KNUST Shares Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Expertise with University of Rwanda

In a bid to bolster its Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, the University of Rwanda has sought insights from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), renowned for its successful implementation of the initiative. The University of Rwanda delegation, comprising three professors, embarked on an experiential visit to KNUST’s campus to glean valuable lessons and best practices.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at KNUST has been a hallmark of transformative education for over a decade, empowering academically gifted yet financially constrained students. With a focus on marginalized groups like females, persons with disabilities, and displaced individuals, the program has trained 2,250 scholars over 15 years, fostering ethical leadership and societal impact across Africa.

During the visit, the principal of the College of Education at the University of Rwanda, Professor Nsanganwimanan Florien, lauded KNUST’s pioneering efforts and expressed eagerness to replicate its success. He emphasized the importance of learning from KNUST’s journey to navigate potential challenges and ensure seamless program implementation.

In response, the Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson, underscored the university’s commitment to fostering constructive partnerships and sharing expertise. She highlighted the Mastercard Foundations’ unwavering support and emphasized the need for result-oriented collaboration to nurture transformative leaders for the continent.

Professor Mrs. Dickson further stressed the importance of effective communication and accountability in program implementation, echoing the Foundation’s focus on tangible outcomes. She urged the University of Rwanda to prioritize action and deliver on its commitments to ensure program success.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Rwanda aims to cultivate transformative leaders, particularly those advocating for people with disabilities and the underprivileged. Leveraging e-learning capabilities and digital solutions, the program seeks to redefine success by tracking graduates’ impact and employability.

Associate Professor Ntivuguruzwa Celestine, Deputy Programs Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Rwanda, highlighted the program’s focus on community engagement and sustainable development. Through student-led projects, such as infrastructure upgrades and community outreach, scholars contribute meaningfully to societal advancement.

Former Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Professor William Otoo Ellis, emphasized the importance of knowledge exchange and collaboration among institutions for mutual growth. As both universities embark on their Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program journey, sharing experiences and best practices will undoubtedly accelerate their collective impact on African education and society.