Read the interview:
Philip Cotton reflects on his experience leading the formation of the University of Rwanda through a national merger of public institutions. He describes the complex, cross-ministerial coordination required to unify standards, reduce duplication, and elevate quality. Central to this transformation was a student-centered approach—actively listening to learners and building feedback loops into decision-making. Cotton highlights both the structural and cultural shifts necessary for such change, from rationalizing programs to rethinking cost models and regional access.