RIA old students launch alumni association

Last Saturday, scores of Rwanda International Academy (RIA) old boys and girls converged at ETO Kicukiro, in a colourful ceremony to launch the Rwanda International Academy Old Students Association (RIAOSA). Theold students from different parts of the country held a reunion to catch up and network as potential clients of each other in their different work areas. According to the Coordinator Organising Committee Dr. Gilbert Biraro, RIAOSA aims to boost friendships, business ventures and networks not only to generate mutual benefit but also enhance people-to-people links and cooperation. Dr. Biraro stressed the significance of establishing RIASOA as a testimony to the commitment of the former students to stay connected to fellow alumni in the Diaspora. The new association plans to build relations with different institutions and entities in the country to nurture the vision of the association. “We hope to have regular exchanges with all former students and use different skills possessed by them to contribute to development activities of our country,” Dr. Biraro said. He added that: “The association will also support our young brothers and sisters in Kagarama S.S.S in career development, moral education, and more in areas such as public governance, public sector reform and human resource management.” The former Headmaster of RIA Peter Claver Nkurunziza, who was the chief guest, noted that many of its former students had become prominent people in the country, an achievement he attributed to the knowledge they acquired from the school. Nkurunziza said that he was glad that his former students had come together for a common cause and share collective experiences to benefit their younger brothers and sisters, as well as the society. The representative of RIA Old Students who lives in Diaspora, Elvin Mutesi, urged Old Students living in different parts of the world, to come together through the association to share the skills, knowledge and talents. The event also included thrilling performances by various artistes, including former students of RIA such as Canada-based Rwandan singer/model Frankie Joe. Rwanda International Academy was the first English secondary school in Rwanda after the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, and an academic giant, at least until the late 90s. linda.mbabazi@newtimes.co.rw

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RIA old students launch alumni association