Over 1200 students from the University of Tourism Technology and Business Studies (UTB) on Tuesday the 7th /05/2018 graduated in a colourful ceremony, hosted at the magnificent Kigali Convention Center
The UTB 7th graduation ceremony was presided over by chancellors, professors from various universities and representatives from other universities from the region plus UTB partners and representatives from the private sector.
After the academic procession made up of university staff and board members that took about15-20 minutes, the guests, staff and UTB graduands listened to speeches from various speakers and intervals of entertainment from traditional dancers.
Of the 1207 graduands, 473 were given bachelor’s degree, 190 got diploma certificates while all the 1207 graduates got a certificate in International Computer Driving Licence (ICDL).
While giving his remarks before officially opening the graduation ceremony, the UTB Chairperson University council Professor Emile Rwamasirambo talked of the vision of the institution and thanked all those present for blessing this ceremony as you have always done in the past years.
"The vision of the UTB is to train young Rwandans to become young entrepreneurs ready to join the job market with professional skills. We thank the Ministry of education for the over sight to support the institution. I also have to add that without the outstanding leadership of the vice-chancellor and the team on the ground that has been innovative through the years, it would be possible for the University to achieve this milestone” said Rwamasirambo.
He also told the graduates that despite celebrations for the day, they ought to understand that education has no limit and that they should endeavor to apply the acquired knowledge in different professional carriers.
Keynote address from Vice-Chancellor
In a keynote address that lasted for 20 minutes, Dr. Kabera Callixte, UTB Vice Chancellor thanked the guest of honor, vice chancellor form different universities, vice chancellor s and professor for outside Rwanda members of staff, parents and guardians and graduates for gracing this ceremony and gave an inspirational lecture that was composed of valuable advice for the future to the graduating class.
"Today we are having students from different nationalities graduating from UTB and the uniqueness of this graduation is that all those graduating today have also completed ICDL. For the graduates am confident that the University has instilled in you skills that will make you compete on the labor market. I also thank our partners because the success we are celebrating today is a combination of efforts with our staff and the private sector in supporting our graduates” said Kabera.
He added that the mile stone achieved today is through the efforts that have been put forward by the management and UTB employees who come from various countries and I want to thank my fellow workers for the good fight and also the parents that send their sons and daughters to our institution and entrusting us with their education.
The Vice Chancellor concluded by saying that the university is determined to produce quality students and that the University is unequalled in terms of quality education in Rwanda.
Madam Zulfat Mukarubega, the founder of UTB said the university is about to occupy its campuses which have been under construction and thanked the staff of UTB and the good governance of the president Paul Kagame for all the achievements.
"We thank President Paul Kagame for all these achievements, without him we wouldn’t be here celebrating our success. In a special way I would like to thank our partners in the private sector for equipping our students and making them conversant with the kind of work that they will be dealing with after graduation” she said.
Also the Co-founder and CEO of ICDL Damien O’Sullivan, appreciated the institution for being the first university teaching ICDL in higher learning institutions and he also concluded by asking the graduands to keep on learning what they do not know and also share what they know.
"To the graduates, all I can advise you is to keep on learning from people what you don’t know but also share what you already know with others. The skills you have acquired should be reflected in what you are bringing to the labor market and will help shape the future of our country” he added
UTB's 2018 class valedictorian, Faustin, urged his fellow classmates at Tuesday's graduation to "dream big, but think big" "We survived the apocalypse, the rapture, the night preps and the course works. We should endeavor to be job creators not job seekers and this requires us to dream and think big” he cracked in his opening remarks.
During the same graduation ceremony, two graduates were awarded the best students overall, Mugabo Emmyson from the UTB, Kigali campus, and Nigerian born Emmanuel while different graduands were awarded for being the best in their respective courses and among those were Serge Mugenzi, Karerangabo Gabriel, Abizeyimana Rachel, Mugabekazi Roselyne, Munyensanga Patrick and Mutuyimana Misericorde.
The University of Tourism Technology and Business Studies is a private higher education institution located in the large city of Kigali. Officially accredited and recognized by the Ministry of Education, Rwanda, University of Tourism Technology and Business Studies (UTB) is a coeducational higher education institution.
The University offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, and associate or foundation degrees), bachelor degrees in several areas of study.