University of Technology and Arts of Byumba (UTAB) in partnership with SKOL Brewery have organised an agricultural school competition involving 11 secondary schools from across the country to help showcase to young Rwandans the opportunities that are in the sector. Prof. Abbe Faustin Nyombayire, the vice chancellor UTAB, says that the competition is aimed at orienting students to think critically and linking the academic industry with the corporate world by selling their products to earn a living. The competition will involve presentation of agricultural, environmental, renewable energy products with the prospect to enhance rural farming communities’ livelihoods. Nyombayire added that such competitions help students have confidence through their presentation which spurs their confidence, a crucial virtue for public speaking. “Pre-selections have started in some schools where the best students with innovative ideas are chosen. While awarding points we base on the skills a student has and how best they are able to present their project,” says Alexandre Rutikanga, the Director of Research and Consultancy, UTAB. According to Tite Gatabazi, SKOL Company Secretary, the company is supporting students’ agriculture business ideas because they want excellence and quality products produced by them, that way, the outstanding candidates will be given internship placements and employment at SKOL. He notes that girls are so far competing favourably against boys with the leading school being EFA Nyagahanga where Allen Umulisa earned 84.1 in a project titled bee-keeping field school. As part of her project, she will focus on honey production. Charlotte Vumiliya from the same school scored 80 per cent in her project known as starch processing technology. Other innovative ideas include dry meat preservation technology by Peninah Karungi, cabbage juice processing by Pierrie Byumvuhore from EAV –Kabutare, Huye, among others. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
