On Friday, May 16, 2025, the Institut Catholique de Kabgayi (ICK) marked a historic milestone by launching a Master’s program in Education Sciences — a unique postgraduate program currently offered exclusively at ICK in Rwanda.
This new Master’s program aims to enhance the pedagogical skills of educators, addressing a longstanding gap in the Rwandan education sector.
By focusing on pedagogy, the program responds to the growing demand for advanced teaching methodologies and professional development among educators.
Father Dr. Prudence Bicamumpaka, ICK’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academics and Research, told ICK News that the institution is delighted to start offering postgraduate education.
“We are thrilled by the turnout,” he said. “The number of applicants far exceeded our expectations. We initially hoped to enroll 50 students, but we’re now expecting even more, which is both surprising and very encouraging.”
Father Dr. Bicamumpaka also emphasized the national significance of this development,
“People from all corners of the country have welcomed the launch of this program, as it’s the only one of its kind in Rwanda. This makes it a distinctive feature of ICK.”
He further noted that launching a Master’s program is a key step toward transforming ICK from a higher learning institution into a fully accredited university.
He said “Offering graduate-level education will drive institutional transformation. Although becoming a university requires a formal process, our leadership is ready to initiate it once we submit the request.”
The Master’s program in Education Sciences was officially approved by the Higher Education Council (HEC) in April 2025, alongside other new academic offerings.
During the announcement, ICK’s Vice Chancellor Father Prof. Fidèle Dushimimana, described this as a beginning, revealing plans to expand into other fields.
“In the future, we aim to launch a Master’s program in Mass Communication, and we’re also exploring options in Business studies,” he said.
As the inaugural cohort of the Education Sciences Master’s program began classes this week, students expressed their motivations and expectations.
Jean Batiste Ntambara shared his perspective “I chose to study education because the sector is rapidly advancing in our country. I want to contribute professionally to national development through education.”
He also explained why he selected ICK, “ICK has earned a strong reputation for academic excellence. Its central location makes it easily accessible from any part of the country, which was also a key factor in my decision.”
Another student, Anastase Gashirabake, said the uniqueness of the program and its proximity influenced his choice. As a teacher based in Muhanga District, he appreciated having a specialized program nearby.
“ICK brought this program closer to us, especially in the field of education. I didn’t pursue a Master’s elsewhere because what I needed wasn’t available. This program met my exact needs,” he said.
The first intake includes 33 students, but ICK expects to enroll up to 56, based on the number of applications received. The program runs over two years and is scheduled exclusively on weekends to accommodate working professionals.