NYARUGENGE - Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), has introduced a Faculty of Architecture and Environmental planning.

The development was confirmed Thursday by KIST Rector Abraham Atta Ogwu during an interview in which he said that the faculty will have five disciplines. These include architectural studies, urban planning, quantity survey, land survey and estate management.

"Architectural studies have already begun while urban planning, quantity and land survey will begin next year and estate management will come at a later date,” Ogwu explained.

He said that the implementation arrangements depends on the availability of infrastructure, the appropriate human resource and other issues.

A Bachelors Degree will be awarded to architectural students upon completion of the five year course whereas a Master’s Degree will be awarded after six years.

Commending the programme, the Rector said that Rwanda needs to develop home grown human resources in different fields which he said will reduce dependence on foreign manpower.

"The country spends a lot of money on people from other countries to do architectural work.  This is because we lack schools to train Rwandan students,” he explained.

He added that Rwanda’s development pace with a lot of construction activities calls for adequate professionals in the field.

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