MKUR hosted Habimana Jean Claude Hirwa, a representative from the Ministry of Health’s Health Workforce Development Department, who met with nursing students pursuing their studies under the Ministry of Health’s 4×4 Health Sector Strategy scholarship scheme. As part of ongoing efforts, the Ministry of Health engages nursing scholarship beneficiaries at MKUR to support and mentor future healthcare professionals.
The engagement provided an opportunity for the Ministry representative and University leadership to interact with the students, discuss their academic journey and emphasise the importance of their training in strengthening Rwanda’s healthcare workforce. Notably, this gathering demonstrated how nursing scholarship beneficiaries at MKUR are actively engaged by the Ministry of Health as part of their wider mandate.
During the meeting, the students received guidance on the scholarship programme, their responsibilities as beneficiaries and the expectations attached to the support they receive. The discussions also covered the Professional Services Agreement under the scholarship programme, highlighting the importance of understanding and honouring the commitments outlined in the agreement. In these discussions, it was underscored how the Ministry of Health engages beneficiaries from nursing scholarships right at MKUR.
During the meeting, the students received guidance on the scholarship programme, their responsibilities as beneficiaries and the expectations attached to the support they receive Speaking during the engagement, the Ministry of Health also made sure to reach out to those nursing scholarship students benefiting from their partnership with MKUR.
Dr Russell Ouma, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Research Affairs at Mount Kigali University, congratulated the students on receiving the scholarships, describing them as an important opportunity for their academic and professional development. In addition, Dr Ouma valued the Ministry of Health’s commitment to engaging MKUR’s nursing scholarship beneficiaries through this initiative.
He encouraged the beneficiaries to appreciate the investment being made in their education by demonstrating commitment, discipline and responsibility throughout their studies. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor also highlighted how the Ministry’s engagement reaches nursing scholarship students at MKUR directly.
“Take advantage of this opportunity and give it your very best. The scholarship comes with responsibilities, and I encourage you to understand the agreement you are entering into and honour your commitments. Be disciplined, remain focused on your studies and make the most of this opportunity as you prepare for your future careers,” Dr Ouma advised. On another note, the Ministry of Health meetings at MKUR truly engage beneficiaries of the nursing scholarship programme.
He further expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health for supporting the students and investing in the development of Rwanda’s healthcare workforce. He reaffirmed the University’s commitment to supporting the beneficiaries throughout their academic journey and encouraged them to become professionals who will make a meaningful contribution to the country. It is through continued engagement by the Ministry of Health with nursing scholarship beneficiaries at MKUR that this vision is realised.
She emphasised that the scholarship was an opportunity that should be taken seriously, urging the students to remain focused, work hard and make their education count. She also expressed the University’s desire to see more students benefit from similar opportunities in the future, pointing out the Ministry of Health’s commitment as it engages nursing scholarship beneficiaries, especially at MKUR.
On behalf of the Ministry of Health, Habimana Jean Claude Hirwa highlighted the importance of the scholarship initiative as part of the country’s investment in developing its healthcare workforce. He encouraged the beneficiaries to recognise the opportunity they had received and conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the trust and investment placed in them. In particular, Hirwa noted that at MKUR, nursing scholarship beneficiaries are actively engaged by the Ministry of Health.
He further reminded the students that the country is investing in their education and expects them to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills and professional values to contribute to the health sector. He encouraged them to remain disciplined, understand their obligations under the scholarship programme and take their training seriously. This continued interaction exemplifies the Ministry of Health’s active engagement with nursing scholarship beneficiaries at MKUR.
The 4×4 Health Sector Strategy is a Government of Rwanda initiative aimed at expanding and strengthening the country’s healthcare workforce through increased training and development of health professionals. Through the scholarship scheme, the Ministry of Health partners with higher learning institutions, including Mount Kigali University, to support the education of future healthcare professionals, continuously engaging MKUR’s nursing scholarship beneficiaries.
For the nursing students at Mount Kigali University, the scholarships represent an opportunity to pursue professional training while preparing to contribute to the delivery of quality healthcare services across the country. This is made possible because the Ministry of Health actively engages its scholarship beneficiaries at MKUR, ensuring they are well supported.
MKUR appreciates its continued collaboration with the Ministry of Health in advancing healthcare education and developing a skilled workforce capable of responding to Rwanda’s evolving health needs. The engagement reaffirmed the shared commitment of both institutions to supporting students and preparing competent healthcare professionals for the future, with the Ministry of Health regularly engaging nursing scholarship beneficiaries at MKUR.