The University of Rwanda (UR) held its grand 11th graduation ceremony on 17th October 2025, marking a major milestone as 9,526 students were conferred with academic degrees and officially joined the growing community of UR alumni.

The colorful event, hosted at the UR Huye Campus, brought together senior government officials, university leaders, faculty, families, and friends to celebrate the graduates’ hard work and perseverance throughout their academic journey.

Of the total graduates, 4,204 were female and 5,322 were male, reflecting UR’s continued commitment to promoting inclusive access to higher education. Among them were 18 Master’s and 3 PhD students from the African Centre of Excellence in Internet of Things (ACEIoT).

The graduates specialized in two key programs namely Embedded Computing Systems and Wireless Sensor Networking, both designed to equip professionals with advanced skills in emerging technologies.

In his keynote address, Prime Minister Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva, who presided over the ceremony, congratulated the graduates and urged them to be bold and innovative as they enter the world of work.

“Your degree is not the destination; it is the beginning,” he said. “The road ahead may challenge you, but it is also full of opportunities. Be bold, be curious, be adaptable, and dream big”, he said.

Speaking about their academic journey, graduates described the path to success as demanding yet deeply rewarding.

“I have come to understand that the pursuit of knowledge comes at a price. The sleepless nights, dedication, perseverance, paper rejections, daunting deadlines, and endless academic presentations are the price you pay to acquire knowledge,” shared Dr. Ricardo Adbedanu, one of the PhD graduates.

“A PhD is a journey you cannot travel alone; it requires committed supervisors and a positive mindset. I encourage anyone planning to embark on this path to stay focused and determined—it is achievable”, added Prudence Mavhemwa, another PhD graduate.

The 2025 graduation ceremony stood as a powerful reminder of the University of Rwanda’s vital role in nurturing the country’s next generation of professionals, researchers, and innovators.

With more than 9,500 new graduates entering the workforce, Rwanda gains a new wave of skilled talent ready to drive progress across sectors including technology, engineering, health sciences, education, and business.

The Centre takes this opportunity to thank all supervisors and administration staff for their contribution towards this achievement.

Congratulations to all the graduates for their remarkable achievements and contributions to advancing data science in Rwanda and beyond.