MKU Rwanda installs Prof Kabaji as chancellor

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.”