State scholarship recipients must return to build nation

Ten years ago, President Paul Kagame started the Rwanda Presidential Scholarship Programme, whose main objective is to build the country’s human resource. About 20 universities in the United States of America have partnered with the government on this programme that has so far benefited hundreds of young Rwandans. Some of the scholars have already returned home to contribute towards nation-building. One of them is Jean-Léon Iragena, a graduate of Applied Mathematics and Quantitative Economics from Millsaps College in Mississippi, who return home a day after his graduation. He told Sunday Times why he rushed back home: What are you doing now after graduating? Jean-Léon Iragena. (Courtesy) Currently, I am running a couple businesses. I have been running the Isaro Foundation [that promotes the reading culture in schools] since three years ago, but now I am also working with two other businesses that I helped establish. One is a telecommunication company and the other is an online newspaper. You have not media background, even while a student. How do you dabble in the media industry? Starting a newspaper, like Ubukungu.com, that specialises in business news does not require one to be a journalist. It just requires an idea and the right people to help you implement it. There was a need for a special newspaper that only focuses on business, given Rwanda’s economic growth. All newspapers do not necessarily have to concentrate on politics. You got a scholarship to study in the USA and unlike some students, you opted to return home almost immediately. Why? That is a good question! I was given a scholarship to go and acquire knowledge and bring it back. It was like a mission; a serious mission indeed. Moreover, the country paid for my studies. It was my responsibility to come back. Do you miss being in the United States of America? Yes, I do, as much as I would be missing Rwanda if I were in the USA. This is what’s wrong with living abroad, you will always have people you miss no matter where you are. Do you plan to go back to the US? Of course I will – and that will be for education purposes. When time comes, I will go back to pursue graduate studies and return home soon after. How would you advise other Rwandan students who do not return home after completing studies abroad? Rwanda is home, no matter what. I think instead of enjoying the opportunities and resources in developed countries, we should focus more on creating those opportunities back in our country. Those developed countries were once poor as well. It is true that we may not live to see our countries develop on the same standards, but we can at least make our contribution to the transformation process.

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State scholarship recipients must return to build nation