Project Activities

Rwanda has been achieving constant economic growth in recent years, overcoming the tragic genocide in 1994. The unemployment rate*1, however, shows as high as 35 % for those who finished higher education. In addition, there is a shortage of high technicians necessary for industrial sector due to the genocide. To achieve the “Knowledge-based and Technology-led Economy” in the national development plan “Vision 2020”, it is immediately required to strengthen human resource development. On the other hand, there was no technical schools providing high technician course (A1 level Course) until 2007 even it is stipulated as one of the institutes for technical education. In 2007 ,two technical schools were established to provide A1 level Course for the first time, and one of them , Tumba College of Technology (TCT).*2, is the target school of the project

TCT situates in Rulindo District (about 80Km Northwest from the Capital City, Kigali). The school building of TCT was built in 1993 under the Japanese Grant Aid scheme.

At TCT, we support to start up three courses such as, Information and Technology (IT), Electronics and Telecommunication (ET), and Alternative Energy (AE). These fields are strongly requested by the local industries, and also Japan has successful experiences in other countries.

In this project, we expect to develop human resources who will contribute to economic development of Rwanda through building stronger collaboration between the TCT and local industries, by focusing on establishment of the three courses and transferring management skill.

The project started in July 2007 and the first year was designated as the 1st Stage in which the first outcome “Establish Basic Management System of TCT” has been achieved. From September 2008, the 2nd Stage has started and working for the achievement of the other Outcomes 2 to 4.

*1 The unemployment rate by educational level
Looking at the unemployment rate by educational level, people who finished higher education (25 to 29 years old) marks 35.3%. This high unemployment rate of young people with high educational background is a social issue. One of the factors on such issue is that higher education focuses much on theories that it does not match the skills needed in industries. In addition, as the education level goes higher, people wish to attain white color jobs such as public officers, while such market is limited.

(Source: Education in Rwanda, World Bank, 2003)

*2 Tumba College of Technology
Please visit the College's home page from "Related Link"

Alternative Energy Department (AE)

Practical training for Micro hydro plant construction by Nepalese Expert
Practical Training for Biogas plant construction by Nepalese Expert
Practical Training for pumping system by solar power by Nepalese Expert

Rwanda has only 5% of electrified area and there is no electricity other than in main cities. This lack of energy creates immense social issues such as deforestation due to overuse of firewood and charcoal. Under such condition, although the country is promoting alternative energies such as; micro-hydraulic power generation, photovoltaic generation at schools and clinics, biogas, and improved cooking stove, there still remains several issues due to the lack of technicians, and also low technical level. the Rwandan government hence established this Alternative Energy (AE) Department in TCT, aiming to nurture higher level technicians in AE and to conduct R&D for appropriate technology to Rwanda.

At this AE department, we dispatch about 10 Nepalese experts every year, under a partnership scheme with Tribhuvan University in Nepal, who has been developing and diffusing AE technologies, and nurturing highly qualified human resources through electrifying villages and preserving forest resources over 30 years in Nepal.

Nepalese experts and TCT teachers are practicing micro-hydraulic generation and model construction of biogas, as well as developing teaching materials under this partnership.

Graduates are expected to join in private companies as practical technicians of AE, who engage in AE projects, tackling the issues such as lack of technicians and the low technical level. Main course subjects

• Introduction to energy and energy sources
• Introduction to electricity and magnetism
• Introduction to electronics
• Technical drawings
• Consideration on social impact
• Basics, design and construction of biogas plant
• Basics, design and construction of micro-hydro power plant
• Basics, design and construction of solar energy technology
• Design of cooking stoves and biomass
• Workshop on electricity and machines
• Project planning, designing and implementation
• Final project

Electronics and Telecommunication Department (ET)

Rwandan government put effort in trunk line infrastructure such as laying of fiber-optic cables in the telecommunication sector. Also, in terms of subscriber line, demand on wireless telephone and mobile internet modem by private telecommunication companies is rapidly growing.

Electronic devices are utilized not only in telecommunication sector but also in various fields that are indispensable in our modern social life. Rwanda has a shortage of human resources with skills of electronics and telecommunication and thus such technicians are demanded by the industrial sector.

ET department has three pillars such as; cable communication, wireless communication, and repair and assemble of electronic devices, and aims at nurturing human resources in each field.

Graduates are expected to work as technicians in ICT business, broadcasting, and in governmental institutions, and other private companies. In this project, we also support students’ capacity development to become entrepreneurs who found a company and conduct repair of electric devices such as TV, radio and computers.

Major course subjects

• Analog and Digital Electronics
• Microprocessor and Microcontroller
• Electromagnetism
• Digital Communication
• Optical Communication
• Ratio and Television Engineering
• Microwave and Radar Engineering
• Antenna and Wave Propagation
• Mobile and Satellite Communication
• Final project

Information Technology Department (IT)

Rwanda's Vision 2020 aims at a knowledge-based and technology-led economy and puts high priority in spreading computers and building infrastructures for internet. On the other hand, serious shortage of the practical technicians who can develop software, build and maintain networking urges to foster such human resources.

In response to such needs, IT department aims to nurture practical technicians, who understand the basic mechanism and function/roles of computer and peripheral devices and who can develop software and system. In the course, students learn Software Development and Network Building as core subjects.

After graduation, students are expected to become practical technicians such as software developer, hardware maintenance engineer, network engineer and customer engineer. Furthermore, in Rwanda, information technology industries are still not well developed ,therefore, the project also supports students to found their own businesses which as a result will contribute to the further growth of the country’s IT industry.

Main course subjects

• Introduction to Program Database
• Digital and Analog Electronics
• Software Development Technique
• Network Building Technique
• Web Design
• Internet Server
• PC Maintenance
• Final project