BERT Project Final Conference

Location: University of Rwanda, Regional Center of Excellence in Biomedical Engineering and E-Health (UR-CEBE), Masoro-Kigali Special Economic Zone Phase II, Rwanda.

Format: Hybrid/in-person and online.

The BERT Project Final Conference 2026 is part of the Breaking Education Barriers: Inclusive Rehabilitation and Technology (BERT) project. Participants, including educators, researchers, disability advocates, policy makers, and students, as well as anyone interested in advancing inclusive education in East Africa and beyond, are warmly welcome to join the event.  

Why join? 

By attending the BERT final conference, you will have the opportunity to learn about the BERT project's results. This will provide you with insights into the current state of inclusive education in East Africa, including the implementation of policies and the challenges faced in the region. You will also gain a deeper understanding of digital accessibility, assistive technologies, and other strategies designed to remove barriers in learning environments and support students with disabilities. 

Agenda 

The conference will include keynote speeches, project presentations, expert panels, and interactive discussions. 

08:30 – 09:00: Registration & Coffee, University of Rwanda (UR) 

09:00 – 09:10: Official Welcome Address, UR 

09:10 – 09:20:  Welcome from JAMK University of Applied Sciences (JAMK) 

09:20 – 09:30:  Special Remarks, EU Delegate to Rwanda 

09:30 – 10:00:  Leadership Addresses, Dr. Pekka Anttila & Dr. Kare Norvapalo, JAMK 

10:00 – 10:15: Keynote Addresses, Ministry of Education, Rwanda 

10:15 – 10:45: Group Photo & Coffee Break, UR 

10:45 – 11:00: Introduction to the BERT Project, Ms. Aychesh Nigussie Koski & Ms. Jenni Koivumäki, JAMK 

11:00 – 11:20: Landscape Analysis Results, Prof. David Tumusiime, University of Rwanda & Dr. Said Juma, State University of Zanzibar 

11:20 – 11:40: Digital Accessibility & Assistive Technologies in Education, Prof. Markku Turunen & Dr. Pauliina Baltzar, Tampere University 

11:40 – 12:00: Discussion & Q&A, Moderator 

12:00 – 13:00: Lunch, UR 

13:00 – 14:20: Inclusive Education Policy Implementation Panel (Including Q&A) – Government, HEIs & Students 

14:20 – 14:30:  Closing Remarks, Mr. Kari-Pekka Murtonen, JAMK 

Registration  

The event is hybrid so that participants can join in person at UR-CEBE or online. Please register here! 

About the BERT Project 

The Breaking Education Barriers: Inclusion, Rehabilitation, and Technology (BERT) project strengthens higher education institutions’ capacity to break down barriers that hinder the inclusion of people with disabilities in education and society. The BERT project is coordinated by JAMK University of Applied Sciences and funded by the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI) administers the project partner universities, including the University of Tampere, the University of Rwanda, and the State University of Zanzibar. BERT has fostered international collaboration, research, and practical solutions to promote accessibility, digital learning, and inclusive pedagogy among other activities.  

For more information, please visit the BERT Project Website!