1. Key developments at the African Center of Excellences from Rwanda
1. ACE in Internet of Things (ACEIoT)
2. ACE in Data Science (ACEDS)
3. ACE for Innovative Teaching and Learning Mathematics and Science (ACEITLMS)
4. ACE in Energy for Sustainable Development(ACEESD)
Presented by,
Assoc. Prof. Santhi Kumaran
Center Leader, ACEIoT
UR-College of Science and Technology

2. Outline of the Presentation
Introduction & General Update
ACE in Internet of Things (ACEIoT)
Introduction
Development Status
ACE in Data Science (ACEDS)
ACE for Innovative Teaching and Learning Mathematics and Science (ACEITLMS)
ACE in Energy for Sustainable Development (ACEESD)
Conclusion

3. Introduction & General Update
Status Updates Common to all ACEs of Rwanda
ACE Launch
 Launched during 24th January, 2017
ACE Structure and Staff
All ACEs structures are in place;
Appointment of ACE Leaders were done in December 2016;
Appointments of other internal academic staff have been done by the respective College Principals
Recruitment of Administrative staff under process-Appointment will be effective by May 3rd week
Recruitment of External Academic Staff recruitment -adverts are posted
Office Space and other requirements
Office Space for all ACEs has been identified and minor renovation work is underway
Office items procurement are in process
Challenge:
The delay in getting the Initial funds disbursed by World Bank has delayed many of the activities across all the 4 Centers

4. ACEIoT Introduction ACEIoT’s objectives: Higher Education and Research
IoT living lab for Open Innovation
Our Partners:
University of Melbourne, Australia
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Karaghpur, India
Inmarsat (Company) , South Africa
Maastricht University, Netherlands (through PASET)

5. Current Status & Challenges
Key developments
Status Update
Master’s Programs
1)MSc in ECS
2) MSc in WiSeNet
Draft curriculum of Master’s programs developed by a team of internal staff,
Curriculum development Workshop with partners planned during May 8th to 12th, 2017.
Regional and International Partners are invited for the workshop
PhD Programs
PhD advert posted in UR website and send to regional partners SUZA, UNIMA and to IUCEA and RUFORUM
Started receiving applications from the Region and Nationals. One candidate through RUFORUM Teaching Assistant Grants
Students from other Universities requesting for Internship in ACEIoT Labs
Start date of PhD studies planned for September 2017
Labs (procurement)
Lab procurement list will be finalized during workshop and submitted for procurement May 3rd week
MoUs/ Partnership Agreements
Regional Partners (SUZA , UNIMA, EAIFR) are in the final stages.
Industry Partners (Inmarsat , XM2) discussions going on.
Research Labs ( CETIC and ICTP) will be established in a months time
Other Partners: IIT Karaghpur, University of Melbourne, Maastrich University (thro’ PASET) negotiations ongoing
Grant Proposals submitted
Strategic Partnerships for Higher Education Innovation and Reform (SPHEIR)- Moi University-ACE in Phytochemicals, Textile and renewable Energy (PTRE)
SenseDIFLaD –Horizon 2020 : ICT Call (CETIC, ICTP, MIDIMAR)
Royal Society Grants- planning to submit a proposal collaborating with ICTP & University of Cambridge)
Paper publications
 1 publication so far

6. ACEDS Introduction ACEDS’ objectives:
Offering a research hub for postgraduate students, attracting international expertise and practitioners.
Stimulating collaboration between academics, partners and stakeholders.
ACEDS’ Partners:
National institutions: National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) , Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), Institute of Applied Sciences (INES-Ruhengeri), Institute for Policy Analysis and Research (IPAR) and Private Sector Federation (PSF).
Regional institutions: Makerere University, African Institute of Mathematics and Sciences (AIMS)-Tanzania, IBM East Africa and IBM Research Labs.
International institutions: Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), King’s College London, Office for National Statistics and Microsoft

7. ACEDS: Current Status Key developments Status Update Master’s Programs
Working on curriculum development for MSc and PhD by course work and thesis in Data Science.
Teaching is expected to start by September 2017
PhD Programs
Advertisement will be done in May 2017 and starting period is in September 2017
Labs (procurement)
List of equipment have been submitted to the Procurement office. Process going on
MoUs/ Partnership Agreements
Discussions going on with Partners
Grant Proposals submitted
1 grant proposal submitted to Strategic Partnerships for Higher Education Innovation and Reform (SPHEIR).
Paper publications
3 papers have been published

8. ACEITLMS Introduction
ACEITLMS will concentrate on strengthening the capacity to deliver teaching and research in University of Rwanda and other universities in the region as well as to improve teaching and learning in schools of the region.
The centre will encompass the three major activities namely:
Bringing innovation into teaching and learning: Mainly MEd in Mathematics and Science Education; PhD in Mathematics and Science Education
Research and training: Research in the field of mathematics and science education aiming at addressing societal needs
Community engagement.
In all these, the centre will consider integration of ICT and inclusiveness. This will have a multiplier effect both in Rwanda and in the region.
National Partners: African Institute of Mathematical Sciences- Rwanda (AIMS-RW), Rwanda Education Board (REB)
Regional Partners: University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), Kenyatta Univ (KU), Masinde Muliro Univ of Science & Tech (MMUST), State Univ of Zanzibar (SUZA), Makerere University (MU)
International Partners: University of Bristol (UB), Univ of Kwazulu Natal (UKZN), Univ. of Copenhagen (UC)

9. ACEITLMS: Current Status
Key developments
Status Update
Master’s Programs
1)MEd in Maths Educ
2) MEd in Sci Educ
MEd Program in mathematics/science education has been developed
Validated at Departmental level; Under validation process at School level
PhD Programs
Call for PhD (by Research) admission in Maths/Sci Education is ready;
It will be on website during next week
Start date of PhD progam September 2017
Labs (procurement)
Procurement plan of submitted to SPIU, UR
MoUs/ Partnership Agreements
Discussions with Regional Partners (KU, MMUST, SUZA, AIMS) in progress
Grant Proposals submitted
A multi-organizational Pilot Project proposal on “Innovations to Strengthening the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics and Sciences in Secondary Schools in Rwanda” was submiited in Dec 2016.
Submission of 7 PhD Research Project Grant Proposals by PhD students in Maths/Sci. Educ., who are team members of ACEITLMS.
A proposal for Regional Centre for Mathematics and Science for Sub-Saharan Africa (MS4SSA) Program in collaboration with MINEDUC, submitted to World Bank.
Improvement of Intra Africa Academic Mobility Scheme Proposal in progress (to be submitted by the end of April 2017).
Paper publications
2 papers accepted for Oral presentation in UR Scientific Conference Week

10. Some Partners of ACEESD
ACEESD Introduction
The objectives of ACEESD are as follows:
To provide national and regional capacity-building (Masters & PhD) in Energy Sector;
To provide energy research, consultancy and advisory services to both public and private organizations at national, regional and international levels;
To develop and transfer appropriate energy technologies for sustainable development at the national and regional levels;
To contribute and strengthen cooperation between industry, sector and academia in the field of clean energy in the regional.
Some Partners of ACEESD
Rwanda Utility and Regulatory Authority (RURA)
Rwanda Energy Group (REG)
Makerere University, Uganda
Adger University Norway
Colorado State University, USA
Strathmore University, Kenya
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), USA

11. ACEESD: Current Status
Key developments
Status Update
Master’s Programs
Working on curriculum for MSc in Renewable Energy (upgrading), Power System & Energy Economics
Working on Call for expression of Interest: Develop ACE_ESD Master Programs
PhD Programs
3 specializations established and working on advert of PhD admission of regional students.
10 Rwandans PhD students enrolled in different specializations this year
Labs (procurement)
List for Teaching and Research Laboratories & Micro-Grid Research Laboratory has been finalized
Advert tender document will be published on University website this month
MoUs/ Partnership Agreements
Working on MoUs with, REG, RURA, RIT. Strathmore University, Makerere University, Uganda, Agder in Norway
One signed MoU with Colorado State University and Published on UR website
Grant Proposals submitted
SIDA project for 5 years with UR Colleges including ACE-ESD
This project will be operational in 2018
Paper publications
1 published so far

12. Conclusion
We at the University of Rwanda would like to initiate the change within the Country and in the Region through the four ACEs by providing STI training and by addressing the challenges faced by the ESA region.
THANK YOU