University of Rwanda research and HE 2019-2026
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Sweden is contributing to Rwanda’s development by supporting research capacity building and professional skills development in higher education through a long-term partnership with the University of Rwanda (UR). This collaboration, known as the UR–Sweden Programme for Research, Higher Education and Institutional Advancement (2019–2026), is designed to help Rwa...
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- D02 - Other technical assistance ,
- C01 - Project-type interventions
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Sweden is contributing to Rwanda’s development by supporting research capacity building and professional skills development in higher education through a long-term partnership with the University of Rwanda (UR). This collaboration, known as the UR–Sweden Programme for Research, Higher Education and Institutional Advancement (2019–2026), is designed to help Rwanda transition into a knowledge-based economy by increasing the production of high-quality, relevant scientific research. The programme is structured around four interconnected objectives. First, it aims to strengthen UR’s ability to conduct Master’s and PhD-level research training. Second, it seeks to increase both the quantity and quality of research that directly supports poverty reduction and socio-economic development. Third, the programme focuses on establishing robust academic and administrative systems, as well as infrastructure that fosters innovation and creates a vibrant research and training environment. Fourth, it works to enhance UR’s capacity to contribute to Rwanda’s innovation systems by deepening collaboration between the university’s research community and both public and private sectors. To achieve these goals, the programme includes 18 sub-programmes. Thirteen of these are dedicated to research training in areas critical to Rwanda’s development. Four sub-programmes support essential services such as library development, ICT infrastructure, research management, and innovation. One sub-programme is devoted to overall programme coordination. Together, these components build on the achievements of previous phases and expand into new areas aligned with Rwanda’s national priorities and UR’s institutional needs. Between 2019 and 2026, UR plans to train at least 63 new PhD candidates, including 25 enrolled in newly designed PhD programmes. It will also continue supporting 20 PhD students from the previous phase, award nine postdoctoral fellowships, and run 11 Master’s programmes with a total of at least 240 students. New postgraduate programmes are being developed, and interdisciplinary research teams will be supported through competitive grants aimed at producing peer-reviewed publications. Additional activities include enhancing library services, upgrading ICT infrastructure, promoting regional collaboration, and strengthening UR’s research management and fundraising capabilities. In the area of innovation, UR is working to build capacity in innovation management, fund collaborative innovation projects, and strengthen university–industry linkages. The programme follows Sida’s Research Training Partnership Programme (RTPP) model, which emphasizes scientific quality, development relevance, and cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, environmental sustainability, and ethical standards. These aspects were evaluated by an external scientific committee. The programme is implemented in partnership with 14 Swedish universities. Their role includes enrolling UR PhD students, providing supervision both in Sweden and Rwanda, contributing to curriculum development, building supervisory capacity, and teaching in UR’s locally run Master’s and PhD programmes. Through this collaboration, Sweden continues to support Rwanda’s higher education sector and its broader development goals.
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Total aid 236,483,649 SEK distributed on 0 activities
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Result
Examples of results achieved during the fiscal year 23/24 in relation to the programme objectives: Objective 1 To strengthen the capacity of UR to conduct masters and PhD training To succeed in reducing poverty the higher education sector has a crucial role to play in developing a critical mass of workforce with postgraduate qualifications engaged in meaningful research and innovation. Approximately 21% of the academic and teaching staff at the University of Rwanda hold a PhD. In 2020, this translated to 350 lecturers out of the total academic and teaching staff. The SwedenUR program has contributed to strengthening the research capacity at the University of Rwanda (UR). During the reporting period, two PhD students completed their studies and are now serving as faculty members at UR. Additionally, 63 PhD students (21 female and 42 male) are currently supported by the program, continuing their research and teaching activities. The program has also supported two postdoctoral researchers in the field of infectious diseases. In October 2024, 24 Masters students graduated in Digital Health, from a programme developed with funds from Sweden. Objective 2 To increase the quantity and quality of relevant research for poverty reduction and social economic development The research conducted within the program is highly relevant to Rwanda and the broader region. For example, postdoctoral researchers have carried out and published studies on topics such as undernutrition, rural women entrepreneurs through microcredit, and peace, conflict, and security management. Nearly 20 scientific papers have been published with the involvement of PhD students, the majority of which focus on undernutrition, followed by sustainable energy. 54 scientific outputs have been delivered of which 7 were published in scientific journals. The capacity of UR and the footprint of the SidaUR bilateral research collaboration were instrumental when the EU Rwanda delegation selected Sweden to take lead on one of the components of the Team Europe Initiative "Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines, and Health Technologies" (MAV) in Rwanda with a 10millioneuro budget for 4 years. UR and three Swedish universities are the main implementers of the intervention, and several researchers of the SidaUR program are also involved in MAV. The programs have several synergies in the area of health, and in particular in the vaccine related field. Objective 3 To establish administrative and academic structures and systems as well as infrastructure to support innovation and promote a vibrant research and training environment In August 2024, the UR Board of Governors approved a new research and innovation policy. This policy emphasizes UR's strategic goal of becoming a researchled institution. It aims to create a conducive environment that fosters research and innovation by attracting and retaining top academic talent and enabling them to conduct research that meets international standards. The policy is structured around three main pillars: 1) Research, Innovation, and Dissemination 2) Research Capacity Development and 3) Research Management. To further enhance the research environment and improve access to teaching and learning resources, the program has supported upgraded internet access by installing wireless network infrastructure at the Nyagatare campus. This installation has provided wireless coverage to key areas, including the girls' hostel, which accommodates 400 students. As a result, approximately 70% of the campus is now covered by the wireless network. Additionally, the program has enhanced library facilities by expanding access to databases, ejournals, and ebooks, providing UR students and staff with valuable resources for their academic and research needs. Objective 4 To strengthen the capacity of UR to contribute to innovation system and deepen the collaboration of UR research community with public and private sectors in utilizing innovative research results To boost the impact of research, the University of Rwanda (UR) has adopted a forwardthinking approach to research and innovation. Central to this new direction is ChallengeBased research, which ensures that URs research efforts directly address realworld societal issues through technology and innovation. UR has strengthened its innovation systems and deepened collaborations across both public and private sectors. This progress is reflected in 30 active innovation projects, funded by the URSweden program, many of which have produced promising prototypes. One standout example is a nutrientrich porridge flour developed using local ingredients and simple technologies to combat childhood malnutrition, one of the country's most pressing challenges. Recognizing the growing demand to build vibrant innovation ecosystems across Africa, UR launched Innovation Week, a dynamic event cohosted with Chalmers University of Technology. Although funding constraints led to its removal from the URSweden program in 2023, the collaboration could continue with support from the Grid Innovation and Incubation Hub (GIIH), which operates within the African Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development at URs College of Science and Technology. Initially funded by the World Bank, GIIH now receives support from Chalmers and other sponsors. In the same year, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) provided funding to establish the University Innovation Pod (UnIPod), in collaboration with Rwandas Ministry of ICT and the GIIHACEESDChalmers team. Based at URs College of Science and Technology, UnIPod was launch during the second Innovation Week in 2023. This maker space promotes innovation, supports interdisciplinary research, and inspires a new generation of entrepreneurs and problem solvers. Its a model for how universities can nurture youthdriven innovation and help build inclusive, sustainable futures. The 2024 edition of Innovation Week brought policy makers, researchers, businesses, and community members together. It spotlighted the intersection of policy and innovation, and created inclusive platforms were young innovators could design and test solutions for pressing challenges.
The objective of the UR-Sweden Programme for Research, Higher Education and Institutional Development, 2019-2026 is to increase the production of relevant high-quality scientific knowledge that contributes to Rwanda becoming a knowledge-based economy. As indicated by the revised Results Framework the overall objective of the program has not changed but will be now implemented through the following four specif objectives instead of 6 originally stated. 1: To strengthen the capacity of UR to conduct masters and PhD research training 2: To increase the quantity and quality of relevant research for poverty reduction and social economic development 3: To establish administrative and academic structures and systems, as well as infrastructure to support innovation and promote a vibrant research and training environment 4: To strengthen the capacity of UR to contribute to innovation systems and deepen the collaboration of UR research community with public and private sectors in utilizing innovative research results
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