Professor Silas Lwakabamba obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree also in Mechanical Engineering from University of Leeds, UK. After his PhD, he taught in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. He served as Director of Training and Extension Services at the UN-sponsored African Region Center for Engineering Design and Manufacturing in Ibadan, Nigeria. Prof Lwakabamba served in leadership roles at different universities such as Head of Department and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at University of Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania; Vice Chancellor (Rector) of the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology, Kigali, Rwanda; National University of Rwanda and University of Kibungo, Rwanda.

His performance earned him trust to be appointed Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure and later Rwanda’s Minister of Education. Professor Lwakabamba has been a Chair and a Member of a number of National, Regional and International Boards and Committees such as the Governing Board of the Inter University Council of East Africa (IUCEA), Chair of the Board of Africa Virtual University (AVU), the Executive Board of UNESCO Board, and many others. Prof Lwakabamba is currently a Member of Atlantis Group of the Varkey Foundation (a worldwide Advisory group of 25 former Ministers of Education and former Heads of State). Prof Lwakabamba is presently the Regional Managing Director, Coventry University Africa Hub based in Kigali.