Editor, REFERENCE IS made to Adam Kyamatare’s article, “What a generation of scholarships can do” (The New Times, May 21). That’s a good piece. As to whether or not these students return, perhaps the bigger question should be: are there opportunities commensurate to their education in Rwanda? If a student leaves Rwanda and spends four years abroad, say in the USA, there are immediate opportunities available by virtue of the education, excellence and field of study (sciences, engineering and technology being more favoured). Such a student could be offered a lucrative postgraduate opportunity or a job with benefits and a lifestyle that beats anything they can experience in Rwanda. What does Rwanda offer to them? Government should create programmes to accommodate such people and give them opportunities that match what they get. Many of these students also have qualifications in fields that are too advanced, and not even developed in Rwanda, and would therefore be underutilised. For instance, I know a young man who returned home with a degree in Bio-Engineering from California and now works in a government department doing what looks like clerical work that any graduate can do. I suggest that the Ministry of Education and government create a multimillion dollar fund and incubator programme whereby such brilliant youth can come back to develop and pitch new ideas from within their fields of training and get seed funding to start such new concepts in Rwanda. This fund does not need to be for full projects but rather to get them started and help them obtain even more funds through banks. If these youth are not facilitated to reach their fullest potential and maximise the skills they have acquired, then it is better for them to stay abroad than to decorate offices in Kigali while losing their intellectual edge. James Uwizeye, Nicaragua ************************ I THANK Mr. Kyamatare for a well-written review of the government initiatives. I find it a bit lacking though. The article doesn’t provide full insight. While the author provided numbers of students sent, it would be equally important to specify the return rate as well (in my humble opinion). Moreover, as we weigh in the impact of one of those graduates as they come home, it is crucial to understand that the acquired knowledge from school is not always (emphasis on the word always as some cases are different) “full education”. I think that as these students go on to graduate and start working in their specific fields abroad, they will gain valuable experience. As our economic landscape changes, and as we see foreign investor coming in with a need for skilled workforce, these groups of Rwandans with invaluable experience will return home. I understand that this is speculation, but I would like to stay optimistic that our skilled compatriots will eventually come back and serve their country. I once again thank The New Times for providing a platform for discussion. Kali, Rwanda
