{"id":41876,"date":"2023-05-14T08:24:49","date_gmt":"2023-05-14T08:24:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/what-launch-of-new-france-backed-engineering-field-means"},"modified":"2023-05-14T08:45:37","modified_gmt":"2023-05-14T08:45:37","slug":"what-launch-of-new-france-backed-engineering-field-means","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/economy\/what-launch-of-new-france-backed-engineering-field-means","title":{"rendered":"What launch of new France-backed engineering field means"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>Mechatronics, a new interdisciplinary department inaugurated at the Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centre (IPRC Tumba) located in Rulindo District, which combines mechanics, electronics, computing, automation, and control systems, is expected to bridge the skills gap in technical fields.<\/p>\n

The department, pledged by French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to Rwanda in May 2021 and the school, is in line with the government\u2019s targets for the development of TVET education.<\/p>\n

Over 150 students have enrolled in mechatronics engineering so far. Most of them have completed studies in TVET schools, and some have studied general sciences as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe mechatronics department is a solution for those who attended TVET schools and want to continue in higher education; we have those who did electrical and electronics studies, mechanical manufacturing, and general studies,\u201d said Raymond Ndacyayisaba, Head of the Mechatronics Department.<\/p>\n

He added, \u201cThis will increase the number of skilled mechatronics technicians in the labour market. Mechatronics’ vision is to help reduce the country\u2019s reliance on outside expertise by increasing employment and lowering labour costs as modern and automated industries are rising in Rwanda.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Minister of State in charge of ICT and TVET, Claudette Irere, stated that this department would not only benefit local industries but also regional industries.<\/p>\n

\u201cMechatronics is intended to quickly respond to the needs of local and regional industries by providing highly qualified and competent technicians. This qualification provides the necessary skills, knowledge, and attitudes for employment in the Mechatronics industry,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

She continued: \u201cIn this department, we have modern, practical equipment, which gives us hope that students will get more practical courses that would be useful in their careers as we move into the technological era.\u201d<\/p>\n

The mechatronics programme has been financed through a Rwf4 billion grant from the Agence franc\u0327aise de de\u0301veloppement (AFD) with the aim of reinforcing technical and vocational training in Rwanda.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a symbol of collaboration between the French government and Rwanda; we are proud to be opening this new programme, only two years after the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to IPRC Tumba, during which he highlighted France\u2019s commitment to supporting youth, in line with the country\u2019s ambitions outlined in Vision 2050,\u201d said French Ambassador to Rwanda, Antoine Anfre\u0301.<\/p>\n

The mechatronics programme consists of eight workshops, including manufacturing, mechanical, automation, pneumatics and hydraulics, industrial electricity and domestic electricity, electronics, computer simulation and modelling.<\/p>\n\r\n