About Us

Since our launch in 2004 as Orphans of Rwanda and then Generation Rwanda in 2010, Kepler has been supporting talented but economically vulnerable Rwandan students to attend higher education institutions in Rwanda. In 2013, we refocused our efforts on reinventing higher education to offer young people pathways to access gainful employment. We signed a partnership with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) to provide our students access to a competency-based US bachelor’s degrees.

Key to our mission is serving marginalized communities – refugees, very vulnerable students, and students with disabilities. We have committed to making sure 30% of students are from marginalized communities (at least 25% from refugee populations). To do this we address the barriers they face head on with the Iteme preparatory program that empowers secondary school students from refugee and surrounding communities to succeed at and after Kepler.

The student journey at Kepler begins with our secret sauce, the Kepler Foundation Program, which prepares students with literacy and numeracy, technology, business, and life skills that enables them to successfully complete an international undergraduate program. After passing the program, students are then enrolled into SNHU’s College for America program giving them access to their chosen bachelor’s degree. In addition to degree coursework, Kepler provides contextualized modules for the East African region as well as wrap around career services and placement opportunities. And we’ve been successful – 90% of our students are employed within six months of graduation.

In 2021, we opened in Ethiopia, launching the Graduate Employment Program (GEP), an upskilling program based on our content and experience running the foundation program and Kepler modules. With an 85% employment rate, we are excited to roll out more upskilling programs in Rwanda and Ethiopia in 2022.

In 2022, we will also launched Kepler College in Rwanda piloting a unique 21st century university experience through blended learning, dynamic career services and tailored support for marginalized communities.

The students we serve come from marginalized economic backgrounds. We want to make sure everyone who wants to attend Kepler programs can. We offer ethical student financing through the Future of Work Fund created and managed by Chancen International so everyone who wants to attend Kepler, can. We do this through Income Shared Agreements.

Kepler is committed to sharing our learnings with the broader higher education community in Rwanda and Africa. We support other institutions to strengthen their employment outcomes through technical assistance and through our work with Ashesi University’s Education Collaborative East Africa Hub.

Our History

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2004

Kepler was born out of Generation Rwanda, which enabled talented, but economically vulnerable Rwandan students to attend university and prepared them with skills needed to enter the workforce since 2004.
2013

We partner with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) to scale our impact through their College for America program.
2013

This partnership offered a highly innovative approach combining Southern New Hampshire University’s online degree access with in-person seminars, job readiness training, and coaching. It enables students to attain affordable, internationally recognized degrees while studying in East Africa.
2015

We began to focus recruitment on refugees in Rwanda to ensure equal access to our bachelor's degree offerings. We open a satellite campus at Kiziba Refugee Camp in Western Rwanda.
2016

In 2016, we expand to include students from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and Uganda.
2018

We launch a preparatory program, Iteme, that prepares secondary school graduates who wish to pursue tertiary education. The curriculum focuses on English language development, soft skills, basic technology, and numeracy.

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2018

Kepler partners with Chancen International to pilot an ethical student financing mechanism that gives eligible Kepler students support during their time at Kepler for their tuition, accommodation and stipends in the form of income share agreements (ISAs).
2020

Kepler expands to Ethiopia through the piloting of the Graduate Employment Program.
2021

Kepler’s first cohort in 2013 consisted of 50 students. We have since grown to serving 2500 young people and graduating 609 through the SNHU program
2021

Kepler launches Kepler College to offer our own blended degree programs and self-paced certificates in Rwanda. Kepler College will deepen our local impact by offering more students the opportunity to earn a degree or certification in competitive 21st century fields.
2021

Kepler and Chancen International expand the student financing program through the Future of Work Fund.
FUTURE

In the next few years, Kepler will expand our work in Rwanda and Ethiopia in higher education, upskilling and research focusing on preparing students and supporting marginalized communities.

About Kepler College

Kepler College in Rwanda is piloting education for the 21st century through blended learning and offerings that offer more students the opportunity to earn a degree or certification in competitive fields with a focus on women, refugees, and persons living with disabilities.

Our Team

At Kepler, we are committed to doing education and upskilling differently. We have high expectations for our employees, but also for ourselves as an employer. It is important to us to create a space of empowerment where everyone contributes to the mission of preparing our students for the 21st century workforce. We foster a spirit of purpose, teamwork, integrity and honesty, and we encourage constant learning to better ourselves and our work. Become part of the Kepler team – our current opening can be found here.