On February 25, 2022, 461 future leaders graduated from Davis College and embarked on the next exciting chapter of their lives. 

The Class of 2021 overcame countless challenges throughout their studies, yet their determination and dedication never wavered. We were filled with pride and joy as each young leader walked across the stage and accepted their Diploma in either Business Management & Entrepreneurship, Hospitality & Tourism Management, or Information Systems.

The hybrid ceremony – held at the Serena Hotel, Kigali, and streamed online to hundreds of our global community – was a beautiful occasion and a valued opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of this brave, resilient, and intelligent class.

Here are just a few of the special moments from the day…

The inspiring address from our Vice Chancellor, Richard Niyibigira:

The words of wisdom and encouragement from our Guest of Honor, Dianne Dusaidi, MasterCard Foundation:

The heartfelt messages of congratulations from Davis College faculty and staff:

The Inganzo Ngari Cultural troupe who entertained guests between Diploma presentations:

And the energetic performance by Class of 2017 Alum and Award-Winning Rwandan Artist, Alyn Sano:

Thank you to everyone who featured in the graduation ceremony, and to everyone who joined the celebrations either in-person or virtually - your participation and presence made it the most memorable event.

We also want to share special thanks to the donors who support our beloved institution and make this all possible, the faculty who have devoted years of work to educate and empower our students, and most importantly, the 461 young leaders who have demonstrated wisdom and character throughout their studies. 

So, to our Class of 2021 - we want to leave you with this empowering message from our Deputy Vice Chancellor, Christine Osae, as you go out into the world to make your mark…

Watch the full graduation ceremony on our YouTube channel.

Support Our Students

Make a donation to provide hope and opportunity to thousands of young learners in Rwanda who will shape their communities for generations to come: www.akilah.org/donate 

About Davis College and the Akilah Women’s Center

Akilah opened its doors in 2009, under the name Akilah Institute for Women, and quickly established itself as East Africa’s pre-eminent institution for women’s leadership and career development.

After a decade of impact in 2020, the Akilah team launched Davis College, a co-educational higher learning institution, to expand access to our high-quality diploma programs to more students.

To reflect our community’s growth, the Akilah Institute was officially renamed the Akilah Women’s Center, and delivers impactful programming and services, like the African Women’s Workforce Initiative (AWWI), launched with Google.org funding and support, to advance female leadership, education, and career development in Africa.

In honor of Akilah’s founding mission, Davis College and the Akilah Women’s Center are committed to the shared mission to build a global community of lifelong learners.