SA university to contribute to capacity building

VILLAGE URUGWIRO - A high powered delegation from the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg, South Africa, is in the country to study how the University can contribute to capacity building in Rwanda. The delegation is led by its Vice Chancellor, Prof. Loyiso Nongxa. Speaking at a workshop yesterday at Village Urugwiro, Prof. Nongxa said that linking the Wits University to Rwanda fits in the university’s vision with its “Africa focus”. “I believe that Wits will make a valuable contribution, since the past has already led to some excellent results”. Wits University has already trained many Rwandan professionals in different fields including many doctors, most of whom are already working in the country’s health sector. He added that some of the proposed ideas can be implemented immediately, including sending Rwandan staff in key institutions to Wit’s departments. “When this is done, it will enable rapid capacity building in these institutions” he noted. The team identified several areas where Rwandans could train at Wits. These fields include engineering, where Wits could take up to fifteen undergraduate and post graduate students at Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate levels. Other identified fields are health sciences, journalism, management, leadership and demography. The South African University will also contribute towards the enhancement of policy making, planning, and curriculum development in Rwanda. The Wits team held discussions with a team from the Presidency, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Public Service and Labour and the Private Sector Federation (PSF). The head of the Policy and Strategy Unit in the Office of the President, Dr. David Himbara said that this program would play a major role in Rwanda. “This program is very important for both institutional and human resource development,” said Himbara. He added that a joint team of both sides will redefine the Wits-Rwanda program which will be presented to all stakeholders when the South African University’s team comes back to Rwanda. The Wits University team also included Professor Yunus Ballim the University’s Vice-Principal and Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of academics. Ends