MUSANZE-Ruhengeri Institute of Higher Education-(INES), on Wednesday held its first graduation ceremony where 361 students graduated with degrees in various disciplines.
45 percent of the graduates were female.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Charles Murigande, who also acts as the institute’s Chancellor and represented President Paul Kagame at the function, said that higher institutions of learning should produce graduates who are capable of helping the country achieve its development goals.

‘’Universities need to interact more with the private sector, the government and civil society and develop a curricular and research programmes which are pertinent to the problems faced by the country,’’ he said.

"The quality of education is supported by qualified lectures, excellent infrastructure especially research labs, library facilities, ICT and good research programmes”.

INES-Ruhengeri, which received full accreditation in April this year, was started in 2003 by members of Ruhengri Diocese as well as private and civil society professionals.

The institute’s Rector, Fr. Dr. Deogratias Niyibizi, described the accreditation as a milestone in the institute’s objective of providing specialised higher education enhanced by research work.

He challenged the graduates to exhibit a high level of innovativeness in order to meaningfully serve the nation.
In his speech, the Chairman Board of Directors, Dr Jean Baptiste Nduwayezu, revealed that INES is set to introduce Masters programme in Financial Management and Banking and increase on the number of lecturers.

The best three students who graduated with first class honours degree were awarded with laptops, and Rwf50,000 each curtsey of the Kenya Commercial Bank and  BCR.

The well attended ceremony was preceded by a moment of silence in remembrance of Daphrose Nyiramajyambere, a student who died a few days to her graduation.

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