On 18 February 2026, the Higher Education Council (HEC) hosted a high-level conference under the theme “Re-thinking Higher Education as a Catalyst for Research and Innovation in Rwanda.”

The event convened national stakeholders and international experts to explore strategies for strengthening research and innovation across Higher Learning Institutions (HLIs).

The conference was officially opened by Minister of Education Joseph Nsengimana.

He emphasized the critical role of higher education in advancing Rwanda’s national transformation and long-term development agenda.

He noted that achieving Vision 2050 and the National Strategy for Transformation requires universities and research institutions to evolve beyond traditional teaching roles and become engines of discovery, innovation, industrialization, and evidence-based policymaking.

The forum served as a strategic platform for high-level dialogue on repositioning higher education to drive national research and innovation.

Discussions focused on best-fit institutional models, human capital development, and collaborative research ecosystems aligned with national priorities.

Participants also reviewed and validated the Higher Education Sector Five-Year Strategic Plan and shared national and international best practices for building fit-for-purpose institutions and research systems.

The conference  was also aimed to generate actionable, consensus-based recommendations to strengthen a coordinated national research and innovation ecosystem capable of supporting Rwanda’s ambitious development goals.