Thursday, 5 June 2026 — As part of the President University Ambassador Lecture (PUAL) Series, President University held an Ambassador Lecture titled “Strengthening Indonesia-Rwanda Bilateral Relations” at the VIP Room, Fabrication Lab (FabLab), President University Convention Center, President University Main Campus. The session featured H.E. Sheikh Abdul Karim Harelimana, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to Indonesia, who discussed Rwanda’s approach to development, emphasizing self-reliance, effective governance, and international cooperation.

During the session, Ambassador Harelimana explained that while countries need strong relationships with other nations, progress must first begin from within. According to him, Rwanda prioritizes identifying what can be achieved independently before seeking assistance from external partners, allowing international cooperation to complement rather than replace domestic efforts.

Using Rwanda’s environmental policies as an example, he shared how the country became known as one of the cleanest countries in the world. “We need to look inside first before we look outside,” he said. He explained that Rwanda’s restrictions on plastic use, introduced in the 2000s, were accompanied by alternative solutions for citizens. The ambassador added that successful change requires more than policies alone, as governments must also ensure that regulations are consistently implemented and followed by society.