AfDB pledges more support for ICT centre

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has pledged continued support for the establishment of the Regional ICT Centre of Excellence in Kigali. The centre will provide an academic and research programme based on the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) curriculum which is expected to start early next year. Carnegie Mellon University is a leading ICT university based in the United States. Speaking during a ceremony to mark the tripartite partnership between the Bank, the Government and CMU, Dr. Agnes Soucat, AfDB’s Director of Human Development said that the bank is proud to be part of the project. “The Bank will continue to partner with the country in ensuring that the Centre is a success. The academic and research opportunities to be offered will be linked to lower levels of the education and training systems, and will provide high quality skills,” she said Early this year, AfDB signed a $13 million loan agreement with the government for the construction and equipping of the Centre of Excellence. Dr Soucat said that the establishment of the centre is in line with the bank’s human development priorities which is part of its Medium Term Strategy for 2008-2012, and its higher education, science and technology strategy. “We hope that this unique tripartite partnership will inspire others in Africa and become an example for the continent. The Bank is ready to play a catalytic role in the development of science and technology in Rwanda,” she said. During the event, Bruce Krogh, Director of CMU in Rwanda, presented an overview of the project and highlighted its areas of focus. Dr. Mathias Harebamungu, minister of State-in-Charge of Primary and Secondary Education said that the Centre was expected to alleviate the need for students from the region to study abroad in pursuit of high quality graduate ICT education. “Students at the CMU Rwanda campus will benefit from the opportunity to obtain a globally competitive, research-based graduate education in Africa,” he noted. Harebamungu praised the AfDB for its support in the construction of the centre. Ends

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AfDB pledges more support for ICT centre