Four (4) University of Rwanda academics have successfully defended their PhD thesis in the course of one week from various Swedish varsities. The academic staff have been pursuing their doctoral studies in line with the existing collaboration with Swedish Government through Sida under the coordination of UR-Sweden Programme for Research Higher Education and Institutional Advancement. The defense took place in the week of 11th to 15th June, 2018 and all the new doctors return to UR as lecturers and are also poised to carry on research in their respective fields to make an impact in the community.
Bottom right clockwise: Dr Nsabimana, Dr Habimana, Dr Akashi and Dr Mutwarasibo
The defense was kicked off by Dr Aimable Nsabimana from the department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala-Sweden. His thesis is entitled “Essays on Household Demand and Agricultural Policy Implication in Developing Countries”. His thesis compiles papers covering the area of food demand and agricultural policy related issues. Papers I-II examines the welfare implication from adopting modern agricultural inputs and the effects of the likely changes in rainfall on food market prices in Rwanda context. Paper III investigates the reliability of unit value or community price when computing demand elasticities in Tanzania. Finally, Paper IV explores food Engel curves and consumption patterns in Rwanda.
Dr Nsabimana (C) & HE Nkulikiyinka (R)Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to the Nordic countries
Next was Dr. Olivier Habimana who defended his thesis on “Asymmetry and Multiscale Dynamics in Macroeconomics Time Serie Analysis” from Jönköping University, Sweden. His areas of interest include but not limited to Time series econometrics, Dynamic panel data models, Financial economics, International economics. Habimana has three master's degrees in economics from The University of Turin (Italy, 2011), The Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po, France, 2011) and Sapienza University of Rome (Italy, 2013).
Dr Habimana (circled) with UR DVC Administration & Finance Musafiri (2nd R) & Prof. Kigabo (2nd L) from National Bank of Rwanda
Another PhD holder is Akashi Andrew Rurangirwa who also successfully defended his PhD thesis “Quality and Utilization of Antenatal Care (ANC) Services in Rwanda” from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. In his research, Akashi investigated pregnant women’s attendance and timing of ANC visits and the occurrence of intimate partner violence (IPV) with associated factors. Besides, he examined the prevalence of non-psychotic mental health disorders (MHDs) during pregnancy and after childbirth and to what extent violence exposure would contribute to poor mental health. Healthcare providers’ (HCPs) practices in prevention, detection and management of maternal conditions were investigated quantitatively including patients’ records (quality control sub-study).
Dr Akashi after his PhD thesis defense
The weekly PhD thesis defenses were closed by Dr Ernest Mutwarasibo from the School of Global Studies at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. His PhD thesis is “Ordinary Choices in Extra-Ordinary Times: Exploring Resistance to Genocide in Rwanda in 1994”. He explored how and why, in their perspectives, some persons made resistance during the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, in 1994. Mutwarasibo says that his study brings into dialogue the respective literatures on Genocide and resistance studies, particularly in that they both focus on the oppressive power exercise.
By Darius Murangwa
Communications Officer