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. 

Time: 09:00 - 15:00, Rwanda Time, UTC+2.

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 - 09:05 Official welcome address, Prof. David Tumusiime, UR

09:05 - 09:15 Opening speech, Prof. Didas Kayihura Muganga, Vice Chancellor-UR

09:15 - 09:20 Welcome from Jamk, Ms. Aychesh Nigussie Koski, Jamk

09:20 - 09:30 Special remarks, Mr. Martin Wiese, EU Delegates in Rwanda

09:30 - 09:45 Leadership addresses, Dr. Pekka Anttila, Jamk

09:45 - 10:00 Jamk RDI (Research, Development and Innovation) and international cooperation, Dr. Kare Norvapalo, Jamk

10:00 - 10:15 Keynote addresses, Mr. Charles Karake, Ministry of Education, Rwanda

10:15 - 10:45 Group photo & coffee break, UR-BERT

10:45 - 11:00 Introduction to the BERT Project, Ms. Aychesh Nigussie Koski and Ms. Jenni Koivumäki, Jamk

11:00 - 11:20 Landscape analysis results, Prof. David Tumusiime, University of Rwanda, and Dr. Said Juma, State University of Zanzibar  

11:20 - 11:40 Digital accessibility & assistive technologies in education, Prof. Markku Turunen and Dr. Pauliina Baltzar, Tampere University  

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

12:00 - 13:00 Lunch, UR-BERT

13:00 - 14:20 Inclusive education policy implementation panel (Including Q&A),

• Dr. Samuel Kabera, University of Kigali
• Dr. Beth Nasiforo Mukarwego, University of Rwanda 
• Mr. Bahati Satir Oman, Uwezo Youth Empowerment
• Mr. Jean Pierre Baragahoranye, National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD)

14:20 - 14:50 AT's hub tour, Prosthetic and orthotic center (Hands-on Demos), UR-BERT

14:50 - 15:00 Closing remarks, Ms. Jenni Koivumäki, 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!