President Paul Kagame received a group of students from Harvard University who were concluding a seven-day study visit to Rwanda.
Also present were students from Tufts University, particularly from programs related to law and diplomacy.
A statement from the Office of the President, Village Urugwiro, noted that during the discussion, President Kagame highlighted Rwanda’s progress over the past 32 years, with emphasis on effective and accountable leadership, institution-building, youth empowerment, and promoting the principle of self-reliance.
The students were in Rwanda under a program known as “Harvard Rwanda Trek 2026,” which aims to learn from the country’s remarkable development following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
This is part of an ongoing initiative, as in 2025 President Kagame also hosted students from Harvard Business School, where he explained that Rwanda’s way of life discourages complacency due to the country’s unique challenges.
At the time, he noted that Rwandans address their issues by engaging in dialogue and carefully analyzing root causes, rather than resorting to suspicion.
President Kagame told the students that while Rwanda has made significant progress, it has not advanced in every area.
“We know we have made considerable progress, but we have not developed in everything. Nor must we develop in everything. What matters most is that we continue striving to progress,” he said.
The students participating in Harvard Rwanda Trek 2026 arrived on March 19, 2026. They also visited the headquarters of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), where they were received by the spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Ronald Rwivanga, on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff.
They were briefed on the transformation and achievements of the RDF since 1994, as well as its role in maintaining security across Africa.
They also learned about Rwanda’s journey in unity, reconciliation, and development, and the importance of sustaining these achievements.
Harvard University is one of the world’s leading universities. It is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and was founded in 1636. It has over 400,000 alumni and offers programs in economics, politics, computer science, history, and more.
Meanwhile, Tufts University is a private institution located in Medford and Somerville, Massachusetts. Founded in 1852, it offers programs in international relations, medicine, engineering, and the arts, with over 130,000 alumni.
