The Insider: Rwanda Tourism University College reducing skills gap through partnerships

Starting as a small training centre offering only certificate courses in 2006, situated in Kigali, Kicukiro in Inind house, the University has now turned into a recognized private University in Africa. The university started with a number of 500 students offering restaurant management and travel and tourism. In 2007 the ministry of education after taking all the necessary systematic surveys to prove its competence in the education system accredited the University to serve students, offering them with Diploma and degree courses in the field of hospitality and tourism. In 2008 the university came into partnership with Mt Kenya University. According to the Director of Rwanda Tourism University, Callixte Kabera, the partnership was aimed at making Rwandan students benefit from the many courses Mt Kenya University offers which are not being offered at the university. “Mt Kenya University is a well established university with all the ability to uplift the standard of our university to greater heights,” Kabera said. Kabera revealed that Rwandan students doing the same courses with those in Kenya are now able to attain education at a relatively cheap cost. He explained that the two universities came to an agreement that students in Rwanda should not pay the same with those in Kenya because these are two different economies. “Students in Kenya persuing the course at Mt Kenya University are paying USD 2700 while at Rwanda Tourism University they pay USD1000,”he explained. Explaining further, the Director said that the partnership is playing a great role in the university’s education advancement. He explained that it enjoys Mt. Kenya’s abilities to exchange lecturers when in need, Consultations for better decision making and other related issues. “Like at lower education levels, even at universities students are advised to read ahead. It will also aid the students in having their research work without complaints about the sources of their research since the first research source is the library,” he explained on advantage of sharing library facilities with the other University. “Mt Kenya is to enjoy some courses which it has also not been offering in Kenya. Those students who feel like undertaking these courses have now got the chance through the partnership”, Mt Kenya University Country Representative, Henry Joseph Musisi, said. Basing on the achievements the university is experiencing now in the shortest time, it has proved that that its one of the ways institutions can develop to the status of those already developed. The university college also went into partnership with Air Travel and Related Studies Centre. The institute is also based in Kenya, offering courses on International Air Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Management at large with combinations of I.A.T.A Diplomas and Business Studies. According to Kabera, this development will assist in boosting Rwanda and Kenya’s development through teaching, research, technological innovations in areas of their respective specialization and related fields. The collaboration will help in building human capacity and enhance professional skills of staff in both institutions through training, student industrial attachment, staff interactions and exchange of exchange experience and information. “Among other benefits expected from the partnership is training Rwandan students in the field of International Air Travel,” he said adding that that field is lagging behind in the country. He added that this will really be a great opportunity for Rwandan students. The collaboration was recognised by African cooperation and promotion of higher education in the region in which two Universities are members. Rwanda Tourism University College is among the private Universities in East Africa being recognised by the Inter University Council of East Africa as a member. Kabera said that the beginning was not easy. People had the impression that they were training just ‘future cooks’. He added that the other challenge is the costly laboratory equipment and other related tools since the University deals in practical studies. However, even with all the challenges, the University is proud to have registered over 1500 interested trainees. Hopefully, this will play a big part in reducing the skills gap recently revealed in the country. Ends