KOICA held “Global Education, ICT in TVET Knowledge Sharing Workshop“ and “Training Completion Ceremony for Senior TVET Trainers and School Managers“

By The Inspirer Writer.

On March 11, 2022, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the premier grant aid agency of the Korean government, has organized “Global Education and ICT in TVET Knowledge Sharing Workshop” and “Training Completion Ceremony for Senior TVET Trainers and School Managers” at Marriot Hotel, Kigali. With the theme of  knowledge sharing in global education leadership and ICT in TVET, the event was prepared to congratulate senior TVET trainers and school managers who completed the certificate course under the “Follow-up to 2nd Phase Support of Integrated Polytechnic Regional Center Kigali (IPRC-Kigali)” and provide a venue for discussion about the path for the future development of the TVET sector in Rwanda. 

An approximate number of 60 people from KOICA, Rwanda Polytechnic (RP), Rwanda TVET Board (RTB), National Examination and School Inspection Authority (NESA), Higher Education Council (HEC) and Integrated Polytechnic Regional Centers (IPRCs) have participated in the workshop to talk about what they should do to further develop the TVET sector and strengthen its relevance and attractiveness. In particular, Dr. Sylvie MUCYO, Acting Vice Chancellor of RP, Ms. Solange Uwamahoro Head of Training Department, RTB, Eng. Diogene Mulindahabi, Principal IPRC-Kigali, David Kabaye Principal IPRC Gishali, Nasasira Richard Principal IPRC Kitabi and Eng. Rita Clemence, Principal of IPRC Tumba, have joined the workshop.

Ms. Maria Ramos, the lead trainer for the two courses, as well as Ms. Liliane UWABYAYE and  Mr. Vincent HAVUGIMANA, the represenatives of the trainees, have made a presentation to  feature KOICA’s TVET projects, namely “TVET Quality Management Project” and “Follow-up to 2nd Phase Support of IPRC-Kigali”, and introduced the content of Senior TVET Trainer Certificate Course and School Management and Leadership Certificate Course.

Two TVET experts who have completed separate KOICA’s training programs in ICT in education and global education leadership also offered their views on the development of TVET. Mr. MANIRAMBONA Leonard, Deputy Principal in charge of Academics and Training in IPRC-Karongi who has completed a two-week training course entitled capacity development for master teacher and clinical supervision for ICT in education in 2021 provided how ICT in education can guide the development of TVET. During his presentation, he discussed how the TVET sector becomes more ICT oriented and friendly by adopting new technologies.

Mr. MURWANASHYAKA Justin, the Head Master of Gatsibo School who completed the Master’s Degree Program in Global Education Leadership in the Korea National University of Education (KNUE) in 2019 has offered his perspective on the importance of global education leadership in TVET, especially in teacher training, based upon his experience in Korea. He talked about the importance of education leadership to stimulate innovation and creativity in TVET where the convetional methodology dominates.

“TVET is essential to promote the industrial development by equipping prospective students with skills that meet labor market demands and the workshop, which was prepared by KOICA, has provided an opportunity to discuss how we can achieve the objective,” said Dr. Sylvie MUCYO, Acting Vice Chancellor of RP during her congratulatory remarks, stressing the  importance of continued collaboration to strengthen the relevance and effectivess of TVET as one of key pillars of the education system.

“KOICA’s interventions have been evolving and there is a need for the continued engagement with different stakeholders to inform the path of TVET development in the future”, said Myung Keun Choi, Deputy Country Director of KOICA Rwanda Office. “This is why we need to find a way to apply the concept of global education leadership and ICT in TVET in various TVET initiatives taking place now.”

Since 1991, KOICA has been implementing its grant aid programs in Rwanda, disbursing about USD 150 million through various projects and capacity building programs. KOICA Rwanda Office was officially opened in 2011. KOICA currently has over 10 on-going projects in Rwanda in education, agriculture and ICT sectors. With the outbreak of COVID-19, KOICA has also supported the GoR in response to the pandemic by providing a mobile testing vehicle, walk-through testing booths and personal protective equipment (PPE) worth about USD 1 million.