MUHANGA - The Internal Affairs and Sports Minister of Germany’s Rhineland- Palatinate, has encouraged Rwandans to promote educational initiatives as a way of propelling social and economic development in the country.

Karl Peter Bruch made the remarks while officially opening a new library at the Catholic Institute of Kabgayi (ICK), on Wednesday.

Bruch also handed over 14,000 text books donated by the US. Military base in Ramstein, in Germany. The donation also includes software and computers worth an estimated 10,000 Euros.

He was accompanied by a delegation of 21 comprising the German Ombudsman, European members of parliament and voluntary workers. The team was welcomed by Governor Fidele Ndayisaba, and Catholic Church leaders who led them around the university campus.

"This partnership is rooted in the heart of Germans, and such a donation is intended to promote education, and give an example of willingness to do something to produce change in our world,” Bruch said.

He hailed efforts by Elisabeth Eminger, who mobilized and coordinated the book collection, transportation and dispatch to Rwanda, in a bid to extend a hand in the promotion of education in Rwanda.

The ICK Rector, Father Vincent Kagabo, noted that the books were a good supplement to the existing books, and will promote English language, research and other social values among the students.

"This is a precious donation which will improve the standards of education, and English language as a medium of communication, to which we are committed,” Fr. Kagabo said.

Governor Ndayisaba hailed the German officials for their support to Rwanda. He compared this partnership to the love that exists among twins.

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