The Ministry of Education (MINEDUC), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), aimed at laying a framework of cooperation between the Indian university and Rwandan higher institutions of learning.

Speaking at the signing, Education Minister, Dr. Charles Murigande said that the agreement, which is a renewal of the 2002-2007 MoU with the university, provides for, among other things, sending undergraduate students to India and exchange of lecturers for research.

The first MoU which lasted five years was signed in December 2002 at the end of President Paul Kagame’s visit to the university in India.

"The staff of our institutions in the area of management will also, be able to visit VIT to see how management systems are, so they can learn the good practices to use in our institutions,” said the minister.

According to the MoU, MINEDUC and VIT will also explore the possibility of establishing and developing a centre of excellence in science and technology in Rwanda.

The Chancellor of VIT, Dr. G. Viswanathan, said that the agreement would focus more on faculty development through post graduate and doctoral programmes.

He also commended the good relations that have existed between Rwanda and the University which has enabled over 100 students to complete their studies at the university since 1998.

Vellore Institute of Technology ranks among the top ten Universities in India and it is the leading privately owned university in India.

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