NGOMA - 1,229 students Tuesday graduated with degrees in various disciplines at the first graduation ceremony of Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Education of Kibungo (INATEK).

The graduates were from the two main faculties at the Institute; 1,082 students from the Faulty of Education and 118 students from the Faculty of Rural Development.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Charles Murigande, who presided over the function, advised the graduates to use the knowledge and skills acquired to develop the country.
He told the graduates that the district expects much from them to improve its economy.

"You should be able to pull your district from its recent poor ranking,” he said.

"You all have had access to scientific knowledge and skills that you must apply…we advocate for applied science, because it is high time we shifted from teaching history of science”.

Father Dominique Karekezi, the Rector, said the institute was overjoyed by its first graduation ceremony, ever since its inception 7 years ago.

"We are like a newly born baby and its mother…I am convinced beyond doubt, that every member of our community is happy. With this graduation, our students will be able to go down and serve the nation,” he said.

The Rector emphasised that their aim is to serve the socio-economic needs of Ngoma District and the country at large.
Anatole Manzi, a graduate in psychology, thanked the government for accrediting the university which enabled them to acquire their degrees.

"We were tied in a way…you could not compete when you have never officially graduated. But now, we will compete for jobs with confidence,” he noted.

INATEK opened its doors in 2003, but had never been cleared by the Ministry of Education to offer degrees until recently.

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