Officials from the Higher Education Council (HEC) have urged higher learning institutions to incorporate competence-based curriculums for university students to meet market demand and industry standards.

This was stressed during a two-day training organised by HEC on ‘Implementation of the Rwanda Qualification Frameworks (RQF)’ held December 14-15, in Musanze District, aimed at discussing ways for ‘quality of education’ in Rwanda.

According to Théoneste Ndikubwimana, Head of Department General Education Quality Standards at HEC, there are universities whose curriculums do not match with market demand.

"Curriculums of varsities are not as per the industry standards. They are more theory- based rather than application-based,” he said.

The issue is reportedly to be based in general education schools rather than TVET schools.

Speaking to the participants that included Quality Assurance Managers and Academic Registers from both public and private higher learning institutions in Rwanda, The Director for Higher Education Council,Dr Rose Mukankomeje, told the participants that the country needs skilled people in accordance with National Strategic Transformation (ST1)

"We still have a long way to go, recognise that and work hard. We would like to see your people skilled up,” she noted.

"Quality of education is not about one person, it involves all sectors that are in education, it is not HEC or Ministry of Education. It starts from parents.

We recommend that schools get equipment that help students practice so that they can meet market demand; we want students to get the basics for them to be able to create their own jobs,” she added.

Participants weigh in

Jean Pierre Nsengiyumva, the Director of Quality Assurance at University of Gitwe, is one of the participants who said he has learned that such practical courses help students in the outside environment.

"I clearly understand the importance of practical-based training as it helps students to cope with the outside environment,” he said.

Dr Odette Uwizeye, Registrar at University of Rwanda (UR) called for mutual collaboration for the interest of their students noting that they are going to focus on more practical courses.

"We are going to focus on more practice, know what a student needs and what they are able to do. If we collaborate, our students will benefit from all the involved sectors [in education] hence meeting market demand,” she said.

"We have learned that it is our duty to help students find the best places for internship, some have done that on their own” Dr Gloriose Umuziranenge added.

"We need systems in our institutions which help us to correct all the errors and mistakes so as to reach the quality of education we want.” Grace Patrick Kihumulo, the Director of Quality and Assurance at Kepler College, said.

Avoiding all illegal activities and not accepting illegible students were also matters emphasised by the council during the training in accordance with the new education law that is in place.

There are presently 32 higher teaching institutions nationwide.