HUYE - Ten female students from the National University of Rwanda (NUR) have confirmed participation in this year’s beauty pageant, John Peter Higiro, president of Campus Initiative Promotion (CIP), the organisers of the annual competition has revealed. "We put up a notice last week informing the student community about the contest and in an instant a large number of girls where sending in their profiles.”

The record figure of contestants is believed to be a result of the outstanding success of outgoing Miss NUR, Carine Rusaro Utamuriza.

During her reign she represented Rwanda in many beauty pageants most notably the Miss World Youth contest in China, where she emerged tenth.

"Winners get the chance to spread the Rwandan culture to the outside world during the various competitions they represent the campus and the country,” Higiro explained.

Utamuriza along with 2006’s winner, Sharon Akanyana, and a professional from Uganda are guiding the contestants through the competition that will include for the first time different dress codes: cultural wear, evening wear, swimming pool attire, and creative wear.

Like last year, awards will be given to the winner and the runners up, but this time round there are special awards that other contestants can take home.

Fans will decide the winners of Miss Popularity, Miss Elegance and Miss Joliment Rwandaise on SMS Media. Other changes to protocol include a fee for those wanting to watch the competition.

Higiro explains: "this year’s event has taken a lot of revenue and personnel to organise, that’s why we are to charge a small amount.” The entrance fee is yet to be agreed upon.

Contestants for Miss Campus 2008 will have to tussle it out in front of a fleet of beauty queens from across the continent. They include Miss Ethiopia, Miss Tanzania, Miss Burundi, and Miss Congo among others. The final is to be held on May 23 in the Grand Auditorium of the NUR.

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