RUBAVU — At least 476 students have graduated from Kigali Independent University (ULK), Gisenyi campus.

The graduation ceremony, held last Sunday at Umuganda stadium in Rubavu district, saw the graduands, 208 of them women, receive degree’s in various disciplines.

Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Erasmus Rwanamiza, representing the Education Minister, Dr Charles Murigande, praised the Rubavu-based campus for fighting ignorance.

"Students who got  the opportunity of studying and graduating are expected  to enter the job market while making a difference by keeping away from vices like corruption and injustice,” he said.

"You need to fight poverty using the knowledge you have acquired and fight injustice at all levels.”

Senator Professor Rwigamba Balinda, ULK founder, urged the students to use the acquired knowledge to run their own businesses instead of waiting for others to employ them.

"You did not study to be employed but rather be your own boss by creating jobs and have confidence that you will succeed,” Rwigamba said.

‘Just be diligent with your project and do it to benefit others, not just yourself.  That’s the secret, that’s how it all starts,” he added.

ULK Rector, Dr. Alphonse Ngagi, told reporters that the Gisenyi campus was improving in its quality of teaching and in the number of graduates every year.

"We have employed 30 lecturers. Our priority is to produce quality graduates capable of competing at a regional and global level,” he said.

The function was graced by Rwandan and Congolese parliamentarians who praised the campuses success. 

Ends