Last week, the East African University Rwanda (EAUR) hosted a landmark event in Nyagatare, combining a National Conference, Training of Trainers, and a Management Meeting under the auspices of the ANSWER project. This initiative, aimed at bolstering support for university students with disabilities, saw participation from key stakeholders including the University of Rwanda (UR), INES Ruhengeri, and the Ministry of Education.

Management Meeting

Held on July 9, the Management Meeting focused on administrative and strategic planning aspects of the ANSWER project. Key sessions included:

• Technical and financial management of the project by Ms. Viktoriia Hrebenik and Ms. Noelia López from the University of Alicante.
• Discussions on assistive technology, capacity building, and the establishment of support centers led by various experts including Munyaneza Eustache from INES-Ruhengeri and Mary Kobusingye from MINEDUC.
• Outreach strategies towards companies and NGOs for disability industry internships presented by Bahati Omari of UWEZO.

Training of Trainers

The Training of Trainers sessions, spanning three days from July 9 to 11, were conducted to equip educators with skills to support students with disabilities. Highlights included:

• Dr. Gonzague Habinshuti's workshops on identifying and addressing the needs of learners with disabilities.
• Practical workshops on creating inclusive educational materials and understanding the needs of students with various disabilities led by experts from the University of Macedonia, in which partners assessed the strengths and weaknesses of students with disabilities, learned how to design and implement a support plan for students with disabilities, as well as educational intervention.
• Experts Tomás Ordóñez and Esther Gallego from the University of Alicante presented how to develop individualized transition plans and postsecondary goals and how to give support to postgraduate specialization in order to search for job opportunities, how to change attitudes and behaviours towards employment: design yout job search plan, how to work with companies in promoting the employment of graduates with disabilities and how to understand the needs of students with learning disabilities and disruptive behaviours.

Prof. Kartasidou from University of Macedonia also introduced the GROW model, a structured method to improve goal-setting and problem-solving abilities, which can be beneficial for students with disabilities in their job search efforts.

National Conference

The National Conference, held on July 12, 2024, at EAUR, began with the registration of participants followed by welcoming remarks from Peter Kasaija, DVC Finance and Administration from EAUR, and Ms. Noelia López, Senior Project Manager at the University of Alicante. Ms. López also provided an overview of the ANSWER project, highlighting its goals to improve inclusivity and support for students with disabilities in higher education.

Key presentations included:

• Dr. Betty Nasiforo Mukarwego, President of NUDOR, discussed the role of support centers and local networks in implementing inclusive policies.
• Mr. Gerald Ntambara from East African University of Rwanda, Dr. Gonzague Habinshuti from University of Rwanda and Mr. Fabrice Nkurunziza of INES-Ruhengeri shared insights on student support mechanisms that have been created/ updated within the framework of the project.

The conference concluded with remarks from Dr. Enock, Deputy Vice-Chancelor Academics. Moreover, Edith Batamuliza, Director of Education in the Nyagatare District, welcomed participants on behalf of the Mayor of the district.

Oswald Tuyizere from National Council of People with Disabilities was the master of ceremonies.

Project Impact

David Mugabo, advisor to the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, emphasized the project's significance in helping graduates with disabilities transition into the job market. Dr. Peter Kasaija, Deputy Vice Chancellor of EAUR, acknowledged the challenges faced by private universities in accommodating students with disabilities, highlighting the need for tailored exams and employee evaluations to better prepare these students for employment.

Placide Manirarora, a student with a disability, expressed optimism about the project's impact, citing the enhanced accessibility and support mechanisms being put in place. He noted that many buildings and classes are not currently accessible for students with disabilities, but with the support from various institutions, significant improvements are expected.

The ANSWER project, coordinated by the University of Alicante, aims to extend its benefits primarily to higher education institutions, which have historically lacked adequate support for students with disabilities. This comprehensive initiative marks a significant step towards inclusive education and employment opportunities for all students in Rwanda.