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Launch of SAICE-Africa project
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On this Monday 2nd December 2019, Wariara Waireri, Senior Manager of International Development at Royal Academy of Engineering, has visited INES-Ruhengeri in line with the official launch of the project titled "Strengthening academia-industry linkage and research space in the area of Civil Engineering for food security in Sub-Saharan Africa (SAICE-Africa)".
When welcoming the guest, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic and Research of INES-Ruhengeri Dr. NIYONZIMA N. Francois explained the motivaion behind the creation of INES-Ruhengeri and its orientation as University of Applied Sciences. DVCAR also underlined the contribution of this project to enhance INES orientation and partnership with other universities in Africa.
The consortium for this project is composed of INES-Ruhengeri (Rwanda) as a hub university, the University of Aberdeen (UK), the University of Ibadan (Nigeria), the University of Botswana (Botswana), the Catholic University of Cameroon (Cameroon), and a number of industries across the African continent. The project is currently funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Dr. NSENGIYUMVA Francois the project coordinator explained the role of the project in the development of Rwanda and the continent as well.
"Despite its potential to boost the African economy, engineering education is limited to the theoretical component, in most of the Sub-Saharan Africa, due to the insufficiency of funds to link the theory taught in class with the real, practical, industrial world." He said
In addition to the teaching aspect, scientific research in engineering is expected to lead to new technologies, creation of new jobs, and reduction of the rate of unemployment. Unfortunately, due to financial constraints, researchers working in Sub-Saharan Africa do not have access to research infrastructure, and those who manage to do some research work are not able to attend conferences to present research findings, to meet peers for exchange of views, to develop new research collaboration or strengthen the existing ones.
The project has the following specific objectives:
Objective 1: To strengthen the linkage between academia and industries in Civil Engineering within the hub and spoke universities;
Objective 2: To improve the quality of teaching and learning Civil Engineering within the hub and spoke universities;
Objective 3: To create a platform for students' internships, while enhancing employability of graduates within the hub and spoke universities;
Objective 4: To organize and host knowledge-sharing workshops and international research conferences within the consortium;
Objective 5: To enable academic staff, post-doctorate and PhD students within the hub and spoke universities to carry out research visits to another research-led institution.
Miss Wariara Waireri when exchanging with INES staff said that the Royal Academy of Engineering brings together the most talented and successful engineers to advance and promote excellence in engineering for the benefit of society.
Wariara Waireri, Senior Manager of International Development at Royal Academy of Engineering
"Engineering is a global profession addressing global challenges, so we work with partners across the world to advance engineering's contribution to society on an international, as well as national scale" she said
Wariara Waireri in INES Material testing lab
Launch of SAICE-Africa project: Wariara Waireri with INES staff