UR and partners commit to advancing eLearning and digital transformation

UR in partnership with Mastercard Foundation and Arizona State University, hosted a two-day workshop aimed at shaping the roadmap for Phase 2 of the e-Learning Initiative. The workshop also served as a platform to assess the progress of Phase 1, which is scheduled to conclude in 2026. The initiative seeks to enable full adoption of e-learning and digitalization across the University within the next five years.

The workshop featured facilitators from Arizona State University

In his opening remarks, Dr. Raymond Ndikumana, DVC for Strategic Planning and Administration at UR, emphasized the need for the University to become a technology-driven institution by leveraging its existing infrastructure to make e-learning a reality across all campuses.

Dr. Ndikumana further noted that leadership and institutional culture are critical to fostering the adoption of technology to enhance academic delivery.

Dr. Raymond Ndikumana, DVC for Strategic Planning and Administration at UR officiated the workshop

“We must now scale up our efforts and expand digital access to ensure that every student benefits from this transformation,” he said.

Phase 1 of the e-Learning Initiative has already recorded significant achievements. These include increased leadership commitment to e-learning, growing adoption of digital learning platforms, the establishment of strong co-creation processes, international partnerships for digital transformation, and increased student awareness and engagement with e-learning systems.

Prof. Jean Claude Byungura highlighted that the workshop aimed to build partnerships that support effective teaching and learning through edu-tech solutions. He noted that the event brought together key stakeholders capable of co-creating and driving the initiative’s success, including delegates from Arizona State University, students, university managers, and academic staff.

Prof. Jean Claude Byungura Lead on eLearning and education support Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UR.

“Without academic staff readiness, there is nothing that can be done to improve teaching and learning for students,” said Prof. Byungura, who leads eLearning and education support under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UR.

Among the participants was Courage Julius Logah, Lead for the Mastercard Foundation e-Learning Initiative in Ghana. He emphasized the importance of keeping students at the center of the initiative, especially in terms of addressing their specific learning needs.

“We need to carefully consider how our contextual differences can be leveraged to ensure that learners get what they need,” said Logah, who joined the workshop from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology.

The workshop convened a diverse group of participants, including senior leaders from the University of Rwanda, college principals, representatives from the Mastercard Foundation and Arizona State University, delegates from the University of Toronto and KNUST, stakeholders from Rwanda’s education sector, lecturers, ICT specialists, e-learning officers, and student representatives.