Kigali, on 28^th March, 2023: Rwanda Polytechnic (RP), under the championship of IPRC Karongi, together with Maastricht School of Management (MSM) and Rwanda Development Board (RDB) through the Strengthening Education for Agricultural Development (SEAD-West) project, hosted a Scientific Symposium on “Applied Research for Agricultural Development in Rwanda”.

This Symposium, which took place at Ubumwe Grande Hotel, aimed to disseminate Research and Innovation outputs from the RP research community and beyond. It will bring together applied research relevant to Rwanda's agricultural and rural development and give researchers/presenters a platform to share their research outputs and get feedback for maturing their manuscripts for publication.

It was also an exposure opportunity for young innovators from RP Colleges who showcased their innovative projects, which increased their visibility and network at National and International levels.

Delivering her welcoming remarks during the Symposium, Mrs. Dominique Ingabire, the Principal of IPRC Karongi said, “This is a platform to share and take resolutions on how to foster agricultural development through applied research and innovations.”

The Principal also said that as visibility is a key element for institutional development, and more relevant when visibility aligns with the core mandate of the institution, research through presentations and innovations through projects exhibitions marked the event and contributed to showcasing and disseminating some of key achievements of Rwanda Polytechnic especially its priority of innovation and research.

In her address note, Dr. Sylvie Mucyo the Vice Chancellor of Rwanda Polytechnic said, “Indeed, the Government of Rwanda considers technology and innovation as core principles to Rwanda’s future economy. We – the Rwanda Polytechnic – are mandated to be at the forefront of advancing this motive. With the focus on practical education and research, today’s Symposium is an opportunity for disseminating Research and Innovation outputs from the RP research community and beyond.”

The Symposium has been also an exposure opportunity for young innovators from RP Colleges who showcased their innovative projects, and whereby our student Tuyishime David has exhibited his innovative project entitled "Smart Uhira" while Jean Bosco Habimana, our Assistant Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering showcased the project entitled "Design and Manufacturing of Manual Crown Capping Machine".

On the other side, our Teaching Staff presented their research papers on various topics in line with the value chains promoted during the SEAD Project, Crosscutting themes, Experience with hospitality services & agri-tourism, the consequences of climate change for Rwanda among others.