This growth reflects the expansion of Rwanda's higher education sector, which has seen about 20 new institutions gain approval to operate in the country over the past seven years.
While some of these institutions offer specialized international programs, they are not the only schools drawing foreign students.
For instance, in October 2024, more than 8,000 students graduated from the University of Rwanda, 126 of whom were international students.
HEC data shows that in the 2016/2017 academic year, there were about 1,397 international students, with numbers now ballooning to over 9,100.
Speaking before the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Technology, Culture, Sports, and Youth, HEC Director General Dr. Rose Mukankomeje highlighted both the successes and the challenges of this growth.
'The number of international students has increased, but some arrive with insufficient information about study requirements and face unexpected challenges,' she said.
To address this, HEC is working closely with immigration authorities to ensure that information on study requirements is readily accessible online and that students can secure visas upon arrival.
'No one should come as a tourist and then attempt to enroll in school,' she emphasized.
Dr. Mukankomeje also raised concerns about individuals who enter Rwanda under false pretenses, sometimes claiming to seek work but lacking proper employment documentation.
She noted cases where people with medical backgrounds enroll in unrelated courses, such as computer programming, as a strategy to obtain equivalency documents and ultimately secure employment.
In October 2024, Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente reaffirmed the commitment to enhancing the quality of education at the University of Rwanda, which continues to attract international students. He stressed that maintaining high educational standards remains a top priority.
Since 2017, the number of highly qualified faculty members with Ph.D. degrees has also seen substantial growth, increasing from 776 to 1,195 in 2024.
IGIHE
