University graduates told to create jobs

Graduates have been advised to create jobs rather than look for them. The call was made by the Kigali Independent University (ULK) president, Prof. Dr. Balinda Rwigamba. Rwigamba urged the 1,696 graduates to have confidence in their careers in order to achieve their goals in life. He also told them to take advantage of “Hanga Umurimo”, the government’s programme meant to support job creators. He noted that graduates who want to be successful in life must have faith, be positive, have integrity, be principled and cooperative. “But as an institution, we always make a follow up of our students and help them in their careers in order to succeed,” Rwigamba said. The guest of honour and mayor City of Kigali, Fidele Ndayisaba, commended ULK for promoting education and supporting the development programmes of the country. He also commended the university for giving scholarships to vulnerable students. Since 2001, 2,874 students have been granted bursaries in both Kigali and Gisenyi branches of ULK. The graduates were from the departments of computer science, finance, law, development studies, sociology, international relations, population studies, economics and accounting. Of the 1,696 graduates, 941 (55.5%) were females, while 941 (44.5%) were males. The vice rector of academic affairs, Prof. Dr. Kalisa Mbanda, urged the graduates to value their qualifications and to use them effectively to change their status and that of other citizens.