The East African University Rwanda operates Nyagatare and Remera (Kigali) campuses.
Before 2015, students in Eastern Rwanda seeking a higher education option had to look beyond their region. This changed when East African University Rwanda (EAUR) opened its doors in Nyagatare, becoming the first private university in the area.
Driven by a vision to invest in the region’s development, EAUR meticulously crafted courses and programs designed to empower graduates to contribute meaningfully to sustainable progress.
This pioneering initiative was spearheaded by education professionals, led by Prof. Badru D. Kateregga, an esteemed academic and trailblazing entrepreneur with family roots in Nyagatare.
Considering that any form of development depends on education, the entrance of EAUR to Nyagatare brought enthusiasm for a new era of development.
Prof. Callixte Kabera, the Vice Chancellor of EAUR observes that the university’s genesis is a desire to invest in and catalyze the development of Nyagatare District.
Prof. Callixte Kabera, the Vice Chancellor of EAUR
Recognizing the evolving needs of the labor market, EAUR carefully formulated courses and programs designed to empower graduates to contribute meaningfully to sustainable development.
According to Prof. Kabera, they introduced practical studies and programs that were most needed in Nyagatare District and throughout the Eastern Province.
The university started with six broad faculties including; Faculty of Education, Faculty of Business Administration, Faculty of Mass Communication, Faculty of Film Making & Production, Faculty of Industrial Art & Design and the Faculty of Leisure, Tourism & Hotel Management.
The university’s programs were deliberately designed to include pioneering offerings not available elsewhere in the country, aiming to diversify the economy and create new off-farm job opportunities.
Ambitious and thirsty for knowledge
Born out of dreams, aspirations and the desire to expand university education in the region, the East African University brand operates and connects through ‘BDK Network’ named after the co-founder ‘Badru Dunga Kateregga’.
First, Prof. Kateregga co-founded Kampala University in Uganda in February 1998, The East African University (TEAU) in Kenya followed in 2005 and later EAUR, opening the first campus in Nyagatare and expanding with another campus in Kigali in 2021. There are plans in the pipeline to take the university to Tanzania.
The BDK Network is a strategic initiative to share resources among universities like the library and research among other things.
Prof. Kabera has announced exciting news of establishing another campus in Rusizi, South-western Rwanda. Additionally, EAUR is undertaking significant infrastructure development at its existing two campuses. Land has been secured in Nyagatare’s Mugiporoso area, and similar efforts are underway in Kigali.
By 2026, Prof. Kabera affirmed, “EAUR campuses will be housed in their own state-of-the-art buildings.”
Building a Hub for Applied Sciences:
EAUR is steadfastly building a university focused on applied sciences. Its programs are designed to equip students with practical skills needed to tackle real-world challenges within their communities. This hands-on approach ensures graduates are prepared to contribute to problem-solving and development upon graduation.
The programs have direct close ties to the industry and services the labour market, ensuring their relevance and value. Students from the university are already serving the labour market with graduates from the Faculty of Leisure, Tourism & Hotel Management contributing their expertise to popular hospitality establishments in Nyagatare.
In Nyagatare city centre, a popular restaurant which welcomes everyone is operated by the university through the faculty of Leisure, Tourism & Hotel Management. At the Kigali campus, another restaurant has been established and is dedicated to offering superb services.
Furthermore, the university offers a workshop for students in Industrial Art & Design, where they hone their skills and unleash their creativity, producing unique chairs, traditional art, and Rwandan-made clothing for sale.
Mass communication graduates and students are actively engaged in the media sector, working with local stations and online platforms.
Ines Girihirwe, a film student at EAUR enthusiastically shared, “There are so many amazing things about my time at EAUR, like the incredible knowledge of our lecturers. The challenges, like using a camera for the first time, were also exciting and rewarding. Independence at university allows me to focus on my studies, and the lecturers are always available to answer questions.”
To support students throughout their academic journey, the university offers a dedicated career development center. This center helps students chart their course, guiding them in choosing appropriate programs and navigating their education, career, and personal development, ultimately preparing them for success in the global workforce.
Open doors and continuous growth
Recognizing the value of accessibility, EAUR offers convenient admission intakes three times a year: January, May, and September, allowing students to choose the option that best suits their needs.
The university continues to attract students from across the country and the region, with its current enrollment exceeding 2,500.
Approximately 1,200 students study at Nyagatare Campus while Kigali boasts over 1,300 students. The university’s alumni is also growing with more than 2,000 and the university is preparing for its 5th graduation in May 2024.
In academia, EAUR relates well with local universities, regional higher learning institutions and the Vice Chancellor of EAUR is the current Chair of the East African University Council which brings together 145 universities.
Prof. Kabera emphasizes a role they have to play as a higher institution of learning to undertake bridging and narrowing the gap between academia and industry. He notes that EAUR fits well with the country’s broader development agenda of building a knowledge-based economy.
