Rwanda Development Board (RDB) through its Kitabi College of Conservation and Environmental Management (KCCEM) on Friday graduated 15 students with diploma in wildlife management.
Graduates who were selected among six national parks from Burundi and Rwanda, underwent a two-year training in conservation and environment management.
Three of them were from Burundi’s Kibila National Park.
At the ceremony, Rica Rwigamba, the Head of Tourism and Conservation at RDB said, the new graduates will contribute to sustainable management of Environment and wild life conservation.
Rica noted that the knowledge they have received within the last two years is extensive and more than just the certificate they received.
She added that in partnership with the government of Rwanda, RDB will continue to strengthen the capacity of KCCEM.
Currently, RDB and the College are in talks with the Rwanda Ministry of Education so that diplomas from KCCEM are recognized as any other diplomas offered by colleges operating in the country.
Richard Nasasira, the acting Principal of KCCEM said that graduates have been equipped with necessary technical skills that the sector of Conservation needs for its development.
“We are sure our graduates today will perform better due to the fact that they have been equipped with necessary skills that will allow them to fulfill their duties,” said Nasasira.
Denise Umugwaneza, former Akagera tourist guide and the only Girl that graduated among the 15 graduates in the department of wildlife conservation said that girls and women are still reluctant in joining conservation and guide activities.
“A Lot of women are not interested and some time they lack self confidence or traditional barriers where women think that the job of guide is for men which is not true.” Umugwaneza observed.
“I encourage women to join this profession because they can gain more,” umugwaneza urged.
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