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Participants and guests join Mrs. Tengera Kayitare Françoise, University of Rwanda Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance, for a group photo following the official opening of ICRESD 2026.

The achievements of the Higher Education Pedagogies for Teacher Education (HEP-TED) Project took centre stage on Day One of the 4th International Conference on Re-shaping Education for Sustainable Development (ICRESD 2026), held from 15–17 June 2026 at the University of Rwanda’s Gikondo Campus in Kigali.

Organized under the theme “Building a Sustainable Future through Pedagogical Innovation, Inclusion and Resilience,” the conference brought together academics, researchers, policymakers, teacher educators, and development partners from Rwanda and beyond to explore how education can respond to the demands of a rapidly changing world. Among the conference highlights was the HEP-TED Symposium 1, convened under the theme “Advancing Pedagogy and Quality in Higher Education.”

The symposium provided a platform for reflection, dialogue, and knowledge sharing on contemporary challenges and opportunities in higher education, with a particular focus on pedagogical innovation, leadership, quality assurance, and institutional collaboration. More importantly, it showcased the impact of the Rwanda–Finland partnership in transforming teacher education and strengthening higher education systems.

Opening the symposium, HEP-TED Project Coordinator and Conference Convenor, Prof. Wenceslas Nzabalirwa, presented an overview of the project’s achievements. His presentation highlighted key milestones that have contributed to educational transformation, including enhanced higher education pedagogies, strengthened quality assurance systems, digital learning innovation, inclusive and gender-responsive education, curriculum renewal and competency-based assessment, pedagogical leadership development, and sustainable international partnerships.

Prof. Wenceslas Nzabalirwa presents HEP-TED achievements, showcasing the impact of the Rwanda–Finland partnership on higher education transformation.

These achievements reflect years of collaboration between the University of Rwanda, Tampere University, and other partner institutions, demonstrating how international partnerships can support institutional development, improve teaching and learning, and contribute to sustainable educational reform.

The symposium’s keynote address was delivered by Dr. Idris Khalid under the title “Advancing Pedagogy and Quality in Higher Education : Pathways to Transformative Teaching, Learning and Institutional Advancement.” He emphasized that quality higher education depends not only on strong academic programmes but also on continuous professional learning, reflective practice, effective institutional leadership, and collaborative partnerships. His presentation challenged institutions to embrace innovation and build learning environments that prepare graduates to thrive in complex and evolving societies.

Dr. Idris Khalid, affiliated with Asmara College of Education, Eritrea, and the University of Helsinki, Finland, presents the keynote address on advancing pedagogy and quality in higher education

Building on these ideas, a high-level panel discussion moderated by Associate Professor Irénée Ndayambaje brought together distinguished representatives from the University of Rwanda, Rwanda Polytechnic, the Higher Education Council (HEC), and Tampere University, Finland. The panel explored critical issues shaping the future of higher education, including equitable access, curriculum relevance, quality assurance, leadership, digital transformation, and the role of universities in supporting Africa’s sustainable development agenda.

Distinguished panelists from Rwanda and Finland exchange insights on advancing pedagogy and quality in higher education during the HEP-TED Symposium, showcasing the impact of international collaboration in transforming teacher education and higher education systems.

The afternoon parallel sessions showcased research findings and innovations emerging from the HEP-TED Project and related initiatives. Presentations covered a wide range of themes, including teacher leadership, educational leadership, institutional collaboration, inclusive education, professionalism in teacher education, gender-responsive pedagogy, quality assurance, and higher education transformation.

Several papers highlighted lessons learned from the Rwanda–Finland partnership and demonstrated how collaborative research can strengthen educational quality and institutional capacity. Among the notable contributions were presentations examining the transformative potential of teacher leadership, science-driven quality assurance, institutional collaboration as a catalyst for teacher education reform, inclusive education as a driver of pedagogical quality enhancement, and professionalism among teacher educators.

The studies generated rich discussions on how higher education institutions can better prepare graduates with the knowledge, competencies, and values needed to address complex educational and societal challenges. Participants also reflected on how evidence-based approaches can support continuous improvement in teaching, learning, and institutional performance.

Beyond presenting research findings, the symposium successfully achieved its objective of providing a platform for scholarly exchange, dissemination of knowledge, networking, and policy dialogue. Participants reaffirmed the importance of strengthening partnerships among higher education institutions, fostering innovation in teaching and learning, and promoting evidence-based approaches to quality enhancement.

The HEP-TED Symposium further demonstrated the value of international collaboration in advancing pedagogical excellence and contributed meaningfully to the broader conference discussions on sustainable educational futures. It reinforced the shared commitment of the University of Rwanda, Tampere University, and their partners to continue working together to transform teacher education and higher education systems for sustainable development.

Mrs. Tengera Kayitare Françoise, UR Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance, delivers the opening remarks at ICRESD 2026 and participates in the HEP-TED Symposium.

As conversations on the future of education continue to evolve, the achievements showcased at the symposium stand as a powerful example of what can be accomplished through partnership, innovation, and a shared vision for quality education. The Rwanda–Finland collaboration has not only strengthened institutions and educators but has also laid a strong foundation for more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable higher education systems capable of meeting the challenges of the twenty-first century.

Closing the HEP-TED Symposium, UR-CE Principal Prof. Florien Nsanganwimana commended participants for their valuable contributions and reaffirmed the importance of collaboration in advancing pedagogy and quality in higher education.

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NTIRANDEKURA Schadrac
Public Relations, UR-College of Education