The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), Rwanda Chapter, in partnership with MasterCard Foundation over the weekend donated laptops to 174 girls who are currently undertaking university studies at INES Ruhengeri in Musanze District.

The recipients who are students from vulnerable families are among the beneficiaries of FAWE scholarship programme which targets girls pursuing science-related subjects.

According to FAWE Rwanda programmes and advocacy manager, Theodore Mutabazi, the laptops were provided to facilitate the beneficiaries’ studies.

"Since our scholarship recipients undertake science subjects it is paramount to provide them with requisite technology tools for them to maximise their studies given the fact that today’s world evolves rapidly,” he noted.

The beneficiaries welcomed the development promising to excel in their academic endeavors saying the newly acquired computers will help them conduct extensive research, among other uses.

"These laptops will change a lot in our studies here at university; it has not been easy because some courses were practically impossible to undertake without a computer,” said Divine Icyezumutima.

The INES Ruhengeri vice rector for academics, François Niyonzima Niyongabo echoed the students’ sentiments stressing that it was not an easy task to provide assignments to students who do not have computers.

"The laptops come at the right time given the fact that INES Ruhengeri looks to become a smart campus, but having students who do not own computers slowed down this commitment,” he said.

Beside INES Ruhengeri, FAWE Rwanda also donated laptops to 168 girls from other universities countrywide.

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