SUNY senior representatives visit UR to explore strategic partnerships

A high-level delegation from the State University of New York (SUNY) visited the University of Rwanda (UR) as new part of their broader mission in Rwanda to explore academic and research collaborations under the SUNY Africa Initiative.

The two-day visit was led by Dr. Melur "Ram" Ramasubramanian, Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost, accompanied by several senior academic leaders. During their stay, the delegation toured key Centers of Excellence at UR, engaging with researchers and faculty driving transformative work in health, data science, and renewable energy.

A section of SUNY delegation touring Nyarugenge Campus with VC Prof Kayihura

“We’re here to explore the possibility of deploying our Africa Initiative and building long-term collaborations with Rwanda’s education system,” said Dr. Ramasubramanian. “We’ve been impressed by the commitment of the people and the opportunities we’ve encountered.”

The SUNY delegation also met with Rwanda’s Minister of Education Joseph Nsengimana who highlighted that the proposed partnership aligns with Rwanda’s Vision 2050, which emphasizes a skilled, future-ready workforce. She welcomed the collaboration, underscoring its potential to contribute meaningfully to national development goals.

The visit concluded with the formal presentation of a Declaration of Intent to the Ministry of Education, signaling SUNY’s commitment to long-term engagement in Rwanda.

“To achieve our vision, we must ensure that we have a workforce capable of delivering on it,” said the Minister, adding that this partnership would bring significant value and help build the country.

The delegation was received by the DVC SPA Dr Raymond Ndikumana : Here posing after a brief meeting