Research partnership between UR and Swedish universities bears fruits

Quantity and quality of relevant research for poverty reduction and social economic development is on the rise after the partnership between University of Rwanda and Swedish universities to increase the number of staff with PhD and master’s degrees, Prof Etienne Ruvebana, the senior research coordinator for UR-Sweden Programme at University of Rwanda has said.

Prof Etienne Ruvebana, the senior research coordinator

He was speaking on April 24, 2024, during the 2024 Annual Dialogue Meeting which assessed UR-Sweden Programme implementation for the period from July 2023 to June 2024 and the work plan for the period from 2024 to 2025.

“We see a huge amount of very good research being done in the country. This means research that can have a high impact on the socio-economic transformation but also of our respective universities and the researchers themselves. We see the potential of growing academically and in other spheres of life and continuation of the contribution to transforming the country even more,” he said.

During the programme implementation from 2023 to 2024, 38 PhD students were supported to travel to Sweden and stay for their studies.

For the first time, the program has managed to support the development of 5 PhD programs at the University of Rwanda, with currently 26 university staff supported to carry out doctoral studies in those programs.

Martina Fors Mohlin, the Head of Development Cooperation and Deputy Head of Mission at the Swedish Embassy in Rwanda.

Martina Fors Mohlin, the Head of Development Cooperation and Deputy Head of Mission at the Swedish Embassy in Rwanda emphasized the significance of the UR-Sweden Programme highlighting its alignment with Rwandan needs in both government and private sector.
“The programme is building the capacity at a very high level which has then helped the country within government institutions, but also the private sector,” she said.
She stressed the importance of bridging the connection between research, policy and decision-making processes.

“The governments are always looking for evidence-based and right policies, revised policies or strategies. They need research, they need University research. I think the link between research and policy is extremely important,” said Martina.

Dr Raymond Ndikumana, the UR DVC for Strategic Planning and Administration

Dr Raymond Ndikumana, the UR DVC for Strategic Planning and Administration commended the catalytic role the Programme has played for the University of Rwanda and Rwanda in various aspects. He also emphasized the importance of documenting the remarkable achievements the program has accomplished over the past 20 years.
At the moment, the count of PhD graduates supported through the UR Sweden Programme has reached 94.

Group photo