News & Media

News and media coverage of Kent State’s work in Rwanda reflects both the university’s established presence and the continued evolution of the partnership into the proposed Kent State University Rwanda.

From academic collaborations and workforce initiatives to national-level engagements and global visibility, these stories highlight the depth of existing partnerships and the momentum leading to the formal unveiling of the proposed Kent State University Rwanda in June 2026.

A panel discussion at the Kent State University Fashion Symposium 2026 includes (from left to right) Brenda Tatenda Masocha, expert trainer in the Creative Arts Department at Rwanda Polytechnic-Kigali College; Alphonse Kwizera, “Made in Rwanda” business analyst at Rwanda’s Ministry of Trade and Industry; Matthew “Tayo” Rugamba, founder and creative director of House of Tayo; and Cynthia Butare, founder and creative director of IMIGANI. (Photo courtesy of Cornwine for Kent State University)

Coming Soon: Kent State University Rwanda

June 22, 2026

Kent State unveiled plans for the proposed Kent State University Rwanda and School of Fashion at a Kigali symposium, aiming to train designers and entrepreneurs to grow Africa's fashion industry.

Five planes piloted by Kent State students from Rwanda line up before takeoff. (Photo credit: Bob Christy)

Blue Skies, Bright Future: Five Rwandan Students Make Their First Flights at Kent State

June 3, 2026

Five Rwandan students selected from 2,600 applicants are training to become professional pilots at Kent State University – and just made their first flights.

IN A FLASH: A VIP Visit from Rwanda

March 23, 2026

Rwanda's Minister of Health was part of a delegation that visited Kent State to meet with administrators from Kent State's Office of Global Education and Rwandan students currently studying at Kent State.

Rwandan Francis Rubagumya earned his master's degree at Kent State now he is paying it forward.

A Rwandan Police Officer Journeys From Kigali to Kent State, Earns His Degree and Returns Home to Pay It Forward

Feb. 19, 2026

In December 2025, Francis Rubagumya, 37, walked across the stage at Kent State's commencement with a Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second Language — and a plan to take every lesson he had learned back to the country he loves Rwanda.

Stitching Together a Global Fashion Tapestry

Feb. 9, 2026

Kent State's School of Fashion is on track to be the university's first worldwide program — and its most ambitious expansion yet is taking root in Kigali, Rwanda, where Kent State will establish the only American university-level fashion school on the entire continent of Africa.

Rwandan students studying at Kent State meet with the Rwandan Minister of Education Claudette Irere, and officials from the Office of Global Education.

Kent State Working to Bring Fashion and Aeronautics to Rwanda

Jan. 22, 2025

Kent State University’s partnership with the African nation of Rwanda continues to blossom with the School of Fashion, the College of Aeronautics and Engineering and the College of Arts and Sciences all working to add program partnerships in Rwanda.

Pacifique Niyonzima, M.Ed. '19

June 27, 2024

Pacifique Niyonzima, M.Ed. ’19, finds new opportunities for students through partnership between his alma mater and home country.

Kent State students check out the Kigali skyline

Taking in the Sights, Sounds and Tastes of Rwanda

July 17, 2023

Over the past several weeks, Kent State University faculty and staff, along with a select group of students, have traveled to Kigali, Rwanda, taking part in a host of educational programs and cultural exchange.

Kent State graduate student Camille Tinnin gives a presentation on peace through storytelling, on July 12 at Peace Education in an Era of Crisis, a global peace conference being sponsored by Kent State University, the University of Rwanda and the Aegis Trust.

Telling the Story: Conversations Become a Powerful Peace Education Tool

July 13, 2023

A trio of Kent State University students took the lessons they learned on an education-abroad trip to Colombia last year and used them as a framework for promoting peace education practices at a global peace conference in Kigali, Rwanda.

Kent State students learning about peace and conflict in Kigali, Rwanda.

IN A FLASH SPECIAL: Lessons of Peace

July 10, 2023

A peace education conference is bringing together peace and conflict experts, students and educators from Kent State, Northeast Ohio and around the world.