Call for Applications for Admission and Scholarship for Academic Year 2025/2026 at Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture (RICA)

About Our Program

At the end of our three-year program, all RICA students earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Conservation Agriculture. Students may choose a specialty in Animal Production, Crop Production, Irrigation and Mechanization, or Food Processing.

Located in Karama, Rweru Sector, Bugesera District, RICA is a unique English-language institution, unlike any other in Africa. Our world-class curriculum combines education, research and community extension to train Rwanda’s next generation of leaders in conservation-focused agriculture. At RICA, students learn sustainable farming practices that prioritize soil health, biodiversity, and climate resilience, preparing them to become advocates and practitioners of Conservation Agriculture in Rwanda and beyond.

The Rwanda Institute for Conservation Agriculture hereby informs the general public that applications for admission and scholarships for the September 2025 intake are now open. All admitted students at RICA receive a full scholarship, which includes:

• Tuition fees
• Medical insurance
• Accommodation
• Meals on campus

RICA will also equip you with essential business skills: leadership, entrepreneurship and communications. We incorporate Conservation Agriculture principles throughout the program, emphasizing sustainable practices that promote soil health and environmental stewardship. Additionally, training in One Health underscores the interconnection between agricultural practices, human health and ecosystem sustainability, critical to Rwanda’s agricultural sector.

Eligibility

We seek applicants who aspire to create transformational change in agriculture. Applicants will be considered based on academic performance, demonstrated leadership qualities and a passion for an entrepreneurial career in the agriculture sector. Finalists are invited to an in-person interview day, including interactive group activities and an English proficiency exam.

Admission Requirements/ Criteria

1. Rwandan citizen.
2. Sat for the national examination in 2024.
3. Demonstrates leadership and entrepreneurship potential.
4. Demonstrates a passion for agriculture and conservation practices.
5. Demonstrates English proficiency.
6. Has a minimum national examination score of 70%.
7. Studied any of the following subject combinations or trades:
   • MPG – Math | Physics | Geography
   • PCM – Physics | Chemistry | Math
   • MEG – Math | Economics | Geography
   • MCE – Math | Computer Science | Economics
   • MPC – Math | Physics | Computer Science
   • MCB – Math | Chemistry | Biology
   • PCB – Physics | Chemistry | Biology
   • BCG – Biology | Chemistry | Geography
   • Animal Health
   • Food Processing
   • Crop Production
   • Forestry

Applicants who completed secondary education under foreign or international education programs (e.g., Cambridge, International Baccalaureate) are encouraged to apply. Holders of such qualifications should submit an equivalence certificate issued by the National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA). All students admitted to RICA receive a full threeyear scholarship, covering tuition, medical insurance, accommodation, and meals on campus.

For more information about the application process and eligibility criteria, please visit www.rica.rw/admissions/

The deadline for submission of applications is December 31, 2024.

Done at Karama, 28 November 2024