The Higher Education Council (HEC) continued its nationwide outreach programme in Musanze District with engagements at INES-Ruhengeri and the University of Rwanda–College of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Science (UR-CAFF), bringing together students, academic staff and institutional leadership to discuss how higher education can become more relevant, innovative and responsive to Rwanda’s development priorities.

The outreach began at INES-Ruhengeri with a tour of the institution’s facilities, including student hostels, laboratories and other key infrastructure supporting teaching and learning. The delegation then engaged the institution’s administration and students on quality education, practical skills, innovation, internationalisation and the changing demands of the labour market.

The student engagement provided an opportunity to hear directly from learners about some of the challenges they face, including the need for more practical knowledge, access to updated software and tools relevant to their fields, and stronger pathways for turning innovation developed at universities into solutions that work in practice.

HEC Director General Dr. Edward Kadozi emphasised that the expansion of higher education must go hand in hand with quality, relevance and productive outcomes. He encouraged institutions to ensure that graduates leave university equipped with technical, digital, entrepreneurial and soft skills that respond to the needs of the economy.

With 8,296 students, including 1,525 international students, INES-Ruhengeri was also encouraged to build on its growing international student population by strengthening support services and creating an environment that enhances the experience of international learners in Rwanda.

The outreach continued at UR-CAFF, where the delegation toured laboratories, smart classrooms, greenhouses, farms and other facilities supporting teaching, research and practical learning. The visit provided a practical view of the College’s capacity and its potential to contribute to Rwanda’s knowledge-based economy.

Discussions with academic staff and leadership at UR-CAFF brought forward broader policy and institutional issues, including the promotion policy for university lecturers and the financing of postgraduate studies. Dr. Kadozi assured the institution that HEC would continue working with stakeholders to address such issues and strengthen the systems that support academic and professional development.

The discussions also reflected work already underway at HEC to strengthen doctoral education and research. The Rwanda Postgraduate Degree Qualifications Framework and the Research and Innovation Framework for Higher Education in Rwanda provide a strategic foundation for improving postgraduate education, doctoral supervision, research quality, funding, infrastructure and collaboration, while ensuring that research generates knowledge and solutions relevant to national development.

This direction is consistent with HESSP 2025–2030, which places emphasis on faculty capacity, postgraduate training, research and innovation, programme relevance and stronger links between higher learning institutions, industry and national priorities. It also supports NST2 and Rwanda’s Vision 2050 ambition to build a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy.

At UR-CAFF, the DG challenged researchers to go beyond publications and translate research into practical solutions for the modernisation of agriculture, forestry and food systems. He also encouraged the College to strengthen research support, communicate its innovations and achievements more effectively, embrace digital technologies including artificial intelligence in agriculture, and intensify efforts to attract international students.

The Musanze outreach demonstrated HEC’s commitment to making policy and sector priorities responsive to the realities of institutions and learners. By bringing the conversation directly to campuses, HEC continues to identify challenges, listen to stakeholders and work towards practical reforms that strengthen quality, relevance, research, innovation and the contribution of higher education to Rwanda’s transformation.