Rwanda Polytechnic (RP) on May 6, 2021 graduated 3024 students at its 4^th graduation at RP premises. The ceremony was virtually to contain the measures to spread the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Among 3034 graduates, males were 2312 while females were 722.

During the graduation ceremony that held virtually, the graduating students were awarded Diploma and Advanced Diploma certificates after the completion of studies in different programs in the Academic Year 2019/2020 in 8 colleges of RP designated as “Integrated Polytechic Regional Colleges” which are IPRC Gishari, IPRC Huye, IPRC Karongi, IPRC Kigali , IPRC Musanze, IPRC Ngoma, and IPRC Tumba.

Prior to this 4^th Graduation, RP graduated 3 cohorts respectively 1882 on June28th, 2018 and 2088 0n March 21^st, 2019 and 2398 on October 25^th, 2019.

The graduating programs delivered from all 8 colleges of RP are Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Agriculture Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Hospitality Management, (Wildlife Management, Wildlife Tourism and Forest Resources Management), and Mining Engineering.

The Minister of Education Dr. Valentine Uwamariya appreciated the tremendous achievement made by graduates and requested them to use the acquired competencies in all sectors of life.

Addressing the graduating students, she said “Go and apply the acquired competencies in all sector of life. Do not forget that cultural and moral values are among the qualities that characterize a competent graduate.”

The Minister of Education requested the graduates to be ambassadors of Rwanda Polytechnic and raise image of TVET in general.

Hon.Minister of State in Charge of ICT and TVET, Claudette IRERE, congratulated the graduates for pushing through the hard times and asked for to go out in the world and face the challenges head on with the resolve to create resilient jobs and businesses. She also congratulated females and requested to encourage many other girls to join STEM and TVET in particular.

The Vice Chancellor of Rwanda Polytechnic, Dr. James Gashumba acknowledged the work done by the graduates despite various challenges to teaching and learning activities due to Covid 19. 

He also appreciated the efforts of the Government of Rwanda in recognizing TVET as an important pillar in the economic development of the country and investing in it and saying that RP will take up the challenge to make TVET attractive and develop impactful collaborative relationships with industry and private sectors.

He went on saying that RP will continue to connect with students and an alumni office will be established to follow up graduates to help them with networks for jobs opportunities and for entrepreneurial possibilities.

Other items of the graduation ceremony included the presentation of awards to the best performers who scored the highest marks in their respective colleges, best 2 females who performed very well in STEM and best innovation project. The best performers and best females in STEM were awarded Five hundred thousand Rwandan Francs ( 500,000 Rfw) while the best innovation project was awarded six hundred thousand Rwandan Francs ( 600,000 Rfw)

The representative of the graduating students Ines Tuyishime who completed her studies at IPRC Kigali in Civil Engineering appreciated the government to recognize A1 graduates in public sectors. She requested the Ministry of education to introduce professional bachelor’s degree to Advanced Diploma graduates who wish to continue their studies that leading to academic qualification with practical skills.