Economic experts from Rwanda, UK, Tanzania and the Netherlands will hold a two day forum in Kigali starting, September 1. The 1st International Conference on a Knowledge –Based Economy that will draw economic experts from universities of the four countries, will be held under the theme: “Developing Human Resource for the Knowledge –Based Economy”. The conference’s keynote speaker will be Prof. Dr. Joseph W.M Kessels, Chair, Human Resource Development, University of Twente, Holland. In an interview with The New Times, Kigali Institute of Management’s Rector Prof. Benjamin Akinyemi said: “To transform Rwanda into a Knowledge-based society demands a strategic development, optimization, and utilization of human capital.” “When I came to Rwanda in January, I learnt that one of the main pillars of Rwanda’s vision 2020 is skilled human capital and it is needed to develop the country”. Akinyemi added that strategic human capital management is the most powerful lever for innovation, sustainable growth and development in an economy. According to the don, the conference will be a testimony of Rwanda’s commitment towards transforming the nation into a knowledge based-based society by the year 2020. Among the invited guests is Lyndon Jones of the Association of Business Executives, UK and Prof. Mayunga Nkunya of the Tanzania Commission of Universities. Prof.Alan Sibbald, the deputy vice-Chancellor, Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdoms is also expected. The conference will also be addressed by; Prof. Nshuti Manasseh, Prof. Abraham Ogwu (KIST) and Prof. Verdiana Grace Masanja of the National University of Rwanda. Ends
