China granted Rwf27.3 billion to Rwanda to support Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre (IPRC)

Rwanda : Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre (IPRC) Musanze could soon start enrolling up to 1,500 diploma and advanced diploma students, as well as 400 short-course trainees thanks to a grant of US$32 million (about Rwf27.3 billion) signed between Rwanda and China.

This was announced Wednesday by the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Claver Gatete, during the signing of a financing agreement of the RMB Yuan 200 million donated by the People’s Republic of China to support the expansion of IPRC-Musanze.

“With this support, we will almost triple the number of students, both those who are undertaking diploma and short courses. The grant will help to extend what already exists through adding the infrastructure, but also the necessary equipment required for practical training,” he said.

Currently, the campus has capacity to host 560 diploma students and 180 short-course trainees. With the Chinese government grant, the capacity is set to increase, officials said.

Part of the grant (equivalent to US$16 million) will go into the expansion of IPRC-Musanze. The minister said that the existing campus was also constructed with the funding of the Chinese government in 2014.

Olivier Rwamukwaya, the minister of state in Charge of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), expressed optimism, saying that this will help expand the campus’ capacity and benefit more Rwandan students.

“Nearly ten years ago, the government embarked on the journey of investing in technical and vocational training as part of preparing Rwandans for the job market, but also help contribute to creation of jobs. We have received support from different partners, and this particular support is a boost to what we are already doing. It will support the country’s efforts to transform the education sector. ,” he told journalists.

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