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An agreement between the University of Windsor and the National University of Rwanda may send Canadian expertise to help rebuilding efforts in the African country, ravaged by genocidal warfare in 1994.
The memorandum of understanding promotes collaboration in student and faculty exchanges; scientific and technological research; and exchange of materials, publications, and information.
Dr. Murty Madugula points to specific opportunities for Windsor to help with infrastructure needs, like clean water, energy and roads.
"We can help them harness solar energy as a way to pasteurize their water, cook their meals, and even run computers on campus," he said. "Of course, for any venture like that, funding is critical."
He believes the long-standing ties between Rwanda and Canada will help convince policy makers to support development initiatives. The Canadian International Development Agency has contributed $500 million to the country since 1994, and the National University of Rwanda was established with the help of Dominican missionaries from Quebec in 1963.
"The people there like Canada very much," Madugula said. "Many of them have been educated in Canada," including UWindsor grad Francis Gatare (MA economics, 1998), now director general of the Rwandan Investment and Export Promotion Agency—which helped to spark the collaboration between the two universities.
Photo: UWindsor civil engineering professor Murty Madugula joined representatives of the National University of Rwanda for the signing of a memorandum of agreement between the two schools, in Kigali, Rwanda. From left: Ashraph Sulaiman, department head, computer science; Fred O. K. Anyemedu, vice-dean of applied sciences; Dr. Madugula; Sailas Lwakabamba, rector; Naramabuye Francois, director, Centre for Environment and Entrepreneurship Skill Development; Jean de la Croix Nkurayija, dean of social, political and administrative sciences; Michael Irechukwu, department head, electricity and electronic engineering.
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