University of Rwanda reverts to four-year degree programmes

The University of Rwanda has reinstated its four-year undergraduate degree programmes, returning to the traditional structure after a five-year trial with the three-year structure, writes Shallon Mwiza for The New Times.

In the 2017 academic year, social sciences and certain science programmes were reduced to a three-year duration instead of the traditional four years. Officials explained that the decision was made after determining that only science courses such as architecture, engineering and medicine should extend beyond three years.

According to Didas Muganga Kayihura, acting vice-chancellor of the University of Rwanda, the change is aimed at enhancing the quality of education and aligning the university’s programmes with feedback from graduates, employers and other stakeholders. “Graduates and employers consistently told us that the compressed three-year curriculum left students missing crucial knowledge and skills. While we tried to benchmark against regional universities offering three-year programmes, our evaluation showed that this approach was not yielding the desired results,” said Kayihura.
Full report on The New Times site