The inauguration ceremony held on Wednesday 9th February 2022, was attended by the Ambassador of Israel to Rwanda, Dr. Ron Adam, the Governor of Western Province, Francois Habitegeko, the Vice-Chancellor of Kibogora Polytechnic, Dr. Dariya Mukamusoni, teachers and students of the university and neighbouring secondary schools among others.
The center is composed of computers, 3D printer and a soon to be completed electronic laboratory. The facility is the third of its kind set-up in Rwanda by STEMpower- a partner of the Israel Embassy in Rwanda that established alike centers across Africa.
The other two facilities were established at Ines-Ruhengeri and University of Rwanda College of Science and Technology (UR-CST).
In his remarks, Ambassador Dr. Adam underscored that the idea behind establishing STEM Centers is to promote quality education.
“I find education very important and regard it as a prerequisite to achieve everything else. It is through quality education that we get skilled human resource that come up with problem-solving innovations. This STEM Center comes to serve that purpose and it will benefit students at this university, those in high school, and the surrounding community,” he said.
Ambassador Dr. Adam went on to reveal that there is another STEM center which will be inaugurated soon at University of Rwanda College of Education (UR-CE) located in Rukara, Kayonza District. He added that four more centers will also be established across the country before the end of this year.
According to the Vice-Chancellor of the higher-learning institution, the facility will greatly benefit students pursuing STEM studies.
“Among 2,500 students we have at Kibogora Polytechnic, 900 are studying STEM-related faculties. These are the number of students to benefit hands-on skills from this facility, not to mention neighbouring high schools and members of the community who will use it,” she said, adding that “We are grateful to STEMpower and the Israel Embassy in Rwanda.”
Meanwhile, the Governor of Western Province, Francois Habitegeko, noted that promoting STEM is one of the priorities of Rwanda’s education sector.
“It is in our country’s vision to promote STEM studies and to become a knowledge-based economy. This can’t be achieved if students do not receive hands-on skills of what they learn in theory. This STEM Center is an essential contribution to this cause,” he said.
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