The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) and the University of Rwanda (UoR) formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Kigali, on 29th April 2025, aimed at strengthening academic development, research capacity, and knowledge exchange across areas of mutual interest.
Building on nearly a decade of successful collaboration, the MoU marks a significant step in expanding the partnership between the two institutions. Since 2016, staff and students from GSA’s Mackintosh School of Architecture and UoR have worked together on a range of initiatives, from a live-build project exploring architectural practice in low-income contexts, to bilateral student online workshops addressing contemporary housing challenges across the Global North and South.
The collaboration has also led to joint research projects investigating Rwanda’s rural model villages, supported by prestigious grants such as the British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grant awarded in 2024. Fieldwork completed later that year has already begun generating stakeholder engagement and peer-reviewed outputs, with further activities planned throughout 2025.
The newly signed MoU provides a formal framework for strengthening collaborative ties between the GSA and the University of Rwanda—the country’s largest public university, recently ranked 6th in the 2024 Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings as the highest-placed new entrant—reflecting its growing influence in research, teaching, and societal engagement, and its increasingly important role in regional development and academic innovation.
The MoU outlines opportunities for joint research, faculty and student exchanges, the development of postgraduate provision programmes, and the co-organisation of conferences, exhibitions, and seminars. The agreement also highlights a shared commitment to fostering creative research, supporting capacity building within academia and civil society, and advancing innovation through mutual learning.
The signing ceremony, held in Kigali, was attended by Dr. Raymond Ndikumana, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Strategic Planning and Administration, by Dr Josephine Malonza, Head of the School of Architecture and the Built Environment, and by Dr Luca Brunelli, Senior Lecturer at the Mackintosh School of Architecture on behalf of GSA.
Dr Ndikumana remarked that: “This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recognises the strength and potential of the collaboration between our two institutions. We are pleased to view this MoU as an example of what we at UR have always aimed to achieve: agreements with high impact in research and grant activity, and a strong platform for fostering reciprocal learning opportunities, expanding research impact, and supporting academic innovation in both Scotland and Rwanda.”
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Luca Brunelli noted: “This MoU marks a milestone in a partnership built on years of shared fieldwork, dialogue, and a commitment to socially engaged teaching and research.”
The event reflected the shared ambition to develop meaningful, sustainable international partnerships that contribute to addressing global challenges through creative practice and research.
For further information please contact press@gsa.ac.uk
Notes For Editors
About The Glasgow School of Art (GSA)
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is internationally recognised as one of Europe’s leading independent university-level institutions for education and research in the visual creative disciplines. Our studio-based, specialist, practice-led teaching, learning and research draw talented individuals with a shared passion for visual culture and creative production from all over the world. Originally founded in 1845 as one of the first Government Schools of Design, the School’s history can be traced back to 1753 and the establishment of the Foulis Academy delivering a European-style art education. Today, the GSA is an international community of over 3500 students and staff across architecture, design, fine art, innovation and technology in our campuses in Glasgow and Altyre (in the Scottish Highlands) and a thriving Open Studio programme delivering non-degree provision to over 1500 students annually.
About the University of Rwanda (UoR)
The University of Rwanda (UR), a public higher learning institution, exemplifies the transformative power of education in shaping societies. Established in 2013 by Law N° 71/2013 of 10/09/2013, UR emerged from the Government of Rwanda’s bold vision to unify the country’s fragmented higher education system into a single, world-class university.
This historic merger brought together 14 institutions, including 7 public higher learning institutions (notably, the former National University of Rwanda, established in 1963 and 6 other higher learning institutions), 5 nursing schools, and 2 teacher-training colleges. Together, they contributed their unique legacies and expertise to create a university dedicated to driving Rwanda’s development goals through excellence in education, research, and community service.
UR operates a collegiate model. Governed by the revised Law N° 053/2024 of 07/06/2024, the UR is led by a Vice-Chancellor and CEO, supported by three Deputy Vice-Chancellors, with seven Colleges headed by Principals and under each college are schools, research centers, and departments.
The seven colleges include:
• College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS)
• College of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Sciences (CAFF)
• College of Business and Economics (CBE)
• College of Education (CE)
• College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS)
• College of Science and Technology (CST)
• College of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences (CVAS)
This structure ensures that the university is well-positioned to deliver specialized and multidisciplinary programs that address national and global challenges.
As a leader in research and innovation, UR collaborates globally to champion transformative solutions in fields such as public health, climate change, educations, business and technology. Its nine Centres of Excellence highlight its commitment to advancing knowledge and fostering sustainable development.
UR is dedicated to inclusivity, ensuring equitable access to education while aligning programs with labor market needs and emerging trends like Artificial Intelligence and Aviation. Over its first decade, UR has produced thousands of graduates who are driving Rwanda’s transformation and making a global impact.
With a vision rooted in national development, the University of Rwanda is more than an institution of higher learning; it is a beacon of hope, resilience, and innovation—empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators to build a better Rwanda and a better world.
