Rwanda

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

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.

Tags: University News , Global Reach , Global Impact , College of Honors and Global Education , Rwanda , School of Fashion , College of Aeronautics and Engineering

Kent State Today

Kent State University first-year students cheer during Convocation in the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center. (Photo credit: Rami Daud, Kent State University)

Kent State Named Among Best Global Universities by US News & World Report

Kent State University has been named one of the Best Global Universities by U.S. News & World Report for 2026-2027, the highest-ranked public university in northern Ohio on the list. The recognition reflects Kent State’s global research impact, international student enrollment, education-abroad programs and partnerships spanning more than 60 countries.

Tags: University News , Global Reach , Nationally Distinctive , College of Honors and Global Education , Rwanda

Kent State Today

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

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

Tags: Global Reach , Nationally Distinctive , College of Aeronautics and Engineering , Rwanda , College of Honors and Global Education

Kent State Today

Visit from Rwandan Minister of Health.

IN A FLASH: A VIP Visit from Rwanda

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.

Tags: Global Reach , Nationally Distinctive , International Students , Global Impact , Rwanda

Global Education

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

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.

Tags: Student Life , Global Reach , Global Education , Profiles , Rwanda

Kent State Today

Stitching Together a Global Fashion Tapestry

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.

Tags: Rwanda

Kent State in Rwanda

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

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.

Tags: Global Reach , Student Life , Global Education , University News , Featured Story , Rwanda

Kent State Today

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Pacifique Niyonzima, M.Ed. '19

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

Tags: Rwanda

Alumni and Giving

Highlights of the Global Peace Education Conference in Rwanda - July 11-13, 2023

In July 2023, School of Peace and Conflict Studies faculty and students, as well as other members of the Kent State community and local educators, traveled to Kigali, Rwanda to participate in the “Peace Education in an Era of Crisis” conference.

Tags: Rwanda

School of Peace & Conflict Studies

Kent State students check out the Kigali skyline

Taking in the Sights, Sounds and Tastes of Rwanda

 

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.

Tags: Rwanda , Community & Society , Global Reach

Kent State Today