Prime Minister urges 9526 graduates to be bold and dream big
The University of Rwanda (UR) held its grand 11th graduation ceremony on 17th October 2025, celebrating the academic success of 9,526 students who officially joined the growing community of UR alumni. The event, held at UR Huye Campus, brought together national leaders, academic officials, families, and friends to honor years of dedication, perseverance, and hard work by the graduates.
Graduates include 4,204 females and 5,322 males.
Among them, 33 master's students and 1 PhD were from the African Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development (ACE-ESD)
Gracing the occasion as Guest of Honour, Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva delivered an inspiring message, urging graduates to see their degrees not as an endpoint, but as the beginning of a new journey.
“Your degree is not the destination; it is the beginning,” said Dr. Nsengiyumva. “The road ahead may challenge you, but it is also full of opportunities. Be bold, be curious, be adaptable, and dream big.”
The Prime Minister commended the graduates for their determination and reminded them of their crucial role in shaping Rwanda’s continued transformation. Emphasizing the government’s vision for human capital development, he said Rwanda’s progress and sustainability depend largely on the creativity, skills, and innovation of its people.
“Rwanda’s journey to transformation is powered by one thing above all: our people,” he noted. “Human capital development lies at the heart of our national strategy for transformation”, he added.
Dr. Nsengiyumva reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting education and research through policies and partnerships that strengthen the country’s knowledge economy. He also underscored the government’s collaboration with the University of Rwanda to ensure that the institution remains both globally competitive and locally impactful.
“Through our work and partnerships, we aim to make the University of Rwanda a globally competitive yet locally impactful institution, producing competent graduates, generating transformative research, and driving innovation that uplifts communities and strengthens our national resilience,” he said.
A celebration of excellence and perseverance
The ceremony was presided over by UR Chancellor Dr. Patricia L. Campbell, who congratulated the graduates for their resilience and dedication.
“You have reached this day through determination, resilience, and hard work,” she told the graduates. “Your mentors and the University administration are proud of you”, she said.
In his remarks, UR Vice Chancellor Prof. Kayihura Muganga Didas described the graduation as a defining moment in the lives of the students, symbolizing years of dedication and academic pursuit.
“Today marks a momentous milestone in your lives. A celebration of your dedication, perseverance, and passion for learning,” he said. “As you join an elite community of scholars, remember that you are stepping into a world transformed by technological innovation and the dynamic nature of work.”
Prof. Kayihura emphasized that the University of Rwanda remains steadfast in its mission to prepare graduates equipped with the knowledge, ethics, and problem-solving skills needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive global environment. He encouraged the graduates to continue learning, innovating, and leading with integrity.
The 2025 graduation ceremony stood as a powerful reminder of the University’s growing impact in nurturing Rwanda’s next generation of professionals, researchers, and innovators. With over 9,500 graduates joining the workforce, the country gains a new wave of skilled individuals ready to drive progress across sectors, ranging from technology and health sciences to education, engineering, and business.