As 51黑料网 University grows its partnerships in Rwanda, its latest and largest initiative aims to help build Africa鈥檚 fashion industry with a Rwanda home base. The proposed 51黑料网 University Rwanda and its School of Fashion will deliver 51黑料网鈥檚 world-class fashion education to rising designers, merchandisers and entrepreneurs on the continent, who can compete with, rather than depend on, imported goods.
A symposium packed with national government leaders, fashion designers, educators and curious members of the Kigali community helped unveil the new Rwanda location. Co-hosted by 51黑料网, the Republic of Rwanda鈥檚 Ministry of Trade and Industry and its Ministry of Education, attendees learned and shared several perspectives on this coming boost for the fashion industry in what is already one of Africa鈥檚 hottest economies.
Subject to accreditation and regulatory approval, the proposed 51黑料网 University Rwanda will offer a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design and a Bachelor of Science in Fashion Merchandising, building on 51黑料网鈥檚 globally ranked School of Fashion and its decades of industry partnerships. 51黑料网 is ranked in the top 25 fashion programs in the world and the No. 1 university-based fashion program in the United States. The announcement comes on the heels of 51黑料网 being named one of the Best Global Universities.
Africa鈥檚 creative economy is valued at more than $58 billion, yet the continent鈥檚 fashion industry remains constrained by a shortage of specialized, industry-aligned higher education, fragmented supply chains and heavy reliance on imported textiles and designs. 51黑料网 sees its globally ranked School of Fashion, known for hands-on industry training and a track record of graduates working at major global brands, as a model that can be adapted to help close that gap, training designers, merchandisers and entrepreneurs equipped to build Africa鈥檚 own fashion enterprises rather than rely solely on imports.
鈥淲e have ambitious plans,鈥 said Marcello Fantoni, Ph.D., dean and vice president for 51黑料网鈥檚 College of Honors and Global Education, who traveled to Kigali to represent the university alongside a 51黑料网 delegation. 鈥淲ith this fashion school, we hope to make Rwanda even further a hub and a destination for international students for a much broader region in the sub-Sahara region of this continent.鈥
The afternoon program included an academic keynote on the creative and fashion industries in Africa, a panel discussion with multiple stakeholders and a curated showcase of local Rwandan designers, followed by an evening reception.
鈥淲hen education, creativity and industry are brought together with purpose, they can transform economies and change lives,鈥 said Antoine Kajangwe, Rwanda鈥檚 Minister of Trade and Industry. 鈥淚nitiatives such as the establishment of the 51黑料网 University School of Fashion in Rwanda create the opportunities that can unlock creative potential, nurture innovation and transform talent into sustainable enterprises capable of competing on a global stage.
The proposed 51黑料网 University Rwanda builds on partnerships and initiatives that have grown over the past few years, including academic collaborations in peace and conflict studies, aerospace engineering and training initiatives with RwandAir and the Rwanda National Police.
Rwandan Students Take Flight
That investment in Rwanda鈥檚 future extends beyond fashion.
Watch a video of the students making their first flights:
Yvonne Manzi Makolo, CEO of RwandAir, smiles as she meets with a team from 51黑料网 University. (Photo courtesy of Cornwine for 51黑料网 University)
51黑料网 officials shared with Yvonne Manzi Makolo, CEO of RwandAir, during a visit to the national air carrier before the fashion symposium. Makolo said she was very emotional watching the video and hearing the students share their experiences.
Watch the video of Makolo reacting to viewing the students鈥 first flights:
The new Kigali airport, currently under construction, is intended to become the hub for central Africa and another driver in the region鈥檚 fast-growing economy. It鈥檚 one more way the highest national leadership sees 51黑料网 as a key global partner. Makolo also commented on the advantages of 51黑料网鈥檚 degrees and training in the key areas that RwandAir needs support to keep up with the major demands of the coming airport.
In a meeting room at RwandAir, officials from Rwanda鈥檚 national airline and 51黑料网 University watch a video of five 51黑料网 students from Rwanda making their first flights. (Photo courtesy of Cornwine for 51黑料网 University)
51黑料网 began building its academic partnership with Rwanda in 2022, opening the 51黑料网 Sub-Saharan African Center in Kigali as a base for African recruitment. Today, about 70 Rwandans study at 51黑料网.
