The 9th celebration of graduates, class of 2024 will take place on Friday, 1 November 2024 from 09:30 am to 01:00 pm at Kepler Kigali Campus Multipurpose Hall in Kinyinya, 16 KG 29 Ave.

Graduation Ceremonial Program 2024

9:30 – 10:00 AM: Arrival of Invited Guests 

10:00 – 10:10 AM: Program Introduction and Welcoming Graduates

10:10 – 10:20 AM: Rwandan National Anthem

10:20 – 10:25 AM: Introduction to Chancellor

10:25 – 10:30 AM: Welcoming Message by The Chancellor

10:30 – 11:05 AM: Degree Handover Ceremony

11:10 – 11:20 AM: Southern New Hampshire University Address

11:20 – 11:25 AM: Welcoming  Graduates to Alumni Ranks

11:05 – 11:10 AM: Graduates’  Representative Speech

11:25 – 11:45 AM: Special Performance by Kepler Cultural Ballet

11:45 – 12:00 PM: Commencement Address

12:00 – 12:10 PM: Speech by the Guest of Honor

12:10 – 12:15 PM: Vote of thanks

12:15 – 1:00 PM: Entertainment, Group photo and Refreshments

Gowning

Graduands should dress smartly for the event and must wear the graduation regalia (gown, hood, and cap) which should be rented from Graduation Attire in advance of the ceremony.

You can collect your graduation gown for the day of your ceremony from Kepler, Kigali Campus, in Kinyinya on Thursday, October 31, 2024, from 02:00 PM – 5:00 PM, alongside booklets. Everyone collects their own graduation gown. Exceptions are reviewed case-by-case.

If you have rented your graduation gown, you must return them to Kepler Kigali Campus on the week commencing November 18, 2024.

Fees and Fines:

• Gown and Scarf:

  • Late return fee: 2,000 RWF/day

  • Lost or damaged gown: Full cost recovery (60,000 RWF, non-negotiable)

  • If someone else returns your gown, you remain responsible for any damages.

• Degree cases: These are for graduates to keep.

Photography

Friday, November 1 at 8:00 AM: We invite all graduands for a photo session at the Kepler Basketball court. We’ll have three distinct photo setups:

• Formal picture: Graduands will be arranged by cohort. This first shot will capture the essence of graduands’ achievement. Stand tall, hold your degree holders, and grace the camera with your proudest smile.

• Spirited picture: We will capture a joyful moment of graduands playfully tossing their hats skyward.

• Formal Group Photo with Guests: After the ceremony, the graduates will assemble on the stage of the main hall, and once they are in position, they will be joined by invited guests for a final family photograph.

All independent photographers should be outside the main hall and will be allowed through the gate at 12 noon.

During the event, exclusive access to the main stage will be granted only to our official photographers and videographers. A designated area in the main hall will be available for graduands photographers equipped with professional cameras.

For those accompanying graduates – parents, guardians, relatives, friends, and other attendees – A branded photowall will be set up in front of the Kepler Multipurpose hall. It is the perfect backdrop for you to create your own photo memories of this significant day.

• On-stage photographs: Our professional photographers will capture your on-stage moment. You will be able to view and download these photographs from Kepler flickr page.

• Celebration videos: The graduation ceremony will be live-streamed via Kepler HQ. Our professional videographers will videotape all segments of the ceremony. Edited versions of these recordings will also be accessed on the Kepler Youtube channel. 

Update: 29 October 2024

Graduands must meet the graduation requirements by Wednesday, October 30, 2024, in order to be invited for the 2024 graduation ceremony. Only graduands who have fulfilled all requirements can attend.

Please complete the exit survey, regularly check your Kepler email, and ensure you have marked your attendance.

• Procession tips:

  • Follow the order of entry and walking.

  • Await the Master of Ceremonies’ signal before entering. Staff leading each group will come to the front; ensure graduands follow them in sync with the music.

  • Once graduands at their designated seat, remain standing until everyone has entered.

  • When called for a degree, approach the front promptly. Shake hands, collect your degree holder from the table, and position yourself in front of the VIPs. Prepare for a group photo after every 15-20 names are announced.

  • Once the final name is announced, everyone stands. Together, as a sign of joy, raise the degrees and pronounce in a loud voice, “New Pathways to Employment.”

• Seating Arrangement | Kigali Campus and Kiziba Campus graduands:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Concentration in Business

  • Bachelor of Arts in Healthcare Management, Concentration in Global Perspectives 

  • Bachelor of Arts in Management, Concentration in Logistics and Operations

• Dress code: Smart, Professional, and Cultural preserving.

For any questions or clarifications, please reach out to the graduation@kepler.org or registrar@kepler.org.

Preparing to attend graduation?

• When and where will the celebration take place?

The 9th Celebration of graduates will take place on Friday, 1 November 2024 from 09:30 am to 01:00 pm at Kepler Kigali Campus Multipurpose hall, Kinyinya, 16 KG 29 Ave.

• Can I graduate under a different name than the one on my degree certificate?

You can only graduate under your legal name, which appears on documents of official academic certification.

• How many guests can I bring, and do I need to pay for tickets?

All registered graduands will be accompanied by two  guests. Anyone unable to attend in person can watch the ceremony live on our YouTube channel.

• Can I bring a young child on that day?

When deciding whether to bring a child as your guest, please note you to consider the formal nature of the event and that guests will be required to sit for a long period of time.

• What to do if I, or one of my guests have accessibility requirements?

The graduation venue is designed to be accessible for everyone. If you experience any difficulties on the day, please alert a member of staff. 

• What is the format of the celebration?

The celebration will last for approximately 3 hours and include the presentation of each graduand on the stage, where names will be called, and handshakes (or equivalent formal gesture) given by a member of the academic platform party. Please note that you will not receive your degree certificate the day of your Graduation; this will be posted to you afterwards.

• Is there a dress code for Graduands and Guests?

Graduands should dress smartly for the event and must wear academic regalia (gown, hood, and cap) which should be rented from Graduation Attire in advance of the ceremony. There is no dress code for guests, although graduation is a formal event. Smart, Professional and Cultural preserving attire is encouraged.

• Where can I pick up my gown?

You can collect your graduation gown alongside a booklet  on Thursday, October 31, 2024 between 02:00 pm and 05:00 pm from the Kepler Kigali Campus. Everyone collects their own graduation gown. Exceptions are reviewed case-by-case.

• Where do I need to return my gown?

If you have rented your graduation gown, you must return them to Kepler Kigali Campus on the week commencing November 18, 2024.

Fees and Fines:

• • Late return fee: 2,000 RWF/day.

  • Lost or damaged gown: Full cost recovery (60,000 RWF, non-negotiable).

  • If someone else returns your gown, you remain responsible for any damages.

• Will there be reserved parking spaces in or around the Kepler Campus Multipurpose hall?

A dedicated car parking will be available to guests at three (3) main areas by categories as follows:

• • Kepler Campus Parking: VVIP, VIP, Kepler’s Senior management, and Partners.

  • Road alongside Kepler Football Pitch: Parents/guardians, relatives and grads.

  • Ineza Garden Parking: Kepler staff and event contractors.