Scholarships for Presbyterian Students at Protestant University (PUR-formerly PIASS) - October 2017 Update

Rwanda

Dear friends and partners,

We are happy to share the following exciting news from Professor Elisee Musemakweli, Vice Chancellor, PUR: Complying with the PIASS Strategic Plan (2013-2017), the Protestant Institute of Arts and Social Sciences (PIASS) General Assembly voted in August 2016 to transform the institution into a university. The Rwanda Governance Board responded favorably to the request, and PIASS changed its name to the Protestant University of Rwanda (PUR) therefore increasing the scope of its operations. This decision was based on achievement in terms of academic activities, research, community service, and partnerships with other local and international universities. 

In September 2016, an international audit was conducted within all higher learning institutions in Rwanda. The audit was ordered by the government of Rwanda when the institution was known as PIASS. All Rwandan universities, public and private, were subjected to tough scrutiny from an international team of academics assessing teaching tools and methodologies, research and publications; profile of institution; qualification of teaching staff; recruitment of students, academic and administration staff; partnerships and many other aspects. The conclusion of the report cites PIASS/PUR as “an example of a higher learning institution in Rwanda that could compete regionally and internationally in peace studies, community development and education for reconciliation.” They commended the research achievements, particularly various projects under international cooperation. This great success is dedicated to all of our partners and friends for without your partnership and prayers, we wouldn’t have attained such an achievement.

PUR Scientific Week
PUR Scientific Week is an annual research event organized by PUR which culminates in three days of interactions between the academic community, researchers and external scholars. For the second year, the research theme was: Home Grown Initiatives: Reconciliation and Reconstruction of Rwanda. The findings of Scientific Week are published in the PUR Publication Series. 

PUR Strategic Development Vision 2017-2037
The General Assembly of PUR, held on March 8, 2017, adopted the PUR Strategic Development Vision 2017-2037. The purpose of this long-term strategic development plan is to ensure that PUR development is consistent and the quality of education it provides continues to improve. During the twenty years of the plan, PUR will consolidate its institutional set up, improve its academic coverage, intensify its partnerships, and strengthen the quality of its services to churches and the community. This span of time is critical in the PUR development. 

PUR History
The Protestant churches in Rwanda established the School of Theology in Butare in 1970. It evolved into the Faculty of Theology, then the Protestant Institute of Art and Social Sciences, and now the Protestant University of Rwanda. Graduates of the school include pastors, church leaders, and community leaders in different churches and regions of Rwanda and abroad. Among notable alumni are: the Rev. Dr. Andre Karamaga, the current General Secretary of the All Africa Conference of Churches and Chancellor of PUR from the first promotion; Rev. Dr. Pascal Bataringaya, President of the Presbyterian Church of Rwanda; Bishop Dr. Jered Kalimba, the Anglican Bishop of Shyogwe Diocese; Rev. Prof. Viateur Ndikumana, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academics; Bishop Samuel Kayinamura, legal representative of Free Methodist Church of Rwanda; Rev. Dr. Appoline Kabera Appoline, sociologist and teacher at the University of Kigali; Rev. Samuel Mutabazi, Director of Education at the Protestant Council of Rwanda; and Rev. Julie Kandema, Vice President of the Presbyterian Church of Rwanda.

The churches in Rwanda are blessed to have such an excellent institution of higher learning training its leaders. 

Grateful for your partnership in leadership training for churches in Rwanda,

Ebralie Mwizerwa, Projects Coordinator
The Outreach Foundation

Note from The Outreach Foundation
Five theology students are being sponsored by U.S. congregations through The Outreach Foundation at PUR. One of these students, Agnes Nyriaminani pictured here with her family, graduated this fall and will soon be pastoring a Presbyterian congregation. Two more will be graduating in the next year. The Presbyterian Church of Rwanda is in the process of identifying candidates for the fall 2017 intake, which starts in October. We hope to continue this partnership with the church in Rwanda. 

It costs approximately $2,000 to sponsor a student for a year including tuition, room and board. Our minimum goal is to support seven students, but we would love to sponsor as many as fifteen theology students, thereby equipping the Presbyterian Church in Rwanda with capacity needed for its growth.

Read more about Scholarships for Presbyterian Students at Protestant University by clicking HERE.

THE NEED
The Outreach Foundation is seeking $2,000 scholarships for a minimum of seven Presbyterian students at the Protestant University of Rwanda.