The East African University of Rwanda (EAUR) and UWEZO Youth Empowerment have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen their partnership in advancing inclusive education, disability awareness, and youth empowerment. The agreement, signed by EAUR's Vice Chancellor Prof. Kabera Callixte and UWEZO’s Founding Executive Director Mr. Satir Omar Bahati, marks the beginning of a collaborative effort to create a more inclusive learning environment for students with disabilities.
Under the MOU, both parties have committed to a series of joint initiatives aimed at promoting disability rights, awareness, and empowerment across the EAUR community. Focus areas include co-organizing workshops, conferences, and outreach activities on disability matters, as well as supporting students with disabilities in achieving their educational and career goals.
"A Key Step Toward Inclusive Education"
Prof. Kabera Callixte of EAUR emphasized the importance of this partnership in ensuring that students with disabilities have access to equal opportunities. "This MOU will enable us to create a more inclusive academic environment where all students, regardless of their abilities, can thrive. We are committed to working with UWEZO to implement support services for students with disabilities on our campuses," he said.
The collaboration will also focus on research into disability-related issues and the establishment of an operational disability support service within EAUR. The MOU highlights the parties’ commitment to mobilize resources for these initiatives and develop partnerships that support students with disabilities in industrial attachment and career development.
"Empowering the Youth for a Brighter Future"
Mr. Satir Omar Bahati, UWEZO’s Founding Executive Director, expressed his excitement about the partnership. "At UWEZO, we believe that empowering youth, especially those with disabilities, is critical for building a more inclusive society. This agreement with EAUR represents a significant step in promoting awareness and providing opportunities for young people to succeed," he said.
Focus Areas of the Partnership:
- Joint research on disability matters.
- Organization of workshops, conferences, and outreach activities on disability awareness.
- Resource mobilization to support disability mainstreaming at EAUR.
- Establishment of disability support services at EAUR campuses.
- Provision of inclusive industrial attachment and career development opportunities for students with disabilities.
Commitment to Youth Empowerment and Regional Development
The partnership between EAUR and UWEZO falls under the broader scope of the ANSWER project (Action, Networking, Support, and Workforce Empowerment for Regional Progress), which aims to foster collaboration between educational institutions and community-based organizations to enhance opportunities for youth across East Africa.
The MOU will be in effect for five years, with the possibility of renewal upon mutual agreement. The parties are hopeful that this collaboration will serve as a model for future partnerships in inclusive education and youth empowerment.
