For Abraham Chol, studying at Mount Kigali University has been more than earning a degree it has been an experience of finding a sense of home in a foreign land. 

Abraham Chol, a student in the School of Business and Economics, chose Mount Kigali University because of what he describes as its excellent academic work. When he first arrived, his reaction was one of immediate admiration.“Wow, what a beautiful, peaceful and quiet place.” 

While Rwanda’s environment left a positive first impression, adjusting to life in a new country was not without its challenges. For Abraham, the biggest difficulty has been the language barrier, which made communication one of the main things he had to adjust to. 

Despite this, his experience with fellow students has helped him feel comfortable on campus. Abraham says Rwandan students have treated him with kindness and respect, making him feel welcomed rather than like an outsider. 

For Abraham, one of the things he enjoys most about being an international student at MKU is the feeling of home he experiences while living in a foreign country. The relationships and environment around him have helped make his university experience more comfortable and meaningful. 

His time in Rwanda has also taught him lessons that extend beyond the classroom. Abraham says living in the country has taught him about humbleness, simplicity and consistency in everything he does.“Living in Rwanda has taught me about humbleness, being simple and consistency in everything that I’m doing.” 

As he continues his studies at MKU, Abraham’s experience reflects how studying abroad can provide more than academic knowledge. It can also expose students to new cultures, relationships and lessons that shape their personal growth. 

For other international students considering MKU, Abraham has a simple message: 

“Every international student who wants to join MKU should come and join MKU because this is where you receive quality education and experience beautiful things.” 

For Abraham, Mount Kigali University has become more than a place to study. In a foreign land, he has found an environment where kindness, respect and a sense of belonging have helped make Rwanda feel a little more like home. 

By Tumalo Noel 

The post Finding Home Far Away From Home  appeared first on Mount Kigali University E-Magazine.

For many students arriving in Kigali, finding a suitable place to live can be a difficult part of settling into the city. At Mount Kigali University Atalabi Oluwadamiloju a BBICT student is working with two colleagues to make the process easier through Find Your Roomie, a website designed to help students, particularly international students, find houses and potential roommates in Kigali. 

The idea began last year and Atalabi started developing a platform that could simplify the search for accommodation. He developed the website this year and now manages it together with his two colleagues. 

The platform was created around a problem he believes many students face, finding accommodation in Kigali can be time consuming and difficult  especially for people who are new to the city. 

For international students, the challenge can be greater as they adjust to a new country while also trying to find a suitable place to live. 

Find Your Roomie aims to provide a simpler way for people looking for accommodation to find houses or connect with potential roommates. 

Although developing Find Your Roomie has been an exciting journey,Atalabi says the main challenge he currently faces is creating awareness about the website. Since the platform is still growing, getting more students and potential users to know about it remains an important part of building the business. 

While building the platform Atalabi is also continuing with his university studies, meaning he has to divide his time between academics, the business and his personal life. 

What started as an idea last year has now become a growing student-led project, showing how a common challenge can inspire an entrepreneur to create a solution while still pursuing a university degree. 

By Tumalo Noel 

The post Making Room for a Dream  appeared first on Mount Kigali University E-Magazine.

The inaugural Bénédiction Fashion Gala is set to blend fashion, gospel music and cultural entertainment in an inclusive celebration when models take to the runway at RM Casa Italia in Nyarutarama on August 15.

Organised by Bénédiction Boutique in collaboration with Rwandan top model Sandrine Mucyo through her fashion concept, The Stage Fashion Showcase, the event aims to go beyond a traditional fashion show by combining runway presentations, gospel performances, cultural acts and prize giveaways while promoting diversity and inclusivity in the fashion industry.

The Bénédiction Fashion Gala will be the first edition of what founder and CEO Françoise Uwera hopes will become an annual event, with each edition building on the previous one as part of a growing celebration of fashion, creativity and excellence.

Mucyo told The New Times that the gala seeks to challenge conventional beauty standards by demonstrating that fashion is for women of all ages and body types.

“We are looking for women aged between 18 and 65, regardless of body size. Older women also wear fashionable clothes and look beautiful in them,” she said.

More than 120 women registered for the casting, with over 90 attending the selection session held on July 12. Of those, 30 models were selected to participate in the runway show.

Organisers are also inviting five plus-size women to join the lineup without undergoing the casting process, bringing the total number of models to between 35 and 40. Mucyo said the move is intended to further reinforce the event’s message of inclusivity.

The runway will feature women aged between 18 and 65, reflecting the organisers’ commitment to showcasing beauty beyond conventional modelling standards.

The gala will also unveil a curated collection of premium European fashion, with exclusive brands from Belgium and other sought-after labels making their debut on the runway.

Entertainment will include performances by gospel artists Emmy Vox and Tonzi, as well as a special dance performance by a troupe travelling from Belgium.

Uwera said the event will also provide a platform for a Belgium-based Rwandan women’s clothing store to showcase its collections. Bénédiction Boutique will present designs for women of different ages, highlighting fashionable outfits tailored to both younger and older women.

Tickets are priced at Rwf25,000 for regular admission, Rwf50,000 for premium and Rwf100,000 for VIP, while a table for five costs Rwf300,000. Food and drinks are included in the package.

According to the organisers, every ticket purchased gives attendees a chance to win prizes, with higher-tier tickets offering greater chances of winning larger rewards.

Prizes include cash-equivalent gifts worth between Rwf100,000 and Rwf500,000, luxury Paris XL perfumes, ceremony gowns, designer shoes, premium beauty products and handbags.

The post Bénédiction Fashion Gala to blend runway, gospel music and inclusivity appeared first on Mount Kigali University E-Magazine.

Donald Kaberuka’s journey from a Rwandan refugee forced into exile to one of Africa’s most influential economic figures is a story of resilience, institution-building and a pragmatic approach to development.

Born on October 5, 1951, in Byumba, Rwanda, Kaberuka grew up during a difficult period in the country’s history. The persecution of 1959 forced many Rwandans, including his family, into exile. Decades later, he would become one of the key figures involved in rebuilding Rwanda’s economy after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and would go on to lead one of Africa’s most important financial institutions.

Kaberuka studied economics and development, beginning his higher education at the University of Dar es Salaam. He later obtained a Master of Philosophy in Development Studies from the University of East Anglia in 1979 before earning a PhD in Economics from the University of Glasgow.

His economic thinking was shaped by his experiences studying in the United Kingdom during the economic turmoil of the 1970s. In an interview with Jeune Afrique, Kaberuka recalled how Britain’s economic crisis, marked by high inflation and a request for support from the International Monetary Fund in 1976, influenced his views.

“The economic and industrial crisis had a profound impact on me,” Kaberuka recalled. “Imagine the United Kingdom with 25 percent inflation having to seek assistance from the International Monetary Fund in 1976. It taught me to be skeptical of theories. Since then, my approach has been simple: What works?“

The post From refugee to Africa’s development finance architect: Donald Kaberuka’s extraordinary journey appeared first on Mount Kigali University E-Magazine.