AKILAH IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS!

Classes begin September 10th, 2012.

Thank you for your interest in the Akilah Institute for Women (Akilah)! Applying to Akilah demonstrates a proven desire to invest not only in your future, but in the future of Rwanda. We welcome your application to Akilah Class of 2014, as it demonstrates your desire for personal and professional development, as well as your commitment to providing strong leadership for your community.

You can download the application here, but please read our overview first.

The application deadline is March 2, 2012.

OVERVIEW

Akilah offers a two year Business Diploma with a focus in either Hospitality Management or Entrepreneurship. Each student can only apply to one Diploma track. Our courses combine interactive classroom instruction with a real perspective that is relevant to the Rwanda/Regional/Global modern-day marketplace. All students are required to take several leadership and ethics courses and complete intensive community service and internship programs. Graduates of each Diploma program are skillfully trained and ready to transition smoothly into the workforce.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Admission to Akilah is highly competitive. Akilah applicants must have demonstrated success in their academic and professional pursuits and exhibit an eagerness to contribute to the business community and country. In order to apply for admission to Akilah, an applicant must:

* Have completed secondary school (Senior 6) by the March 2, 2012 (application deadline)
* Possess intermediate English language skills and pass an English entrance exam
* Demonstrate previous leadership experience and potential to thrive in a challenging academic environment
* Have passion to become a leader in the rapidly developing sectors of the Rwandan economy
* Be committed to studying in an institution with the following values:
……- Personal conduct and academic honesty
……- Respect for community
……- Innovation and creativity
……- Leadership and service
……- Relentless commitment to excel
* For the Entrepreneurship Diploma Track:
……- Exhibit dedication to launching your own business venture
……- Must have basic business experience

Note: Akilah is a rigorous Diploma program with exceptional academic standards, and students will need to dedicate significant time to their studies in order to graduate. Students who are admitted to Akilah must be capable of and motivated for advanced, higher education academics and training. If you do not meet the above criteria or have the time or ability for that commitment, please consider applying another year when you are ready to entirely dedicate yourself to the Akilah experience.

INTERNSHIP AND COMMUNITY SERVICE REQUIREMENTS

In addition to your coursework, Akilah students are required to complete an internship and community service project. The internship is 240 hours, and will be completed in the summer between Year 1 and Year 2. We allow the most qualified students to compete for international internships in the United States and Hong Kong. The internship is the capstone of your studies and ensures a smooth transition upon graduation.

The community service project will be ongoing during your two years at Akilah. Students will be trained to identify a few key problems within their communities and will examine the root causes. Students will implement a project that will address those core issues and affect social change throughout Rwanda.

We are very proud of the community that we have created at Akilah. Please review our Community Pledge before submitting an application.

SCHOOL CALENDAR AND COMMITMENT

The school year runs from September 2012 – August 2013.  It is mandatory that students attend classes as well as participate in their summer sessions during the academic year.  Students will need to pass all academic courses and fulfill their internship requirements during Year 1 in order to advance to Year 2, September 2013 – August 2014.

* September 2012 – May 2013: It is mandatory that students attend classes during this period.
……- Hospitality Management Diploma Program: Classes will run from 7:30 am –2:30  ………pm, Monday – Thursday.
……- Entrepreneurship Diploma Program: Classes will run from 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm, ………Monday – Thursday.
* May 2013 – August 2013: Mandatory student internships.
* September 2013 – May 2014: It is mandatory that students attend classes during this period.
……- Hospitality Management Diploma Program: Classes will run from 7:30 am – 2:30 ………pm, Monday – Thursday.
……- Entrepreneurship Diploma Program: Classes will run from 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm, ………Monday – Thursday.
* May 2014 – August 2014: Mandatory leadership and communication seminars.
* Mid-August 2014: Graduation.

Have questions about admissions, housing, or tuition? Contact us at admissions@akilahinstitute.org with questions.

(Note: Akilah is changing our academic school year to comply with the East African community, therefore January-August 2012 will consist of one academic school year, with the new schedule beginning in September 2012.)

Akilah does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, creed, or sexual orientation in administration or educational policies, admission policies, scholarship programs, or other school-administered programs.