Kigali Independent University (ULK) and the ULK Polytechnic Institute (UPI), on Friday, December 15, graduated 1,113 new professionals at undergraduate and masters’ levels.
Trained in courses including law, computer science, development studies, international relations, economics, finance and accounting, electrical technology, electronics and telecom technology, land surveying and construction, the graduates come from various countries, especially within the African continent.
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ULK has thousands of students from 33 different nationalities.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony, ULK’s Vice Chancellor Innocent Nkundabatware, said the university not only provides training but also promotes research, reaches out to the communities, and equips students with ethics that are needed in life.
He appreciated the government of Rwanda under the leadership of President Paul Kagame for the good governance, and peace and security enjoyed in the country. He also expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Education for supporting ULK on its journey of educating the young generation.
The Principal of UPI, Jean Pierre Musabyimana, referred to the graduation as a significant moment in the institution’s journey, as he promised to continue working towards educating people who will provide solutions to Rwanda’s problems.
"At ULK Polytechnic Institute, our focus extends far beyond mere graduation numbers. These graduates represent solutions sent forth to foster sustainable development in alignment with the millennium development goals,” he noted.
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He said the graduates showcased remarkable prowess and innovated solutions. He expressed hope that they will exceed the expectations of the job market.
"We are firmly committed to aligning ourselves with Rwandan policies and ensuring our education offering remains in harmony with national and international aspirations,” he said.
Professor Rwigamba Balinda, the Founder and President of ULK, said the university and its polytechnic institute are strongly committed to ensuring a higher quality of education and research, increasing the number of highly qualified lectures, infrastructure and equipment, in addition to upgrading the use of IT in teaching.
On a specific note, he talked about the importance of "complete education” that not only offers knowledge and skills but ethics and values.
"When we speak of education we speak about knowledge, performance, and skills; but there is a component which is so important but unfortunately it is neglected. It is what we call the conscience component,” he said.
"In simple words, it is the ethical values which are part of ‘Be.’ We say, complete education is the combination of be, know, know how, and perform,” he added.
Rose Mukankomeje, the Director General of the Higher Education Council, addressed the graduates, telling them about the significance of education to the nation.
"If you want to kill a nation you don&039;t need an atomic bomb! You don't need a missile! You just have to kill the education,” she said.
"If the education system dies, the lawyers produced are going to handle cases poorly, patients will die in the hands of doctors who are not even real doctors, buildings will collapse because they were built by engineers who are not well educated."
Mukankomeje appealed to the audience to work hard so as to ensure that the country’s education is protected, nurtured, and always improved.