Students in Technical and Vocational Education and Training must work hard to have better or excellent results, the Minister of State in charge of TVET, Albert Nsengiyumva, has said.

He made the remarks during the third graduation ceremony of the College of Technology at Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre (IPRC) Kigali.

"Our mission is to have high quality skilled human resource; meaning that it is not all about going to a vocational school, but going there to study hard and pass with good marks or grade, not passes,” Nsengiyumva said.

He appealed to the students to be disciplined and give enough time to their studies if they want to excel.

During the function, 515 graduates were awarded advanced diplomas in various disciplines. They included ICT and Electronics, Biomedical Engineering Technology, Electronics with Telecommunication and Electronic Technology.

The others were Construction and Technology, Air Condition and Refrigeration, Production and Manufacturing Technology, Environment Management and Water Technology and Automobile Technology.

Nsengiyumva urged the young generation, especially young women to embrace TVET, saying the government is committed to giving support to the various technical and vocational institutions to provide quality education. For instance out of the 515 graduates, only 96 were female. 

The chairman of the Board of Directors for the Workforce Development Authority (WDA), John Bonds Bideri, called on graduates to stick to professionalism in their respective disciplines.

He reminded them (graduates) of their obligations, saying they have a responsibility to develop both themselves and the country through building a vibrant private sector.

"This is not the end but the beginning of a long journey that awaits you (graduates); and you are therefore expected to use your skills to turn challenges into opportunities,” he said.

During the graduation, eighteen best performers were given laptops for their hard work. Some of them were given internship offers by various companies and they will be earning a monthly pay.