US based Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in partnership with the government have finalized plans to open up a Campus in Rwanda, with the Minister of Finance, John Rwangombwa and the University’s Executive Vice President and Provost, Mark Kamlet, signing the agreement, last week.

While addressing an audience at the University on Friday, President Paul Kagame commended the partnership emphasizing that the Rwandan campus will help build a knowledge-based economy and boost the country’s science and technology ambitions.

Rwanda has invested heavily in information and communications infrastructure, however, there are still challenges whereby the available human resource capacity needs to elevated to meet the demands of the country’s development agenda, as well as today’s technological advancements.

CMU is globally recognized for integrating development in its education programs and what developing countries need is the skills, knowledge and innovation that can uplift the people out of poverty and propel the countries to greater heights.

Furthermore, having a campus in Rwanda will not only bring down the costs of training, but will also ensure accessibility of quality education as well as the transfer of skills in a more sustainable way to the benefit of Rwandans and other students from the region.

And, with the partnership including the setting up of an innovation incubator and a research center, there is no doubt that local students will develop ideas tailor-made to their country’s needs.

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