From Pledge to Reality: Kigali Independent University Welcomes 20 Refugee Scholars

Kigali Independent University (ULK) has emerged as a pioneering private university in Rwanda advancing the 15by30 initiative, demonstrating a strong commitment to expanding higher education opportunities for refugees. Its journey began with waiving admission and registration fees, culminating in 20 full scholarships to refugee students. This program marks a significant milestone in Rwanda’s refugee inclusion landscape.

Ananias Mbabazi, a Congolese refugee from Nyabiheke Refugee camp, is one of the students who were awarded the scholarships by ULK.

He says that this scholarship opportunity gives them hope and strength for a better future.

“This scholarship is important to me because it helps me to study at ULK without having problems about paying school fees and it gives me the chance to achieve my dreams, getting new knowledge, and build a better future for myself, my family, and my community in Nyabiheke,” he explains.

This commitment aligns with the DAFI 2023 Annual Report, which highlighted ULK’s dedication to strengthening pathways to tertiary education for displaced youth. DAFI, an acronym standing for the “Deutsche Akademische Flüchtlings Initiative Albert Einstein,” is a UNHCR’s higher education scholarship program that provides refugee students with the financial and academic support they need to complete an undergraduate degree.

The momentum for ULK’s initiative grew during the Africa Universities Summit held at the Kigali Convention Center from 18 to 20 March 2025. During a session titled “Mobilising University Leadership for Refugee Education,” Prof. Dr. Rwigamba Balinda, Founder and President of ULK, posed a powerful challenge to participants: “Why Each One Take One? Why not 20, 30, 50, or even 100?”, signaling ULK’s readiness to lead by example. Building on this commitment, ULK’s Founder and President met with UNHCR to outline how the university would cover registration and tuition fees across all undergraduate and polytechnic programmes for the selected 20 refugees.

Following this pledge, a competitive selection process was launched on 30 June 2025. The call for applications attracted 232 candidates, demonstrating both high demand and strong motivation among refugee youth seeking access to university education. A joint selection committee (composed of representatives from the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management, World Vision, ULK and UNHCR) reviewed all applications and identified the 20 successful candidates based on merit and need.

As a result, 20 refugee students (16 males and 4 females) officially began their higher education journey on 8 September 2025. These scholarships represent more than financial support; they signify transformed lives, renewed hope, and the nurturing of future leaders who will one day give back to their communities.

The students expressed deep gratitude to ULK’s leadership and committed themselves to academic excellence.

“I want to thank ULK for giving me this scholarship. I am truly grateful for this support and opportunity,” said Ananias. “I promise to work hard, stay focused, and make you proud. Thank you for believing in my ability and helping me in achieving my goals.”

They also pledged to serve as ambassadors for other refugee learners, inspiring peers who were not selected and reinforcing the importance of continued investment in refugee education.