The inauguration of Rwanda Civil Aviation Training and Innovation Centre (RCATIC) marks a ‘significant’ leap forward for the country's aviation sector as it looks to increase the number of aviation professionals and address the issue of high training costs and scarcity of aviation schools.
During the official launch of RCATIC by Rwanda Civil Aviation Authority (RCAA), on June 20, Andrew Mutabaruka, a quality assurance officer at RCATIC, said that establishing the training facility aims to address shortages in aviation professionals and boost the number of qualified aviation professionals in the country.
He said this will help bridge crucial gaps and propel the industry to new heights.
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"Civil aviation is a specialised industry requiring unique skills, knowledge, and attitudes. We&039;ve always had an inadequate number of professionals due to the high costs and limited training schools worldwide. Specifically, our country lacked (capabilities) to fill these gaps,” Mutabaruka said.
"The impact on the aviation community will be substantial, as this school will increase the number of aviation professionals nationally. Since it will be open to individuals beyond our borders, we can help close gaps globally, especially in Africa, where the aviation industry is still growing."
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The event that was also a certificate awarding ceremony for 46 aviation students graduates was emphasised as a homegrown solution by Fidèle Abimana, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure.
"The establishment and achievements of RCATIC are a testament to the effectiveness of homegrown solutions. Despite being a young training center, it has remarkably graduated 46 students and trained 416 individuals, demonstrating significant progress in a short period,” he said.
"This success is a direct result of the dedication and unwavering commitment of the board, management, and the entire RCATIC team. Their efforts are already making a substantial impact on the capabilities of both Rwandans and the global community. We appreciate these milestones and are confident that they will enable us to continue expanding our capacity-building initiatives, training even more individuals in the future.”
Abimana emphasized upcoming opportunities within the aviation sector, noting the construction of the new international airport in Bugesera District, domestic airports that are going to be rehabilitated in Musanze and Rubavu disricts and Kamembe airport in Rusizi District. These developments are expected to significantly enhance capacity development, benefiting professionals and experts by optimizing the sector's growth potential.
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Alex Rizigana, an airworthiness inspector at RCAA who was one of the graduates, highlighted the benefits of completing specialized aviation training in Rwanda.
He said: "This performance-based navigation training transitions from traditional ground-based systems to satellite-based ones, offering wider coverage, better accuracy, and fewer interferences. There are significant environmental advantages, as aircraft can cover shorter routes, saving fuel and supporting Rwanda's green goals. I am proud to receive this training locally."
"Bringing together personnel from various Rwandan aviation sectors facilitates knowledge sharing and harmonized training. The training enhanced collaboration among stakeholders. It was cost-effective compared to international training and it improved qualifications and expertise for participants,” said Ian Irebeno Rutabingwa, an aeronautical engineer at RCAA who is also among the graduates.
RCATIC offers a range of courses tailored to meet the evolving needs of the aviation industry.
Prospective students must have a background in science, as aviation courses are science-intensive.
For current professionals, the centre provides specialized courses to enhance their skills and knowledge. Course offerings are based on industry changes, ensuring training remains relevant.