The University of Global Health Equity, on December 8, 2022, topped the Wharton-QS Reimagine Education Awards in the Power of Partnerships’ category. The conference, which saw entries by applicants from 70 nations, is a global higher education platform through which outstanding pedagogical innovation is identified and rewarded.  The awards shed light on the excellence of innovative solutions enhancing learning outcomes and employability for a future billion learners.

The UGHE’s submission highlighted its use of over 60 local and global partnerships in transforming health professions education at the institution.  UGHE is an initiative of Partners in Health, started in 2015, and currently offers physician training and a Master of Science in Global Health Delivery. In addition to its focus on Nursing and Midwifery education, it also offers several Executive Education programs. Several other programs at MSc and PhD level are also in the pipeline.  UGHE’s unique approach to education is impacting health systems to address issues of health equity in Rwanda and the continent.

Nunzio Quacquarelli, President, QS and co-founder of Reimagine Education, said: “With over 500 international independent judges participating in the evaluation process, plus a distinguished 25 persons Grand Jury, our winners have received the unequivocal backing of expert educationalists across the world. They should take exceptional pride in their achievement.”

Professor Abebe Bekele, founding Dean of the Medical School at UGHE, expressed his delight at the award, seeing it as a fitting testimony to the efforts of many who have nurtured collaborative relationships for education at the University.  While expressing gratitude to the many educational partners, he was keen to say that there was mutual benefit for UGHE and its partners in these relationships. 

UGHE’s Interim Vice Chancellor, and Executive Director of Partners in Health in Rwanda, Dr. Joel M. Mubiligi, was also keen to point out that partnerships must continue to form a key strategy for improving educational quality and health systems effectiveness in Africa, and he was happy to see UGHE leading the way in this respect.

This is the second top international educational award received by the UGHE this year.  On 29th August 2022, the University made history by being the first in Africa to receive the ASPIRE-to-Excellence Award in health professions education from the Association of Medical Education of Europe (AMEE).