Events

UNILAK proudly marked a major milestone on November 27th, 2025, as it officially inaugurated its Administrative and Academic Building at the Rwamagana Campus. The ceremony celebrated the university’s continued growth and its commitment to expanding quality education and services to its ever-growing community. The event kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by the Guest of Honour, marking the official opening of the modern facility. Guests were then guided on a tour of the new building and the wider campus, where they expressed deep appreciation for the remarkable progress and transformation taking place at Rwamagana Campus. In his warm welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of UNILAK, Prof Ngamije Jean, highlighted the institution’s inspiring 28-year journey. He expressed heartfelt gratitude to all who attended the ceremony and to every individual and partner who contributed to the campus’s development. Echoing the VC’s words, the Legal Representative of UNILAK, Mr. Jotham Niyogakiza, shared his joy in witnessing the realization of a project initiated just two years earlier. He offered thanks to God and to all contributors whose commitment made this achievement possible. A special moment of the ceremony was the recognition of the outgoing Legal Representative, Pastor Ruhaya Ntwali Assiel, for his unwavering dedication to the growth of both the Rwamagana Campus and UNILAK as a whole. In his absence, his family members received a certificate of appreciation on his behalf. Representing the Higher Education Council (HEC), Dr. Eduige Kampire, the HEC delegate, described the new infrastructure as a significant milestone for UNILAK. She emphasized the building’s role in advancing research and enhancing service quality and commended the institution for its continued efforts. She also reaffirmed HEC’s commitment to supporting UNILAK in its mission. The representative of the Eastern Province and Rwamagana District, Mr. Kagabo Rwamunono Richards, also delivered a heartfelt message of appreciation. He praised UNILAK for its meaningful contributions to the development of the district and the province, describing the institution as a good neighbour and a source of pride. He pledged full support to the university and encouraged it to continue expanding its activities and outreach. With cultural performances adding colour and joy to the celebration, the inauguration of the Administrative and Academic Building marked yet another step forward in UNILAK’s transformative journey.

On 30th October 2025, UNILAK Nyanza Campus hosted a powerful and engaging conference on Unity and Resilience, delivered by Hon. Dr. Barinda Rutebuka as part of the national Unity Month activities. The event brought together students, academic staff, and invited guests. In his keynote address, Hon. Dr. Barinda highlighted the importance of nurturing unity as a foundation for national development and emphasized the role of young people especially university students in safeguarding peace, promoting social cohesion, and building resilient communities. He further shared practical insights on overcoming societal and personal challenges, urging participants to remain steadfast, compassionate, and solutions-oriented in their academic and professional journeys. Speaking at the event, university officials appreciated the relevance of the conference, noting that such engagements support UNILAK mission of shaping responsible citizens equipped with values that strengthen both community and country. Participants expressed gratitude for the timely message, acknowledging how the session encouraged them to reflect deeply on their role in fostering unity and resilience within their daily lives  

On the morning of September 19th, UNILAK had the honor of hosting H.E. Khalid Musa Dafalla, Ambassador of the Republic of Sudan to Rwanda, for a courtesy visit. The Vice Chancellor of UNILAK warmly received Ambassador Dafalla, and the two engaged in fruitful discussions on fostering institutional collaboration and enhancing mutual understanding between UNILAK and the Republic of Sudan. Following his meeting with the Vice Chancellor, Ambassador Dafalla interacted with Sudanese students currently enrolled at UNILAK. He commended them for their dedication and urged them to remain focused on their academic pursuits, emphasizing that their country awaits their contribution to national development upon completion of their studies. This visit reaffirmed UNILAK commitment to strengthening international partnerships and creating a supportive learning environment for its diverse student community.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in collaboration with the Rwanda Red Cross Society, organized a youth dialogue on International Humanitarian Law (IHL) across UNILAK Campuses. These engaging sessions brought together law students to deepen their understanding of the principles and application of IHL. Law students actively participated in discussions on the protection of civilians during armed conflict, the role of humanitarian organizations, and the importance of respecting international legal frameworks. Speaking at the event, facilitators from ICRC and the Red Cross emphasized the importance of equipping young people particularly future lawyers with knowledge that will enable them to champion humanitarian values and promote respect for human dignity. The youth dialogue series reflects UNILAK commitment to exposing its students to global issues and practical legal concepts, fostering a generation of professionals who will contribute positively to peace and justice worldwide.

In August, UNILAK, in partnership with the Rwanda Internet Community and Technology Alliance (RICTA) and Script Labs, hosted an intensive two-week training program focused on Digital Marketing for Tourism Business Owners across Rwanda. The training brought together tourism entrepreneurs, travel operators, and hospitality stakeholders, equipping them with essential skills in online branding, content creation, social media strategy, and data-driven marketing techniques to grow their businesses in an increasingly competitive digital space. Participants engaged in hands-on sessions facilitated by experienced trainers and digital marketing experts. The program covered practical modules including search engine optimization (SEO), social media advertising, email marketing, and leveraging analytics tools to measure campaign success. Speaking during the closing ceremony, the RICTA representative emphasized the importance of empowering tourism operators with digital skills: “Tourism is a vital pillar of Rwanda’s economy. By strengthening the capacity of business owners to market their products online effectively, we are contributing to the growth and visibility of the sector both locally and internationally.” Representatives from UNILAK praised the collaborative effort, noting that digital literacy is key to positioning Rwanda as a competitive destination in the global tourism market. Participants expressed their excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to learn new skills that they can immediately apply to attract more clients and grow their businesses.

Earlier in the morning of August 11th, members of UNILAK senior management officially welcomed Prof. Song, a visiting lecturer in the Faculty of Environmental Studies. She joins UNILAK from Yonsei University, one of UNILAK’s long-standing partner institutions. The visit marks yet another milestone in the strong partnership between UNILAK and Yonsei University, which has fostered years of academic collaboration, student exchange, and joint research initiatives. During the brief reception, UNILAK leaders expressed their appreciation for the continued cooperation with Yonsei University and highlighted the importance of such exchanges in strengthening the global perspective of students and faculty. Prof. Song’s engagement is expected to bring valuable insights into the Faculty of Environmental Studies, enriching the academic experience of students and contributing to ongoing research efforts on environmental sustainability.