Kibuye school wins Vocational expo award

The Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre (IPRC-West Kibuye) emerged the best exhibitor of the second Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) expo which closed on Tuesday.Speaking on behalf of the centre that is based in the Western Province, the Principal, Fredrick Mutangana said the centre is striving to provide the best skills and technology needed to develop the economy and fight poverty.“I am happy that our centre has been the best exhibitor this year which shows that our work is being recognised...it is also an indication that technical education is now becoming a priority,” he said.IPRC West Kibuye in Western Province is among the regional polytechnic centres meant to promote technical education for job creation.The centre exhibited various technologies in electrical and mechanical, engineering among others.Nyamata Technical Secondary School emerged second with best exhibitions in electrical and fabrications, followed by Remera Hospitality Centre that specialises in tourism and hospitality training.Technology experts say that with new innovations and skills, there is optimism that the country will be able to depend on local skills and technology needed to boost the private sector and increase the country’s competitiveness on both international and regional markets. “I have seen new technologies and innovations in this expo and I am sure this will help us supply the much-needed quality on the job market,” Jean Marie Vianney Mbyayingabo, a tutor at Tumba College of Technology said.The contemporary technologies that captivated people included the telephone-controlled switch which helps a user to turn on/off any electronic gadget, a wood drilling machine, among others. Others on display included local technologies in energy saving and environmental protection, inventions in construction, hotel and hospitality, art and craft, carpentry and wood works.Speaking on Tuesday at the closure of the expo, Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi said the government is prioritising the technical skills and knowledge as one way of developing the economy.“Skills and knowledge is the way forward to achieving sustainable development for our economy and eradicating poverty,” he said, adding that most developed countries embarked on developing skills and technology.He added, “TVET is key in our vision 2020 and part of our development strategy, we need support and cooperation from our esteemed partners both from outside and inside Rwanda.”Habumuremyi emphasised on integrating culture in technical vocational education noting that, “Our culture is rich and we can develop this into an industry and export it which can generate more revenues for our economy.” The Prime Minister called on private sector to assist the government in identifying the needs of the sector in terms of skills which will help in prioritising training based on the demand of the labour market.Organised by the Private Sector Federation and Workforce Development Authority (WDA), the expo had 210 exhibitors and attracted over 5,000 visitors.

National

Kibuye school wins Vocational expo award