There is need for the education sector to understand local needs and deliver quality education that responds to those needs for sustainable development.

Northern Province governor Aimé Bosenibamwe made the remarks, last week, during the launch of the University of Kigali, Musanze campus.

Bosenibamwe said with the mushrooming private universities and schools, there is need for those universities to design relevant courses and train graduates who fit in the current demanding labour market.

He hailed the University of Kigali for opening a branch in Musanze, saying it would help area residents acquire skills and help in the development of the area.

He urged the university to introduce courses tailored to area needs such as tourism and hotel management, agriculture among others to put them in position to contribute effectively to the socio-economic development of the economy.

"The University of Kigali needs to invest more in infrastructure development and have own buildings to change the image of the city. There is also need to introduce more faculties such soil management department, agriculture, urban development, technology and ICT, business among others as this area is well positioned geographically,” said Bosenibamwe.

Prof. Manasseh Nshuti, the chair of the board of promoters at the University of Kigali, said the varsity remains committed to offering quality education that responds to local needs.

Centre for governance

Prof. Nshuti said the university has established a centre for good governance that trains leaders in professional governance, helping them acquire professional skills such as budgeting, auditing among others.

He said the university plans to introduce a special faculty of tourism and hotel management, adding that they have applied for a licence to have a fully-fledged faculty targeting Musanze to help people in the area acquire skills that would help them cope with the touristic area.

The University of Kigali has three faculties; of Business Management and Economics; Computer Science; and Architecture.

Students enrolled in Musanze campus said having the university at their locality has eased access to tertiary education.

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