Rwanda Polytechnic, KOICA launch $16m project to boost workforce readiness

The Ministry of Education, in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Rwanda Office, are rolling out a five-year project aimed at making higher technical education more relevant, hands-on, and aligned with Rwanda’s growing industries. The project running between 2025 to 2030 is dubbed Higher Technical Education for Employment and Entrepreneurship (H3E) and will be implemented through Rwanda Polytechnic (RP), with a total budget of $16 million. Speaking at the inaugural H3E Steering Committee meeting held on February 22, Charles Karakye, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education who also serves as the Chair of the H3E Steering committee, said, “This project marks an important milestone in our efforts to position higher technical education as a key driver of innovation, employment, and entrepreneurship. By investing in advanced technical skills and modern learning environments, we are enabling young people to learn, compete, and thrive in an increasingly technology-driven economy.” Jinhwa Kim, Country Director of KOICA Rwanda, described the H3E Project as the “crown achievement” of more than 15 years of development cooperation between the Republic of Korea and Rwanda in the TVET Sector. She said, “KOICA’s journey in Rwanda’s TVET sector has evolved from building a foundation of access and infrastructure to institutionalizing quality systems. Today, with the H3E Project, we enter a third phase: The Era of Impact, Relevance, and Global Competitiveness.” Kim added that; “The project aims to develop higher technical education pathways, strengthen government-industry-academia collaboration, and produce innovation-ready graduates aligned with labor market needs. We are proud to see H3E emerge as a gold standard for higher technical education, not only in Rwanda, but across the region.” What H3E is about While Rwanda has made significant progress in expanding access to technical and vocational education and training, the H3E Project focuses on higher technical education that delivers advanced skills, industry relevance, and real-world problem-solving. This will contribute to the Rwandan aspirations in human capital development, socio-economic transformation and global integration and competitiveness, expressed in the broader Rwandan development strategies-NST2 and Vision 2050. Sylvie Mucyo, Vice Chancellor of Rwanda Polytechnic, said, “The H3E Project is an exciting step forward for Rwanda Polytechnic. It aligns closely with our mandate to deliver industry-relevant higher technical education and training. “ The project will specifically focus on programs like Manufacturing, Information Technology, and Electrical Technology, which are critical for Rwanda’s industrial and technology-driven development. Through improved infrastructure, modern equipment, and enhanced learning conditions at RP-Kigali College, RP-Ngoma college, and RP-Gishari college, the project will strengthen our ability to nurture graduates who are ready for the workplace, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The H3E Project will create a more competitive and industry-focused higher technical degree system, by introducing problem-based learning approach and combining hands-on learning, applied research, and exposure to real-world industry challenges in program delivery. With updated curricula, modern laboratories, workshops, equipment, students and faculty will engage in practical learning that builds strong technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and innovation. This approach not only strengthens connections with industry but also prepares graduates to step confidently into employment or launch their own ventures, contributing directly to Rwanda’s socio-economic transformation journey. Ensuring the project delivers To ensure the project delivers real impact, the H3E Project Steering Committee, chaired by the Ministry of Education and KOICA as the Co-Chair, has been set up to provide strategic guidance, ensure accountability, and fast-track implementation. The inaugural steering committee meeting has already set a strong foundation for the project’s smooth and effective rollout, ensuring that plans quickly translate into benefits for students and the broader economy. Building on a strong partnership H3E builds on KOICA’s long-standing partnership with Rwanda, which has supported transformative initiatives such as the Rwanda TVET Trainer Institute (RTTI), TVET Quality Management (TQUM) project, and the establishment of ICT Innovation Center. These previous interventions strengthened Rwanda Polytechnic’s ability to train skilled, industry-ready graduates. By combining institutional capacity, international expertise, and local leadership, the H3E Project demonstrates how strategic partnerships can accelerate skills development and drive socio-economic transformation, positioning Rwanda’s higher technical education system as a model for the region.

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Rwanda Polytechnic, KOICA launch $16m project to boost workforce readiness