‘‘We have had collaboration with Ethiopia that was mostly related to trainings in defense areas and defense institutions. But, when I looked at it, I think we can widen it up, because Rwanda is a very friendly country with its history, people and the governing institutions.
And we have very good ties with Ethiopia which needs to be expanded through education,’’ opined the Rwandan Envoy to Ethiopia, Defense Attaché Lt. Col. Ndore Rurinda.
The Rwandan Ambassador said this in a personal audience while he was on a fact-finding goodwill visit to Arba Minch University; following is the full text of his interview:
He continued further, ‘‘Ethiopia has lot of things that we (Rwanda) can run from, especially trainings in technologies and engineering. So, we have had cooperation in another area, and have Memorandum of Understanding in place; so it’s just making that MoU in education work even bigger and better that’s why I am here. And the opportunities they give for, in that category, I hope is going to strengthen our ties through educational cooperation.’’
When asked whether it was an organized or impromptu visit, he said, ‘‘We have had seven students studying in AMU in Department of Meteorology and Hydrology; they completed this year. So, when I came here, I got interested in other programs offered by AMU, especially water resource engineering programs, which I found is for graduate, Masters level and even PhD.’’
Elaborating further Lt Col Rurinda said, ‘‘That’s how I got interested to come back to Arba Minch University; I also came back because after those students completed their courses and returned to Rwanda, we asked AMU to give us more admissions because Rwanda wants more engineers and specialists; they (AMU) are special in water engineering area, which we don’t and can’t get in any other universities in the region; I didn’t find anywhere else,’’ he stressed.
‘‘So, when I went back home, I told them it was a special opportunity as AMU is willing to admit our students. AMU gave us various admissions in graduate and master courses (in water resource engineering areas).
This time, I came, because before I didn’t have time to explore AMU‘s infrastructure. So, I wanted to come to make sure that I have seen everything, the capacity of this university; and I am simply impressed in my fact-finding visit.’’
Replying to the query on AMU’s overall ambience, he overwhelmingly said, ‘‘First of all, I think AMU has a culture and history that is based on technology of engineering and I am impressed that it’s running for a long time. I am also impressed with its facilities, especially laboratories, IT support, and the numbers of students it hosts per year which is really enormous. Basically, I think it’s a sloganization which is mature; that’s outreach to send student from my country; that’s my impression.’’
On how many more Rwandan students will get enrolled this year, he said, ‘‘That is going to depend as to how many are ready this year, also how many we can manage, in terms of our finances. But, the admissions they are giving us are for over 40 slots in the different areas and at different levels i.e. BSc and Masters,’’ he summed up.
By Philips Joseph