Mount Kigali University, Rwanda (MKUR) on Friday installed Prof Egara Kabaji as its inaugural Chancellor.
The renowned scholar and
celebrated author said he would be seeking to build the university into a
regional research powerhouse, whose works would have an impact not just in
Rwanda but in Africa.
He hit the ground running, announcing a personal
donation of Sh2.86 m (RWF22 million) that he said would go towards jumpstarting a
publishing culture at MKUR, including the establishment of Mount Kigali
University Press.
Prof Kabaji also said he would donate between five and ten
of his 52 published books to the MKUR Library.
Kabaji, in his acceptance speech, decried the lack of research among African universities, noting they contributed little to the global body of new research.
He noted that globally, universities are ranked by the impact of their research, an area where African institutions of higher learning have been lagging.
This, according to Kabaji, has meant that Africans continue to
consume knowledge generated elsewhere and neglect their own capacity to
generate it.
“Sadly, Africa contributes very little to the global pool of
knowledge. Studies show that less than three per cent of global scientific
publications originate from the African continent. This is a painful reality,”
said Prof Kabaji.
“This must change. It must change here. It must change now.”
He noted that scholars are custodians of truth and creators of ideas, with their role at universities being multipronged and should involve not just teaching but thinking, writing, and disseminating knowledge.
“As I assume this office, I want to make a personal and
institutional commitment: to nurture a culture of research, writing, and
publication at Mount Kigali University. My dream is that, within four years,
this university will be recognized as a hub for the production of knowledge in
the region, a place where scholars engage in rigorous research, publish their
findings, and influence policy and practice across Africa,” he said.
“That is why today, I am pleased to announce a personal
donation of RWF22 million as seed money to jumpstart a publishing culture at
Mount Kigali University. This seed fund will be used to register and
operationalize two academic journals, one focusing on the humanities and social
sciences, and the other on science, technology and innovation.”
He added that a significant portion of the money would go toward the establishment of the Mount Kigali University Press.
The press, he
said, would not necessarily be about machines and printing facilities but would
also heavily focus on people and ideas.
“A university press is also about a dedicated team of editors,
writers, designers, and scholars working together to process knowledge and give
it life. A university press is the intellectual engine of a university, where
ideas are refined, shaped, and presented to the world in the form of
high-quality publications,” he said.
“A university without a culture of publication is like a
lamp without oil, its light is dim and fleeting.”
“To further enrich the university’s intellectual resources, I have also donated five to ten copies of each of my 52 published works to the Mount Kigali University Library. These books, spanning literature, cultural studies, children’s stories, and creative writing, are a small contribution toward building a vibrant reading and research culture within our academic community.”
Prof. Kabaji, a renowned academic and thought leader, holds
a PhD in Folk Media and Communication from the University of South Africa
(UNISA), an MBA in Strategic Management from Jomo Kenyatta University of
Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), a Master of Arts in Literary Studies from
Kenyatta University, and a Bachelor of Education in Literature and English from
the same university.
Prof. Simon Gicharu welcomed Kabaji, noting that he
exemplified scholarship, mentorship and vision.
“This is no ordinary event,” said Prof Gicharu during the
installation of Kabajo as Chancellor.
“It is a milestone in the maturation of Mount Kigali
University — a confirmation that we are not merely growing, we are
transforming. The Chancellor is not merely a ceremonial figure. He is the
embodiment of our values — the guardian of our vision, the torchbearer of
academic integrity, and the moral conscience of the institution.”
Prof Gicharu welcomed Kabaji’s bid to make MKUR a research
giant in Africa.
“As universities across Africa seek to decolonize curricula and assert intellectual sovereignty, his passion for writing, publishing, and mentorship gives our university a compass and a mission,” said Gicharu.
Dr Innocent Mugisha, the Chairman of the University Governing Body, said the installation of Prof Kabaji as chancellor affirmed the university's growth as an institution of academic excellence and visionary leadership.
“It symbolizes a renewed commitment to innovation,
scholarship, and community engagement, laying the foundation for sustained
progress in higher education. His vision emphasizes the promotion of scholarly
writing and research as enduring pillars for the university’s legacy—ensuring
that MKUR contributes meaningfully to African and global scholarship.”
MKU Rwanda Vice Chancellor Dr Martin Kimemia noted that the
university stood at “a crossroads of unprecedented opportunity”.
“Visionary leadership is the catalyst that propels
institutions from good to great. Under the stewardship of Prof. Kabaji, we will
harness intellectual rigor, innovative research, and ethical governance to
redefine higher education in Africa,” he said, further emphasising the need
to stay up to date with the latest technology.
“We live in an era defined by rapid technological change. To remain competitive and relevant, Mount Kigali University must embrace digital transformation across teaching, learning, and administration. Our investment in smart classrooms, ICT infrastructure, and e-learning platforms will expand access, improve quality, and enable personalized education.”
