Kigali, May 31st 2024__Under the theme ‘Paving a path way to success’, yesterday on 30th May 2024 the East Africa University of Rwanda (EAUR) held its fifth annual graduation at the Nyagatare stadium. Jubilant graduands donned their caps and gowns and were joined by friends, family and distinguished guests to celebrate the major milestone. The ceremony marked the culmination of years of hard work and dedication for the graduating class of 2024.
As the students and faculty filled into the stadium, led by a band procession joy and excitement was evident on the faces of those in attendance. The event was not just a celebration of academic achievements but a heartfelt farewell to a pivotal chapter in the lives of the graduates.
There were 377 graduates of whom 52% were female while 48% were male. 370 of them graduated with degrees, 4 with diplomas and 3 with certificates from the following departments; Business adminstartion and management studies, Education, Mass Communication, Filmaking and Film Production and Industrial Fine art and Design.
In attendance was the Chief technical advisor in the ministry of education, chairman and founder of East Africa University, honorable governor of Eastern province, H.E ambassador of Angola to Rwanda, H.E ambassador of Uganda to Rwanda, Mayor of Nyagatare, chairman of board of governors and various religious leaders.
In his speech, the vice chancellor of EAUR Prof. Cabera Calixte expressed in confidence that graduands were indeed well equipped to go out into society.
“These graduands have been provided with the necessary knowledge in their respective disciplines as well as skills for discovery. They have received adequate mentorship from this institution that no one will give them competition, they have also been equipped well to succeed and they shall succeed. They shall draw from what they have been taught to offer solutions, when they encounter new challenges” said prof. Cabera Calixte.
The chief technical advisor of the ministry of education reminded the students that their achievements were not only centered around them,” The path to success is not only merely about personal achievements, it is also about the personal impacts you make in your communities,use your knowledge and skills to uplift others and propel Rwanda’s development foward.The degree you hold today is a testament to your hard work but also the key to endless possibilities, use it to continue learning ,growing and contributing to the world around you.”said Pascal Gatabazi.
Speaking on behalf of the Graduating class of 2024 the class representative addressed the crowd, reflecting on the shared experiences of the class and their hopes for the future.
“We are not at the end of our journey but at a crucial turning point of the path we have been on for years. This journey was not easy, we had late night study sessions, moments of doubt and the consistent pressure to do our best yet we persevered, drawing strength from our friends and the guidance from our professors. The world we are entering today is full of challenges but we are the solution for those challenges, we have been equipped to change those challenge into opportunities. We owe a huge thanks to the university faculty and management whose hard work has turned us into professionals, their commitment for nurturing our talents and using innovative teaching methodologies have prepared us to face the future confidently and thus we are ready.” Said Fred Mugemu.
In a surprise twist, the Vice chancellor Prof. Cabera Callixte gave out various awards in honor of the universities nine years of operation, a founder’s award to founder Prof. Badru Kateregga and chair of the board of trustees Jolly Irankunda kateregga, a service award to the East Africa University Chancellor Prof George Mondo and a certificate of appreciation which was awarded to the guest of honor Pascal Gatabazi on behalf of the ministry of education , for its commitment of development of education in Rwanda and for gracing EAUR graduation.
As degrees were handed out, each name called brought a wave of cheers and applause, capturing the individual journeys and triumphs of the graduates. The anticipation and pride had built up to this moment and the graduates did not shy from expressing their joy and fulfilment of their hard work, as they danced and tossed up their caps.
The overall best Graduate, Ndahimana Umutoniwase Marie Fidele was from the department of leisure tourism and hotel management and was awarded a laptop and a whopping 500,000 RWF. Top students in various departments also walked away with various awards.
One of the graduates David dufitimana, shared his views on the graduation and his future plans with the EAUR magazine.” The graduation surpased my expectations,, it was a well-organized celebration for our hard work. As a graduate receiving my degree in mass communication ,I gained valuable skills in communication ,media and journalism in addition to making a lot of friends and connections. I plan to work in media to help tell important stories and keep people informed.”
The ceremony at the Nyagatare stadium concluded with a sense of optimism and possibility. With newfound skills and a strong sense of purpose, these graduates are poised to transform challenges into opportunities and make meaningful contributions to their communities. The ceremony, filled with joy and heartfelt farewells, marked not just an end, but the vibrant beginning of their journeys toward success.
