Ubuntu International Academy was born from a deep conviction: excellence in education should not be a privilege reserved for a few. Founded by Professor Jean-Marie Barambona, with 30 years of experience in international education, UIA brings together children from all walks of life at the Grand Séminaire de Bujumbura around one shared mission: growing together.
Bilingual in French and English, from Kindergarten through Grade 12, UIA prepares every student to thrive in an interconnected world — with the academic rigor of the Savvas Realize platform, the emotional intelligence of the SEL program, and the timeless values of Ubuntu.
Professor Jean-Marie Barambona, PhD, is a Burundian educator, legal scholar and institutional leader with more than 30 years of experience in education.
A Professor at the University of Burundi, he also teaches at other universities in Burundi and in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo. This academic engagement across institutions and borders gives him a broad understanding of educational systems, student development and institutional leadership in the region.
His international academic background includes:
schoolA Doctorate in Economic Law from the University of Antwerp, Belgium
schoolA Master's degree in Human Rights from UCLouvain, Belgium
schoolA Master's degree in Environmental Law from the University of Limoges, France
Throughout his career, Professor Barambona has served as Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Burundi, Rector and Legal Representative of Martin Luther King University, and member of the Audit Committee of the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA).
His contribution to education also extends beyond the university level. He has participated in the governance, pedagogical oversight and development of several nursery, primary, secondary and international schools in Burundi.
After more than three decades of observing education from early childhood to university, he founded Ubuntu International Academy with a clear ambition: to build a school that combines international academic standards, bilingual learning, educational technology, discipline and African values.
His vision is to prepare learners who are academically strong, digitally capable, socially responsible and deeply connected to their identity and community.
Our Mission
To provide world-class bilingual education in French and English, from Kindergarten through Grade 12 — rooted in Ubuntu philosophy, driven by innovative pedagogy (Savvas Realize, SEL), and open to families who aspire to a borderless future for their children.
Our Vision
To become Central Africa's reference school for shaping enlightened leaders — global citizens grounded in their cultures, men and women capable of transforming their communities with integrity, competence, and humanity.
What Unites Us
Our Six Core Values
Excellence
We strive for the highest academic and personal standards. Excellence is not a goal — it is a habit cultivated every single day.
Humanity
The dignity of every person is sacred. We act with kindness, empathy, and respect toward every member of our community.
Innovation
We embrace the best educational technologies — Savvas Realize, SEL — to prepare our students for the challenges of tomorrow.
Leadership
We shape responsible leaders, capable of inspiring and serving their communities with integrity and purpose.
Respect
Diversity is our strength. We foster an environment where every voice is heard and every difference is celebrated.
Responsibility
Every student is an agent of their own future and that of their community. We teach civic engagement and sustainability.
Our Setting
An Exceptional Campus
Nestled at the heart of the Grand Séminaire de Bujumbura, one of the most prestigious and peaceful sites in the Burundian capital, the UIA campus offers an ideal learning environment: green spaces, majestic architecture, and an atmosphere conducive to focus and personal growth.
Every classroom is equipped for digital and interactive teaching. Common spaces foster the Ubuntu community spirit — the belief that we grow better together than alone.
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Connected digital classrooms (Savvas Realize)
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Bilingual FR-EN library
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Sports and recreational areas
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Cafeteria and school meals
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24/7 security and supervision
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School transport available
Our Approach
Teaching Philosophy
At UIA, we believe education must shape the mind, the heart, and the hands together. Our approach rests on three complementary pillars: international academic rigor, social and emotional intelligence, and deep roots in Ubuntu values.
The Savvas Realize platform — used in thousands of schools worldwide — gives our students access to interactive, personalized learning resources aligned with the most demanding international standards.
The SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) program is woven into the entire curriculum. It builds self-awareness, emotional regulation, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making in every student — abilities that are essential in a constantly evolving world.
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Academic
Savvas Realize, international curriculum, FR-EN bilingualism
psychology
Emotional
SEL program, personal development, emotional regulation
public
Ubuntu
Community values, leadership, African and global citizenship
