African Leadership University

2022 review: A year of transformation at ALU and ALC

2022 began with great promise for African Leadership University. As we envisioned a post-pandemic future, we were hard at work implementing bold plans to make world-class education more accessible, affordable, practical and purpose driven. We started the year with two new degree programs, established six learning hubs in key African cities and the globe, while we also welcomed 653 new students and graduated our biggest class to date. Here are some of the highlights from 2022:

We flipped the traditional approach to education

In January 2022, ALU welcomed its first batch of students for its new programs in Software Engineering and Entrepreneurial Leadership. This new batch of students also piloted our new learning model founded on the pillars of accessibility, learning by doing, student-led and mission driven learning. Our new experiential learning model also opens up the world through learning hubs, from which students can gain real world experiences. ALU students have the opportunity to move from Silicon Valley’s high technology and innovation startups scene to Kigali’s picturesque hills and Kampala’s buzzing city life, on to Africa’s thriving innovation hub in Lagos and maybe stop by the safari capital of Africa, Nairobi or explore culture and history in Addis Ababa.  

Spotlights

  • Two new accredited degree programmes, BSc. (Hons) Software Engineering and BSc. (Hons) Entrepreneurial Leadership in ALU Rwanda
  • 653 new students enrolled at ALU Rwanda in 2022
  • 6 learning hubs in Silicon Valley, Kigali, Nairobi, Kampala, Addis Ababa and Lagos. Read more on ALU learning hubs
  • Launched the ALU Public Service Fellowship with 25 public service officials, representing 6 countries
  • Accreditation of Master of Electrical Power Engineering Systems and Bachelor of Entrepreneurial Leadership programs for our African Leadership College (ALC) campus in Mauritius

We asked deep questions

Part of training the next generation of entrepreneurial leaders involves driving the conversations on change in Africa. In 2022, ALU engaged in policy relevant research and drove global conversations on Africa’s most pressing issues. ALU hosted events with global partners, participated in key conferences such as the Commonwealth Head of Government Meeting, the Africa Protected Areas Congress, and the World Circular Economy Forum, and engaged in partnerships with international universities.

Spotlights

  • In May 2022, ALU partnered with Yale University to host the inaugural Yale Model African Union conference in Rwanda
  • In September 2022, ALU held the virtual Business of Conservation Conference which attracted about 300 participants from 42 nationalities
  • In August 2022, ALU Rwanda collaborated with our sister organization, the African Leadership Academy, to host the ALforEducation Network gathering which brought together 200 leaders

We grew our alumni network

We welcomed a new class of graduates to our alumni network, bringing our total to 815 alumni. Our students and graduates are already doing the hard things;  collaborating with communities, faculty, and each other to tackle global challenges, pursuing burning questions along their missions, and translating ideas into action. 

 

Spotlights

  • 76 students graduated from the ALU MBA program, culminating in 243 ALU School of Business MBA graduates
  • 112 participants completed our Executive training Programs
  • 78% career placement rate within 6 months of graduation from ALU
  • 89% of alumni based in Africa

We were entrepreneurial

Entrepreneurship continues to be at the heart of ALU: with students exposed to the Entrepreneurship Lab in their first term on campus. After their first term, students can join the Student Venture Program to receive specialized support on ideation, funding,  and business development. From student ventures recycling plastic into paving blocks to organizations solving global literacy, ALU students continue to innovate solutions for some of Africa’s grandest challenges.  

Spotlights

  • A team of four students, Tuyishime Josiane, Nar Lo Dia, Mukantwari Francoise and Chukwuma Paul emerged as winners from a pool of 5,900 student teams from 65 countries at the ‘Make Reality Challenge’ by the Project Management Institute
  • Over US$200, 000 in funding won in prizes by 79 student ventures in 2022
  • 116 ventures created in 2022
  • 31, 147 jobs created in 2022

Everything we did in 2022 – from championing a new learning model and new programs to rethinking how we educate Africa’s future leaders – we did it to address the urgency of ethical and entrepreneurial leaders that mother Africa needs. The innovation never ends. We can always improve. As we reflect on the past year and what the future holds, ALU will continue to embrace inclusive excellence and define success on the basis of the number of students to whom it says “yes” and the  impact those students have on the communities they lead. Read ALU’s Impact Report 2022 for more details on ALU’s journey in 2022

Please note: ALC and ALU have been referred to collectively as “ALU” in this editorial, unless where specifically indicated ALU Rwanda or ALC Mauritius. ALC’s and ALU Rwanda’s parent entity is ALU Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization, in Mauritius.