News

Dr. Pierre Bimenyimana who has served for over five years as the Advisor to the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research at the University of Rwanda, has successfully completed his doctoral studies ; a rare achievement among administrative staff.
His PhD research focused on "The Role of Youth Volunteers in Controlling COVID-19 : Challenges and Enablers," with a particular emphasis on the Huye District of Rwanda. The study examined how youth volunteers contributed to the national COVID-19 response and what factors either supported or hindered their efforts.

The research explored the policy motives behind youth involvement in pandemic control, the strategies they used, the challenges they faced, and the opportunities and lessons that emerged from their experience. It also looked at how social media supported their self-resilience and examined the moral dispositions that guided their actions.

Among the key findings, the study identified four main opportunities for youth volunteers, such as specialized training that enhanced their employability, as well as four major obstacles, including the risk of COVID-19 infection. Youth volunteers also reported gaining skills like public speaking and developing adaptability in crisis situations. Social media played a vital role in information sharing, collaborative problem-solving, and emotional support.
Dr. Bimenyimana found that youth were driven by a strong sense of patriotism and civic duty, viewing themselves as patriots, public benefactors, and innovators.

“This research not only highlights the dedication of young Rwandans during a national crisis, but it also underscores the importance of understanding the social and moral dimensions of community-based interventions,” Dr. Bimenyimana noted.

He recommends that future community intervention programs take into account policy dynamics, the impact of social media, potential moral motivations, and context-specific challenges and opportunities in order to design more effective, youth-led responses.