A number of 2753 students from different Integrated Polytechnic Regional Colleges have graduated today for the fifth edition.

The event that took place at Kicukiro stadium was attended by parents, teachers, and high-ranking officials.

Minister of State for TVET and ICT, Hon. Irere Claudette who graced the event as the guest of honor congratulated graduates for their hard work reminding them that the progress of the country will rely on the skills and values drawn from Rwanda Polytechnic.

Minister of State for TVET and ICT, Hon. Irere Claudette

She urged students to use skills and knowledge they have been acquiring in a three-year period.

“The journey that awaits you ahead is not easy yet Rwanda expects more transformation from you,” she urges.

Vestine Mukantarengwa a parent to one of the graduands joyfully said she is happy to enjoy the reward of her daughter’s efforts and how she expects much from her.

“I expect my daughter to find a job and help me in my old age plus taking care of her siblings as well. I thank the government of Rwanda for sponsoring the education of my daughter.”

Yvette Ishimwe, the CEO of Iriba water group, a local water supplying company whose motivation speech embarked on technological innovation, said there are more opportunities out there for those who are willing to find a solution for the technological problems that Rwanda is facing now.

She advised graduands to start their businesses with little money they have in their pocket testifying of how she also started with only Rwf400,00.

Theophille Habimana, Eric Niyigena, Andrew Ndayishimiye, Janvier Nizeyimana, David Nyirimaso were among the best students who scooped cash prizes for their best innovative projects.

Ishimwe Barute Emmanuel a graduand from IPRC Gishari says he is happy for completing his academic journey with Advanced diploma in civil engineering.

“Today I’m so excited, it was not easy for me and my fellow student but today, we have achieved what we wanted. We have acquired knowledge and skills which will help us to be self-entrepreneurs.  I will work with my classmate to develop more projects,”

During the graduation, the best-performing students from each college, overall best performer,s and best females performers in STEM were awarded a cheque worth 500,000 Rwf, and the best innovative project was awarded a cheque worth 600,000 Rwf.

They also awarded Rwanda Polytechnic students who recently won medals in the WorldSkills Africa competition held in Swakopmund, Namibia last March.

In this 5^th graduation 33% of graduands were female and the rest 77% were male.