The Government of Rwanda is sending 34 students abroad on government scholarships to pursue studies in strategic fields identified as critical to the country’s development.
The students, who were recently oriented by the Higher Education Council (HEC) alongside their parents and guardians, will study in different countries and universities in areas including aviation, aerospace, nuclear energy, agriculture, health and emerging technologies.
HEC Director General Dr Edward Kadozi said the scholarships are designed to address skills gaps in Rwanda while bringing back expertise, technology and experience that can contribute to national development.
“We are sending them to these different countries to study and come back and contribute, bring their skills, technologies and use to contribute to the development of the country,” Kadozi said.
He explained that the selected fields are aligned with Rwanda’s development priorities, particularly areas where the country currently lacks sufficient specialised skills.
Among the scholarship recipients is Umwali Ange Pamela, a former flight attendant who is heading to the university of nyíregyháza in Hungary to study a Bachelor of Engineering programme with professional pilot training.
Pamela, who had worked as cabin crew for three years, said she applied for the government cadet pilot opportunity after becoming increasingly interested in aviation.
She said the shortage of female pilots in Rwanda was one of the main factors that motivated her to pursue a career in the cockpit.
“There are very few female pilots, especially in Rwanda. I was like, this is a chance for me to contribute to my country,” pamela said.
She cited Rwandan female pilot Esther as an inspiration, saying her career demonstrated that women can rise through the aviation industry and become captains.
Pamela said she expects to return to Rwanda with new knowledge and experience that can help strengthen the country’s aviation sector and inspire more young women to pursue careers as pilots.
“When I come back and I’m a pilot, I’m going to be an inspiration for other women,” she said.
She also acknowledged the challenges students may face while studying abroad but said her long-term goal of returning home with an achievement would keep her focused.
Another recipient, Nshuti Alex, 23, is pursuing further studies in nuclear-related fields.
He currently works in the nuclear and radiation protection department at Rwanda’s radiation regulator and previously studied Nuclear Power Engineering and Thermophysics in Russia.
For Alex, the scholarship represents a continuation of his professional training and an opportunity to deepen expertise in a sector that is still developing in Rwanda.
“It’s a continuation of what I studied in my bachelor’s, and career-wise, I probably think I’m going to continue to work in that field,” Alex said.
The HEC says the scholarship selection process is open, competitive and transparent.
Applicants apply through an online system after HEC publishes calls for applications specifying eligible countries, universities and priority fields.
Applicants are assessed according to established criteria, with successful candidates subsequently approved before signing agreements with the Rwanda Development Bank.
The government then facilitates tuition payments, travel arrangements and other approved requirements.
Kadozi said the government expects beneficiaries to return with specialised skills that can help Rwanda develop sectors requiring advanced expertise.
The scholarship programme is therefore intended not only to support individual students but also to build a pool of highly skilled Rwandan professionals capable of contributing to the country’s long-term economic and technological transformation.
