The Institut Catholique de Kabgayi (ICK) has signed a partnership agreement with Chancen International Rwanda to provide innovative tuition financing for students pursuing a bachelor’s degree.
The signing ceremony, held on February 17, 2025, marks a significant step in ensuring that financial constraints do not prevent talented young Rwandans from accessing higher education.
The agreement was formalized by Father Prof. Fidèle Dushimimana, Vice-Chancellor of ICK, alongside Jean Marie Vianney Samarwa, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration and Finance. Representing Chancen International Rwanda, Ross Nathan, the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, signed on behalf of the organization.
This partnership introduces a student financing model that will allow 300 students to pursue degrees in various department including; Journalism, Public Relations, Environmental Management, Rural and Urban Development and ICK departments of Education Faculty.
Through the Income Share Agreement (ISA) model, students will have their tuition fees covered while studying and will only begin repaying once they have graduated and secured employment.
“The ISA will be repaid after the student has completed their studies and is employed,” Father Prof. Dushimimana explained, noting that the partnership is initially set for a three-year period.
He added that the duration could be extended in the future, particularly because many students pursue their bachelor’s degrees over three years. “We are starting with a three-year plan, but it could be extended in the future. This doesn’t mean it’s only for three years,” he emphasized.
The first beneficiaries of the program will start in the March intake 2025.
Father Prof. Dushimimana expressed his enthusiasm about the initiative, emphasizing that ICK has always prioritized supporting students from low-income backgrounds.
He highlighted that while securing full scholarships is ideal, partnerships like this provide a sustainable alternative, ensuring that more students can benefit from quality education without financial pressure.
Ross Nathan, the Executive Director and Chief Operation Officer at Chancen International echoed these sentiments, noting that ICK’s unique academic programs align with Rwanda’s evolving job market and development goals.
He pointed out that ICK’s courses, including Journalism, Rural and Urban Management, and others, provide students with skills that will help them secure meaningful employment after graduation.
“I am very happy that they are offering Journalism, Rural and Urban Development, which are courses not offered by many other institutions. ICK is providing very unique programs, and I am confident that students who complete these will be able to secure decent jobs,” he said.
Ross Nathan further explained that Chancen International’s mission is to create opportunities for students who would otherwise struggle to finance their education, particularly those from households earning less than $5 per day (approximately 6000 RWF).
“Financing is only available to students who come from low-income families and cannot fund their education,” the Executive Director noted.
Furthermore, Chancen International aligns its support with programs that contribute to Rwanda’s National Transformation Strategy (NST). “Rwanda has specific skills needed to achieve the goals of the NST. So we align ourselves with programs that are in line with that vision,” he explained.
Since its establishment in 2018, Chancen International has expanded its reach across Africa, providing student financing solutions in Rwanda, South Africa, Kenya, and Ghana.
In Rwanda alone, the organization has partnered with nine institutions and supported over 3,000 students. By aligning its financing model with Rwanda’s National Transformation Strategy, Chancen ensures that students develop skills in fields that contribute to national development.
With the first group of students set to benefit from this initiative in the March 2025 intake, both ICK and Chancen International are confident that this collaboration will open doors for many young Rwandans.
