Science students to benefit from EWSA internship agreement

University students studying technology, engineering, mechanics and accounting will benefit from special internship slots and employment opportunities provided by the Energy, Water and Sanitation (EWSA) after an agreement was signed between their institutions and the government agency.This agreement came into force this week when the Managing Director of EWSA, Yves Muyange, signed a Memorandum of Understating (MoU) with representatives from the National University of Rwanda, Kigali Institute of Science and Technology, Kigali Institute of Management, the Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre and the Tumba College of Technology.“EWSA will benefit by receiving some of the best students as interns and potential job candidates in areas of interest. We will also expand our knowledge and skills base by participating in the school’s research and training activities,” Muyange said.Through this MoU, EWSA is mandated to provide internship for at least 18 graduates from each institution for a period not exceeding one year, with an average wage of Rwf200, 000 per month. The graduates must then be considered first for employment in existing vacancies once they have performed satisfactorily during their internship.“We discussed with officials from the Ministry of Education and resolved to boost our cooperation with industry leaders in terms of linking graduates to jobs in the country,” Silas Lwakabamba, the Rector of NUR said, adding that, “partnering with EWSA is a brilliant idea because our science students are assured of jobs.”EWSA will also provide research topics for students in a bid to improve their syllabuses and make them more relevant to the needs of the country.“This shows that employers are now more interested in the kind of programs that we teach. Through the understanding, our lecturers will know what is required in the modern market and agencies like EWSA will help us to improve our curriculum,” Jeanne d’Arc Mujawamariya, the Rector of KIST said.“We need more agency participation, either through the assurance of job positions, constructing school labs or even offering gifts to the best performing graduates.”Both parties have set up a joint team to closely supervise the resolutions and ensure smooth implementation of the agreement.