The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s, Center for Global Engagement and Division of Access and Engagement embarked on a trip to Rwanda with a cohort of six UT staff, four faculty, and six community members for a pilot of the UT Community Leaders Program.
With a goal of connecting Knoxville to the world, the program highlighted Rwandan education, industry and community service. The trip included meetings with U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Eric Kneedler, the Rwanda Development Board, Rwandan Minister of State for Education Claudette Irere, Koperative Koabiga horticulture cooperative, Rwanda Men’s Resource Center, Bridge2Rwanda and others.
“It was also really great to see all of the work that is being done in Rwanda, which is something I didn’t really know about before going on the trip,” said Dr. Laura Miller, Associate Professor and Director of Study Abroad for the College of Communication and Information. “Seeing all the development, seeing all the innovation, seeing all the technology and all the investments that are being put into building the country and Kigali in particular. Seeing that and exploring that area really opened my eyes to a lot of different perspectives and opened my eyes to a lot of different possibilities of what can be done there.”
Ambassador Kneedler, during a meeting with the cohort, detailed Rwanda’s growing focus on mutually beneficial agreements and opportunities for trade, with a desire to move away from aid projects in the country, something he believes provides great opportunity for universities like UT.
For UT faculty, the trip offered a chance to explore some of these opportunities.
Dr. Kevin Heaslip, Director of the Center for Transportation Research and Professor at UT, has begun work on establishing a transportation center of excellence in Rwanda. A partnership with the University of Rwanda funded through a World Bank grant. The collaboration will support Rwanda’s national priorities around infrastructure and mobility while laying the groundwork for broader academic research and professional engagements.
In addition, Dr. Junehee Kwon, Department Head for Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management, is exploring research, education and study abroad partnerships in Rwanda. Tourism accounts for 20 percent of Rwanda’s GDP.
“Through new global industry connections and partnerships, faculty can enhance their expertise in applied tourism research, and gain international grants and philanthropic funding,” Kwon said, adding that these global partnerships could help increase employability for UT students.
Community members were able to gain a heightened understanding of UT’s global footprint and the impact of international collaborations in higher education.
“We can gain as much benefit from learning from the people as we can give to the people with academic programs, with entrepreneur programs, and economic development,” Phyllis Nichols, Retired President & CEO of the Knoxville Urban League, said. “I think what the university can gain is to accept and acknowledge and embrace that the partnership is reciprocal.”
Plans are to return to Rwanda with the Community Leaders Program in the future with an increased focus on connecting Knoxville and Tennessee business leaders with partnership opportunities and continue expanding UT’s reach in the country.