#Japan #Tokyo #iU University #Rwanda Polytechnic #Business Project

Bridging Rwanda's Future: The Final Pitch of an International Student Project

In March 2025, iU (Information Management Innovation Professional University), located in Sumida, Tokyo, signed a comprehensive partnership agreement (MOU) with Rwanda Polytechnic Tumba College (RP-Tumba College) in the Republic of Rwanda. This agreement laid the groundwork for the Japan-Rwanda Business Creation Project, which commenced in April 2025. After approximately eight months of collaborative efforts, the project reached its climax with a final pitch event.

Overview of the Japan-Rwanda Business Creation Project

The core aim of this project was to form mixed teams of students from Japan and Rwanda, working together to tackle local issues and explore new business opportunities. The initiative focused not only on academic exchange but also on developing sustainable business models that address societal challenges. Throughout the project, participating teams presented innovative business proposals tailored to promote social impact.

Project Timeline

1. March 13, 2025: Kick-off Meeting
2. Late April 2025: Official Project Launch and Orientation
3. May to November 2025: Teams selected local issues and conducted research
4. November 28, 2025: Final Pitch to Investors (hybrid online and offline event)
5. December 2025 onward: Social implementation phase for proposed business models

Final Pitch Event for Investors

The final pitch event represented the culmination of the project, featuring local investors as judges. Students presented practical business proposals aimed at improving education and employment support in Rwanda. Moving forward, these proposals will serve as a foundation for students to take the lead in the social implementation and commercialization of their ideas.

Participants expressed their satisfaction with the project, stating they gained valuable insights into the speed required to bring business ideas to life, improved their skills in cross-cultural collaboration, and developed a deeper understanding of the East African market's growth potential and challenges.

After eight months of engagement, students not only forged consensus in a multicultural environment but also significantly enhanced their practical skills in business development. This collaboration with an overseas institution and the opportunities for global communication have been fruitful, providing a solid foundation for future international endeavors. The goal remains to cultivate talents that can thrive on the world stage through such global partnerships.

Comments from Stakeholders

Koichi Okumura, Associate Dean for Global Areas, iU

“This project was initiated by visiting faculty member Takashiro Uchikawa, who guided the participating students through various challenges. Through continual support from Uchikawa and Japanese partner Koike, along with Rwanda-based Miyoshi, the project faced and overcame numerous difficulties. The online meetings held bi-weekly between May and November allowed both Japanese and Rwandan team members to collaborate closely, sharing the processes leading to the project's implementation. Despite the communication challenges faced by Rwandan participants at times, their enthusiasm remained high.

Now, concrete movements toward business creation in Rwanda have commenced. Though we mark the completion of this specific project phase, the accumulated results signify the successful integration of iU’s educational pillars: ICT, Business, and Global engagement.”

Takashiro Uchikawa, Project Manager, OfficePIECE Inc.

“For eight months, students from iU and RP-Tumba transcended language and cultural barriers, continuously questioning what 'real business' means. They experienced a rapid exchange of ideas in response to genuine challenges faced by Rwandan students, culminating in unexpected speeds and enthusiasm.

The distinct feature of this project has been the way Japanese and Rwandan students engaged in substantial debate as one team, crafting a path toward consensus. This experience will undoubtedly serve as a foundational milestone in their future roles as global leaders. However, the end goal was not merely the business pitch itself; rather, their ideas evolved from 'theoretical concepts' into actionable plans that can withstand investors' scrutiny. We will now leverage resources at my local firm to facilitate the next phase of social implementation. The real game begins now, and I am excited to see what these young minds will accomplish next!”