More than 400 students from the Diaspora and Senior Six leavers who excelled in last year’s national examinations are today scheduled to start a civic education programme.

The civic education or Itorero, is dubbed "Indangamirwa IX.”

The group includes 206 students from Diaspora and 224 set to join institutions of higher learning within the country.

VIDEO: Expectations of students at 9th Edition Diaspora Civic Education "Itorero". Source: TheNewTimes/YouTube

Mixing Diaspora university learners with other students within the country is meant to promote a fraternal spirit and sharing of experience between the two sets of student, according to organisers.

All trainees gathered at Petit Stade in Remera, yesterday, where they were briefed about the training by Dr Celestin Ntivuguruzwa, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Boniface Rucagu, the chairman of National Itorero Commission.

The three-week training will be held at Gabiro Combat Training School in Gatsibo District.

Ntivuguruzwa urged the students to attentively follow the planned lectures on patriotism, work and Rwandan values so that they will promote significant changes when they are back to their host countries or community.

He told the trainees that in whatever they learn they should remember that the future of the country is in their hands with Rwandan values as the foundation.

"Within three weeks you will have acquired more skills that will be used to make Rwanda shine. The future of the country starts with the preparation of young generation as future leaders. Values are the foundation of the development of any country. So, you should uphold them,” Ntivuguruzwa said.

Ntivuguruzwa assured the students that the training was well organised to meet their expectations.

Rucagu reminded the students that the country banks on them as future human resource.

"The country warmly welcomes you. You are from different parts of the world to attend Indangamirwa IX civic education. Feel at home,” he told those studying from abroad.

After the training, we consider our trainees to be good ambassadors of the country wherever they travel across the world. The image of the country will be measured by your character wherever you live, Rucagu added.

Trainees speak out

Holla Kami, a student studying in the United States of America, said she was motivated by her sister who attended last year’s civic education and spoke well of the training.

She added that she expected a lot from the lectures.

Gavy Gaelle Imanzi, a student in the United Arab Emirates, said he is happy to attend the training about the development of his country.

Gisele Abimana, from College Sainte Famille in Karongi District, said she was impressed to meet her compatriots from Diaspora.

"I will benefit more from the training through interacting with other students. I expect to be a good example to Diaspora students who might have changed in their character because of foreign influence,” she said.

Since the beginning of Indangamirwa in 2008, at least 1733 Diaspora students have been trained in eight editions.

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