UGHE MGHD Class of 2020 Virtual Commencement: Full Ceremony

On August 9th, 2020, the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) graduated twenty-eight students from its Master of Science for Global Health Delivery (MGHD) flagship program. This the fifth cohort the University has seen pass through its doors since it’s opening in 2015, and the second to have experienced the state-of-the-art facilities in its 2019-inaugurated campus in Butaro Sector, Burera District, Rwanda.

Given COVID-19 related restrictions globally, and in line with the Government of Rwanda’s robust prevention measures against this disease, the MGHD ‘20 Graduation took place virtually, with invitations extended across the globe to families and friends of graduating students, and friends and supporters of UGHE’s mission. UGHE was honored to welcome an esteemed line-up of guest speakers to the ceremony, including His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, the Hon. Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije, the Hon. Minister of Education, Dr. Valentine Uwamariya, and a keynote address from Prof. Senait Fisseha, Director of Global Programs at the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, and Chief Advisor to the Director General of the World Health Organization. UGHE’s Chancellor, Dr. Paul Farmer, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Agnes Binagwaho, the Dean of the School of Medicine and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abebe Bekele, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Administrative and Financial Affairs, Rogers Muragije, Dr. Rex Wong, Associate Professor and Director, Bill and Joyce Cummings Institute of Global Health also spoke to audiences within the ceremony.

0:00 - Opening Remarks from MC Enock Rwamuza
3:23 - Address from Prof. Abebe Bekele, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Dean of the School of Medicine
6:09 - Address from Vice Chancellor Prof. Agnes Binagwaho
21:02 - Address from Keynote Speaker Dr. Senait Fisseha, UGHE Board Member and Director of Global Programs at the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation
28:44 - Introduction of Hon. Minister of Health Dr. Daniel Ngamije from Vice Chancellor Prof. Agnes Binagwaho
32:10 - Address from Hon. Minister of Health Dr. Daniel Ngamije
36:07 - Introduction of Hon. Minister of Health Dr. Valentine Uwamariya from Vice Chancellor Prof. Agnes Binagwaho
39:10 - Address from Hon. Minister of Health Dr. Valentine Uwamariya
45:25 - Remarks from Rogers Muragije, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Administrative and Financial Affairs
47:02 - Presentation of Student Video
49:46 - Introduction of Student Representative by Rogers Muragije, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Administrative and Financial Affairs
50:41 - Address by MGHD '20 Student Representative Gloria Igihozo
58:12 - Introduction of UGHE Graduate Declaration by Dr. Rex Wong, Associate Professor and Director, Bill and Joyce Cummings Institute of Global Health
58:59 - UGHE Graduate Declaration led by Vice Chancellor Prof. Agnes Binagwaho
1:02:09 - Conferring of Degrees by Dr. Rex Wong, Associate Professor and Director, Bill and Joyce Cummings Institute of Global Health
1:05:19 - Presentation of Highest Academic Achievers in the MGHD Class of 2020
1:07:26 - Introduction of UGHE Chancellor Dr. Paul Farmer by Vice Chancellor Prof. Agnes Binagwaho
1:10:45 - Address by Dr. Paul Farmer, UGHE Chancellor and Partners In Health Co-founder and Chief Strategist
1:25:00 - Address by UGHE's Guest of Honour, His Excellency, Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda
1:28:38 - Closing Remarks by MC Enock Rwamuza