Launched in 2018, the Cornell Hanga Ahazaza Initiative received a grant of $5 million from the Mastercard Foundation to provide educational training for professionals in the hospitality and tourism sectors in Rwanda via eCornell online courses, virtual events, and executive education programming. The goal: to provide youth in Rwanda with world class training from the Nolan School of Hotel Administration, accelerating their upskilling, economic mobility, and marketability in these two important economic sectors.
Seven years later, we had twice met our deliverables under budget, expanding the program to 2025, exceeding our target goals:
Trained 75 new and aspiring entrepreneurs in a workshop titled, “The Entrepreneurial Process: From Start-up to Success.”
During the project tenure, we maintained an office space in Kigali and hired three Rwandan staff to support our students.
"Being a part of the Hanga Ahazaza Initiative—a project that empowers individuals and transforms communities—has been the most impactful chapter of my career.
I’m deeply grateful to have worked with Cornell SC Johnson College of Business and the Mastercard Foundation, as both organizations prioritize social impact and invest in sustainable change. Together, we’ve worked to create opportunities, build capacity, and support the next generation of changemakers. Thank you to all involved for your passion, partnership, and unwavering commitment to making a difference. Here’s to continuing the journey of purpose-driven work and lifelong learning!"
Kim Szpiro, Associate Director, Hanga Ahazaza Initiative
“I can say that 99% of my success is built from the push that I got from the Cornell University instructors…they saw the ability, they saw what I would become and saw what I am capable of doing…I have more confidence, I have more communication and leadership skills as well as interpersonal skills, which made me grow to where I am now, working at I&M bank Rwanda.” —Phiona Wafula
“In 3 years, I have been promoted twice, and I think it’s all because on the knowledge I got from this program. I think it has been so inspirational, and it has been an eye-opening moment for me to see what I know and what I don’t know, to look for the knowledge and to apply it.” — Nice Uwase
“You achieve things, but life is really a journey and if you want to be successful then you need to invest in your education. Without attending the Cornell-Hanga Ahazaza program, I don’t think I would have really acquired that potential, that specific skill of jumping into something, trying new things and letting things be without holding myself back, rather go for things and try to see what I can achieve.” — Cecile Isimbi Dusabe
“The program contributed a huge amount to the hospitality industry within Kigali and within the country, more so that it uplifted the standard of service, the standard of knowledge. And once you have the knowledge, the practical side comes a lot easier. More importantly, from the student’s point of view, it got them to think differently and also improve themselves.” — Rob Kucera, General Manager, Radisson Blu Hotel, Kigali
“The Program, I believe for a lot for people in the hospitality industry, in hotels, in the airlines as well, it’s really brought us up to international standards in terms of service delivery.” — Yvonne Makolo, CEO, RwandAir
“Our associates who mastered this program over the last couple of years gained world-class knowledge in hospitality and tourism. So they will be able to grow their careers not only domestically but internationally as well.” — Mathias Window, Former General Manager, Kigali Marriott Hotel
“With the work we’ve done with Cornell, we’ve seen a lot of promotions coming out of it and some even just the confidence, because in addition to the technical skills they may have acquired, we know that management is different. It’s not just about being technically sound, but it’s also about managing the team, cross learning, And I think that’s one of the main things that Cornell was able to do to upskill. And today with have younger managers, Rwandans, that we’re able to see in different places” — Ric Rwigamba, Former Country Head, Master Card Foundation
“From 2017 to 2020, my role focused on developing the grant proposal and launching the program, which included multiple visits to Kigali, learning about the culture and needs of the workforce, collaborating with other initiative partners, and hiring key staff to bring our shared vision to life. Working with the Foundation, our initiative partners, and—most meaningfully—the people of Rwanda, was one of the true highlights of my career. Contributing to the advancement of the hospitality industry through education of youth in Rwanda was a privilege I will always value deeply.
A particularly memorable moment was attending the graduation ceremony, congratulating hundreds of students, and hearing from them about the pride they felt in their accomplishments. Their motivation to continue growing and to contribute to the future of their country was truly inspiring.” — Jenn Mayo, Senior Director of External Relations
“For me, the overall experience was one of growth, learning, and impact. I had never been involved in a grant-funded project prior to Hanga Ahazaza. There was much to learn, and it wasn’t always easy. We persevered. The individual participants were incredible – motivated, earnest, and persistent. They came to learn, and I believe their lives were changed for the better. Although the in-person component at PDP did not last, I feel great pride in the role that it played in the cycle of this project. I am glad to be in contact with some of the people who traveled to Ithaca.” —Nancy Weislogel, (former) Executive Director of Executive Education, eCornell
“Visiting the Mastercard Foundation in Kigali was an experience that I won’t forget. I had the opportunity to engage with several Mastercard representatives (Carmen Nibigira, Joseph Munyambanza, David Rurangirwa, and several others on the team in Ghana like Ric Rwigamba and Gottfried Odamtten-Sowah), and witnessed firsthand the depth of their commitment, clarity of purpose, and transformative impact of their work, which was both humbling and inspiring. Coming from a land-grant university deeply rooted in the belief that education is a pathway to opportunity, it was an honor to be chosen as a partner in advancing a shared vision: equipping young people with the skills, confidence, and access needed to thrive in the hospitality and tourism sectors. My brief time in Kigali reaffirmed the power of working in alignment with organizations that lead with both heart and purpose.” — Barbara Jane (B.J.) Hoerner, Cornell University Foundation Relations and Corporate Philanthropy
Impact Stories
Nice Uwase
Nice worked through the ranks from receptionist to Commercial Director of the Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Center in Kigali.Now a General Manager in the Radisson Group, she credits Cornell with introducing her to a professional community.
Phiona Wafulah
Phiona’s experience in the Cornell program helped her to develop her leadership and decision-making skills. “It’s not just about being good at what you’re working on, but helping your colleagues to achieve what they want to do.”
Cecile Isimbi Dusabe
Cecile believes in lifelong learning and self-improvement. Through the Cornell program, she experienced a transformation in her confidence and people-focused leadership.
Rose Mungwasingizwe
Rose created her Cloud Kitchen from home in 2020. Completing the Cornell program in 2022, Rose has improved her staff management, customer relations, and business strategy. Rose intends to open new locations, and to offer work opportunities to people rebuilding their lives.
Benjamin Mutabazi
Benjamin says that Cornell training expanded his leadership and communication skills, as well as his understanding of marketing. Since completing the program, he’s been promoted to guest house manager. He hopes to own his own hotel one day.
Adelphine Abewe
Adelphine owns an indoor plant company #elamorgardenkigali, and hopes to open a restaurant and boutique hotel aimed at providing opportunities for young women.
Scovia Mutoni
Scovia is Co-Founder of Transinvest Tours & Travel, Ltd. A graduate of the Hanga Ahazaza program, Scovia says, “I ensure that I am continually updated about global trends in this industry. I always look out for opportunities.”
Certificate programs delivered between 2019 and 2025
The Hospitality Management program provided free-of-charge upskill training to managers and supervisors in the hospitality and tourism industry and included curriculum in Service Excellence, Leadership, Operations, Marketing, Accounting and more.
Our On-Demand Program in Service Excellence and Tourismconsisted of 18 asynchronous lessons over 1-3 months on topics in Service Excellence, Servant Leadership, and Understanding the Behaviors of Others. These lessons were appropriate for individuals in entry-level positions.
The Professional Development Program (PDP) for Rwandan Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) upskilled over 30 educators alongside business professionals. Taught by Cornell faculty in Kigali and in Ithaca, NY, the PDP offered participants opportunities to explore current industry developments in a peer-learning environment.
The Customer Service Program was ideal for anyone wishing to elevate their customer service. The program included curriculum in Service Excellence, Leadership, Guest Loyalty and Emotional Intelligence. We also offered the optional virtual workshop in Serving Clients with Disabilities.
In-person Entrepreneurs workshop, “The Entrepreneurial Process: From Start-up to Success,” held in Kigali in June 2025.
Teaching case: Managing Conservation and Tourism: Rwanda Development Board (RDB). To answer a deficit in global-south based business cases for education, Megan Epler-Wood and professor Mark Milstein co-authored a case study exploring the challenges associated with the management of tourism and conservation in Rwanda. Focused on Rwanda’s three major national parks, the case facilitates learning among students interested in business decision-making, policy, leadership, conservation, and tourism. In November 2023, Epler-Wood and Milstein presented an educator’s workshop at the African Leadership University campus in Kigali, Rwanda.
Cornell Hanga Ahazaza Milestones
2017
Cornell applied for and received a Mastercard Foundation grant.
2018
Certificate in Hospitality Management program launched, providing upskill training to managers and supervisors.
First group of TVET trainers attended the Nolan School’s Professional Development Program.
2019
First certificate completion ceremony held in August. Brought second cohort of TVET trainers to the Nolan School's Professional Development Program.
2020
Adapted to high demand amid COVID lockdowns by modifying coursework in collaboration with eCornell and the Rwanda Chamber of Commerce, reaching additional students. Launched the On-Demand Tourism Program.
Cornell Hanga Ahazaza Milestones (copy)
2021
Increased enrollment. Held our first certificate ceremony since COVID, which included over 400 graduates.
2022
Met goal of training over 1250 individuals in online programs.
Brought third group of TVET trainers to Ithaca in June.
Began work on a case study related to Sustainable Practices in Ecotourism in Rwanda. Held third certificate ceremony for graduates.
2023
Worked with Rwanda Development Board and Rwanda Chamber of Tourism to create and present case study at the Business of Conservation and World Travel Conference, plus a workshop for educators in Rwanda.
Final group of TVET trainers and industry professionals attended a workshop on Food and Beverage Management in Kigali.
Fourth certificate ceremony held.
2024 & 2025
2024: Cornell received a No-Cost Extension to provide additional online training. First cohorts in Hospitality Management and Customer Service launched in December.
2025: Final cohorts launched in January. Disability Inclusion in Hospitality and Tourism in Rwanda webcast launched in June.
One-day in-person entrepreneurship workshop held in June.
Final certificate ceremony held in June.
Rohit Verma, Initial Principal Investigator, 2017-2019
Linda Barrington, Principal Investigator, 2019-2025
Jenn Mayo, Senior Director of External Relations, 2017-2020
Nikki Fredenberg, Project Lead, 2018-2019
Kim Szpiro, Project Lead, 2019-2025
Jordan Lang, Project Coordinator, 2024-25
Cornell University has created a reimagined model for business education that reflects the future of business itself: flexible, collaborative, and cross-disciplinary. The Cornell SC Johnson College of Business unites the strengths of three business schools — Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration, Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, and the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management — so that every student can benefit from the combined power of business at Cornell: more degrees, faculty, resources, and expertise. Whether the focus is creating great customer experiences, solving real-world challenges, or deeply immersing in a particular industry, each of our schools offer something unique and meaningful.
About the Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation seeks a world where everyone has the opportunity to learn and prosper. The Foundation’s work is guided by its mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion for people living in poverty.
One of the largest foundations in the world, it works almost exclusively in Africa. It was created in 2006 by Mastercard International and operates independently under the governance of its own Board of Directors. The Foundation is based in Toronto, Canada.
Our Land Grant Mission
“In 1868, Ezra Cornell founded our University with the aspiration to build a place ‘where any person can find instruction in any study.’ In 1936, Cornell created the first university office in the U.S. for international students. Today, Cornell staff and faculty come from 90 countries, and our students from 116. With the support of the Mastercard Foundation, we’ve been able to bring Cornell to Rwanda. Through our eCornell and blended-learning certificates, we’ve been able to extend Ezra Cornell’s aspiration even further than he envisioned, and the hard work and enthusiasm of our Rwandan professional student-colleagues’ made that happen.”
Linda Barrington, Associate Dean for Strategy and Societal Impact, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business