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Beyond Paper-Based Assessment: How Home Visits Enhance the Selection of Mastercard Foundation Scholars at UR

The University of Rwanda, through the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Rwanda, is currently conducting its selection process for the fourth cohort of Mastercard Foundation Scholars at UR. This year, around 400 new undergraduate scholars will be recruited in two intakes. Among the most important and effective steps in this process are home visits—a unique approach that goes beyond paperwork to truly understand each applicant’s background, circumstances, and potential.

During the home visits, program staff and partners engage directly with applicants and their families in their home environments. This personal interaction not only helps verify information provided in the application but also provides insight into the challenges and opportunities that shape each candidate’s journey.

“The home visits allow us to see the realities where the Scholars come from. It’s not just about grades or forms, it’s about understanding the person behind the application and ensuring we support those with the greatest need and potential,” says Associate Professor Anne Marie Kagwesage, Program Director of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Rwanda.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Rwanda provides support to academically talented young people facing social and economic barriers. Through home visits, the Program ensures that the right candidates in need are identified and selected to be nurtured and empowered to become transformative leaders.

Through the Program, Mastercard Foundation Scholars receive inclusive and relevant education, as well as holistic support, enabling them to transition smoothly into dignified and fulfilling work and to lead transformative lives.

This year’s selection is particularly meaningful as the Program continues to grow, with almost 500 Mastercard Foundation Scholars already benefiting from comprehensive academic, financial, and psychosocial support. These include Scholars both at undergraduate and Postgraduate levels.

The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of Rwanda is a 10-year partnership (2021–2031) between the University of Rwanda and the Mastercard Foundation. It aims to develop the next generation of transformative leaders by enabling highly talented, service-oriented young people, primarily young Africans, to pursue higher education and cultivate their leadership potential. In a period of 10 years, the Program will admit 1,400 Scholars, including 200 Scholars that will be specifically recruited to support Rwanda’s 4x4 strategy to quadruple the number of healthcare workers in the country within the next four years.