NYAGATARE - Three hundred students at Umutara Polytechnic University were trained on job creation techniques and formation of cooperatives.

The training, organised by the university, seeks to equip students with knowledge and skills to create their own jobs.

Ponsias Mandwa, who heads the project that conducted the training, said this was part of a bigger campaign to make Rwandans become job creators.

"This training sharpens our students to become job creators instead of job seekers. We are very optimistic that they will not go to the streets looking for jobs after graduation,” he said.

He called on participants not to always wait for the government to provide for all citizens’ needs but instead seek for means to support the country’s development process.

One of the participants said he was impressed by the skills received from the three-day training.

"We learnt many avenues of creating jobs…and with these skills, I am ready to present my project proposal to banks for a loan instead of seeking jobs on the street,” he said.

Angelique Mutoniwase, another participant, said that as business students, they always had in place business plans, which remained on paper.

"We have gained a lot of knowledge to put into practice our business plans,” she said.

The training was attended by the university’s alumni and current students from various faculties at the university.

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