The Independent Institute of Lay Adventists of Kigali (Inilak)– Nyanza campus, on Thursday, awarded masters and bachelors degrees to over 170 students in different disciplines.

During the ceremony, the graduates who comprise 150 with bachelors and 23 (masters), were challenged to use the skills they have acquired to develop the country.

The Inilak rector, Dr Jean Ngamije, urged the graduands to be role-models, innovators and good ambassadors of Inilak  in their communities.

"It is good to celebrate your achievement but you should think about the task ahead of you. You have to work hard to develop yourselves, your families and, most  importantly, your country,” Ngamije said.

He reminded the graduands that a bachelors or masters degree is not the highest academic achievement and challenged them to aim higher.

Peter Nkubara, the Chairperson of the Inilak Board of Directors, commended the graduates for working hard during their stay at the university and urged them to be creative, innovative and shun  fear which, he said, is an enemy of success.

"The knowledge you have acquired is enormous. I have entrepreneurial skills and I am ready to exploit them maximally,” said Edouard Hakizumwami, who graduated with an MBA.

Started as a parents’ initiative, Inilak opened in 1997 and has so far graduated over 5,000. Its main campus is in Kigali with two campuses in Nyanza and Rwamagana.

According to the rector, Inilak will soon open other campuses in different districts with Karongi being the next on call.