EASTERN PROVINCE

RWAMAGANA — Sr. Epiphanie Mukabaranga was on Sunday installed as the new Rector of Ecole des Science Infirmieries (ESI)-Rwamagana.

Bishop Alphonse Ntaganda, of the Catholic Church presided over the welcome mass at Rwamagana Cathedral, which also marked the official opening of the new academic year 2008, before heading to the school’s main hall for the rest of the ceremony.

In her acceptance speech, Mukabaranga appreciated the appointment and promised to propel the school to high levels.

"I am happy to be appointed to head ESI Rwamagana. I will work closely with all responsible authorities in order to start offering full bachelor’s degrees in medicine," Mukabaranga promised.

She explained that the school currently offers diplomas in nursing and midwifery.

Her predecessor Sister Josephine Mukamunana, noted that the school had achieved a lot during her ten- year tenure; including transformation of the school from ordinary level, to advanced level and now to a higher learning institution offering diplomas [A1]

She said that until 2006 when the school was accredited to offer A1 qualifications, it was still offering A2 diplomas since its establishment in 1962.

She revealed that she has been transferred to Kamonyi district where she would be working in the Bernadine Family of Sisters.

Alphonsine Murekatete, the district vice mayor in charge of social affairs acknowledged the importance of higher education in the country’s development and urged the administrators to have the same focus.

Countrywide there are only five institutions offering diplomas nursing and midwifery [Ecole des Science Infirmieries]. They include: ESI-Rwamagana, ESI Kibungo, ESI Nyagatare, ESI Byumba and ESI Kabgayi.

District leaders, representatives of Bernadine Family of Sister from across Africa, religious leaders and other educators of different schools attended the function.

Ends