Dr. Ronald Kwena, the Director of Research and Innovation at the University of Kigali, recently participated in the prestigious Research Week of Excellence hosted by the University of Fort Hare, South Africa, from November 11–14, 2024. This landmark visit served to strengthen key partnerships, advance significant initiatives, and solidify the University of Kigali’s reputation as a leading research institution on the African continent.
Highlights included the Vice Chancellor’s Excellence Awards. The Director Research and Innovation, Dr. Kwena received special acknowledgment for his contributions to fostering African research partnerships.
As a distinguished collaborator, he was highlighted alongside representatives from other prominent African institutions, including the Makerere University Business School in Uganda. This recognition underscores the University of Kigali’s growing stature as a hub for research and innovation, further establishing its leadership role in Africa’s academic community.
The Director Research and Innovation also attended presentations by academics from various Faculty of Management and Commerce including the Dean of Management and Commerce, Prof Shambare Richard who presented. The intellectual property (IP) and innovation day, aimed to bridge the gap between research outcomes and commercial applications.
Dr. Kwena’s visit yielded several strategic outcomes for the University of Kigali’s upcoming International Conference on Green and Sustainable Development (https://uok.ac.rw/annual-conference/)scheduled for March 10 – 12, 2024 and boosted the Journal of Financial and Management Sciences (ISSN Online: 3078-512X, Print: 3078-512X https://uok.ac.rw/journal-of-financial-and-management-sciences/#), a newly established publication of the University of Kigali. Renowned scholars, from the University of Fort Hare, joined the editorial and review board, enhancing the journal’s academic credibility and ensuring high-quality contributions in the fields of financial and management sciences.
Dr. Ronald Kwena’s engagement at the University of Fort Hare Research Week of Excellence highlights the importance of collaboration in driving Africa’s research and innovation agenda. By strengthening partnerships, securing high-level conference participation, and enhancing scholarly platforms, the University of Kigali continues to position itself as a leader in sustainable development and academic excellence across the continent.