NUR, KIST to open faculties at Police Academy

The National University of Rwanda (NUR) and Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) will open faculties of Law and ICT respectively at the National Police Academy in Musanze District. This is in an effort to facilitate the Rwanda National Police (RNP) in its ongoing process to put in place a professionalised and knowledge-based force. The agreements which will see the faculties commence at the beginning of the next academic year, were signed yesterday between the Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel Gasana and the heads of the two institutions, Prof Silas Rwakabamba (NUR) and Dr Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya (KIST). The event held at the force’s headquarters in Kacyiru was graced by Ministers Fazil Musa Harelimana, of Internal Security and Pierre Damien Habumuremyi of Education counterpart,. The agreement follows another one signed four years ago between the force and Kigali Institute of Education (KIE) to provide degrees in Professional Police Studies. The first batch of 35 officers is scheduled to graduate next year. NUR will be providing a four-year degree course with 40 students per intake while KIST will be offering certificate, diploma and degree courses in ICT. Harelimana thanked the Ministry of Education for facilitating the force’s program which he said is “important to equip the officers with more knowledge to deal with the emerging crimes.” Habumuremyi, who commended the force for its role in the implementation of the Nine-Year Basic Education (9YBE), promised more support in building the capacity of the police. “You (police) are an organised institution and we are pleased with this partnership to further build your capacity. Having a knowledge-base force is for the good of the education sector and the country in general in effectively dealing with emerging crimes to have a secure nation,” Habumuremyi noted. He appealed for further partnership in the implementation of the 12-Year Basic Education scheduled to be launched this Saturday. ACP Felix Namuhoranye, the Commandant of the academy, said that the faculties will facilitate maintenance of the force’s general discipline. Namuhoranye disclosed that they are also in process of opening a forensic science faculty. Ends