Meet Ikuzwe Benite and her journey from animal health passion to community service

For Ikuzwe Benite, veterinary medicine is more than a career choice ; it is a pathway to serving people and communities through the health and wellbeing of animals.

Now in her fifth year at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Benite says her journey has brought her closer to a dream she has nurtured for years : building a career that combines her passion for science with meaningful service to society.

When she first joined the University of Rwanda, Benite admits that her understanding of animals was largely shaped by what she had encountered in local communities. Her university experience, however, has significantly broadened her perspective on what veterinary medicine can offer.

For Ikuzwe, the university experience has significantly broadened her perspective on the opportunities and possibilities within veterinary medicine

“I have learned that veterinary medicine is much broader than I initially thought, we can perform procedures similar to those in human medicine, including heart surgeries and other surgical procedures, as well as laboratory work, diagnosis and blood testing” she says.

For Benite, the combination of classroom theory and practical training has been central to her growth. Through laboratory sessions, field visits and farm-based learning, she has been able to move beyond textbooks and experience how veterinary knowledge is applied in real-world settings.

The college provides students with access to specialised facilities, including parasitology and microbiology laboratories, as well as an ICT room that supports learning and access to technology and academic resources. Field visits to farms further expose students to the realities of animal production and health management.

Beyond acquiring technical knowledge, Benite has also embraced opportunities to explore innovation. She says the University supports students interested in developing projects connected to their academic disciplines, allowing them to pursue ideas that could contribute to solving challenges in their communities.

The location of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences also adds another dimension to her learning experience. Situated in Rwanda’s Eastern Province, a region where livestock farming is an important economic activity, the college offers students opportunities to interact with farmers and gain practical exposure to the sector they are preparing to serve.

Ikuzwe engages in a discussion with her fellow students on campus

Benite believes this connection between the university and surrounding communities makes her learning experience particularly valuable.

She encourages prospective student both from Rwanda and beyond ; who are interested in science and veterinary medicine to consider the University of Rwanda.

“To me, the University of Rwanda is a whole package ; you will not lack anything here ; there are many opportunities for learning, innovation and personal development.” Concluded Ikuzwe.