Prof. Silas Lwakabamba (left) was Friday awarded an honorary degree of Doctor of engineering by the Southampton Solent University, UK, in recognition of his contribution to higher education.

In his acceptance speech, Lwakabamba, who is the rector of the National University of Rwanda (NUR), compared his delight to the one when he received a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Leeds University in the UK in 1971.

He said that Rwanda is facing many changes economically, but is looking to science and technology to build a strong economy.

He also said that following the 1994 war and Genocide, he decided that it was time he gave his contribution to the people of Rwanda through technology.

He added that the country is full of opportunities and potentials, and therefore can rebuild its economic foundation.

"That was how the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) was born in 1997. Today KIST is probably a home for training some of the best technologists and engineers in the East African sub region,” Lwakabamba said. 

Lwakabamba two years ago received an Honorary degree of Doctor of Techology from Glasgow Caledonian in the United Kingdom.

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