The University of Lay Adventists of Kigali (UNILAK) plans to establish a cooperative hub aimed at addressing the skills gap in cooperative management, said Prof Jean Ngamije, Vice Chancellor of UNILAK.
He made this announcement during the International Conference on Business Management and Innovation (ICBMI2024), organised by UNILAK in collaboration with Land O’ Lakes, Rwanda Institute of Cooperative Entrepreneurship and Microfinance (RICEM), Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA), National Cooperative Confederation of Rwanda (NCCR), Cordaid, and AFRICOOP.
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The conference, running from September 26-27 in Kigali, centers on the theme, "Making Successful Cooperative Societies and Innovative Entrepreneurs: Challenges, Opportunities, and New Trends.”
Prof Ngamije noted that the hub will serve as a central platform for fostering innovation within cooperative societies.
"This year’s theme resonates with our commitment to creating an environment where innovation and entrepreneurship can thrive. In a rapidly evolving world, cooperative societies and innovative entrepreneurs are essential for driving sustainable development and inclusive growth,” he said.
Prof Ngamije noted the conference as an opportunity for collaboration and knowledge-sharing, saying, "This gathering allows us to explore new paradigms, share cutting-edge research, and form partnerships that will shape the future of business management and innovation. Over these two days, we will address the challenges that cooperatives and entrepreneurs face and uncover the opportunities that arise from them.”
Dr Emmanuel Hakizimana, Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academics and Research at UNILAK, said that the university has been offering a cooperative management program since 2013.
"But the current number of graduates is insufficient given the large number of cooperatives. Additionally, both cooperative members and leaders lack adequate knowledge which is why the cooperative hub comes in to bridge this gap and provide the necessary support,” he added.
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Dr Rose Mukankomeje, Director General of the Higher Education Council (HEC), also spoke on the importance of cooperatives in fostering development, stating, "Cooperatives bring people together with a common goal, but we have seen instances of mismanagement, which has caused members to lose money and slowed down the progress we want to see in the country.”
She added, "There are challenges in encouraging people to invest in schemes like Ejo Heza or to join cooperatives because of these past experiences, but we can learn from successful cooperatives abroad. For example, Moshi Co-operative University in Tanzania offers programs on cooperatives, and this conference at UNILAK, where experts are discussing these issues, could be a turning point.”
Mukankomeje expressed optimism about addressing these challenges through education, saying, "If cooperatives are well managed and members are properly taught, I believe we can see improvements within the next five years."
The Director General of the Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA), Dr Patrice Mugenzi, also stressed the importance of cooperatives in national development.
He said: "Cooperatives are built on shared values like democratic control and economic participation, which foster inclusiveness, equality, and self-reliance.
"Training cooperative leaders and members in proper management practices is essential for sustainability and competitiveness,” he said.
Additionally, Mugenzi said Integrity, transparency, and accountability are critical values that will allow cooperatives to thrive and contribute to Rwanda’s national development goals.