The Institut Catholique de Kabgayi (ICK) and the University of Oradea, a leading public university in Romania, are committed to enhancing their existing partnership.
Strengthening collaboration between the two institutions was at the heart of discussions between Professor PhD. Habil. Sorin Sipos, Vice-Rector for Internationalization and Student Affairs at the University of Oradea, and Jean Baptiste Hategekimana, Dean of the Faculty of Journalism and Communication Studies at ICK, as the latter concluded his seven-day working visit to the University of Oradea in Romania.
Speaking to ICK News, Hategekimana, who represented ICK during the visit, explained that the partnership between the two universities has been active since 2022 through the European Union’s Erasmus+ program.
However, both sides are now aiming to develop a more direct and comprehensive collaboration.
“This is why we hope to sign a formal bilateral agreement within the next three months,” said Hategekimana. “We also want every faculty at ICK to benefit from this partnership, as each ICK faculty has a counterpart at the University of Oradea with which it can collaborate.”
He noted that the proposed agreement would encompass joint initiatives in teaching and learning, collaborative research, and co-implemented academic projects, among other areas of mutual benefit.
“This new partnership will not replace the ongoing Erasmus+ cooperation,” he clarified, “but rather it will reinforce and expand the scope of our collaboration.”
In addition to meetings with the senior leadership of the University of Oradea, Mr. Hategekimana engaged with faculty deans, lecturers, and students.
He also delivered a guest lecture comparing journalism education in Rwanda and Romania, fostering a fruitful exchange of pedagogical approaches and academic practices.
His visit to Oradea followed a five-day working visit to CHE University in the Netherlands, as part of a broader European academic engagement tour.
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Located in northwestern Romania, the University of Oradea is a well-established public institution with academic roots dating back to 1780. It comprises 15 faculties and 49 departments, offering bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and postgraduate programs across more than 112 study tracks.
The university also hosts 27 certified research centers, cementing its reputation for academic excellence and innovation.
With partnerships in over 39 countries and more than 350 institutions, the University of Oradea is internationally recognized. It is accredited with a High Degree of Confidence by ARACIS, Romania’s national quality assurance agency, and boasts a modern campus with cutting-edge laboratories, a comprehensive academic library, student accommodation, sports facilities, and medical training clinics.
