GICUMBI - The Northern Province Executive Secretary, Deo Kabagamba, has called upon Gicumbi district residents to take advantage of the existing tertiary institution, in the district, to enroll for higher education.

Kabagamba made the call during a ceremony at Gicumbi stadium, to celebrate the accreditation of Byumba Polytechnic (IPB) and the beginning of academic year 2010/2011.

"Now that IPB is fully recognized by government as an institution of higher learning, you should register to study in large numbers because education is key to development,” Kabagamba said. 

He further urged the IPB students to utilize the technical knowledge acquired from the institute, to boost agriculture and formation of cooperatives in the rural areas. 

Kabagamba thanked the current government for supporting education for all, unlike previous governments. "Former regimes did not select students for university education on merit. Their selection was based on ethnicity, nepotism and regional favoritism,” he said. 

The Gicumbi district vice Mayor for Social Affairs, Eugenie Uwamahoro hailed the government for liberalizing education, saying that it has enabled many workers to access higher education at different private universities while at the same time performing their official duties. 

The Rector of IPB, Prof. Faustin Nyombayire, attributed the success of his institution to continued support from government and advised the students to study with dedication, if they are to have a better future. 

He further said IPB intends to introduce new faculties, including Land management, Agro forestry, Agro business and Geo technology. 

Meanwhile, a France-based IPB development partner, Djomo Jean Emmanuel Education Consultancy (DJEECF) and IPB signed a memorandum of cooperation.

The Director General of DJEECF, Dr. Jean Emmanuel Djomo, signed on behalf of his organization, while Prof. Nyombayire signed on behalf of IPB.

Dr. Djomo said his organization is committed supporting IPB in providing quality education. 

The Bishop of Byumba Anglican Church Diocese, Onesphore Rwaje, who is also the chairman of IPB founder members grouped under Byumba Economic and Social Development Association (ADEB), revealed that their association intends to open a community Radio. 

"We have assigned IPB the duty of ensuring the community radio is installed as soon as possible,” Rwaje said.
At the same function, the new IPB students’ guild was sworn in.

Also present were Rectors of Kigali Independent University (ULK) Prof. Alphonse Ngagi and Dr Jean Ngamije of Independent Institute of Lay Adventists of Kigali (INILAK).  

Ends