Vice Chancellors, Presidents of Higher Education Institutions, Executive Director of The Education Collaborative, Distinguished Guests, Esteemed Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good morning!
On behalf of the Government of Rwanda and the Ministry of Education, I am deeply honored to welcome you to the 2025 June Convening of The Education Collaborative. We are proud to host this important gathering in Kigali–a hub of innovation and a growing center for higher learning in Africa. Rwanda welcomes you not merely as visitors, but as partners and cocreators in shaping a bold and shared vision for the future of higher education on our continent.
Hosting this convening for the very first time is both a privilege and a meaningful milestone. It reflects the deepening bonds of collaboration between institutions and regions across Africa and signals a collective commitment to reimagining higher education systems that are fit for purpose in a changing world.
As Africa positions itself within an increasingly interconnected global landscape, higher education must serve as a catalyst for deeper economic, social, and scientific integration. Our universities must evolve beyond their traditional mandates. They must become dynamic platforms for innovation, leadership development, and continental collaboration–incubators of the very transformation we seek across Africa.
This 2025 June convening exemplifies that vision in practice. As we gather here in Kigali, we witness the power of collaboration–of convening institutions, thought leaders, and change agents across borders. We are united by common aspirations, and through collective action, we can multiply our impact. This year’s theme challenges us to reflect, mobilize, and realign around one of the most urgent goals of our time: delivering meaningful, relevant, and transformational learning experiences for African students.
Rwanda has long championed the value of strategic partnerships in education. Our experience shows that through collaboration–whether in founding new institutions, designing student-centered programs, or reforming policy–we are better equipped to respond to the complex and evolving needs of our youth. Such partnerships have enabled us to think differently, act boldly, and prepare learners not only to succeed in today’s world but to shape tomorrow’s Africa.
I wish to express our sincere appreciation to the leadership of The Education Collaborative, especially Executive Director Rose Dodd, and to Ashesi University and its visionary leadership. Your unwavering commitment to excellence continues to inspire institutions across the continent and elevate the standard of higher education in Africa.
As we open the 2025 Stakeholder Symposium, I urge all of us to engage with openness, critical thinking, and a shared sense of purpose. Let this convening be more than a moment of dialogue–let it be a platform for action. The work we undertake together here in Kigali must accelerate our collective efforts to transform higher education into a force for inclusive, sustainable development 8. Let us reflect with clarity, mobilize with intent, and realign with urgency–for the benefit of generations of African learners to come.
Thank you. I wish you fruitful deliberations.
