CMU-Africa's 11th Graduation Ceremony

It is our great pleasure to invite you to the Carnegie Mellon University Africa 11th graduation ceremony on Friday, May 17, 2024. This momentous event will serve as an opportunity for the CMU-Africa community, family, and friends to bear witness to and celebrate the academic accomplishments of the graduating Class of 2024. Additionally, it will provide alumni with the chance to welcome the new graduates to the Alumni Association.

CMU Provost James Garrett will attend the CMU-Africa graduation ceremony on May 17 and will address the Class of 2024 during the ceremony.

Celebrate with us

CMU-Africa looks forward to lauding the hard work and dedication of our 11th graduate cohort of master’s degree candidates.

• Resources for graduating students
• Resources for families and guests

Graduation ceremony details

We extend a warm invitation to graduating students and their guests to participate in the main graduation ceremony on Friday, May 17. This ceremony will feature the conferral of degrees and diploma awards and will include a host of distinguished speakers, such as the university provost, the Rwanda minister of education, keynote speaker, student speaker, and the dean of the College of Engineering.

Each graduate is limited to two guests who can attend the main ceremony. Please note that no external photographers or videographers will be permitted at the event. Graduating students will receive a registration link to secure their guests' attendance. 

The ceremony will be held in Kigali, Rwanda, and is expected to last approximately 2 hours.

Resources for graduating students

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation! We are excited and look forward to celebrating with you. As you plan for graduation, refer to this page for information about deadlines and collect your cap and gown.

Valedictorian

The 2024 valedictorian is Chukwuemeka Livinus Nkama, MSEAI.

Each academic year, Carnegie Mellon University selects one outstanding student to deliver a speech at the graduation ceremony, representing the entire graduating class. This honor offers a unique opportunity for the chosen student to address their peers, faculty, staff, families, and other guests with a speech of their own making.

The selection of the valedictorian is carefully made by the Office of Student Affairs, taking into account the graduate's academic excellence, as well as their ability to embody the values and ideals of Carnegie Mellon University.

Graduation portraits

In-person graduation portraits will be taken at the CMU-Africa studio, B305, on May 7, May 10, and May 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. CAT.

Cap and gown

To participate in the graduation ceremony, Carnegie Mellon University mandates that all graduates wear official regalia, including a cap and gown. It is crucial to note that the firm deadline for graduation cap and gown collection is May 13. Please drop by F309 from May 2 to May 13 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CAT for collection.

Diplomas

Graduating students will receive their diplomas on graduation day and the week following the graduation ceremony. If you cannot attend the graduation ceremony, your diploma will be mailed to you.

Should you have any inquiries about the distribution of diplomas, please do not hesitate to reach out to studentsupport-africa@andrew.cmu.edu.

CMU-Africa Alumni Association

Following your graduation, you will begin receiving information on upcoming events, available resources, campus news, and more to help stay connected with the university through the Alumni Association. To ensure that you receive these communications, please take a moment to update your contact information. As you transition through different cities, jobs and life stages, keeping your details current will help us stay connected.

Resources for families and guests

We look forward to hosting family and friends at the 11th CMU-Africa graduation.

Accommodations

It is highly recommended that graduating students and guests who seek lodging in Kigali for graduation make their arrangements well in advance. This is especially important as multiple large international conferences will be taking place during the same time of year, making it increasingly difficult to secure accommodations as the event draws nearer. We suggest reserving guest lodging as early as possible, and ideally opting for cancellable reservations when doing so.

Fortunately, the selected graduation ceremony venue is easily accessible, with a range of public transportation options available, including taxicabs and motorbike services.

Suggested nearby hotels:

• Kigali Marriott Hotel
• Four Points by Sheraton Kigalii
• Kigali Serena Hotel
• Hotel des Milles Collines
• Radisson Blu
• Park Inn
• Onomo
• The Nest
• KIM Hotel
• Hotel Chez Lando
• Hotel Lemigo 
• Nature Kigali Guest House
• Airbnbs

Visit Rwanda

We hope you take advantage of all the attractions, culture, and food that Kigali has to offer.     

Information for international guests

Please visit the website of the Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration for information on travel and visa requirements.

Graduation ceremony live streaming

For graduating students and guests who cannot travel, the graduation ceremony will be live-streamed. Details on the availability of streaming of the Graduation Ceremony will be available on May 17.