Kumamoto University Delegation Visits the University of Rwanda, Africa
Founded in 1963 in the heart of the Rwandan capital of Kigali, University of Rwanda is the most prestigious university in the republic. This visit was the result of a chance meeting between Rwandan Ambassador, Dr. Charles Murigande, and Kumamoto University President Taniguchi, who acts as chairman of the Kumamoto Association for UNICEF. The two met last year when Dr. Murigande visited our university in conjunction with the “Day of the African Child in Kumamoto ~ Let’s Learn More about Africa! 2013” event. The event, which took place from July 5th to July 7th, was organized by the Kumamoto Association for UNICEF and featured a presentation by the ambassador.
During this visit, Deputy Director Shuichi Torii (Center for Globalization), Associate Professor Akiko Ishihara (Graduate School of Social and Cultural Sciences), as well as Kumamoto University International Affairs Division staff members paid a courtesy visit to University of Rwanda Vice Chancellor Emeritus Prof. James McWha, to exchange opinions regarding the acceptance criteria for study abroad, student exchanges, and other related programs. In the afternoon, our university presented an overview of our school that included its research performance and an introduction of its study abroad programs to the faculty of the University of Rwanda. During the question and answer period, the level of interest in Kumamoto University was made clear as participants asked many questions regarding undergraduate education and research activities.
On the following day, September 10th, the delegation visited the University of Rwanda’s College of Science and Technology to give an introduction of Kumamoto University and take part in discussions with professors from each department regarding mutual research activities. As a result of this visit, we anticipate the strengthening of academic relationships and student exchanges between Kumamoto University and the University of Rwanda.
