A tall, slender young student of Architecture and Environmental design, Crysta Joe Giraso, was on Friday night, crowned Miss Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). 

"I am grateful to announce that contestant N0. 4, Crysta Joe Giraso is Miss KIST 2011,” the former Miss KIST 2007 Winnie Ngamije announced.

Dr. John Peter Higiro, who initiated the contest in universities, was the chief of the panel that comprised five judges.

"I am so excited and I promise to be a good ambassador of my school. I will promote gender, discipline and sports among other things at KIST,” the overwhelmed Giraso promised after she was crowned Miss KIST.

The 20-year-old was one of six beauty contestants vying to win Rwanda’s most high-profile beauty competition.

Giraso’s mother, Julienne Mukandekezi, said that she was very happy for her daughter, adding that she had no doubt that she would be a good ambassador.

Giraso received a certificate presented by Lauren Makuza, who represented the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sports. Among others, she received a cash prize of Rwf200, 000, a VIP restaurant card for three months, courtesy of Camellia Tea House and SULFO products for one year.

The 1st and 2nd runners-up, Minerve Dukunde and Emeline Umurerwa were awarded Rwf100, 000 and Rwf50, 000, SULFO products for three months and certificates, respectively.

The Best Player in the sports category and the Best Student in Cultural related activities, were also awarded SULFO products, Rwf20, 000 and airtime worth Rwf20, 000.

Most attendees at the KIST beauty contest were students, the university’s staff, parents and officials of the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Culture and the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion.

The outgoing Miss KIST Clarisse Nshuti, Miss Universities Fiona Kamikazi, and Miss Burundi 2011, were also in attendance.

"I was surprised to know that KIST considers culture and sports among their key priorities,” Makuza noted.

"Its unfortunate that the contest has not yet reached to the level we wish it to be. The contest is about the brains, discipline and personality. A Miss is someone who has the brains, character and someone who can be an ambassador,” he said. 

In her remarks, the Rector of KIST Dr. Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya commended both the contestants for their bravery to participate in the beauty pageant and the event’s sponsors.

Dr. Mujawamariya also congratulated the two students, who emerged winners in the sports category and cultural activities. She encouraged students to participate in sports activities and embrace culture.

Tusker Project Fame season 3 contestant GilbertGabiro, Jay Polly, Ollili Oli, Kiz and the Inyamibwa cultural dance troupe entertained the audience.

The Inyamibwa cultural dance troupe is composed of students from KIST.

The beauty contest encourages Rwandan women to assert their intelligence, personality and confidence.

In Rwanda, the miss organisers have drafted their own criteria on the minimum and maximum height and weight requirements by averaging standards from American, British, and French competitions.

Ends