Banque Populaire du Rwanda (BPR) was on Sunday, November 14 honoured to witness and take part in the 27th graduation ceremony of the Adventist university of Central Africa (AUCA) in Kigali.

The ceremony was attended by different dignitaries from the government of Rwanda, educators, parents and students among others.

AUCA awarded 39 students with a Master’s degree and 352 with a Bachelor’s degree.

During the ceremony, the BPR awarded five outstanding graduates from different faculties, as part of its efforts to support Rwandan Higher Learning Institutions deliver quality education.

Each outstanding performer from the five faculties was given a laptop.

In addition to the laptops, the bank also offered them a 12 months’ professional internship opportunity to each of the top 5 students, to equip them with the needed and up-to-date skills preparing them for the job market.

Speaking at the ceremony, BPR Chief Business Officer, Xavier Mugisha Shema said that the bank is highly committed to the development of the education sector in Rwanda.

"Education is among the pillars of Rwanda’s vision 2050, and as a bank, we are actively involved in the communities of our members through our philanthropic investments and sponsorships where we facilitate access to education, women and girls’ empowerment,” he noted.

"So, joining hands with the university and awarding these top graduates today, only affirms our commitment towards the development of the education sector in Rwanda" he added.

Shema also pledged the bank's commitment towards consistently working with other stakeholders in different sectors of economy to ensure the wellbeing of the Rwandan society.

"On behalf of the bank’s leadership, I pledge our commitment to always put our human and financial resources together and to work with other government and non-government stakeholders involved in the education and other sectors to contribute to the economic and social well-being of people and communities", he highlighted.

One of the awarded students, Amandine Nukwiri, a nursing graduate, said that the awards came as a motivation to their careers.

"It is very amazing that such a financial institution would think about us, and motivate us with these awards, and also put a hand in their careers by giving a free professional internship, it is an encouragement,” she commented.

Banque Populaire du Rwanda Plc registered an after-tax profit of Rwf 3.8 B in 2020 amid the global pandemic that has slowed down local and international economic activity.

BPR has the largest banking network with over 137 branches and 350 agents and 51 ATM machines supported by mobile and internet banking platforms.