We reported, yesterday, that Kigali Institute of Management (KIM) was re-examining its academic modules to improve on the quality of graduates.

In any country, skills are a key necessity for development. The 2009 National Skills Audit indicated that there is a 40 percent deficit in the skills and expertise that the country requires to achieve its development goals.

It is, therefore, imperative that institutions start graduating professionals that are relevant to the country’s growing economy. We have experienced cases where employers take on university graduates, hoping that with their qualifications, their performance would be appreciated. Unfortunately, that is not the case. It is important to point out that this has affected all sectors.

For the institutions that are changing their modules, the new ones should be designed specifically to suit the Rwandan labour market. It is to the country’s benefit if employers are able to recruit from our institutions.

Academic institutions should conduct regular assessments of their programs and establish partnerships with organizations that study and monitor the labour market. There is no point in academic programs remaining static, in a rapidly changing environment.  This may not apply to all programs, but for most of them it does.

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