UoK was honoured to host Professor Felix Mavondo from Monash University, Australia, for a three-day academic engagement between June 23rd and 25th, 2025. The visit strengthened UoK’s ongoing efforts to foster global partnerships, impactful research collaborations, and innovative academic practices.
Monash University Professor Visits University of Kigali
Purpose of the Visit
The primary objectives of Prof. Mavondo’s visit were to:
- Advance strategic discussions on joint research initiatives, focusing on Behaviour Change and Sustainable Development.
- Conduct a workshop on connecting researchers with industry, drawing from his extensive experience in graduate research-industry partnerships.
- Share insights on navigating research funding opportunities, particularly within the African and Asia-Pacific contexts.
- Facilitate roundtable dialogues on publication strategies, enhancing research visibility in high-impact journals.
- Engage with students and faculty through mentorship conversations and interactive seminars.
Monash University Professor Visits University of Kigali
Day 1: Strategic Engagement and Research Workshop
The visit began with a warm welcome and institutional tour guided by the Director of International Affairs and Partnership, followed by meetings with the Vice Chancellor, DVCs, ADVC-RIE, the Deans and HoDs; who did presentations relating to their departments.
After a brief introduction, Prof. Mavondo delivered an engaging workshop on Behaviour Change and Sustainable Development, providing actionable strategies for building impactful research projects.
A roundtable discussion with faculty and administrative staff explored potential collaborations in research commercialization, joint projects, and institutional growth.
Day 2: Student and Faculty Interaction
The second day was dedicated to classroom engagement and mentorship seminars with undergraduate students from School of Business Management and Economics. Prof. Mavondo emphasised the fundamentals of success:
- Embracing a growth mindset
- Working smart rather than just hard
- Remaining curious and managing time effectively
- The value of strong, visionary leadership
He also underscored the three-way commitment required for effective mentorship: the mentee, the mentor, and the facilitating institution.
Day 3: Research Development and Publication Strategies
The final day focused on grant proposal writing, research linkages, and publication strategies. Through interactive sessions with faculty, administration Staff and graduate students, Prof. Mavondo guided participants on:
- Identifying researchable topics
- Conducting targeted literature reviews
- Structuring research for high-impact journals
- Using AI responsibly in research and academia
- Accessing grants
His discussion on the responsible use of AI challenged participants to view emerging technologies as opportunities for transformation, while also preparing for shifts in the future of work……Please insert Pic No 5909
Key Takeaways
Prof. Mavondo’s visit left a lasting impact on the UoK community by:
- Enhancing research capacity and mentorship frameworks.
- Providing practical tools for successful academic publishing and funding acquisition.
- Strengthening UoK’s global research linkages, especially with Monash University.
- Inspiring both faculty and students to pursue excellence with curiosity, resilience, and strategic vision.
