Officials at the University of Rwanda (UR) have said they are ready to roll out a master’s degree in biotechnology, the field of study that could boost treatment of deadly diseases in the future. This was highlighted in Kigali on Friday, August 12 at the end of weeklong deliberations about the implementation of the biotech programme, in which dozens of academics from Rwanda and foreign universities, policy makers, scientists and development partners took part. The first cohort of candidates for the masters degree could begin their studies in early 2023, The New Times has learnt. Rwanda needs experts in biotechnology more than ever as the country embarks on developing its capacity in vaccine manufacturing and genetic engineering, the officials said. Locally trained scientists and biotech engineers could drive research in medical treatments, agriculture, food processing and waste management, among other sectors. The UR already has a bachelor’s programme in biotechnology. But it only offers basic skills, which are limited in terms of research and manufacturing, the officials said. “When it comes to manufacturing of vaccines or developing a nationwide industry in food processing, these are no longer fields which can be run by someone with a bachelors degree, because they have just the foundational skills, Dr. Ignace Gatare, the Principal of URs College of Science and Technology, told The New Times. So, with the current move to produce vaccines locally, and you have heard about the manufacturing of seeds which are resistant to climate change, it is necessary to train another highly skilled pool of professionals and that happens only at master’s and PhD levels.” He added that the PhD programme would start once masters is deemed successful. At least €834,000 (about Rwf880 million), as part of the European Union’s €7 million funding for capacity building in vaccines production in Rwanda, has been earmarked for the program to start operations. The programme, which awaits the university senate approval, will enrol a cohort of 20-30 students, Gatare said, and could even start later this year, if everything goes according to plan. Incorporated in three UR colleges, the programme will be hosted at the College of Science and Technology in Kigali. According to the officials, parastatals, such as the Rwanda Biomedical Centre, Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority and Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Board, will be some of the beneficiaries of the biotech programme. Players in the Rwandan health sector have welcomed the initiative saying it would not only improve treatment of diseases but also boost research in emerging diseases. “In the 1990s, most of the diseases we treated were malaria, typhoid, meningitis and others, which are no longer prevalent,” said Dr. Jean Nyirinkwaya, a long-time investor in the local health industry. “But today, there are other emerging diseases, affecting the heart, kidneys and which require better treatment or transplantation. There’s also need to carry out more research to understand why some of these diseases affect people in different categories. The master’s programme in biotechnology comes at the right time.”
