The Institut Catholique de Kabgayi (ICK) has officially announced the launch of fully accredited new academic programs, including a Master of Education Sciences, further reinforcing its commitment to advancing education in Rwanda.
According to Father Prof. Fidèle Dushimimana, the University’s Vice Chancellor, the newly accredited programs are now open for admissions under the March 2025 intake.
The programs aim to strengthen educational capacity in both the sciences and pedagogy, with a special focus on mathematics and geography.
They include a Master of Education Sciences (Sciences de l’Éducation), a Bachelor of Education in Mathematics and Computer Science, a Bachelor of Education in Mathematics and Geography, as well as diplomas in the same fields.
In an exclusive interview with ICK News, Father Prof. Dushimimana said the decision to introduce these programs is in line with Rwanda’s national strategy to promote Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.
“We wanted to align with the country’s STEM initiative, which prioritizes science education,” he explained. “These new offerings complement our existing programs in health sciences and demonstrate our commitment to the national education policy.”
He added that introducing a Master’s program was a strategic move to elevate ICK’s academic profile.
“We realized that our institution needed to go beyond offering just undergraduate degrees. For a university to grow, it must expand into postgraduate studies,” he said. “Institutions that stop at undergraduate programs are missing a critical component.”
The Vice Chancellor revealed that the Master of Education Sciences program will be unique to ICK in Rwanda, incorporating subjects in education, psychology, and pedagogy.
“This program is designed to fill the gap in qualified educators specializing in psychology and pedagogy,” he noted, encouraging those with bachelor’s degrees in various field of education to apply. “Anyone with a background in education at the undergraduate level is eligible for this program.”
Father Prof. Dushimimana emphasized that ICK’s approval to offer a master’s program signals the university’s growth.
“It’s a significant step forward. ICK has now reached a level where it can provide advanced academic training,” he stated.
He also explained that the newly introduced Bachelor and Diploma programs are nationally benchmarked, meaning they meet standardized academic criteria applicable across Rwanda and the East African region.
“These programs are designed with national and regional relevance in mind. A student trained at ICK will be able to transfer or continue their studies elsewhere with ease,” he said, adding that the program development process emphasized academic quality.
Looking ahead, the Vice Chancellor confirmed that the introduction of the Master’s in Education Sciences marks just the beginning of ICK’s postgraduate expansion.
“We are already exploring the possibility of launching a Master’s program in Mass Communication and possibly in Business Studies,” he revealed, adding “More urgently, we’re planning to upgrade our Advanced Diploma programs in Nursing and Midwifery to bachelor’s degree level next year.”
He urged prospective students to consider ICK as their academic home, highlighting the university’s reputation for quality education.
“Choosing ICK means choosing excellence. Our graduates leave not only with knowledge but with the practical skills required in teaching and research,” he said.
“I especially encourage all those with a bachelor’s degree in education from any institution to pursue their master’s degree here. It’s an affordable program.”
The institution has clarified that the Diploma and Bachelor programs will be offered during both Day and Holiday sessions, while the Master’s program will be delivered exclusively in the Weekend section to accommodate working professionals and educators.
Admissions for the March 2025 intake are currently open through ICK’s official website: www.uck.ac.rw . Classes for Weekend students begin on May 2, 2025, while Day session classes start on May 5, 2025.
This expansion marks a significant milestone in ICK’s mission to become a center of academic excellence and contribute meaningfully to Rwanda’s development through education. For more information, interested candidates may contact the university via 0788484183 or 0789800070.
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