PROTESTANT INSTITUTE OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
(PIASS)
The year 2023-2024 has proven to be yet another year
with much to celebrate despite some challenging realities. It is
a year in which we celebrated the growth of our institution both
in students and staff numbers, as well as in physical expansion.
We rejoice for the successful 11th graduation of 465 graduates,
the hosted international conferences and seminars and proudly
reached out to our community as part of our existence.
Although with some mixed feelings, we celebrate one of our
colleagues, Dr. Christine Nyiramana, who was elected a
member of parliament. Leaving a gap in the faculty and
especially in the postgraduate school, we maintain our joy that
she was trusted to serve the larger community in the Rwandan
Parliament. In the same vein, The current Vice Chancellor of
PIASS, Prof. Dr. Penine Uwimbabazi, got the trust of being
elected as a Senator representing Private Higher Learning
Institutions in Rwanda. I hope that the present highlights will
ignite even more courage to serve and will inspire readers as
we partner in making the world a better place.
A REFERENCE UNIVERSITY
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13.
DEAR PIASS COMMUNITY, PARTNERS
AND READERS,
This edition of PIASS newsletter presents the main
activities that took place in this academic year from
January to September 2024. The highlights serve as a
window into the vibrant life of our university, showcasing
the remarkable achievements, inspiring stories, and
upcoming events that make our university a thriving hub
of learning, research and innovation, as well as
community engagement. It highlights our collective efforts
toward academic excellence through teaching and
learning activities, and innovative thinking of staff and
students in general, which is making a positive impact on
individual and communities locally and globally. We
remain grateful to our partners for the encouragement
and various contributions towards our desire to improve
and develop our institution.
September 2024
NEWS LETTER JANUARY-SEPTEMBER - 2024
Huye Campus: 0788310811, Karongi Campus: 0783720580
www.pur.ac.rw
@piasshuye
PIASSRWANDA
Prof. Dr. Penine UWIMBABAZI
Vice Chancellor of PIASS
#WeArePIASS
1
Academic Activities ................................................................................. 11.
International conferences, Research and Seminars.............................. 22.
Strengthening Cooperation with various Partners................................ 43.
30th Commemoration of the Genocide against Tutsi in 1994............... 54.
Celebration of our Unity in Diversity through Umuganura.................... 65.
PIASS Prospects ...................................................................................... 76.
Food for Soul.............................................................................................. 87.
One of the academic excitements and payoffs is observing the fruits of
the yearly hard work. On July 22, 2024, the Protestant Institute of Arts and
Social Sciences (PIASS) resounded with the voices of joy and appreciation
of achievements as the institution celebrated its 11th graduation ceremony at
its main campus of Huye. This momentous occasion marked the culmination
of academic journey for 465 both local and international students from across
diverse disciplines including different fields of Education, Peace and Conflict
Studies, Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Rural and
Community Development, as well as Theology and Religious Studies.
Graduates were awarded a Bachelor’s degree with honors, a Post graduate
diploma in education and a Master’s degree in Theology. It was a joyous
event celebrated by parents and guardians, local government leaders, PIASS
member churches, faculties, and PIASS community at large.
Another milestone registered in the second semester of this academic
year, was launching the journey of developing the project of an international
doctoral school jointly run by PIASS, the University of Bamberg, and the
University of Bochum.
CONTENTS
11th Graduation Ceremonies, 22 July 2024
Huye Campus: 0788310811, Karongi Campus: 0783720580
www.pur.ac.rw
@piasshuye
PIASSRWANDA
#WeArePIASS
The kick-off workshop for the first exchange about
the project took place on May 13-16, 2024 at PIASSi n
Huye in the form of an International Research Training
Group.
More than that, two PIASS staff defended their PhD in
the field of Education. Emmanuel NIYIBIZI successfully
finished his doctoral research “Teacher educators’
subjective theories about quality teaching”. DAAD
financially supported his doctoral research. We are
thankful. His oral defense took place on 30th January
2024. Equally, Etienne UWAJYIWABO defended his
doctoral thesis on 8th July 2024 on “the Protestant
School profile and quality education: Perceptions of
protestant secondary school leaders in Rwanda”.
Emmanuel and Etienne finished their doctoral studies at
the University of Bamberg, Germany.
1. ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES
2
PIASSRWANDA
One of the PIASS pillars is research and publication,
we have organized and hosted an international conference
on "The EU, the EAC, & the Role of Regional Integration in
African Development.” In this 3-day conference (27-29
February, 2024), researchers, practitioners and university
scholars from European countries, Canada, UK, Africa, more
especially the East African countries, gathered to explore one
of the most transformative forces in contemporary global
affairs on regional integration. This conference was
organized by our university in collaboration with the center of
excellence on regional integration based at Bradford
university, the Inter University Council for East Africa
(IUCEA), and the East African Community Academic Network
on Regional Integration (EACANRI).
The master’s program run by PIASS
in collaboration with the University of
Bamberg in Germany, proudly hosted
cohort VI of International Master Program
for Educational Quality in Developing
Countries (IMPEQ) from June to July. The
Protestant University of Rwanda hosted this
cohort session as a follow-up from the April
session. The 23 registered students are
from 7 African countries including Rwanda,
more specifically with three PIASS staff
members.
2. INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND RESEARCH
SEMINARS
2.1 INTERNATIONAL STUDY PROGRAMS
International Conference on
Regional Integration
Huye Campus: 0788310811, Karongi Campus: 0783720580
www.pur.ac.rw
@piasshuye
#WeArePIASS
In the same perspective,
PIASS hosted the second session of
the Trauma Healing Program (June
16 – July 12) for 16 students from
Africa, funded and facilitated by
UEM, the department of Diaconia.
IMPEQ COHORT VI
2.2 TRAUMA HEALING PROGRAM
Through the Formation des Bibliothécaires d’Afrique de l’Est
(FOBAE) in collaboration with the Centrale de Littérature
Chrétienne Francophone, we hosted a tree weeks (July 1-
20) training of librarians, in which 20 participants from DRC,
Rwanda and Burundi were trained on library management.
2.3 TRAINING OF LIBRARIANS
Vice Chancellor of PIASS
presenting certificates to
participants of the training
IMPEQ VI students during
school visit June 2024
3
PIASSRWANDA
The workshop took place on May 29 and was facilitated
by Dr. Ayo Esso who is a specialist in AI and business
technology. The aim of this workshop was to learn
together and discuss the current global increase in the
use of AI in teaching and learning; making its awareness
to academic staff and learning together how this tool
could be used productively by guiding students rather
than discouraging them from using it. Discovering AI as
one of the increasingly influential tool in academic world,
the institution is committed to organizing more workshops
in this area, in order to improve and maintain the quality
of our teaching and learning.
PIASS organized several seminars for students in which we invited
local and international researchers, and experts to give lectures on
various topics in the areas of Development, Peacebuilding,
Environmental studies, Educational studies and Theology.
2.4 ACADEMIC WORKSHOP FOR STAFF ON ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE (AI) IN TEACHING AND LEARNING
2.5 SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS FOR STUDENTS
AVP Basic Workshop
for Theology Students
Huye Campus: 0788310811, Karongi Campus: 0783720580
www.pur.ac.rw
@piasshuye
#WeArePUR
4
PIASSRWANDA
The Visit of President of
Trier University on 3/9/2024
The Visit of Lord Mayor of
Trier City on 18/3/2024
From January to early September,
we have expanded our cooperation with
different partners with whom we have
signed cooperation agreements. Among
others, we signed Memorandum of
Understanding with Biodiversity
Conservation Organization (BIOCOOR),
Community Relief and Development
(CRD) and Coventry University (UK).
These cooperation agreements
contribute to the main pillars of our
institution which are; Teaching and
Learning, Research, and Services to the
community.
3. STRENGTHENING COOPERATION
WITH VARIOUS PARTNERS
Huye Campus: 0788310811, Karongi Campus: 0783720580
www.pur.ac.rw
@piasshuye
#WeArePUR
Similarly, students and staff participated
virtually or physically in international events
at our partner universities. These include
the “Human Service Week 2024” in April on
Artificial Intelligence, and “International
Days 3 - 5 June 2024: Human Rights" at the
Protestant University of Applied Sciences,
Nuremberg (Germany). In addtion, two staff
members from PIASS, Rev. Dr. Viateur
Habarurema and Mr. Leopold Niyonzima,
visited the University of Gdańsk on April 15-
19 while Dr. Wioletta Gierszewska and Prof.
Dr. Maciej Szczurowski from this university
visited and stayed at PIASS on June 2-3,
2024.
PIASS also received the delegations from Bread for the
world led by Mrs. Françoise Ndoume. Our discussions
focused on our future cooperation.
Similarly, PIASS received the UEM delegation led by UEM
Moderator, Bishop Dr. Abednego Keshomshahara from
Tanzania. They visited PIASS respectively on June 2-5 and
25th -26th.
Partnering with Trier City
and Trier University
Last but not least, a very promising
visit by the delegation from the City of
Trier on September 3 in the framework of
its partnership with the district of Huye,
was another occasion to explore the
many ways of cooperation between
PIASS and the Trier University
represented by its President Prof. Dr.
Eva Martha Eckkrammer, and the Trier
University of Applied Sciences
represented by Prof. Dr. Dorit
Schumann. The delegation was led by
Mr. David Natus, Head of the Lord
Mayor‘s Office of Trier. The visit was a
follow-up to the previous one that the
Lord Mayor himself, Mr. Wolfram Leibe,
his wife Prof. Dr. Andrea Sand, and other
staff members made, in Huye District and
at PIASS in March 2024.
Partnership with BIOCOOR Partnership with CRD
5
PIASSRWANDA
PIASS joined Rwandan community for
the 30th commemoration of the genocide
against Tutsi in 1994. In our institution,
we organized this event on 25-26 May,
2024. It was a time for remembering and
paying tribute to victims of the genocide.
We remembered leaders and students of
the former Faculty of Theology who were
killed during the genocide. “Remember,
Unite, and Renew.” was the leitmotif of
the event.
4. 30TH COMMEMORATION OF THE GENOCIDE
Huye Campus: 0788310811, Karongi Campus: 0783720580
www.pur.ac.rw @piasshuye
#WeArePIASS
As part of our university culture,
within the process of remembering
and reconstruction, PIASS
community has built a house for one
of the survivors of genocide against
the Tutsi. This was possible, thanks
to the PIASS staff and students who
have contributed financially toward
this noble work, an action which was
also done as part of service to the
community.
6
PIASSRWANDA
PIASS is a home of students and staff from
different countries and cultures. From this
perspective, we respect and value each and
everyone’s culture as a united community. To
embrace that diversity, on 21st August, 2024
PIASS organized a cultural evening marked
with different cultural dances and tested food
from different countries happily reflecting our
PIASS community.
5. CELEBRATION OF OUR UNITY IN DIVERSITY
THROUGH UMUGANURA
Sharing dishes from
different countries
Huye Campus: 0788310811, Karongi Campus: 0783720580
www.pur.ac.rw
@piasshuye
Cultural exchange
through dances & songs
#WeArePIASS
At the same time this was a celebration
of Umuganura, the Rwanda national
harvest festive which was observed on
1st August 2024 at the national level.
As part of the celebration, we
recognized new staff members who
joined our community and Dr. Christine
Nyiramana who was trusted to be one
of the MPs.
7
PIASSRWANDA
PIASS in partnership with Never Again Rwanda and Huye
District, GIZ Rwanda-Civil Peace Service, through the
support of Swedish Embassy to Rwanda, have organized
and will host the International Day of Peace 2024 on 21
September, under the theme “Intergenerational Dialogue:
Uniting Generations to Cultivate a Culture of Peace”. The
dialogue will provide participants with an opportunity to
explore the importance of intergenerational dialogue as a
key approach to fostering peace, highlighting the
exchange of wisdom and perspectives between
generations to build a more peaceful and cohesive
society.
6. PROSPECTS OF 2024
Huye Campus: 0788310811, Karongi Campus: 0783720580
www.pur.ac.rw
@piasshuye
#WeArePIASS
The new academic year at PIASS will commence on
October 4, 2024, and is expected to conclude in
mid-July 2025. The year will begin with a week-long
orientation program designed to introduce new
students to the institution's teaching and learning
environment. During this orientation, students will
have the opportunity to learn about their
expectations, the resources available to them, and
what PIASS expects from them. Additionally, the
program will cover important information about
facilities, academic units, lecturers, and the values
embodied in Ndi Umunyarwanda.
6.1 INTERNATIONAL PEACE DAY
6.2 STARTING OF ACADEMIC YEAR
2024-2025
6.3 PIASS SCIENTIFIC WEEK 2024
A call for abstracts has been issued for the 2024 Annual
Scientific Week, which will focus on the theme
“Digitalization for Socio-Economic Transformation:
Opportunities and Challenges.” We are pleased to
announce that over 20 abstracts have been submitted
and reviewed as part of this initiative. The event is
scheduled to take place from December 6 to December
8, 2024.
This year’s theme aims to explore the multifaceted
impact of digitalization on socio-economic development,
highlighting both the potential opportunities and the
challenges that arise in this rapidly evolving landscape.
We invite participants to engage in meaningful
discussions and share innovative ideas that contribute to
this important dialogue.
6.5 INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
We are excited to announce that we plan to
commence the construction of student hostels
before the end of 2024. This initiative marks
the first phase of a two-year project funded by
Bread for the World (BfW). Once completed,
these hostels will accommodate 1,400
students, significantly enhancing our campus
facilities.
The construction of student hostels brings
numerous benefits to our institution and its
students, as it will provide safe, comfortable,
and accessible living spaces, fostering a
conducive environment for academic success.
We remain deeply indebted to our loyal
partner, Bread for the World, for their
invaluable support in this project and for their
ongoing commitment to the development of
our institution. Together, we are building a
brighter future for our students and our
community.
6.4 GRADUATION OF PARTICIPANTS OF
TRAUMA HEALING COURSE
On November 15, 2024, we will hold the graduation
ceremony for the Trauma Healing Program. This
one-year course is divided into three sessions: the
first session took place in November 2023, the
second session occurred in June-July 2024, and the
final session will conclude in November 2024.
Between these sessions, participants have been
engaged in internships with various organizations
related to trauma healing. This program is offered in
partnership with the United Evangelical Mission
(UEM) and the Presbyterian Church of Rwanda
(EPR).
8
PIASSRWANDA
This verse highlights our source of strength. It
is one of the messages of Paul to the
Philippians, acknowledging that his ability to
endure all circumstances, whether in time of
need or abundance, his strengths are provided
by Jesus Christ. It is true that we can put on all
our best knowledge and skills, however, we
are well conscious that it is not about personal
ability or willpower alone, but rather about the
divine empowerment that Christ offers. This
constantly reminds us that Christian life is not
about self-sufficiency, but about recognizing
one’s dependence on Christ for strength, both
in difficult and good times.
“I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME” PHILIPPIANS 4:13
7. FOOD FOR SOUL
Huye Campus: 0788310811, Karongi Campus: 0783720580
www.pur.ac.rw @piasshuye
#WeArePIASS
This verse is a source of
encouragement in any circumstances
where we can do our best yet rest
assured that there is a source of
strength to help us through. It’s a
promise of support and presence, not
a guarantee of success in every
endeavor, but the assurance that
Christ’s strength will be sufficient for
whatever is necessary. We pray that
God’s strength be our portion as we
put in our best into work.
May we have hope in the Lord.
