The School of Finance and Banking (SFB) has awarded certificates to over 300 students who have completed training in professional procurement courses.The 2nd certificate awarding ceremony was held yesterday in Kigali under the theme “Twinning arrangement to develop capacity in procurement for Rwanda.”The director general, Rwanda Public Procurement Authority (RPPA), Augustus Seminega said that training in professional short courses in procurement is in line with government’s plan to ensure good public procurement practices through skilled manpower.“Initially, we had no institution offering such courses. I am happy that now our procurement officers can undertake such trainings here in Rwanda and, in turn, our employees acquire more skills,” Seminega said, adding that he was optimistic that the graduands will contribute to good practices to public procurement.He called on the students to implement what they had learnt and also encourage their colleagues in the same field to pursue such professional courses. He further called for more people to take on these courses since there is still a wide skills gap especially in public institutions.SFB acting rector Papias Musafiri Malimba underlined the need to create a critical capacity building in the field of procurement as it still lacks skilled professionals.He appealed to employers to facilitate their employees to acquire such skills and called on the graduands to study all the seven modules of the professional procurement courses.Jean Pierre Munyabugingo, a procurement consultant and one of the graduands who was also awarded a certificate of trainer, said he had acquired a lot of knowledge in the four courses he had studied under the programme.“I did a course in training of trainers, procurement for good, works and services. These courses are very practical and the knowledge I acquired is going to help me perfect my work. As a trainer I will definitely assist people and organisations where there is a need.”Peace Asiimwe, an accountant with RPPA, received a certificate in project management and procurement planning. She says it was additional knowledge as an accountant.“This course has broadened my understanding of procurement practices and processes. I have learnt about the laws and regulations, the process of getting a tender among other things which I intend to put in practice.” Asiimwe said.Various students received certificates in different fields of; project management and planning, procurement for goods, works, services, audit, and logistics, advanced contract management, and of these seven were awarded certificates for training of trainers.A law is in the pipeline to put in place an institution in charge of accrediting procurement officers in the country in a bid to enhance professionalism.
