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Decision of the ULB Academic Council Regarding Collaboration with the University of Rwanda
At its sitting on 26 March 2025, the ULB Academic Council (CoA) decided not to establish a new institutional partnership with the University of Rwanda. Given the current context, and in the absence of any significant changes to it, ULB will not enter into new institutional partnerships with this university. This decision does not affect individual academic relationships with colleagues at the university in question.
The Committee on Compliance with International Law and Dual-Use Issues was consulted regarding the proposed signing of an institutional agreement between ULB and the University of Rwanda, aimed at developing a collaborative project with the Kigali Military Hospital.
At its session on March 26, 2025, the ULB Academic Council (CoA) decided not to enter into a new institutional partnership with the University of Rwanda. This decision follows the recommendations of the Committee on Compliance with International Law and Dual-Use Issues, which examined the risks associated with such a partnership.
The main arguments underlying the CoA’s decision are the close structural ties between the university and the government, as well as, in the proposed project, the close ties with the Rwandan military. These ties are problematic in light of the numerous violations of international law and fundamental rights committed by the Rwandan military and government, including military actions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), extraterritorial repression, and practices of torture and arbitrary detention. The current emergency situation in eastern DRC, marked by repeated attacks and serious human rights violations, reinforces the necessity of this decision, which is fully in line with the commitment of the CREF rectors to examine the implications of this conflict for cooperation with Rwandan institutions.
The CoA invites any member of the academic community wishing to initiate an institutional project with another Rwandan institution to write to the point of contact for the Committee on compliance with International Law and Dual-Use issues in advance.
At its session on March 26, 2025, the ULB Academic Council (CoA) decided not to enter into a new institutional partnership with the University of Rwanda. This decision follows the recommendations of the Committee on Compliance with International Law and Dual-Use Issues, which examined the risks associated with such a partnership.
The main arguments underlying the CoA’s decision are the close structural ties between the university and the government, as well as, in the proposed project, the close ties with the Rwandan military. These ties are problematic in light of the numerous violations of international law and fundamental rights committed by the Rwandan military and government, including military actions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), extraterritorial repression, and practices of torture and arbitrary detention. The current emergency situation in eastern DRC, marked by repeated attacks and serious human rights violations, reinforces the necessity of this decision, which is fully in line with the commitment of the CREF rectors to examine the implications of this conflict for cooperation with Rwandan institutions.
The CoA invites any member of the academic community wishing to initiate an institutional project with another Rwandan institution to write to the point of contact for the Committee on compliance with International Law and Dual-Use issues in advance.
About the Committee on Compliance with International Law and Dual-Use
The purpose of this Committee is to ensure that ULB’s international relations are established through partnerships that uphold values related, in particular, to compliance with international law and dual-use regulations. Its jurisdiction is limited to institutional partnerships—that is, those that involve the university as an institution.
The Committee has no decision-making authority; it issues recommendations, which are submitted to the authorities and/or the Academic Council, who decide whether or not to implement them.
The Committee has no decision-making authority; it issues recommendations, which are submitted to the authorities and/or the Academic Council, who decide whether or not to implement them.
Updated on August 26, 2026