Story, Louvier Kindo Tombe
On a calm Tuesday morning in Yaoundé, a new pathway to global education quietly took shape. Clad in matriculation robes, a group of young Cameroonians gathered not just to mark the start of a university journey, but to step onto an academic bridge leading far beyond national borders.
The moment was the official inauguration and first matriculation ceremony of the Kelden International Pathway Center, hosted at the Kelden University Institute (KUI) on December 16, 2025. More than a formal academic rite, the event signaled a shift in how Cameroonian students can access internationally recognized education—beginning at home and continuing abroad.
For many years, international study opportunities have remained out of reach for a large number of students, constrained by financial pressures, complex admissions systems, and the absence of accredited preparatory programs. Kelden’s partnership with the Northern Consortium of UK Universities (NCUK) seeks to address these challenges by embedding global academic standards within Cameroon’s higher education space.
The importance of the initiative was reflected in the presence of the UK High Commission to Cameroon, Matt Woods, who chaired the ceremony, alongside Mrs. Liesl May, NCUK Manager for Africa and the Middle East. Addressing the first cohort of transnational students, the UK High Commissioner urged them to approach their academic journey with purpose, advising them to “be kind, be brave, and be curious,” while reminding them that international education is as much about values and perspective as it is about qualifications.
Mrs. Liesl May echoed this message, encouraging students to fully embrace the opportunity before them and to take advantage of the structured pathways that now connect them directly to world-class universities.
At the core of the Kelden International Pathway Center are internationally accredited programs designed to guarantee progression for successful students. These include the International Foundation Year, a nine-month preparatory programme for undergraduate studies; the International Year One, which allows students to complete their first year locally and progress directly to Year Two abroad; the International Year Two in Business Management, equivalent to a second undergraduate year and qualifying students for Year Three; and a Pre-Master’s Programme tailored for postgraduate success.
The impact of the initiative is already visible. From the pioneer cohort, at least one student has secured placement at a partner university in the United Kingdom, illustrating the practicality of the pathway model and its promise for future intakes.
Speaking on behalf of the students, their representative expressed appreciation to Kelden University Institute and its partners for what he described as “giving us the opportunity to have access to world-class universities,” noting that the center has opened doors previously thought unreachable.
The ceremony culminated with a symbolic moment. In the company of Kelden University Institute’s founder, Njodzeka Linus Leila, and senior administrators, the UK High Commissioner officially unveiled the plaque of the Kelden International Pathway Center, before touring the institution’s infrastructure and academic facilities. The gesture formally marked the center’s readiness to serve as a gateway between Cameroon and the global academic community.
As the first cohort embarks on this new journey, the vision behind the Kelden International Pathway Center is becoming clear: to ensure that global education no longer begins with departure, but with opportunity—right here in Yaoundé.
