Kepler Kiziba

Rwanda

Southern New Hampshire University’s partnership with Kepler university program offers a unique model for higher education in the developing world. Generously funded by the IKEA Foundation, it provides a world-class BA online degree from Southern New Hampshire University to students in the developing world, combining online learning with in-person seminars. The program targets refugee students, starting with a pilot in Kiziba Refugee Camp in Rwanda in 2015. The program is designed to cater to highly mobile refugee students who face uncertain futures, allowing them to complete their studies at a self-directed pace.

Project Stage

Proof of Concept

Implementation time

1 - 6 months

Total Cost

$300,000.00

Last update: October 05, 2023

Overview Contributors

Challenge

Refugee students often have limited access to quality higher education, which impacts their employment opportunities and future economic stability. Traditional educational solutions are often not viable due to the mobility and precarity of refugee situations.

Description

The Kepler Kiziba program offers a blended learning model that combines online coursework with in-person seminars, allowing refugee students to earn U.S.-accredited degrees from Southern New Hampshire University. This approach provides flexibility and ensures that the degrees are recognized globally. The program also includes targeted gender equity initiatives and community development efforts.

SDGs

Outcomes

The Kepler Kiziba program has impacted refugee communities positively, increasing engagement in primary and secondary education within the camp, achieving a 50/50 gender ratio in its student cohort, and maintaining a high degree completion rate. Additionally, 81% of the third-year students have been offered full-time jobs by the time of graduation.