Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program delegate applauds growing impact at UR

UR welcomed Adrian Bukenya, Senior Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, for a courtesy visit during his tour of Rwanda. The visit marked five years since the Program began operations at UR and provided an opportunity to reflect on its progress and achievements.

Discussions between Mr. Bukenya and university officials focused on the Program’s impact and explored additional opportunities to expand support beyond the current scholarship framework. He commended UR for offering a strong platform that equips young scholars with critical skills while creating meaningful impact for their families and communities.

Adrian Bukenya (1st L) was received by VC Prof Kayihura

To date, the Program at UR has enrolled 970 undergraduate and 66 Master’s scholars. It recently celebrated 38 new graduates, a testament to its growing impact and success.

Speaking during the meeting, Vice Chancellor Prof. Kayihura Didas highlighted the significant contribution of the Program, noting that several scholar-focused initiatives have been scaled up to benefit the wider student community. He reaffirmed the University’s commitment to promoting activities such as community give-back initiativesnd providing logistical support to ensure students continue to make tangible contributions to society.

Dr. Raymond Ndikumana, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Strategic Planning and Administration, emphasized that the Program has inspired institutional innovations. He cited the introduction of a targeted induction program ; a week-long orientation conducted across all campuses ; to ensure new students are smoothly integrated into university life with the necessary knowledge and skills.

“The Program has also influenced the University in areas such as psychosocial support, career guidance, and mental health services, which are now being scaled up across the entire institution,” Dr. Ndikumana noted.

Mr. Bukenya described UR as a strong case study of how the Scholars Program can be successfully implemented. He applauded the University’s initiatives aimed at supporting students’ transition from university to the job market, noting that, thanks to UR’s innovative approaches, the Foundation’s impact extends well beyond the scholarship program itself.

Group photo with UR management, Mastercard Foundation staff, and scholars

Other participants in the visit included Ivan Ntwali, Country Director of Mastercard Foundation Rwanda ; Ivy Mwai, Head of Partnership Network at Mastercard Foundation ; Anita Ingabe, E-Learning Lead at Mastercard Foundation ; and Ruth Mukakimenyi, Program Partner at Mastercard Foundation.