News

UNILAK is celebrating a remarkable victory after its students from the Faculty of Law emerged champions of the 2025 International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Moot Court Competition held in Rwanda. The outstanding performance of the team has earned them the honour of representing Rwanda at the prestigious All-Africa IHL Moot Court Competition scheduled to take place later this year in Nairobi, Kenya. The national competition, which brings together top law faculties from across the country, tests students’ understanding and application of International Humanitarian Law through simulated court proceedings. The UNILAK team impressed the judges with their strong legal arguments, mastery of IHL principles, and exceptional advocacy skills. According to the team’s coach, Dr. Jacques Kabano, the achievement is a result of months of rigorous preparation, unwavering dedication, and teamwork. “Our students demonstrated not only academic excellence but also professionalism, discipline, and passion for humanitarian law. We are proud to see them carry the flag of both the university and the country to the regional stage,” he said. The Vice Chancellor of UNILAK, Prof. Jean Ngamije, congratulated the team, noting that the win reflects the institution’s commitment to providing high-quality legal education and nurturing future leaders in the legal profession. “This victory is a testament to the hard work of our students, the support of their lecturers, and the overall strength of our Faculty of Law. We are confident they will make Rwanda proud in Nairobi,” he said. The students expressed excitement and gratitude for the opportunity, acknowledging the support they received from the university and the broader UNILAK community. They emphasized that the upcoming competition presents both a challenge and a chance to showcase Rwanda’s growing expertise in international humanitarian law. UNILAK looks forward to supporting the team as they prepare for the All-Africa IHL Moot Court Competition, where they will compete against the best law students from across the region. The university community celebrates their success and wishes them the best as they take on this new milestone in Nairobi.

UNILAK has marked a major milestone in its pursuit of research excellence and environmental sustainability after its Environmental Research Laboratory received a “Designation Certificate” from the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB). The certification acknowledges that the laboratory has met all the requirements outlined under the East African Community (EAC) Standardization, Quality Assurance, Metrology, and Testing (SQMT) Regulations. This recognition positions UNILAK among the leading institutions in the region with laboratories capable of conducting reliable, standardized, and internationally recognized environmental analyses.     Speaking on this achievement, the Vice Chancellor of UNILAK, Prof. Jean Ngamije, expressed pride in the accomplishment and applauded the staff for their commitment to excellence. “Being RSB-designated means our results are trusted nationally and regionally. It will enable us to better serve communities, industries, and policy institutions seeking high-quality environmental testing services,” Prof. Ngamije emphasized. The Environmental Research Laboratory plays a critical role in analyzing water and soil quality. By earning this designation, the laboratory now holds formal recognition to provide standardized testing services to both public and private institutions, thereby contributing to national development goals and regional integration under the EAC framework. This achievement aligns with UNILAK’s strategic mission to promote high-quality research and innovation that address environmental and societal challenges, contributing to Rwanda’s vision for a green and sustainable economy.  

On October 7th, the Girls Leaders Forum (GLF), in partnership with the Rwanda Women Network, officially launched the “Voice of Change Project” at UNILAK. The initiative aims to empower young women in higher learning institutions by fostering self-confidence, nurturing leadership potential, and promoting economic self-reliance. Through the “Voice of Change Project”, female university students will be equipped with essential skills in public speaking, leadership, and project management. The program also seeks to inspire participants to design and implement community-driven projects that enhance their personal growth and contribute to the nation’s development. Speaking during the launch, representatives from both GLF and Rwanda Women Network emphasized the importance of creating safe spaces where young women can share ideas, build confidence, and prepare to take on leadership roles in various sectors. The event was also marked by the election of new GLF leaders at UNILAK, a significant step in strengthening the platform’s presence within the institution and ensuring the sustainability of its initiatives. The *Voice of Change Project* aligns with national efforts to promote gender equality and empower young women to become transformative leaders in Rwanda’s social and economic spheres.

The Vice Chancellor of UNILAK, Prof. Jean NGAMIJE, received Mr. Bernard BAYASESE, the District Executive Administrator of Gasabo District and his delegation at the university’s main campus. The visit which took place on October 7th, aimed to strengthen the existing partnership between the two institutions and identify new areas of collaboration. During the meeting, both parties discussed the achievements realized under their current Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and explored opportunities for deeper engagement in community development, research, and capacity-building initiatives. They also expressed their shared intention to renew the MoU, which is nearing the end of its term. Prof. Ngamije commended the District’s continuous commitment to advancing education and development, emphasizing that joint efforts between academia and local government can lead to sustainable solutions for community challenges. The Mayor, on his part, appreciated UNILAK contribution to the district’s progress, particularly in empowering youth and providing expertise for local projects. The meeting concluded with a mutual understanding to establish a joint working team that will draft the terms for the renewed partnership, ensuring that both institutions continue to work hand in hand towards growth and innovation.

More than 200 cooperative representatives from across the globe are convening in Kigali for the second International Conference on Business Management and Innovation (ICBMI 2025). The high-level gathering seeks to strengthen the capacity of cooperatives through innovative business models, inclusiveness, and sustainability strategies. Organized by UNILAK in collaboration with its partners, the conference runs under the theme: “Building Co-operatives’ Resilience: Strengthening Capacity Building, Innovation, Inclusiveness, and Sustainability.” The two-day intercontinental meeting, which officially opened on Wednesday, October 1, has attracted cooperative leaders, regulators, academicians, and industry policymakers. Together, they are exploring ways to enhance the role of cooperatives in fostering empowerment, equity, and sustainable development. Speaking at the event, Prof. Jean Ngamije, UNILAK Vice Chancellor, emphasized the timeliness of the conference in helping cooperatives to adapt to current world economic shifts and climate change, among others. View the event’s Picture here “In Rwanda and beyond, cooperatives continue to transform lives, particularly for women and youth, by encouraging resource sharing, reducing deep risks, and enhancing local economies,” he said. He underscored the importance of continuous education, mentorship, and research to build resilient cooperatives. He urged leaders to adopt innovative tools and business models that guarantee sustainability, while promoting inclusivity, particularly through engaging youth entrepreneurs and women with disabilities. His words were echoed by the Managing Director of Rwanda Institute of Cooperatives, Entrepreneurship and Microfinance (RICEM), Dr. Olivier Mukulira. He underscored the conference’s contribution in fostering inclusiveness in cooperatives. “Inclusiveness must remain the heart of cooperative identity. Without equity and fairness, sustainability cannot be achieved,” said Dr. Olivier The conference has also served as a platform for sharing case studies of successful cooperatives. Panel discussions highlighted how strategic partnerships, digital tools, and resilient governance structures can help cooperatives withstand economic shocks while continuing to serve their members. ICBMI 2025 provides a platform for experience sharing, research dissemination, and policy dialogue, positioning cooperatives as vital drivers of socio-economic transformation. Through keynote speeches, panel discussions, and case studies, participants are examining how cooperatives can adapt to changing economic landscapes while maintaining inclusiveness and resilience.

UNILAK Nyanza Campus successfully hosted an academic workshop on grant proposal writing, facilitated by Prof. Gabriele Schäfer. The workshop focused on enhancing participants’ skills in developing high-quality proposals and provided a comprehensive overview of current project funding opportunities. Prof. Gabriele emphasized the critical importance of rigorous proposal preparation and encouraged participants to increase their engagement in drafting and submitting multiple project proposals. She highlighted that consistent efforts in this regard are essential to securing competitive funding and advancing research initiatives. The workshop served as a platform for knowledge exchange, practical guidance, and professional development, reinforcing UNILAK commitment to fostering a robust research culture and promoting excellence in scholarly activities.

UNILAK hosted a strategic meeting to mark the start of a collaborative research project with the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG), Chinese Academy of Sciences, on the 19th September 2025. The three-year project, entitled “Formation Mechanisms and Emergency Response Strategies of Disasters Caused by Heavy Rainfall in East Africa,” officially began in September 2025. Its primary goal is to advance scientific understanding of extreme rainfall events in East Africa and propose effective response strategies to mitigate their social and economic impacts. Speaking during the meeting, the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academics and Research of UNILAK, Dr. Emmanuel Hakizimana, underscored the importance of the initiative: “This partnership with XIEG is timely and vital. Heavy rainfall disasters affect lives, infrastructure, and economic activity across our region. Through this research, we aim to provide evidence-based solutions that will help governments, humanitarian actors, and communities respond more effectively.” A representative from XIEG also expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting: “Working with UNILAK allows us to combine global expertise with local knowledge. Together, we will explore the science behind these disasters and propose strategies that are tailored to the East African context.” Over the course of the project, researchers will conduct field studies, collect data, and employ simulation models to better understand rainfall patterns and disaster formation mechanisms. The project is expected to generate actionable recommendations for policymakers and strengthen regional capacity for disaster preparedness and response. This collaboration highlights UNILAK commitment to advancing research and innovation in climate science, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development across Africa.

In partnership with Rwamagana District and the Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA), UNILAK was delighted to host a training session for approximately 60 members representing various cooperatives across Rwamagana District. The one-day training, held on September 18 at UNILAK Rwamagana Campus, focused on strengthening participants’ leadership capacity and equipping them with practical knowledge on cooperative financial management. Speaking at the event, facilitators emphasized the critical role of effective leadership and sound financial practices in sustaining and growing cooperatives. This initiative underscores UNILAK commitment to supporting community development and empowering local economic actors through capacity-building programs.