Academics and legal experts meet to discuss the status and quality of legal education in Rwanda

The University of Rwanda under the championship of School of Law organized the 6th Interface Workshop which brought together academics and researchers from UR School of Law and stakeholders in legal and justice sector in Rwanda and abroad. Under the theme “Enhancing the Quality of Legal Education in Rwanda”, participants discussed among others legal education offered specifically by the School of Law compared to the labour legal market in Rwanda and abroad while devising avenues of improving the quality of legal education in Rwanda at large.

A section of participants in the workshop

In his keynote speech, the Hon. Chief Justice Dr. Faustin Ntezilyayo commended the school’s initiative to organize a forum that discusses the current and future of judicial system in Rwanda. He noted that knowledge and skills offered in the school of law should align with modern concepts that the world is confronted with. These include data analytics, cloud computing, block chain, artificial intelligence and others ; which are likely to affect legal practice in Rwanda and beyond.

Hon. Chief Justice Dr. Faustin Ntezilyayo during his keynote speech

“There is a need for holistic legal education system which leverages innovation and modern technology to develop Rwanda’s bright minds ready for the current and future job market” said the Chief Justice.

In his opening remarks, Dr Kayihura Didas, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Rwanda reiterated the importance of the workshop being one of the avenues to examine and assess existing education strategies aiming on educating future lawyers. To achieve this, he said, it requires fostering cooperation and partnerships both nationally and internationally.

UR Vice chancellor during his opening remarks

“The Interface workshop is a platform to discuss issues affecting the teaching and learning process within the legal education in Rwanda and elsewhere ; it allows thinking about practical steps to take knowledge and expertise to another level,” said the Vice Chancellor.

Among other key dignitaries in attendance included the Minister of Public Service and Labour as well as the Rwanda Prosecutor General. The workshop featured presentations of research findings by lecturers from the School of Law. There were also panel discussions on a range of issues notably on the status of legal education and also the contribution of School of Law Alumni to raise the standard of legal education.

Hon. Fanfan Rwanyindo Kayirangwa, Minister Public Service and Labour was also in attendance