Officials including the Minister of Education and other government officials, on Thursday, December 7, joined leaders, students and staff of INES-Ruhengeri university of applied sciences, to celebrate 20 years since the institution was founded.

Established in November 2003, under the name "Université Internationale au Rwanda (UNIR),” the institution’s founders aimed at building signs of hope, contributing to unity and reconciliation and backing the country’s sustainable development.

Twenty years down the road, the university has made a good contribution in the field of applied sciences, giving skills to its students to find answers to the population’s daily problems.

Thousands of graduates have been churned out by the institution, a number of whom are now working in various professions including engineering and manufacturing, playing a role in the country’s development.

Speaking during the 20-year anniversary celebrations, the university’s chancellor Bishop Vincent Harolimana, thanked God and all people who played a role in its establishment.

"When it was staring, it was like a dream, but now we realise that what was a dream became a reality,” he said, as he appreciated the support from the Government of Rwanda, Ruhengeri Diocese, the security agencies, the embassy of the Netherlands among other partners that have contributed to the university.

"The aim for setting this university in place was restoring hope among people in a country that was rising from the Genocide against the Tutsi. We wanted to play a role in building and encouraging unity and reconciliation of Rwandans, and contribute to the sustainable development of the country,” he added.

The cleric promised that INES-Ruhengeri is ready to send to the job market workers who are able to assist Rwanda, Africa and beyond in sustainable development.

His counterpart Father Jean Bosco Baribeshya, the Vice Chancellor of the university, said the celebrations are a time to look back at what has been achieved so far and to envisage what is required in the future.

"We have good plans and we are here to recognise those who have assisted us to be where we are. We also need your support to obtain excellent achievements in the work that awaits us in the near future,” he noted.

INES-Ruhengeri not only supports Rwanda’s development but also plays a role in the region and the continent, since up to 12 percent of its students are from different African countries.

In a speech that education minister Gaspard Twagirayezu made at the anniversary, he praised INES-Ruhengeri for making a significant contribution to the development of Rwanda’s education system and the country’s social economic progress.

"As a higher learning institution mainly in science and technology, it is not a simple fact to have the notoriety of an institute of applied sciences. This is, of course, the right time to also recognise that INES-Ruhengeri has been at the forefront of promoting research and innovation, collaborating with industry stakeholders in fostering entrepreneurship and community engagements,” he said.

"The impact of INES-Ruhengeri during the last 20 years cannot be limited to the graduates available on the job market, the salaries directly paid to the staff. The impact of INES-Ruhengeri must be measured widely by looking at the changes occurring in the businesses around the campus, the change in the life of the population around the campus, but also in the attraction of foreign students and lecturers from abroad,” he added.

Lina Divine Icyezumutima, a female engineer who is one of the alumni of the university, lauded it for being more than just a place of learning but a community, a family as well.

She called upon her counterparts to be the embodiments of the school’s ideals, ambassadors of its ethos and the torch bearers of its commitment to shaping the future.

"Our success, both personal and professional, are the testaments of the foundation laid within these walls. Today, let us not only celebrate the years gone but also renew our commitment to this institution’s continued excellence,” she said.

INES-Ruhengeri continues to work to be an academic institution that prepares students for the labour market through professionally oriented higher education, in addition to research activities focusing on applied research.