Kepler in Rwanda adds a new university program to News Decoder’s community, extending our reach to 20 partners in 15 countries.
(Photo courtesy of Kepler)
An innovative university in Rwanda has joined News Decoder as an academic partner, extending our not-for-profit’s global reach to 20 programs in 15 countries.
Founded in 2013, Kepler has campuses in Rwanda’s capital, Kigali, and also in Kiziba refugee camp in western Rwanda. Its partnership with Southern New Hampshire University in the United States allows its students to obtain an online, U.S.-accredited bachelor’s degree while participating in seminars, job readiness training and coaching in East Africa.
Students from vulnerable communities — including low-income households, refugees and students with disabilities — can obtain degrees in communications, healthcare and management. As of early 2021, 92% of Kepler graduates were employed, running a business or pursuing graduate studies.
“By writing and reading others’ works, students will get experience from other writers or scholars,” said Jean Bosco Sibomana, Kepler’s Communications Manager. “From this, our students can build or make great connections with others and get an opportunity to publish their works and, therefore, expose their talents to the entire world and enrich their CVs.”
Kepler is News Decoder’s first partner in Rwanda, third in Africa.
Kepler joins two other News Decoder partners in Africa — the African Leadership Academy in South Africa and Avicenne Private Business School in Tunisia. News Decoder’s other academic partners are in Belgium, Canada, China, Colombia, Denmark, France, Italy, Jordan, Romania, South Korea, Spain and the United States.
Launched in 2016 and based in France, News Decoder helps students at its partner institutions hone their skills and develop global citizenship competencies through workshops, webinars, publishing and mentoring by its experienced correspondents. Students work with peers in other countries examining major global issues and then conveying their research on News Decoder’s website and in webinars.
With its partnership with Kepler, News Decoder strengthens its commitment to bringing continents closer together and creating cross-border learning opportunities for students from diverse socio-economic, geographic and cultural backgrounds.
Tendayi Chirawu was News Decoder’s Communications and School Engagement Manager in 2020-21. A citizen of Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia, she has a masters degree in Global Communication & Civil Society from the American University of Paris. She has experience working for non-profit and for-profit organizations in Africa, Asia and Europe. Chirawu is a published author and has written for international news publications.