A total of 350 students who graduated in Microbiology at University of Rwanda College of Science and Technology, are set to return to school to complete 30% of course units they were supposed to study, so they can compete at the labor market.
Students have been complaining after finding gaps in courses they have undertaken as they were not accepted to work in laboratories. In most cases they were rejected for laboratory positions, preference given to graduates from Kigali Health Institute (KHI) deemed to be more qualified as they study to depth the entire science of laboratory management.
The complaints raised have prompted stakeholders in the education sector to recall the 350 graduates back to the university to read for the course units they missed to enable them become competitive on the labor market.
The Ministry of Education said yesterday that graduates of Microbiology were on demand to fill the gaps in laboratories but are supposed to undertake research complying with health sector requirements.
The Minister of Education, Papias Musafiri Malimba, appearing before the parliamentary commission in charge of education, technology, culture and youth said that the matter of passing out lukewarm students has been addressed and will not happen in the future.
“Regarding graduates who failed to get employed because of the incomplete course units, the University of Rwanda has added more courses that will fill the gap of missing knowledge and skills. Even those who are already employed will be encouraged to learn these added courses to be more competent in handling laboratory services,” he said.
Musafiri said there will be no charges on continuing students for the extra course units but they will discuss on what to do for graduates already in the field. He however said that arrangements will be made with the University of Rwanda to facilitate those who are unemployed attend courses and get a certificate after completing the courses.
MP Nyirahirwa Veneranda criticized poor feasibility study before introducing Microbiology studies at UR and advised MINEDUC to revisit the course and all its components.
Microbiology courses differ from Biomedical Laboratory Sciences. Returning students will repeat eight modules.
Merging Microbiology with Biomedical Laboratory Sciences
Musafiri noted that the sustainable solution is to merge Biomedical Laboratory Sciences and Microbiology.
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