Digital Transformation takes centre stage as UR validates its 2025–2030 Strategic Plan

UR convened a validation workshop for its 2025–2030 Strategic Plan, bringing together stakeholders from government institutions, the private sector, industry, academia, and development partners to help shape the University’s direction over the next five years.

The workshop provided a platform for participants to share insights and recommendations that will refine the University’s strategic priorities, implementation approaches, and performance targets. The exercise aimed to ensure that the new Strategic Plan responds to national and regional development priorities while strengthening the University’s contribution to sustainable development, innovation, and excellence in higher education.

Participants attentively follow the presentation of the five-Year Strategic Plan during the validation workshop

Welcoming participants, Vice Chancellor Prof. Kayihura M. Didas emphasized that stakeholder engagement is critical to developing a Strategic Plan that is realistic, relevant, and impactful.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Kayihura emphasized that stakeholder engagement is essential to developing a Strategic Plan that is realistic, relevant and impactful

He noted that the 2025–2030 Strategic Plan is aligned with Rwanda’s Vision 2050, the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2), and the Education Sector Strategic Plan, reaffirming the University’s commitment to supporting the country’s long-term development agenda.

Presenting the Strategic Plan, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Strategic Planning and Administration Dr. Raymond Ndikumana highlighted digital transformation as one of its key pillars.

"Digital transformation will drive research, academic excellence, and internationalization while expanding access to higher education by enabling the University to increase student enrolment beyond the limits of its current physical infrastructure," said Dr. Ndikumana.

Deputy Vice Chancellor Dr. Ndikumana interacts with a representative from the Embassy of Sweden in Rwanda during the Strategic Plan validation workshop

He further underscored the University’s commitment to improving graduate employability, producing high-impact research that addresses societal challenges, strengthening alumni and global partnerships, and advancing internationalization.

The forum also highlighted the University’s significant progress in research, particularly the increasing number of publications in internationally recognized peer-reviewed journals. It was highlighted that the University’s research agenda is organized around 10 research clusters and guided by eight strategic goals, ensuring that research remains responsive to national priorities and contributes to sustainable socio-economic development.

Participants from government, development partners, academia and the private sector pose for a group photo during the Strategic Plan validation workshop