UR earns Mastercard Foundation grant in recognition of excellence in health education and community impact

UR has reached another significant milestone after being selected among five African universities to receive USD 3 million through the Mastercard Foundation’s Africa Higher Education for Transformation (AHEFT) initiative.

The University earned the award under the "Excellence in Health" category in recognition of its outstanding contribution to strengthening Rwanda’s health workforce through education, research, innovation, and community engagement.

Modern laboratories have enabled the integration of innovation and technology into health training, providing students and researchers with opportunities for hands-on learning, scientific research and the development of innovative health solutions

Commenting on the achievement, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Strategic Planning and Administration Dr. Raymond Ndikumana said the grant will accelerate the University’s efforts to transform health education and research while expanding its impact on communities.

"The support from the Mastercard Foundation will strengthen our capacity to empower health education and research. It will build on the progress the University has already made by expanding awareness, knowledge, and access to initiatives that directly benefit communities," he said.

Dr. Ndikumana noted that the grant also complements the Government of Rwanda’s 4x4 Programme, which aims to significantly increase the number of health professionals over the next four years.

"We have many students, but the country needs even more graduates in health-related programmes. This support will enable us to provide additional scholarships while strengthening our teaching and research infrastructure to accommodate increased enrolment," he explained.

Through its community outreach programs, the University has expanded access to essential healthcare services, reaching thousands of people in remote communities

The recognition reflects the University’s longstanding contribution to Rwanda’s health sector. To date, the University has trained more than 26,000 health professionals, helping to build the country’s healthcare workforce. Beyond academic training, its community-based education model has reached nearly 500,000 people through clinical placements, outreach programmes, and university health services.

Over the years, the University has also made substantial investments in health research and academic infrastructure. It hosts one of the country’s leading Eye Clinic and Dental Clinic, which serve both as teaching facilities and providers of specialized healthcare services.

The University’s Centre for Biomedical Engineering and e-Health serves as a regional hub for health technology, with state-of-the-art laboratories supporting teaching, research and innovation

The University’s Centre for Biomedical Engineering and e-Health has become a regional leader in health technology, offering state-of-the-art laboratories that support teaching, research, and innovation. In addition, the Regional Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization, and Health Supply Chain Management continues to strengthen health systems across East Africa by providing specialized training, conducting operational research, and supporting evidence-based policy and innovation in vaccine delivery and health supply chain management.

The University’s Eye and Dental Clinics serve as both teaching facilities and providers of specialized healthcare services to the public