61 students complete civic training ahead of departure to US

GABIRO — Sixty one science students who received undergraduate scholarships to study in the United States have completed one-week civ orientation at Gabiro School of Infantry in the Eastern Province.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

GABIRO — Sixty one science students who received undergraduate scholarships to study in the United States have completed one-week civ orientation at Gabiro School of Infantry in the Eastern Province.

The training locally called ‘Itorero’ was organised by the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) in collaboration with Rwanda Defense Forces (RDF).

The students were awarded scholarships after scoring highly in science subjects in their A level examinations last year. Twenty of them have already started their studies,

Officially closing the training recently, RDF Chief of General Staff, Gen. James Kabarebe urged the students to maintain the credibility of the country.

"We know competence is what made you to be here to day. But you should not give up and be redundant when you reach there," Gen. Kabarebe said. He added, that the only resource Rwanda has is its population and with much competence, a tremendous success could be achieved.

Gen. Kabarebe reminded students that despite Rwanda being geographically small, it is big in concept.

He told them to keep in mind what they acquired from the training and focus on transforming their motherland with the knowledge they will get abroad.

"It is always easy for human beings to make commitments but most fail to reach sustainability, which you should eliminate in your minds," he said.

Kabarebe explained in his closing presentation, the structure of RDF, right from the liberation struggle up to post-conflict reconciliation.

Allain Shema, who spoke on behalf of other students, thanked the President (Kagame) for maintaining a good foreign policy which earned them scholarships.

Shema promised to stick on their culture and struggle for their country’s development.

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