HLC-L4D -

"I was thrilled from the moment I joined the High Lands Centre of Leadership for Development (HLC-L4D). After completing my undergraduate studies, I started at the Centre as an intern in 2013. A few months later, I was hired as an enumerator. Although this position was on a casual basis, I stayed engaged in research. My passion was research, a field I had always envisioned as my lifelong career. I am grateful to the Centre's founder and president, Professor Alfred R. Bizoza, for his unwavering support and encouragement. In 2021, based on his recommendation, I was appointed as a permanent Research Assistant, selected from a large pool of enumerators. Under the founder's mentorship, I was able to take on diverse responsibilities at the Centre and grow in ways I had never imagined. I gained invaluable experience through various research projects and expanded my skills in field management, tool design, data cleaning and analysis, and qualitative data collection. The Centre has a unique atmosphere of mentorship, which makes it an inspiring place to work and grow, attracting many interns and research assistants. With the strong motivation I received from Prof. Bizoza and the entire HLC-L4D research team, I was given the opportunity to pursue a postgraduate program in Agricultural and Applied Economics. This achievement is a testament to the guidance and mentorship I received, and I am determined to contribute significantly to the continued evolution and success of HLC-L4D."

"I joined the High Lands Centre of Leadership for Development (HLC-L4D) in 2013 after my post-graduate studies. As an internee, I participated in different research projects as enumerator and data entry clerk. Sometimes, I contributed to proposal writing with limited skills as a fresh graduate. With time, I received mentorship from L4D team, mostly Prof. Alfred R. Bizoza, who used to tell me to have confidence in whatever I do. Here I quote him: “Do it as if none else will look at it, but only the client”.  Some proposals went through, other failed. We kept on working as team, helping one another socially, financially and emotionally. In 2018, I was promoted to research fellow, a position which has strongly built my research capability. This experience served as a bridge to doctoral program which I started in October 2020. The HLC-L4D has not been, or is not, only a source of my intellectual development, but a source of growth at both personal, societal, and country scale."

"As young graduate from the National University of Rwanda in the Faculty of agriculture in 2008, I first and professional met Prof. Alfred, when he was doing his PhD project, as one of the enumerators and it was first time that I heard Alfred dreamt about creating “High Lands Centre of Leadership for Development (HLC-L4D) Ltd” to support the Rwandan community towards sustainable development, particularly building up the capacity of young professionals for job creation purpose. After coming back from my Msc studies in Physical Land resources in 2013, I joined the team under supervision of Prof. Alfred Bizoza to lead the field data collection, data analysis and initial write up in the studies related to agriculture, land, social and economic development across the country. That time it was at the initial stage of the HighLands Centre of Leadership for Development (L4D LTD). After completing my PhD in 2019, I officially joined the Center to support the Centre meeting its goal in the field of my expertise. Despite the effective work which I contributed to render great services to the Centre Clients, I acquired more experience, knowledge and skills to improve my performance in the recent past years. I have seen quite a number of young professionals and others joining the Centre and from the gained experience they got more opportunities in academic and professional careers. The experience of closely working with Prof. Alfred and the HLC-L4D team has strongly helped me to improve my capacity in research, skills, time management, and teamwork towards targeted objectives or purpose".

"After receiving my Bachelor's Degree in 2013, I was looking for a career with which I could apply my knowledge and earn a living while solving real-world problems. Upon approaching the Founder President of HLC-L4D, Prof Alfred Bizoza who was by that time my lecturer and later on my Master thesis supervisor, I became part of the pioneer mentees who joined the centre as a research assistant. The knowledge and skills acquired throughout this journey of mentorship at the centre have greatly shaped my mind and enhanced my professional capabilities. Currently I work as a research fellow and information manager, my responsibilities include but not limited to developing research tools, managing data, conducting research, policy evaluation and analysis, as well as writing technical and scientific reports. I am happy with the values gained at HLC- L4D, the vibrant team, quality research delivery, and numerous opportunities to learn new roles."

"My professional journey at the High Lands Centre of Leadership for Development (HLC-L4D) under the leadership of Professor Alfred R. Bizoza has been transformative. From day one, I was inspired by the unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation. The guidance and mentorship I received were invaluable, shaping my career growth. Professor Alfred cultivated an environment of curiosity, pushing me to explore new horizons and think critically. His vision and leadership not only elevated the center's reputation but also fueled my personal and professional development. Through collaborative research projects and their mentorship, I honed my skills and expanded my knowledge. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Professor Alfred. His dedication to fostering talent, encouraging independent thinking, and promoting inclusivity left an indelible mark on my career. I look forward to carrying forward the lessons and values imbibed during this journey as I continue to grow professionally and contribute to the field."

"My journey at the centre has always been amazing. I joined the centre 5 years ago as a mentee. In my research career at HLD-L4D, I was mentored by the best team of research fellows and senior research fellows under the supervision of Prof. Alfred Bizoza.  After 3 months of hard work, I was promoted to be research assistant at the centre. This motivated me and pushed me to work even harder. In less than a year at HLC-L4D, I became a research fellow. This promotion came to me after proving that I understand all research-related activities well and could effectively deliver all the tasks assigned to me. I kept working hard and improving my ability to multitask, balance multiple responsibilities, and provide high-quality results. This effort opened an opportunity to manage all the projects of the centre.