The Institute of Applied Sciences in Musanze district, Rwanda, held its 18th graduation ceremony on October 30, graduating 1,729 students. The graduates completed bachelor's and master's programs and included Rwandans and international students. Many expressed their hope to use their education to address community challenges and contribute to national development. The ceremony brought a message from university leaders and education officials encouraging graduates to create their own job opportunities.
Rwanda has set a target of creating 1.25 million new jobs by 2029, but available positions in government institutions and formal workplaces are limited. Dr. Olivier Habimana, Director in charge of Technology and Research at the Higher Education Council, urged graduates to use their skills to establish businesses and employ others. He emphasized that innovation and entrepreneurship are essential to meeting the country's employment ambitions.
Dr. Habimana commended INES-Ruhengeri for attracting international students, supporting Rwanda's ambition to become a regional education hub. He challenged the institution to continue investing in laboratories, classrooms, and teaching staff to strengthen its practical training programs. The graduates were encouraged to view their university degree as a passport to different opportunities rather than a guarantee of a particular career.
Vital Rugwiza, a graduate in Law, said a university degree should be used to choose different paths in life that are beneficial. He intends to use his legal knowledge to address community problems, particularly those involving injustice and human rights violations. Rugwiza urged fellow graduates to look beyond traditional office jobs and consider starting businesses and creating employment for themselves and others.
International students, such as Deborah Yar Makuei from South Sudan, also graduated. Makuei said completing her studies in Rwanda was a personal achievement and a source of pride for her family and country. She encouraged other international students to consider Rwanda as a study destination, citing its cleanliness, security, and welcoming environment.
INES-Ruhengeri's Vice-Chancellor, Fr. Dr. Jean Bosco Baribeshya, said the growing number of graduates reflected the institution's expansion and increasing demand for its programs. He noted that the university was graduating more students than in previous years due to its consistency in providing improved quality of education. The university is strengthening its focus on applied sciences, technology, and research to find practical solutions to societal challenges.
The latest graduation included 1,634 bachelor's degree holders and 95 master's degree graduates. Parents, who attended the ceremony, expressed pride in seeing their children graduate and urged them to continue learning. Paulo Gumiriza Mugunga, a parent, reminded graduates that completing university should not mark the end of their education, as learning is a continuous process.
Key points
- Dr. Olivier Habimana urged graduates to create their own jobs and use their skills to establish businesses and employ others.
- The graduates were encouraged to view their university degree as a passport to different opportunities rather than a guarantee of a particular career.
- Rwanda has set a target of creating 1.25 million new jobs by 2029, but available positions in government institutions and formal workplaces are limited.
