Editor,I wish to respond to the article, “Scholars tip University of Rwanda to succeed”, (The New Times, October 28).Many Rwandans have been wondering whether the education sector had a vision as from time to time many changes have been done without tangible effects apart from big numbers of graduates – unfortunately most of them not competitive enough on the regional job market.The cost and language factor have led to many young Rwandans opt for Ugandan universities, not necessarily because the latter provide better quality.I welcomed the idea of the University of Rwanda (UR) hoping that it will solve those problems. However, I wonder whether it will indeed solve the problem of quality, and proactively support research and scientific ventures, as well as academic and democratic debates that are some of the qualities of any major university.Moreover, I am wondering whether big spending on scholarships for Rwandan students in foreign universities will be reduced to help attract qualified and experienced lecturers. It would be a waste of resources and time if the University of Rwanda does not retain bright students in the country to develop technologies to transform our country.Since there is much talk about broadband lately, let me hope that lectures will be offered via video link technology, thus dramatically reducing the costs spent on visiting lecturers.Much as I do anticipate many challenges for UR including possible bureaucracy, infighting over privileges, destructive competition between colleges, underfunding of some subjects, and unequal allocation of budgets to colleges, I remain optimistic about the move but appeal for openness and competitiveness in the recruitment of the varsity staff.Innocent Hitayezu, Kigali
