Kigali on May 6, 2021: Yesterday, Rwanda Polytechnic held its 4th Graduation Ceremony whereby 3034 graduates including 722 female and 2312 male from 8 Integrated Polytechnic Regional Colleges (IPRCs) were awarded Diploma and Advanced Diploma Certificates.

Following measures to contain COVID-19 pandemic, this graduation was virtual streamed live on YouTube from Kigali-RP Headquarters, therefore the audience followed the ceremony via Youtube. Among 3034 graduates from all RP-IPRCs, 254 graduates including 75 female and 179 male are from IPRC Karongi.

All IPRC Karongi graduates were awarded Advanced Diploma Certificates after accomplishing their studies in five programs namely Automobile Technology, Electrical Technology, Hospitality Management, Information Technology and Production & Manufacturing Technology.

Similarly to previous RP Graduation ceremonies, best performer graduates were awarded, and Charles Bahati, IPRC Karongi graduate from Automobile Technology was awarded as the best performer from our college. There were awards for best over all performer, best performers from each IPRC, best female performers in STEM related programs and best project.

Delivering her remarks, Dr. Valentine Uwamariya, Hon. Minister of Education and the Guest of Honour reminded the graduates to uphold qualities of cultural and moral values wherever they will be.

She said, " Dear graduates, go and apply the acquired competencies in all sectors of life.  Do not forget that cultural and moral values are among the qualities that characterize a competent graduate.”

"Congratulations once again for your graduation and best wishes for your next adventure. I can’t wait to see where life will take you next. Wherever it is, never forget that you are ambassadors of RP and image of TVET in general. You are the mirrors to which everyone can define the quality and relevancy of TVET. Therefore, you are the one to change and uphold the   image of TVET," added the Minister.

In her speech, Claudette Irere, Hon. State Minister in charge of ICT and TVET congratulated graduates for pushing during hard times of the pandemic till they achieve their goal. She particularly congratulated female graduates, and told all graduates that challenges TVET alumni faced in the past were addressed.

She said, "Allow me to congratulate the female graduands! You are very few but very brave. I hope you take on the challenge and encourage many other girls to join STEM and TVET in particular."

"I am aware of the challenges other IPRC graduates faced with both the public and private sector not recognizing your degrees. I am also aware that some of you that wanted to join the army, or the police have had trouble in the past. I would like to give you assurance that the above has been addressed. Now the public sector fully recognizes your degrees, and you are eligible to apply to some job openings and both the army and the police are ready to take you in if you fulfill all the other requirements," added the State Minister.

In his welcome speech Dr. James Gashumba, the Vice Chancellor of Rwanda Polytechnic congratulated all graduates and acknowledged sacrifices and efforts of everyone (parents, family and guardians, teaching and administrative staff at the different IPRCs) who supported them to accomplish their studies.

He said, "Despite various challenges to our teaching and learning activities due to COVID-19, we are here to celebrate this occasion because you, graduating class 2020, have overcome those challenges and we salute you. Well done!"

The Vice Chancellor promised the graduates that RP is still there to support them though they go out in the world of work, and that they want to establish an alumni office to follow up their graduates in order to help them with networks for job opportunities and for entrepreneurial possibilities.

RP 4th Graduation's 3034 graduates who were awarded Diploma and Advanced Diploma Certificates pursued the following Departments:

• Civil Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electrical and Electronics Engineering
• Agricultural Engineering
• Information and Communication Technology
• Hospitality Management
• Wildlife Management, Wildlife Tourism and Forest Resources Management
• Mining Engineering Departments