Mount Kenya University (MKU) recently hosted Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Kenya, Martin Ngoga, at its main campus in Thika. During the visit, Ngoga emphasized the importance of student exchange programs within the East African Community (EAC) to foster regional integration and promote mutual understanding among young people. His visit highlighted the significant role universities play in enhancing cross-border relationships and shaping the future leadership of the region.
Ngoga advocated for the expansion of educational opportunities for students across EAC member countries, stressing that increased student mobility between countries would create a borderless region where young people could feel at home no matter where they are within East Africa. “We have a vision of becoming a borderless region, and we hope that when it’s your turn to be in the leadership of this region, we should have a situation where you can be anywhere in East Africa and meet people and feel at home,” he said.
The High Commissioner also recognized MKU’s contribution to Rwanda’s higher education sector. MKU has been a significant partner in Rwanda’s educational landscape, offering opportunities for students from Rwanda to pursue higher education in Kenya and at MKU’s Rwandan campus. Ngoga expressed gratitude for MKU’s longstanding partnership with Rwanda, noting that the university had demonstrated confidence in Rwanda when many others had not. “MKU was one of those investors who believed in us when most did not. We have a special relationship with the university,” Ngoga stated.
MKU’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Deogratius Jaganyi, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to supporting Rwanda’s education sector and expanding its presence in the region. He announced the university’s plans to launch a 48-room hotel in Kigali in December, aimed at strengthening MKU’s hospitality training program. The hotel will offer students hands-on experience in the hospitality industry, providing valuable practical skills that will enhance their employability. Prof. Jaganyi noted that the hotel would offer “work-study” opportunities, allowing financially needy students to earn income while pursuing their studies, thereby alleviating some of the financial burdens associated with higher education.
The hotel project is part of a broader strategy by MKU to invest in Rwanda’s education sector. The university has already established a radio station and a health facility in Kigali, demonstrating its commitment to staying in the country for the long term. Prof. Jaganyi hinted at plans to further expand MKU’s presence in Rwanda by developing Mount Kigali University into one of its largest campuses.
During the visit, Ngoga also encouraged the university to facilitate a two-way student exchange, where Rwandese students could study in Kenya and vice versa. He stressed that this would not only allow students to experience different cultures and worldviews but also create opportunities for long-term partnerships that would benefit the region. Ngoga pointed out that when students study in neighboring countries, they develop a deeper understanding of the region and form lifelong friendships that could later be harnessed to further EAC integration. He proposed that universities like MKU should actively encourage their Kenyan students to study in Rwanda, thereby fostering greater inter-regional cooperation.
Ngoga’s vision for the EAC includes a region where young people understand and advocate for regional integration. He highlighted the progress made in easing cross-border movement, such as the ability for East African citizens to travel within the region using just their national identification cards. The High Commissioner, however, emphasized that the region still had much to achieve, including the establishment of a monetary union.
The visit was a testament to the growing relationship between MKU and Rwanda, and the importance of higher education in promoting regional unity. With the Rwandese students present during the visit expressing enthusiasm about studying in Kenya, it is evident that such exchanges can significantly broaden students’ perspectives, benefiting both their home countries and the region as a whole.
MKU’s leadership, including its founder and chairman, Prof. Simon Gicharu, expressed optimism about the future of regional education and pledged to continue working towards the shared goal of a fully integrated East Africa. As the region continues to embrace the idea of a borderless community, initiatives like those championed by Ngoga and MKU will play a crucial role in ensuring the next generation of East Africans is well-prepared to lead the charge toward a more integrated future.
