Current Research Projects
NISHATI Project
Building Capacities in Water, Renewable Energy and Agriculture
An Erasmus+ initiative transforming six African universities through innovations in eco-agriculture, water management, and renewable energy. "Nishati" (Swahili for "energy") empowers communities with skills to address climate change, food insecurity, and youth unemployment.
- Sustainable use of land, water, and energy
- University-community-industry linkages
- Green economy and entrepreneurship
- Digital and inclusive teaching methods
Solar Water Pumping for Modern Agriculture
Greenhouse Irrigation System - Gisagara District
Implementing solar-powered water pumping systems from Disha dam to irrigate 10 hectares of greenhouse agriculture at CUR. This project promotes sustainable agriculture and addresses water scarcity through renewable energy solutions.
- Solar energy system installation
- Water pumping and storage infrastructure
- Automated greenhouse irrigation systems
- Environmental monitoring & IoT integration
International Collaborations
UNITAFRICA Alliance
Empowering Italy-Africa Academic Cooperation
Funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR), UNITAFRICA brings together 21 Italian Universities and 93 African Universities to improve higher education quality through mutual learning approaches.
- Creating enabling physical and virtual environments
- Strengthening academic mobility programs
- Improving joint research collaborations
- Evaluating educational effectiveness
Water Management & Hydrowatt Workshop
April 1-2, 2025 | International Expert Visit
Intensive capacity-building event featuring Flavio Andreoli Bonazzi (MD of Hydrowatt SPA and President of EPICO) from Italy. Focus on water management, renewable energy, and agriculture to enhance climate change resilience.
- Cutting-edge water resource management
- Hydrowatt technology for rural communities
- Climate resilience strategies
- International knowledge exchange
Sustainability & Innovation
Renewable Energy Research Hub
Sustainable Technology Development
Research and development in renewable energy technologies specifically adapted for East African contexts, focusing on solar, wind, and micro-hydro solutions for rural communities.
- Solar energy optimization for tropical climates
- Micro-grid development for rural electrification
- Energy storage solutions
- Smart grid integration
Climate Adaptation Studies
Building Resilient Communities
Comprehensive research on climate change impacts in Rwanda and development of adaptation strategies for agriculture, water resources, and community resilience.
- Climate data analysis and modeling
- Drought-resistant crop development
- Water conservation techniques
- Community adaptation strategies
Upcoming Initiatives
Smart Agriculture Platform
Q3 2025 Launch | Digital Innovation
Development of an integrated digital platform combining IoT sensors, AI analytics, and mobile applications to optimize agricultural practices and improve farmer decision-making.
- Real-time crop monitoring
- Weather prediction and alerts
- Market price tracking
- Agricultural advisory services
Advanced Water Quality Laboratory
2025-2026 | Infrastructure Development
Establishment of a state-of-the-art water quality testing laboratory to support research, community health initiatives, and environmental monitoring across the region.
- Chemical and biological water analysis
- Contamination source identification
- Water treatment optimization
- Community health monitoring
Research Impact
Our research initiatives are making a measurable difference in communities across Rwanda and East Africa