Musanze–based Ruhengeri Institute of Higher Education (INES), yesterday, held its third graduation ceremony in which 604 students were conferred with degrees and diplomas in various disciplines including Languages and Applied Linguistics, Economics, Social Sciences and Management, Applied Fundamental Sciences and Law.The Minister of Education and Chancellor, Dr. Vincent Biruta, presided over the graduation ceremony. Since its establishment nine years ago, a total of 1,273 students have graduated from the institution.Biruta urged the graduates to be good ambassadors of the institution, and higher education as a whole, by exhibiting true professionalism."This is the time to fully utilise the knowledge you have just acquired to bring about transformation because what you have invested in this education is the fundamental key to success.” He said that his Ministry has rolled out a programme to facilitate students from private institutions of higher learning to undertake internship programmes to enable them acquire practical skills before they enter the job market.The minister challenged the new graduates to perform their duties with resilience and competence to enable the country attain the development it aspires.The Rector of the institution, Deogratias Niyibizi, asked the graduands to turn challenges into opportunities.He explained that during the course of its existence, INES has initiated a number of programmes that have helped in the socio-economic development of the neighbouring community."In order to ensure substantial food security, we have established services involving seed production, land management and methodology for gathering agricultural statistics to ensure food security.”He cited the recently established botanical garden for traditional medicine that is currently used as a centre of research.Niyibizi explained that his institution ventured into applied sciences rather than fundamental sciences to equip students with vital skills to enable them compete on the job market.The Rector said that the institution has put up a 3,500 capacity modern campus with the construction of a new administration block also underway.The overall best student, Jean Baptiste Ntabareshya, was rewarded with a cow. "I am overwhelmed with joy because all the efforts I put in my studies have eventually paid off,” he told The New Times.