After undergoing information communication technology training sponsored by Imbuto Foundation, girls who excelled in last year’s Senior Six exams have been urged to use the skills acquired to spur national development. 

A total of twenty three students underwent a tree-week intensive training of Cisco IT essentials, including introduction to personal computer, computer assembly and disassembly, preventive maintenance, operating systems, networks, mobile devices, computer user applications, IT potentials ethics and troubleshooting among others.

The students are supposed to be enrolling for their undergraduate studies in various universities locally and abroad.

The training aimed at promoting girls education in science and technology and creating an inspiration to the young girls for better future. It took place at Tumba College of Technology (TCT) in Rulindo Distict, Northern Province.

While addressing the girls during the closure of the training recently, Jerome Gasana, the director-general of Workforce Development Authority, urged the girls to use the skills to transform their lives and those of their colleagues.

Gasana said that the government is ready to provide the necessary support for start-up materials in ICT and to create jobs.

"The country wants to be an ICT hub and this requires everyone’s involvement. Create companies and be the catalyst of development in ICT as the country promotes the Made-in-Rwanda programme,” Gasana added 

Rose Rwabuhihi, the chief gender monitor at Gender Monitoring Office, challenged the girls to use the skills as a noble tool to develop the country.

"The country counts on you, put the skills you have into good use as you go back to your communities, share the skills you have acquired with your colleagues and ensure that you play a role in national development,” she said 

Rwabuhihi also urged them to fight unwanted pregnancies, early marriages for young girls and other vices that hinder women’s education.

Ennatha Cyuzuzo, one of the beneficiaries, said the training helped them acquire additional practical skills that would help them in the future to create jobs once they get means.

"The skills will help us to create jobs. Some of us will start working even before going for further university studies or combine both studies and work,” said Esther Usanase, another trainee. 

Tumba College principal Eng. Pascal Gatabazi hailed Imbuto Foundation for sponsoring the training, adding that the partnership with the campus, which started in 2008, will live forever to ensure women education is promoted.

"We plan to create a forum where we can exchange news on what has been the impact of ICT among those who passed here for training,” he said.