Kigali, 27 May 2017
Today, President Kagame attended the inaugural graduation of the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) in Kigali. He started his address by congratulating the new graduates and proceeded to thank everyone who was involved in the establishment of the University, with a special mention for Partners in Health.
“This initiative started a few short years ago, with the subversive idea that world-class health education could be delivered in Africa. Today, it is a reality. I wish to thank Partners in Health, and especially our old friend, Paul Farmer, for working together with the Rwandan team to see it through. You can be assured of our continued support as this institution grows, into a beacon of excellence, in our country and our region. “
Addressing the 2017 class of the Masters program in Global Health Equity , President Kagame urged them to use their newly acquired skills to become leaders in the health sector and be agent of change in the country’s development: ” The progress Rwanda has registered in the last decade, comes largely from empowering citizens. Rwandans continue to be mobilised and educated, so that health-promoting behaviours such as hygiene, nutrition, and neonatal care, become a habit. Every one of the twenty-five graduates today is a potential leader in the field of health. At the same time, I encourage you to see yourselves as leaders more generally, as we work together to develop our country’s well-being and prosperity.”
Founded in 2015 by Partners in Health, UGHE aims to train the next generation of leaders in delivery-focused health sciences and it started with a flagship program of Masters in Global Health Equity that welcomed 25 candidates in September 2016. The University plans to further expand by launching the School of Medicine in September 2018, in addition to clinical degree programs in nursing and oral health, and non-clinical programs in research and health management.