SOUTHERN PROVINCE

HUYE – The National University of Rwanda (NUR) is set to hold its maiden students exposition which will highlight the institution’s activities to the public.

Talking to The New Times recently, the programme coordinator, Eddie Tushabe, said the exhibition is part of the recommendations made by consultants on how the university could market itself to the public.

"A lot of activities that take place at the university go unnoticed by the public. Students as stakeholders in the university will use this opportunity to exhibit products and services offered by the university, He stated”

"Prospective employers will have an opportunity to interact with their potential employees. This event accords an opportunity to students to know the skills and competences needed in the job market,” Tushabe added.

According to Tushabe, different faculties, centres, units and over 30 student associations will be part of the three-day expo which begins on March 27.

As part of the main event, the university has recently lined up a variety of activities.

"We held a photo contest in the Province in which participants were asked to take photographs of strategic areas in the province. Winning photographs will be showcased on a stand dubbed ‘Southern Province in pictures’. The photographs will be viewed by over 20,000 visitors expected to visit the province”, Tushabe added.

Another event involved an inter-school essay competition where 20 secondary schools participated in the contest. The best five students were selected to attend the student expo and they will be given prizes.

During the same event, a number of university roads, buildings and squares will be named. Students at the university are currently being consulted on the possible names to be given to these public places.

They are also expected to participate in a public debate under the topic ‘Rwanda Education System versus Job market and Regional Integration.’ Speakers will include the university Rector Prof. Silas Lwakabamba, and the Director General of the Rwanda Investment and Export Promotion Agency, Francis Gatare.

On the last day of the expo, different student groups will also showcase their skills in what has been described as a talent show, during the closing day of the expo.

NUR is the biggest and oldest public university in Rwanda. Since its inception in 1963, it has rolled out about 6,861 students in different fields of study. Over 3,000 students are expected to graduate this month during the university’s seventh graduation.

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