Students operate robotic arms at the Integrated Polytechnic Regional College-Musanze (IPRC Musanze), a public higher learning institution in Musanze town of northern Rwanda, April 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Ji Li)
KIGALI, April 20 (Xinhua) -- In the heart of Musanze town in northern Rwanda, a transformative partnership is shaping the futures of young Rwandans.
Integrated Polytechnic Regional College-Musanze (IPRC Musanze), a public higher learning institution, recently signed a five-year agreement with Jinhua Polytechnic of East China's Zhejiang Province for an exchange program. Thirty students from IPRC Musanze will study for two years in Rwanda and one year in China for an advanced diploma.
Umwali Ange Natacha, an e-commerce major at IPRC Musanze, expressed her enthusiasm about studying digitalization and global commerce in China. "I am really excited and honored that IPRC Musanze is giving us the opportunity to go to China," she said. "Studying in China will boost our minds and enhance our careers in entrepreneurship. Innovation fosters our problem-solving mindset, which will be helpful in the e-commerce industry."
Her sentiments are shared by Ishimwe Yasil, a third-year student in electrical automation technology. "I have high expectations for the program in China, as it will enhance both my practical skills and theoretical knowledge," Yasil said. "This will make me very competitive in my future career as an electrical automation engineer, enabling me to excel in any job, including within our electrical automation industry."
He said that the collaboration between IPRC Musanze and Jinhua Polytechnic signifies a bridge between cultures and a platform for mutual learning.
Wu Weixin, executive director of Jinhua Polytechnic, highlighted the approach of the partnership, noting that the Rwanda Luban Workshop is an innovative international vocational education service project from China aimed at enhancing technical and vocational education training in Rwanda.
E-commerce and electrical automation technology are the two majors of the Luban Workshop collaboration, which they are currently implementing a 2+1 model based on these standards for teaching and practice in both Rwanda and China. It has been incorporated into Rwanda's vocational technical standards by Rwanda Polytechnic, the Higher Education Council of Rwanda, and the Ministry of Education of Rwanda, Wu said.
As the selected students prepare for their journey to China, they are eager to make full use of this opportunity to enrich their lives and knowledge, with the intention of returning to Rwanda to contribute to the country's development.
Since 2018, IPRC Musanze has graduated over 1,700 students and offers a range of courses including irrigation and drainage technology, construction technology, highway engineering, e-commerce and information technology. Student enrollment has grown significantly from just 171 in 2014 to more than 1,800 currently. ■
A local teacher gives a lecture to the students at the Integrated Polytechnic Regional College-Musanze (IPRC Musanze), a public higher learning institution in Musanze town of northern Rwanda, April 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Ji Li)
Students are seen at the campus of the Integrated Polytechnic Regional College-Musanze (IPRC Musanze), a public higher learning institution in Musanze town of northern Rwanda, April 15, 2024. (Xinhua/Ji Li)
