American MBA Students Study Transformation in Post-Genocide Rwanda

MBA students from Kellogg School of Management

President Paul Kagame, yesterday, engaged 30 Master of Business Administration (MBA) students from Kellogg School of Management in a question-and-answer session ranging from leadership qualities to development agendas.

The full-time MBA students have interests in technology, entrepreneurship, tourism and conservation.

Speaking to The New Times after their meeting at Village Urugwiro, Prof. Michelle Buck, the head of the delegation, said the visit is part of a case study on East Africa, in particular, Rwanda, and its leadership transformation.

"President Kagame shared with us about Rwanda's Vision 2020 and was open to a lot of questions from the students on diverse topics, from critical decision making to opportunities to foreign investments and business growth," Buck said.

"We feel that the story of Rwanda does offer lessons and insights and one of the things that we talked about is that sometimes people hold themselves back in terms of thinking about what is possible."

Prof. Buck said the rate of change and transformation in Rwanda is remarkable given where the country came from.

"I think one of the key lessons is that anything is possible when there is commitment, hard work and unity," she said.

Desai Aakash, one of the students, added: "Some of the things that resonated well with us during the discussion was President Kagame's personal leadership insights and how he communicates with his team and the public about the country's vision."

The team also visited Nyamata Genocide Memorial Centre and is scheduled to visit the Ministry of Youth and ICT, and Rwanda Development Board.

Kellogg School of Management is ranked 15th top business school by the Financial Times and is considered the best American school for marketing.

The students are also expected to visit Tanzania and Uganda before they end their regional tour on March 29.