The University of Rwanda (UR) has been recognized for its contribution to health education, research, innovation and community engagement after receiving the Africa Higher Education for Transformation (AHEFT) Prize from the Mastercard Foundation.
The award ceremony was held in Accra, Ghana on 22 September 2026, where UR Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kayihura M. Didas, represented the University.
UR was recognized under the Excellence in Health category. The prize comes with USD 3 million, which will continue to support the University’s work in health education, research, innovation and community engagement.
To mark the achievement, Prof. Kayihura was joined on stage by Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. Rosemary Mbabazi; Dr. Edward Kadozi, Director General of the Higher Education Council of Rwanda; and Prof. Abraham H. Mitike, Principal of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences.
The recognition highlights the University of Rwanda’s contribution to strengthening health education and research, as well as its role in supporting communities.
The AHEFT Prize recognizes higher education institutions that are making a transformational impact in Africa. The prize covers different areas, including Teaching and Learning, Transitions to Employment, Research and Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. It also recognizes institutions working in priority sectors such as Climate and Environment, Agriculture and Agri-food Systems, Health, and STEM, Digital and Artificial Intelligence.
The award places the University of Rwanda among institutions being recognized for their contribution to higher education and development across Africa.
The award ceremony was held in Accra, Ghana on 22 September 2026, where UR Vice Chancellor, Prof. Kayihura M. Didas, represented the University.
UR was recognized under the Excellence in Health category. The prize comes with USD 3 million, which will continue to support the University’s work in health education, research, innovation and community engagement.
To mark the achievement, Prof. Kayihura was joined on stage by Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Ghana, H.E. Rosemary Mbabazi; Dr. Edward Kadozi, Director General of the Higher Education Council of Rwanda; and Prof. Abraham H. Mitike, Principal of the College of Medicine and Health Sciences.
The recognition highlights the University of Rwanda’s contribution to strengthening health education and research, as well as its role in supporting communities.
The AHEFT Prize recognizes higher education institutions that are making a transformational impact in Africa. The prize covers different areas, including Teaching and Learning, Transitions to Employment, Research and Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. It also recognizes institutions working in priority sectors such as Climate and Environment, Agriculture and Agri-food Systems, Health, and STEM, Digital and Artificial Intelligence.
The award places the University of Rwanda among institutions being recognized for their contribution to higher education and development across Africa.
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Written by: Uwase Delice
EDITOR
Author • Published on September 25, 2026
Article written by Uwase Delice
(Content Editor)
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