KSU and UR team up to boost students’ knowledge in peace building and conflict studies

01-08-2022

Thirteen (13) students accompanied by lecturers from Kent State University concluded a weeklong visit to the University of Rwanda. The visit was in a spirit to learn about Rwanda after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. This learning experience is part of existing cultural learning framework between UR and KSU which will see students from both varsities undertaking the short course on peace building and conflict studies.

A section of UR and KSU students

The course was facilitated by the UR Centre for Conflict Management in collaboration with the KSU School of Peace & Conflict Studies. During their short stay in Rwanda, thirteen (13) KSU and five (5) UR students went through an intensive field work where they explored issues in the areas of education, Public health and conflict and peace studies among others.

Among the students include Kelly Rose who testified her satisfaction of the work being done by the Rwanda National Police. According to her, Rwanda National Police is an example of a reliable and people centered institution in ways they have established bond with the community. She gave an example of how cases of human trafficking and other crimes are handled in collaboration with the community.

Students during their presentation

The course exchange was championed by Pacifique Niyonzima, a Rwandan-doctoral student at KSU who came up with the short course Program about “Rwanda after Genocide” to benefit students of both universities in a framework of cultural exchange. The initiative is being coordinated in the office of Global Education Initiatives at KSU led by Sarah Schmidt who also led this maiden cohort to Rwanda.

Pacifique Niyonzima and Sarah Schmidt,

This student mobility initiative follows the visit of Dr Marcello Fantoni, the Associate Provost for Global Education and a Professor of the History of Architecture at KSU back in August, 2021. Among the resolutions from the visit was that KSU will contribute towards the UR academic programs review and vice versa. Students and staff exchange for both academic and cultural purposes, as well as joint research and publications was another item on the agenda.