At least 450 students graduated at the Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre (IPRC) -East from its College of Technology and Vocational Training Centre.

The maiden graduation was held on Tuesday at Cyasemakamba Stadium in Kibungo town, Ngoma District, where 194 students were awarded advanced diplomas in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, ICT and hospitality management.

256 graduates were awarded certificates in carpentry, electricity, masonry, plumbing, and culinary arts.

Providence Kirenga, Ngoma District Deputy Mayor for Social Affairs who represented the provincial Governor at the ceremony, said the country was eager to build an economy centred on technical knowledge and skills.

"The government is encouraging technical education in the country to enable people actively participate in the development of the country,” said Kirenga.

She appealed to graduates to use the opportunity of current employment creation programmes in districts to develop themselves and the country.

"Today, we have just affirmed your capacity to work after completion of your studies. Go directly to Business Development Fund and get money to start as entrepreneurs or get employed in the districts’ industrial parks all over the country,” she said.

John Bonds Bideri, chairman Board of Directors at Workforce Development Authority (WDA) also the chancellor, said WDA was committed to advancing Technical and Vocational Education Training in the country.

"This graduation marks yet another milestone in the growth of TVET and contribution to the human resources that is crucial to the development of this country,” he said.

The principal IPRC-East Ephrem Musonera, spoke of the need for more female students in technological education.

"For instance, there are a few female graduates from our college of technology today, but surprisingly, these few we have are the best performers. We therefore call upon females to join TVETs because they can do as well as the males,” said Musonera.

IPRC-East is one of the five in the country. It started in late 2012 providing technical and vocational education and acts as WDA’s base for supervision, implementation and coordination of TVET activities and schools in Eastern Province.

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