NYANZA - The Governor of the Southern Province, Fidele Ndayisaba, Thursday officially launched the Nyanza campus of the Institute of Lay Adventists of Kigali (INILAK), in a colourful ceremony that was attended by high-ranking government officials, university staff and students.

The governor commended the leadership of the university for making tertiary education more accessible to people in rural areas by setting up a satellite campus in the district.

The new campus that will cost an estimated Rwf 3 billion when completed runs two faculties; the faculty of Law and that of Economic Sciences.

Among the courses to be offered on the new campus include Rural Development, Information Management, Management and Law with plans to introduce more faculties once the entire infrastructure is in place.

Dr Jean Ngamije, the Rector of INILAK, said that the opening of the campus will meet the need for university education, especially for residents of the districts of Ruhango, Nyamagabe, Nyanza and some parts of Huye.

He said that there were plans to introduce short courses to help people who are already employed improve their skills.

"We are committed to supporting the development vision of the country that aims at setting people free from poverty,” Dr Ngamije said.

The Institute has so far registered 306 students pursuing various courses with more expected to join at the start of the 2011 academic year.

District Mayor Abdallah Murenzi also welcomed the opening of the new campus saying it was a major boost to the district.

He added that apart from making tertiary education more accessible to people from the district and neighbouring areas, local residents will also benefit from employment opportunities that the institute will offer.

Already, more than 300 people are engaged in construction activities at the campus that occupies 12 hectares of land and is expected to cover 30 Ha once completed.

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