KIGALI - Kigali Institute of Management (KIM) yesterday held its first graduation ceremony, awarding 289 Bachelors degrees in Business Management (BBM) majoring in accounts and finance.

Six were awarded first class degrees of whom four were female, 64 second upper, 190 second lower while 29 got a pass.

KIM  Rector, Prof. Daniel M. Oruoch, commended the graduates and parents for the support and cooperation.

"It shows commitment and hard work. You have been able to achieve your dreams, but this should not be the end, it is the beginning and you should even aim higher,” Oruoch said.

The graduates included those who completed their studies in 2009, 2010 and last year.

The  Chairman of the institute’s Board of Director`s, Peter Rutaremara, said that KIM is determined to be a leader in producing competitive graduates, not only in the country but in the region.

"In Rwanda today, we only have 50 professional accountants. Therefore, we are focused on producing graduates with professional skills,” Rutaremara said.

He pointed out that the institute has introduced a professional course in accounting –the Certified Public Accountancy (CPA), saying that alongside the degree course, students are encouraged to take the course.

Rutaremara who doubles as the president of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR), said that by 2012, about 50 professional accountants must be produced each year to bridge the gap in the accounting profession.

The Minister of Education, Damien Pierre Habumuremyi, who is also the institute`s Chancellor, encouraged the graduates to pursue further studies.

"Currently, the government is reviewing the scholarship programme to ensure that students can use this chance to go for further studies,” Habumuremyi said.

The Minister added that government’s emphasis on higher education is now based on experience and research that will find solutions to socio-economic problems.

Speaking to The New Times, one of the graduates, Judith Nyakato, said the time she spent at the institute was worth it.

"It has been a long journey and for sure, it has not been easy to come to this level, but what I have achieved today will make a great change in my life,” said Nyakato, who was awarded a First Class Degree.

As a reward to the best six students, the institute gave them scholarships to undertake the Certified Public Accountancy (CPA) course.

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