Kigali Independent University (ULK)has become the first institution of higher learning to set up a Career Advisory Centre, adhering to the government’s call for institutions to come up with the career guidance centres.

The centre was launched at the Gisozi- campus with an aim of not only helping current students, but also former students who will access it free of charge.

Officiating at the ceremony, the Director of Skills Development at Rwanda Development Board (RDB), Apollo Munanura, said that this was a good example to all institutions.

"This is a good example which all other universities should follow as required by government,” Munanura said.

The centre will equip students and others who graduated from the university with competitive graduates capable of competing not only on national but also on the international labour market.

Trainings in form of workshops will be organized by the centre to cover subjects such as widening the scope of understanding the present challenges faced by graduates upon completion of their courses.

"Excellent performance in examinations is different from passing job interviews for employment. When students get exposed to trainings, self confidence can as well be attained,” he noted.

Among the challenges faced by the graduates was lack of information on employment opportunities and appropriate procedures to apply for jobs.

"Students must effectively utilize this centre during trainings of the many courses mainly in information communication technology (ICT),” Munanura said.

However, he noted that the centres are also required at the lower level of education to benefit younger students.

The university started a career advisory centre with 241 computers that will help students in ICT and access to internet in researching and three permanent staff members of the centre.

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