Kigali, Rwanda – A group of students from Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) spent a week in Rwanda as part of an immersive educational course titled Statecraft and Society in Rwanda: 16th–21st Century, designed and taught by Associate Professor Dr. Phoebe Musandu, a scholar of African History. The program blends semester-long academic study with experiential learning to provide students a comprehensive understanding of Rwanda’s history, governance, and development.

During their visit, students engaged directly with Rwandan institutions, leaders, and communities, gaining firsthand insights into the country’s historical evolution, cultural heritage, and ongoing transformation. Key components of the itinerary include visits to the Kigali Genocide Memorial, Rwanda’s Parliament, the University of Rwanda, and various cultural landmarks. The group will also explore Rwanda’s renowned conservation efforts at Volcanoes National Park and Akagera National Park, and visit museums such as the Ethnographic Museum and the King’s Palace Museum.

This exchange underscores Qatar’s commitment to global education through institutions like Georgetown University in Qatar, while also highlighting Rwanda’s openness to international academic collaboration and its growing stature as a hub for learning and innovation in East Africa.

Ambassador Igor Marara remarked, “In Rwanda, we believe that knowledge shared is knowledge multiplied. We are proud to welcome these bright young minds to not only learn about our past but to engage with our present innovations and future aspirations. Georgetown students are experiencing firsthand how Rwanda has transformed challenges into opportunities for sustainable development and social cohesion.”

“The history of Rwanda offers many lessons to us all. The Rwandese are working diligently to overcome the dysfunction and division that led to the genocide against the Tutsis of 1994; to heal themselves; build a nation of equals; develop the country and create a Rwanda that all citizens have a vested interest in nurturing and protecting," said Dr. Musandu, adding: “The course and the travel itinerary gave our international affairs students the opportunity to unpack those lessons across six centuries of Rwandan history. I'm grateful for everyone who made this wholesome and memorable trip possible.”

“Learning about Rwanda’s past from the people living its present was powerful, as history hits different when it’s lived, not just learned,” shared Nafisa Sagdullaeva, a GU-Q student from the Class of 2026. “What stayed with me most was the way people carry the past with honesty, but also look forward with purpose. The strength, clarity, and care in how Rwanda has rebuilt itself taught me so much, about resilience, leadership, and the quiet power of choosing unity every day.”

This visit stands as a testament to the strong and growing relationship between Rwanda and Qatar, reflecting shared values of educational excellence, knowledge exchange, and global citizenship.