On Friday 13th October 2023, The African Leadership University (ALU) celebrated the 1st convocation of the Public Sector Fellowship in a ceremony held in the vibrant city of Kigali. The ceremony was attended by, by distinguished guests, including Hon. Gasper Twagirayezu, Minister of Education for Rwanda, Dr. Aminah Zawedde, Permanent Secretary of ICT and National Guidance Uganda, Fred Swaniker, Founder and Executive Chair of the African Leadership Group, and Veda Sunassee, CEO of the African Leadership University.
The convocation that was held at the African Leadership University campus in Kigali Rwanda, served as a significant milestone for the fellows and the program as a whole. It was a moment to celebrate their achievements and recognize the immense potential they hold as leaders in the public sector. The ALU public sector brought together 22 exceptional public sector leaders from Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and Sierra Leone. The pioneering program is designed to develop ethical and effective leaders in the public sector. It aims to equip fellows with the skills, knowledge, and mindset needed to drive positive change and serve their communities with excellence.
The fellows have undergone a rigorous training by experienced facilitators including Chidi Afulezi, Head Faculty Product Management and Dr. Ruwayne Kock, Head faculty Leadership lab. Through practical exercises, case studies, and real-world projects, the facilitators have provided the necessary skills and mindset to the fellows to enable them drive positive change in their respective countries.
During the ceremony, eminent figures took moments to commend the fellows for being the pioneering class in this transformative journey. They recognized the importance of developing a new generation of public sector leaders who possess the necessary skills and mindset to drive positive change and serve their communities effectively. The guests extended their well wishes to the fellows, acknowledging the impact they will make in the public sector and throughout the continent.
In his speech, Mr. Fred Swaniker , Founder of the AL group commended the fellows for their accomplishments made so far in their different organizations during the fellowship.
’’I have witnessed some of your accomplishments and heard from the ALU faculty about the remarkable things you are doing in your organizations and countries and I look forward to see how you continue to use the knowledge and connections you have gained from this program to build the continent’s future.’’ he said.
The fellows also showed their excitement and appreciation of the 16-month program in their different testimonials which was also evident in the way they majestically walked to the stage to receive their certificates. This was also highlighted in the speech delivered by the fellow’s representative Bella Rwigamba from Rwanda.
’’Thanks to the ALU faculty, we have the knowledge, the tools and the vision to drive positive change to public service delivery in our countries. It is our responsibility to apply what we have learned, to continue embracing and tackling the challenges we face and keep on working towards solving real pain points of the citizen for the betterment of our nations. I am confident that we will honor the faith and investment that our leaders and the ALU faculty, have placed in us’’. She noted.
One of the key highlights of the convocation ceremony was the inspiring speech delivered by the Keynote Speaker Dr. Aminah Zawedde, a prominent public sector leader. In her address, Dr. Zawedde expressed her gratitude to Mr. Fred Swaniker, the visionary founder of ALU, for sharing his innovative concept of public sector leadership.
Dr. Zawedde emphasized the importance of visionary leaders who can drive positive change and inspire innovation in public administration. She also noted that she had witnessed tremendous positive change in the fellows from the ministry of ICT and NG Uganda who have attended and successfully completed the program highlighting Mr. Swaniker’s visionary concept, which has empowered the fellows to become the catalysts for progress and transformation in Uganda.
“The visionary concept of public sector leadership shared by Mr. Fred Swaniker has ignited a fire within all of you,” said Dr. Zawedde. “You are now equipped with the knowledge, skills, and mindset necessary to transform the public sectors and drive sustainable development in your different countries’’.
In his closing remarks, the guest speaker Hon. Gasper Twagirayezu also applauded the fellows for embarking on a journey to transform Africa’s public sector and encouraged them continue to strive for excellence in all their endeavors.
