and UPI anthems as well followed by the official opening of the graduation ceremony by the Chancellor of ULK and UPI Prof. Dr. Jean Marie Vianney Kayishema.
Prof. Dr. KAYISHEMA Jean Marie Vianney, the Chancellor of both ULK University and Polytechnic Officially Opening the Graduation Ceremony
The Vice Chancellor of ULK Dr. Cyprien SIKUBWABO, recognized and welcomed all invited Guests, parents, Guardians and sponsors, both academic and administrative members of ULK staff, and students wishing them all a colorful ceremony.
The Vice Chancellor of ULK University Dr. Cyprien SIKUBWABO Giving welcoming remarks
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor highlighted some of the milestones achieved so far at ULK in a move to enhance and contribute to quality teaching, learning and research in academia, a significant number of graduates which is so far more than 41 thousand and their role in various societies finding reliable and lasting solutions to existing and non-existing problems through research and innovation.
In his speech and special message to all attendants of the ceremony, the Founder and President of ULK and UPI Prof. Dr. Rwigamba Balinda, started by thanking Almighty God for His blessings and Assistance to ULK University and UPI Institute to pursue their mission, the number of 41,145 graduates for both ULK Kigali and Gisenyi campuses and the number of 1975 UPI graduates with Advanced Diplomas, as a great achievement. He also thanked the Government of Rwanda and its good leadership lead by His Excellency Paul KAGAME the President of the Republic of Rwanda, security services especially the Rwanda Defense Force, the National Police and the National Security Services for maintaining peace, educations regulating organs in Rwanda most especially the Higher Education Council HEC and the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC), local administrative authorities specifically the City of Kigali, Gasabo District, Gisozi Sector and Ruhango Cell which all enable ULK University and Polytechnic to do their responsibilities and achieve targeted goals and mission, all invited dignitaries, Guests, Members of the Governing Bodies of ULK and UPI, Lecturers, Administrative and supporting staff, parents, guardians and sponsors as strong partners and stakeholders who support graduates through their academic journey by providing not only school fees, but more importantly advice and encouragement of their daily academic activities.
Prof. Dr RWIGAMBA Balinda, The Founder and President of ULK University and ULK Polytechnic giving his speech during the Graduation Ceremony
He also said that, Kigali Independent University ULK & UPI are keen to make a difference by changing students’ mindsets through the Career Advisory, Entrepreneurship, and Incubation Centres. We promote the entrepreneurial attitude among students and graduates and equip them with entrepreneurial skills.
Our Institutions are responsible to promote entrepreneurship among students in order to enable them to start their own businesses by:
Ø Sensitize and motivate students on entrepreneurship culture (conferences by entrepreneurs, debates, workshops, etc.);
Ø Encourage students and unemployed alumni to be job creators instead of job seekers.
Ø Render very active career advisory centers which have been created, partnering with local as well as outside organizations.
Ø Increase students’ confidence
Ø Empower students with strong ethical values of integrity, determination, humility, perseverance, honesty, patience, etc. which are the basis of any entrepreneurship project.
Ø Train students to be planners, doers and motivators.
Ø Have positive thoughts (to be confident, to have a positive vision of life, to keep a clear vision of your success) to overcome negative thoughts of worries, challenges, failures, disappointments, etc.
Ø Create more activities that enable students to improve their ability to work in group and build team spirit and to develop networks and other opportunities;
The Founder and President of ULK and UPI advised Laurents and graduands to have knowledge of high quality, they need to continue reading books, articles, use e-resources, to know how to perform, to get sufficient skills, to do short practical trainings and thus become Managers and Cadres of changes and transformations as well as to be role models in their communities.
The ended his speech by once again thanking all who attended the ceremony, wishing them a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year of 2025.
Dr. Rose MUKANKOMEJE. The Director General of Rwanda Higher Education Council
The Guest of Honor Dr. Rose MUKANKOMEJE who is the Director General of Higher Education Council (HEC) and representing the Minister of Education congratulated all laureates and graduands.
She encouraged them to become good citizens in their different communities and job creators and problem solvers.
After all these different speeches and remarks, the Chancellor Prod. Dr Jean Marie Vianney Kayishema conferred Degrees and Diplomas as graduates cerebrate their achievements.
joy and excitement filled the air as students celebrated the conferment of their diplomas and degrees.
Best performers in various fields were also awarded by different sponsors including ICDL Africa, Unguka Bank Plc, Prime Insurance and Radiant Insurance Company.The President and Vice-President and Founders of ULK were also awarded by ICDL Africa for being the best promoter of Digital transformation in Rwanda and the region.
