MCFSP KNUST welcomes delegation from University of Rwanda: A Journey of Learning and Exchange
A team from the University of Rwanda (UR) visited the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to exchange knowledge and experiences under the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
The delegation, comprising Dr. Batamuliza Jennifer, Ishimwe Christella, Muvandimwe Oscar, and Mugiraneza Jean Baptiste, explored facets of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at KNUST, aiming to enhance their own initiatives back home.
The journey began with a campus tour, offering the Rwandan team a glimpse into the academic life at KNUST.
They paid a courtesy call to Professor Daniel Y. A. Duah, Dean of the International Programmes Office, who welcomed them on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson.
Prof. Duah emphasized the importance of partnerships with esteemed institutions like the University of Rwanda, particularly under the Mastercard Foundation’s initiatives.
He provided an overview of KNUST’s collegiate system and its pioneering work in distance learning, which has expanded educational access in Ghana.
“Partnerships like these strengthen our resolve to provide quality education and support to scholars from diverse backgrounds.”
Jennifer’s Focus: Empowering Girls through Life Skills
During the visit, Dr. Jennifer Batamuliza, Lead for Prepare and Girls Empowerment at the University of Rwanda, expressed an interest in KNUST’s Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (WiSTEM) initiative.
This initiative is to encourage more female students to pursue and excel in STEM fields.
Recognizing the significance of mentorship in shaping the future of young women in technology, Jennifer and the team from WiSTEM offered to serve as mentors to female students both at KNUST and UR.
She emphasized that her experience and insights could provide guidance and inspiration, particularly for those navigating the challenges of STEM careers.
“Mentorship is a powerful tool for empowerment. By sharing our experiences and knowledge, we can help young women overcome barriers and achieve their full potential in STEM.”
The WiSTEM initiative at KNUST, matches female students with mentors, creating a support system that nurtures their academic and personal growth.
“This is a practice I am keen to implement in Rwanda,” Jennifer added.
Christella’s Vision: Enhancing Psychosocial Support
Ishimwe Christella, the Psychosocial Support Officer, explored the psychosocial services provided to scholars at KNUST.
She was impressed by the integration of mental health resources into the program, including peer counseling and regular mental health awareness campaigns.
“Incorporating peer counselors will make a significant difference in how our scholars access mental health support,” Christella said.
She also learned about innovative approaches like podcasts and bulk SMS alerts that keep students informed and engaged with mental health services.
“These are strategies we can adapt to better support our scholars,” she said.
Oscar’s Mission: Strengthening Monitoring and Evaluation
Muvandimwe Oscar, a Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist, concentrated on the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems at KNUST.
His interest lay in how these systems are used to track the progress of scholars and document their life exchanges.
“Learning how to better monitor and evaluate our program is essential,” Oscar said.
He found the KNUST approach to be robust, providing lessons on efficiency and effectiveness. “We have learned so many tips that will help us enhance our own M&E processes,” Oscar said, acknowledging the significance of this knowledge exchange.
Oscar’s Mission: Strengthening Monitoring and Evaluation
Muvandimwe Oscar, a Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist, concentrated on the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems at KNUST.
His interest lay in how these systems are used to track the progress of scholars and document their life exchanges.
“Learning how to better monitor and evaluate our program is essential,” Oscar said.
He found the KNUST approach to be robust, providing lessons on efficiency and effectiveness. “We have learned so many tips that will help us enhance our own M&E processes,” Oscar said, acknowledging the significance of this knowledge exchange.
Shared Experiences: Building Bridges between Two Institutions
The visit culminated in a series of shared experiences, where both institutions exchanged best practices and lessons learned.
The Rwandan team was interested in the MCFSP KNUST’s community engagement initiatives, which encourage scholars to give back to their communities.
The delegation also discussed potential collaborations, including online mentorship programs, joint research, and grant writing efforts aimed at empowering girls and enhancing educational outcomes.
Reflecting on the Visit
Throughout the visit, the Rwandan delegation engaged in deep discussions on aspects of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, sharing insights and learning from KNUST’s long-standing experience.
Courage Julius Logah, IT Support and eLearning Specialist at KNUST, shared an overview of the university’s ICT infrastructure, highlighting how technology is leveraged to enhance teaching and learning.
Prof. William Otoo Ellis, Chairman of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at KNUST, shared experiences and lessons learned from the program’s implementation over the years.
“The success of the Scholars Program lies in its ability to adapt and grow with the needs of the scholars. This is something we are proud to share with our colleagues from Rwanda,” Prof. Ellis said.
Looking Forward: A Path of Continued Collaboration
“We have learned so much from our colleagues at KNUST, and we are excited to apply these lessons to our own program at the University of Rwanda,” Oscar said.
The delegation expressed their gratitude for the warm reception and the opportunity to learn from a well-established program.
“This is just the beginning of what we hope will be a long and fruitful partnership,” Christella concluded.
The visit marked a step in strengthening the bond between the two institutions, paving the way for future collaborations that will benefit scholars in both Ghana and Rwanda.