KIGALI, Rwanda — Mount Kigali University (MKU) Rwanda has unveiled a landmark academic collaboration with Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) aimed at strengthening training in industrial and applied research.
The partnership will see the two institutions implement joint academic programmes, collaborative research initiatives, and faculty and student exchange programmes.
“This partnership reflects shared values of excellence, innovation and regional development. It also demonstrates a recognition that institutions can achieve far more when they work together than when they operate independently. Partnerships are not just agreements—they are commitments to grow together,” said Simon Gicharu, founder and chairman of Mount Kigali University.
The collaboration was unveiled on April 21 during a ceremony in Kigali where the MKU Board also officially handed over the Karembbure Happy Valley university grounds to the institution. The grounds will serve both the university and the nearby Kigali Paramount Hotel for extracurricular and recreational activities.
Prof. Gicharu said the land was acquired as a strategic investment intended to support the university’s long-term growth while providing a permanent venue for celebrating students’ academic achievements and hosting recreational facilities.
“As a Board, we recognize that institutions thrive not simply because they exist, but because they are supported by intentional, enabling environments,” he said, adding that the university plans to invest in modern, future-ready infrastructure, strengthen research and innovation capacity, and create high-quality teaching and learning spaces.
He noted that the new grounds would enhance student life by providing recreational facilities that promote well-being, creativity and community engagement.
“A university is not defined only by its lecture halls, but by the environment it creates for holistic growth,” Prof. Gicharu said.
“These facilities will promote student well-being and mental health, encourage interaction and creativity, and contribute to a balanced and vibrant campus life.”
Members of the university community also took part in a tree-planting exercise at the grounds, symbolising growth, continuity and the institution’s long-term vision.
During the ceremony, leaders highlighted the expected impact of the collaboration between Mount Kigali University and JKUAT in strengthening joint academic programmes, research and knowledge exchange.
Martin Kimemia, Vice-Chancellor of Mount Kigali University, said the partnership would help expand MKU’s focus on applied sciences and technology.
“Our engagement with Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology marks a significant step in expanding our academic horizon. We look forward to joint academic programmes that respond to regional needs, collaborative research that drives innovation and solutions, and exchange opportunities that broaden perspectives,” said Dr Kimemia.
“In today’s world, relevance is built through collaboration, not isolation.”
JKUAT Vice-Chancellor Victoria Wambui Ngumi emphasised the importance of research in higher education, noting that the Kenyan university has a strong practical approach to teaching and learning.
“We are a very practical university. When it comes to agriculture, for instance, we have farms where agricultural work is done. When it comes to engineering, we have state-of-the-art laboratories where students learn,” she said.
Prof. Ngumi added that JKUAT has established partnerships with universities across the world, enabling student and staff exchange programmes as part of its internationalisation agenda.
Mount Kigali University began its journey in 2010 as a campus of Mount Kenya University during a period when Rwanda was experiencing growing demand for quality higher education.
The institution later transitioned into a fully-fledged autonomous university after receiving full accreditation from the Rwanda Higher Education Council in May 2023 under the Ministry of Education.
Since its establishment, the university has graduated more than 10,000 alumni in various academic disciplines across the sciences and arts.
“Mount Kigali University is not standing still—we are moving forward with clarity and ambition,” said Dr Kimemia.
“Our focus is to build a centre of academic excellence, strengthen our footprint in research and innovation and contribute meaningfully to national and regional development.”
He added that the university has expanded its academic offerings from 14 programmes at the time of accreditation to 39 programmes within three years, while maintaining a strong commitment to quality and student-centred learning.
