The celebration, dubbed the Tambali Ceremony, was held on Wednesday, August 27, at the Deco Center Hub in Kigali. The event brought together parents, facilitators, alumni, and well-wishers who gathered to honour the achievements of the 111 learners, including 67 males and 44 females, who completed the programme.
Opening the ceremony, Cedric Nsengiyumva, Pathway Learning Experience Community Analyst for Kigali, congratulated the graduates and expressed gratitude to the families and facilitators who supported them throughout their academic journey.
His words of praise and encouragement set an uplifting and celebratory tone for the rest of the evening.
The Pathway curriculum combines academic and entrepreneurial training, with courses ranging from Business Finance and Statistics to Computing and Venture Creation. Beyond technical skills, the programme emphasises personal growth, leadership, and soft skills development. Learners described the journey as transformative, with many highlighting improved confidence, communication, and critical thinking.
Parents also praised the programme's impact. Jovite Sinzahere, father of graduate Lisette Mukiza, who secured a full scholarship to the African Leadership University in Mauritius, described the achievement as life-changing.
'This scholarship has saved me 220 million Rwandan francs in school fees for the next four years. Such an opportunity is not only life-changing for my daughter but also a testament to the quality education ALX offers. Beyond the academics, I have seen how the program has built her soft skills in communication, personal branding, and critical thinking. It has shaped her into a confident, well-rounded individual ready for the future," he shared.
Learners, too, reflected deeply on their journeys.
'When we started the program, we could barely stand in front of an audience. But over the course, we have built such confidence in ourselves, and moving forward, the transformation in our confidence is clear," Happy remarked.
The impact of the Pathway program was also evident in the remarkable outcomes achieved by the learners. Seventeen learners received full Mastercard Foundation Scholarships, while more than 10 others secured partial scholarships through the program.
Several learners also won external scholarships, and some remain on competitive waitlists. In total, more than 70 university admissions have already been secured, while others are still awaiting placement. A number of alumni from the Pathway program have also found alternative routes to pursue their dreams, including student loans and self-sponsorship.
Closing the event, Dare Damola, ALX Head of Learning and Community, thanked parents for their unwavering support and recognised three learners for outstanding performance. He described the programme as a 'launchpad for possibility,' urging graduates to continue inspiring others.
ALX Pathway provides High School graduates in Africa a unique opportunity to access degree programmes at leading global universities. With a focus on tech, Pathway supports and prepares young people across eight African cities for their application to one of ALX's partner universities.
In addition to university application support, Pathway offers access to scholarship opportunities and finance partners that help make university accessible and affordable.
For more information, visit https://www.alxafrica.com/join-pathway/ or watch this recap of previously awarded scholarships.
IGIHE
