Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) yesterday held its 7th graduation ceremony at which 173 students graduated in various disciplines,  with a female student coming out best after attaining a First Class Honours Degree.

Vestine Uwiringiyimana emerged best student with a score of 82 percent in Food Science and Technology.

Two other graduates Richard Mulihano and Opah Ojar scored 73 percent in the Masters in Communications Management (MCM) programme emerging second best after obtaining Second Upper degrees.

Among the graduates, one student was awarded a Diploma in Technology with IT as an option, 142 students in engineering and science disciplines while 30 graduated with a Master’s in MCM.

Out of the total number of graduates, 173 were male constituting 80.3 percent, while the female’s number was 34 which representing 19.7 percent.

Education Minister and KIST Chancellor, Dr Daphrose Gahakwa while speaking at the ceremony, appreciated the good cooperation and performance of the graduates urging them to realise the efforts of those paying for their education.

She however called for more female students to join Science and Technology studies saying that they are capable of performing even better, giving an example of the best student.
"The percentage of female students in Science and Technology is still low given the percentage of graduands; 19 percent. It calls for immediate efforts to reverse this,” she stressed.

The minister commended KIST for its good performance, pointing out how some students from other countries come to Rwanda to acquire education from the institution.

She also welcomed the university’s new school of Architecture and environment, saying that this will help in producing the country’s much craved for skilled labour.

She however urged students, lecturers and all parties responsible for developing KIST to work harder to uplift it to international standards.

"The university’s good performance will automatically push the government to facilitate its programmes,” she noted.

KIST Rector, Abraham Atta Ogwu, called upon the successful students to use the skills acquired to earn a desirable living, advising them to be more creative in order to overcome the challenges ahead.

Ends