Every first week of the new academic year, when classes start as per the UoK students’ constitution revised in September 2022, Article 15, Section A, Pages 11-15, the University of Kigali elections of class representatives, heads of promotion, and students in the guild council take place. The Guild Council committee is responsible for overseeing and advocating for the welfare of the students and other students’ issues and raising their voices to the University Management to address them.
Becoming a student council leader allows you to bring about the change you want in your university. It also looks impressive on your resume. Participating in an extra-curricular activity at university has substantial career benefits, yet graduate employers often look for something more. Assuming a more active role within the students’ council.
On 29 November 2024, the University of Kigali Guild Council executives handed over their responsibilities to newly elected guild council members at a colorful ceremony in Kivu. The University Chairman, Board of Promoters, Professor NSHUTI Manasseh, and the Senior Management Committee charged the incoming guild leaders to take their offices seriously because the respective positions epitomize the theory of leadership. They were admonished to do their best to discharge their duties, love what they do, and work intelligently.
University leadership is critical for students to engage with their fellow students, explore shared interests, and contribute to personal and academic growth. Whether they are academic societies, cultural groups, sports teams, or interest-based clubs, student guilds create a space for collaboration and collective action. At the heart of every successful guild is effective leadership. According to the Dean of Students, Virginie Musakonga “Guild leadership in universities is not just about managing events or enforcing rules but about inspiring and guiding students to work together, develop their skills, and contribute to the broader campus community.”
“As president of the Guild Council, my vision is lucid and resolute, Mr. Karangwa said in his victory speech. “I aspire to foster an environment where every voice is heard and heeded. An environment where collaboration supersedes division, where innovation is not the exception but the expectation. We shall cultivate a culture of inclusivity, transparency, and mutual respect. Let us galvanize our collective potential to enhance our academic endeavors, fortify our extracurricular engagements, and engender a spirit of unity that permeates every facet of our school life. We will champion sustainable initiatives, advocate for mental health awareness, and strive to augment the resources that empower each student to actualize their fullest potential. But I cannot embark on this odyssey alone. I implore each of you to join me—not as spectators but as active participants in shaping the destiny of our community. Your insights, creativity, and indomitable spirit are the bedrock upon which we will build a legacy we can all be proud”.
