The Independent Institute of Lay Adventists of Kigali (INILAK) Rwamagana campus, on Thursday, awarded bachelors degrees to 140 students in different disciplines. The graduates were challenged to use the skills they acquired to develop the country.

The Inilak rector, Dr Jean Ngamije, called on the graduates to be role models, innovators and good ambassadors of INILAK in their communities.

"It is good to celebrate your achievement but you should think about the task ahead of you. You have to work hard to develop yourselves, your families and, most importantly, your country,” Ngamije said.

He reminded the graduates that the certificates they received were not the highest academic achievements they could attain and challenged them to aim higher. He also commended the graduates for working hard during their stay at the university and urged them to be creative and innovative.

Meanwhile, the new graduates said they would use the knowledge and skills they acquired to develop the country.

"The knowledge I have acquired is enormous. I have developed competitive skills and I am ready to exploit them maximally,” said Fabien Kamanzi.

Marie Claire Uwingabire, a former teacher who graduated with a first-class honors degree, said she was overwhelmed by her achievement.

"It’s not been easy for me…I spent every penny I earned on getting an education. At times I almost thought I was failing…I was overstretched,” said the mother of four.

"I worked as an unlicensed teacher for so long…so when Inilak opened a capus in Rwamagana, was an opportunity for me to go back to school. I have acquired a degree in law that will be very useful in fulfilling my dreams,” she said.

Rwamagana District mayor, Abdul Karim Uwizeyimana, officiated at the ceremony that was attended by local leaders, faculty and students.

He commended the leadership of the university for making tertiary education more accessible to people in rural areas by setting up a campus in the district.

INILAK opened its Rwamagana campus in 2003.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw