SOUTHERN PROVINCE

GISAGARA — The National University of Rwanda (NUR) in partnership with Gisagara District on Monday launched a five-day community-based outreach programme.

The camp organised by the Faculty of Economics and Management and implemented by the Department of Applied Statistics will involve 60 students from the department who are meant to be actively engaged in community work and other community outreach programmes.

Officiating at the official launch, the Rector Prof. Silas Lwakabamba said that the programme  is one way of paying back to the community.

"The university flourishes on the taxes that you pay, our involvement in community activities is one small way of paying back,” he said.

Lwakabamba observed that with a student and staff population of over 10, 000, the university can have a big impact on the livelihoods of the surrounding communities.

"We do not want to be labelled as an ‘ivory tower’, said Lwakabamba, "we want to be seen as a ‘peoples’ University,” he added.

The NUR Rector said the activities will give the students an opportunity to put into practice the theory they learn in school and also inculcate in them the culture of respect for work.

During the programme students and their lecturers will help build houses for the vulnerable in five sectors of the district. With the cooperation from other Faculties, they will also offer business, medical, legal and agriculture services, including undertaking related  cultural activities. Part of the program will entail  undertaking a household survey.

Narcisse Rwamamara, the President of Applied Statistics Association was positive  about the impact the programme  will have on the local communities.

"Data compiled from the community will be vital for the district’s planning purposes. Residents will also be helped to learn how to use statistics in their daily lives,” said Rwamamara.

Jean Jacque Kalisa, a fourth-year student of Applied Statistics, also said that the camp will be helpful to students and the general population a like.

"We shall be applying what we learn in school,” he said, "the community will also benefit because data gathered will help local authorities to plan for their well being.”

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