The Higher Education Council (HEC) has taken a major step toward shaping the future of learning in Rwanda, convening all higher education leaders to review new guidelines on virtual learning and the use of artificial intelligence (AI). This meeting brought together deputies in charge of academics, e-learning champions, and quality assurance managers from across Rwanda’s higher learning institutions.

While opening the meeting, HEC’s Director General, Dr Edward Kadozi, stressed the transformative role of ICT and artificial intelligence in modern education. He emphasized that Rwanda’s ambition of becoming a knowledge-based economy requires higher learning institutions to integrate AI both ethically and effectively. This, he said, would unlock opportunities in learning and analytics, while addressing risks related to bias, inequality, privacy, and sustainability through standardised frameworks.

Dr. Kadozi further emphasized that the Guidelines for Virtual Learning and the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Rwanda’s Higher Learning Institutions are designed to strengthen digital teaching, learning, and assessment, while also promoting blended and online learning practices across institutions.

In addition, HEC developed complementary guidelines outlining requirements for an institution of higher learning to change its “type”. These are meant to guide owners and founders of HLIs seeking to upgrade or reclassify their institutions.

Participants provided feedback on both sets of guidelines, ensuring that the frameworks reflect the realities and ambitions of Rwanda’s higher education sector. The guidelines will also serve as a tool for assessment and evaluation in accrediting and reviewing academic programmes.

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