Atta Ogwu: On being part of Rwanda’s development

Professor Abraham Atta Ogwu, rector of the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) is one of the people that would like to be part of Rwanda’s development though he is not Rwandan national. “I am British by nationality,” he says. Whereas many cherish living in Europe or North America, Ogwu chose to leave the United Kingdom (UK) for Rwanda. This time not in search for greener pastures but having the urge to help KIST be part of the Vision 2020 target goals of Rwanda. “Rwanda is a progressive African country with a stable leadership and developments,” said the professor adding that he is proud to be part of its success. Ogwu is of Nigerian origin but because he has spent most of his life in the UK, he got British nationality. He holds a PhD in material science from Manchester University in England. He attended Cambridge University in England, Oxford University and University of Stirling, Scotland. Ogwu lectured in several Universities in the UK. KIST is the first African University he has been to and more so as a rector. To him, this is a great opportunity to share all his knowledge with the Rwandans. He is a believer in what technology can do for a country’s development, and understands its dynamism. “Technology develops now and then, its necessary that KIST participates in its development,” said the rector who has been at KIST for two months as rector. Within that short period as KIST rector he has managed to establish grounds for the flow of Information Technology (IT) and competence for KIST graduates in the outside world. Ogwu says KIST is featuring transfers from Western Universities so as to exchange their experience with KIST students. “This will give room to competence,” he says. KIST has also established a monitory lab to help its engineers have more practical lessons. “Technology is practical and should have an impact on the society,” says Ogwu. Ogwu hopes to make Rwanda the source of information technology and KIST the base of all this. “A saying goes, that when a dwarf sits on a giant’s shoulders, he can get clear vision more than the giant, and in this case we are the dwarf,” says Ogwu, implying that Rwanda is still at low levels of development in the field of IT but will catch up soon. He envisions KIST moving ahead with in the period of two years. “Currently they have expert programs from Scotland but within two years they will have tripled. With in two years time KIST graduates will be able to establish their own companies other than job seeking,” assures the Professor. He says that Rwandans will be able to access news on mobile phones and it will be one of the best achievements IT will have done. “Because of the plan that we have, we are attracting quality staff,” he says. About his family, Abraham says he is married “I assure you, KIST is part of the 2020 developments,” he concludes. Ends