Effective engineering training: the case of Kigali Institute of Science, Technology and Management

Major issues affecting the training of engineering professionals include: regular curriculum review to develop relevant programmes, self sustainability due to the high costs involved in setting and running an engineering institution and close collaboration with the industrial sector. In Rwanda, engineering education was almost non-existent until after the genocide of 1994. The few skilled people who were present before the genocide were either killed or just disappeared. The training of all cadres of engineers and technicians was found to be inevitable thereafter. However, the issue was the mode and proportionality in training of these personnel. This paper presents the case of the Kigali Institute of Science, Technology and Management (KIST), established in 1997 to respond to the crucial needs of high quality technical and professional workers. In the four years of its existence, KIST has made an impact on the community and the country through its unique programmes in the region. The academic programmes at KIST are structured so that there is an output of skilled and competent technical labour at different levels every year. Despite these achievements, the institute is still facing a number of challenges, including infrastructure development, modern facilities and local trained staff.