The Rwanda Bureau of Standards (RBS) on Thursday recognised students and local standards experts for their efforts in bolstering trade and standards in Rwanda.

This was part of celebrations to mark World Standards Day in Kigali under the theme, ‘Standards - The world’s common language’.   

The students awarded were Bruce Gashirabake from New Vision High School, Angelique Ishimwe from Mubuga in Karongi District and Pacifique Nsengiyumva from Petit Seminaire Rwesero in Gicumbi District.

The students emerged second in the 10th international standards competition ‘Olympiad’ in South Korea that was organised by the Korea Agency for Technology and Standards in August this year.

Two university students – Nehemie Yesashimwe from the University of Rwanda’s College of Agriculture and Diane Ishimwe from the College of Medicine,  were also awarded after participating in the 2015 continental essay competition about promoting quality standards in Ethiopia.

Others awarded included local standards experts Professor Munyanganizi Bikoro, Vivier Munyaburanga Christian Sekomo and John Kongoli.

According to Dr Mark Cyubahiro, the director-general of RSB, the awards for the students were part of a campaign to inculcate a culture of standardisation in schools.

"Future standardisation looks to youth and developing this culture is the best way to achieve it. We approached schools to be part of such developments and the competency-based curriculum to start next year integrates standards courses in all sections. That is why students are awarded as motivation to promote that culture,” he said.