Dr. Gervais Rufyikiri
Thesis Advisor in Governance, Sustainable Development, and International Affairs
- Faculty Type
- Core Teaching Faculty
- Expertise Areas
- African Politics and Governance Economic and Social Policy Environmental and Agricultural Sciences Governance and Public Policy International Affairs Leadership and Public Administration Political Stability and Institution Building Post-Conflict Governance Sustainable Development
- Professional Experience
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- Thesis Advisor, Geneva School of Diplomacy
- Lecturer in Sustainability and Governance, Master of Advanced Studies Programme, Geneva School of Diplomacy
- Former Vice-President of Burundi
- Former President of the Senate of Burundi
- Former Scholar in Residence, University of Antwerp
- Former Researcher, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre
- Former Lecturer at universities in Burundi
- Specialist in governance, sustainable development, and post-conflict institution building
- Education
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- PhD in Biological, Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium
- Academic background in governance, environmental sciences, and sustainable development
- Contact
- External Profile
Biography
Dr. Gervais Rufyikiri is a Burundian academic, political leader, and governance specialist with extensive experience in public administration, institution building, sustainable development, and international affairs.
He previously served as Vice-President of Burundi from 2010 to 2015, where he was responsible for coordinating the country’s economic and social ministries. Prior to this role, he served as President of the Senate of Burundi from 2005 to 2010.
Throughout his political career, Dr. Rufyikiri contributed to the development of post-conflict institutions and governance reforms aimed at strengthening political stability, economic development, and public sector governance in Burundi.
Alongside his political responsibilities, Dr. Rufyikiri has maintained an extensive academic and research career. His work has focused on environmental sciences, agriculture, governance, and sustainable development. He conducted doctoral research at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium in the field of biological, agricultural, and environmental engineering, and later pursued postdoctoral research related to environmental remediation and pollution management at the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre.
He has also contributed to academic research and policy dialogue on governance and sustainable development through research and teaching positions in Burundi and Europe, including as Scholar in Residence at the University of Antwerp.
At the Geneva School of Diplomacy, Dr. Rufyikiri serves as Thesis Advisor and contributes to the Master of Advanced Studies programme through teaching related to sustainability, governance, and international affairs.