Human resource managers have been urged to work closely with the work force to promote team work and organisational cohesion if the country’s human resource base is to be empowered to build a knowledge-based economy.

The appeal was made during the opening of a two-day conference on laying tangible action plans of developing and sharpening the country’s human resource  base to build a knowledge driven economy, organised by Kigali Institute of Management (KIM) in partnership with RDB.

"The point at which one can say all is well in equipping our human resource for a knowledge-based economy is when you cannot differentiate a manager or leader from the rest of the workers,” said Deogratius Harorimana, the RDB deputy CEO in charge of human capital and institutional development

The conference brought together both human resource managers from different levels of the labour market  and experts from different countries who highlighted the role of acknowledging the ‘human side’ in a work environment as key to building a knowledge-based economy.

The Minister of Education Dr. Charles Murigande commended the initiative observing that any idea in line with contributing to the country’s overall goal of building a knowledge-based economy is embraced.

"What is needed is mindset change, where people are stimulated to think independently and innovatively. This will empower them to do things better,” Murigande observed.
He commended the forum saying it brings together all key players in this framework to create a pool of ideas and forge a way forward.

Shortly after his keynote presentation, Prof Joseph Kessels from the University of Twente in Netherlands underscored the aspect of creating a conducive and respectful work environment as a way to trigger innovation and independent thinking which is central in a knowledge -based workforce.

"The workforce needs to be respected, appreciated and involved in their day-to-day operations. This inspires innovative thinking and knowledge-based actions” he noted

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