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See It: UGHE’s First Medical Class and 10th Master's Class Graduate
Our favorite graduation photos from the first Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery – Master of Science in Global Health Delivery (MBBS–MGHD) cohort and the 10th Masters in Global Health Delivery (MGHD) class.
Posted on
Feb 18, 2026
Graduate Heritier Mfura, class representative for the inaugural MBBS-MGHD cohort, fist bumps an audience member.
Photos courtesy of UGHE.
On January 25, Partners In Health (PIH) celebrated a momentous occasion when the first dual medical degree students and 10th cohort of master's degree students graduated from the University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) in Rwanda.
UGHE’s curriculum was born out of PIH’s decades of experience in community-based health treatments, and founded by PIH Co-founder Dr. Paul Farmer and then-Rwandan Minister of Health Agnes Binagwaho.
Each of these 78 graduates has learned the importance of building equitable health systems and treating patients holistically, with environmental factors like food access and poverty included at the forefront of care. Equity is a core thread through each semester’s course, rather than a unit in one class.
Here’s a peek into the graduation ceremony, with a few of our favorite photos.
The first class of MBBS-MGHD medical students, in green, and 10th class of MGHD students, in red, walk in their regalia. Graduate Fanique Simbi Umuhoza grins in her MGHD regalia. The MGHD degree, UGHE’s flagship degree program, focuses on systems, not just symptoms. It includes a range of core topics, from epidemiology to finance to global health policy. Dr. Philip Cotton, UGHE Vice Chancellor and professor, addresses the crowd at the graduation ceremony.MBBS-MGHD graduates Generous Irakoze Iradukunda, left, and Fred Nkurunziza stand next to each other at the graduation ceremony. The 6.5-year medical degree curriculum was shaped by experts in research and clinical care with equity at the forefront.Prime Minister of the Republic of Rwanda, Rt. Hon. Dr. Justin Nsengiyumva, addresses the crowd. He was the Guest of Honor at the graduation ceremony. Cotton, left, and UGHE Chancellor Dr. Jim Yong Kim, right, present Her Excellency Jeannette Kagame, First Lady of the Republic of Rwanda, the first-ever UGHE honorary doctorate degree. UGHE graduates raise their right hands and take the UGHE Graduation Pledge, committing themselves to the service of humanity and prioritizing the wellbeing of their patients. MBBS-MGHD graduate Mutesi Mukinisha holds hands with a member of the crowd after receiving her diploma. MGHD graduate Ifunanya Lilian Igweze claps during the graduation ceremony.MGHD graduate Kenny Bivegete Ntwari, left, grins and shows off his diploma to the crowd.MGHD graduate Emmanuel Rucyahana, left, smiles and snaps a selfie following the graduation ceremony.MGHD graduate Belyse Mukayiranga poses with her medal, which she received after winning the Julia Gamble Kharl Award, given to the student with the highest academic achievement from the Gender, Sexual and Reproductive Health option.
