UR seals two bumper deals from MasterCard Foundation and EAC & Republic of German to boost education

18-05-2021

The University of Rwanda through the Regional Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization & Health Supply Chain Management (VIHSCM) is a beneficiary of 17 Million USD from the cooperation between the East African Community and the Federal Republic of Germany. The news broke a few days ago the MasterCard Foundation had also officially approved a 10-year super deal with UR that will see tertiary education funded to the tune of around 55.5 Million USD.

The support to the Regional Centre of Excellence for Vaccines, Immunization & Health Supply Chain Management (VIHSCM) was signed by EAC Secretary General, Hon (Dr.) Peter Mathuki and H.E. Regine Hess, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United Republic of Tanzanian and the EAC. It will allow the Centre to expand its expertise and reputation, especially in the areas of digitalization in health supply chain management, cold-chain management and quality control / drug safety.

The German Ambassador and EAC Secretary General during the signing of agreement (Courtesy photo)

This support is also expected to propel the Centre’s mission to enhance capacity and strengthen systems along the supply chain to deliver quality vaccines, pharmaceuticals and health commodities at affordable cost and at the right time.

On the other side, the MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Rwanda dubbed ‘360o Knowledge Accelerator towards dignifying work for young Africans’ will strengthen the University of Rwanda capability and mobilization for inclusive and supportive tertiary education pathways to dignified work.

Shona Bezanson, MasterCard Head of Eastern and Southern Africa Partner Network commended the University of Rwanda final proposal which according to her was exciting and ambitious.

The MasterCard Foundation approved a mega deal with UR worth 55.5 Million USD

“We are delighted to take these next steps with UR and look forward to the journey of learning and impact ahead with young people and in the service of young people on the continent,” said Bezanson

‘360o Knowledge Accelerator towards dignifying work for young Africans’ MasterCard Program will be implemented in a span of 10 years from 2021-2031.