Universities have the duty to bridge skills gap

Following the release of the national A’level exams, the next thing on the minds of the students is joining higher institutions of learning, as they embark on a journey to a brighter future. The institutions, they are headed to should be prepared to transform them into a skilled workforce. In any society, skills are a necessity for development. The latest National Skills Audit shows a 40 percent deficit in the skills and expertise that Rwanda requires to achieve its development goals. It is, therefore, imperative that institutions start producing professionals who are relevantto the country’s growing economy. There have been cases where employers take on university graduates, hoping that with their qualifications, the performance would be appreciated. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. It is important to point out that this affects all sectors. For every new intake, there is opportunity to make things better. It is to the country’s benefit if employers are able to recruit from our institutions. Academic institutions should conduct regular assessments of their programs and establish partnerships with organizations that study and monitor the labour market. There is no point in academic programs remaining static, when the environment is changing every day. Ends

Opinions

Universities have the duty to bridge skills gap