Students turn classroom lessons into real-world skills at festival of cooling

Elias Hakizimana Oct 8, 2025Oct 8, 2025 0 Comments

By Elias HAKIZIMANA.

The hum of compressors, the gleam of copper pipes, and the chatter of excited students filled the air at the Festival of Cooling on Wednesday. For hundreds of students from eight secondary schools across Rwanda, this was not just another school day.

It was a chance to see science in action, to touch the machines they had only read about, and to imagine a future where their knowledge could transform communities.

Mpano Aimé Arcade, a Level 5 Electrical Technology student at Nyamata Technical Secondary School, knelt by a working HVAC system, tracing the airflow and observing the compressor at work.

“In class, we study heating, ventilation, and air conditioning theoretically,” he said. “Here, I’ve seen how cooling systems actually work. Now I can relate my lessons to real equipment, and I feel more confident I’ll perform better academically.”

Mpano Aimé Arcade, an aspiring electrical technician from Nyamata Technical Secondary School, says practical learning at the Festival of Cooling will help him improve academic performance and build future career skills.

Beside him, Christian Ntwali, a Manufacturing Technology student, was equally captivated.

“The cold chain is a method of storing and transporting goods at optimum temperatures to keep them fresh without damage,” he explained.

“Understanding this practically helps me connect classroom theory with hands-on applications. It is going to improve both my academic performance and my skills in the field.”

At Ntare Louise Land School, 12-year-old Nicien Uwase’s eyes lit up as she spoke about the role of cooling in community life.

“Community Cooling Hubs allow farmers to store products collectively, which is helpful for both the community and the environment,” she said.

Zanolabdish Marianne, her classmate, added, “I learned the proper way to store foods like meat on the top shelf, vegetables in the middle. This knowledge will help me understand how science keeps food and markets safe and efficient.”

**Students observe innovative cooling solutions during the Festival of Cooling, gaining hands-on experience in sustainable refrigeration and cold-chain systems.**

Innovations also took center stage

Former IPRC Kigali student Aimé Pacifique Muhawenimana demonstrated his refrigerant-free cooling storage prototype using the Peltier effect.

“My system works as a refrigerator or heat pump without harmful refrigerants,” he said.

“It is powered by 12 volts DC, making it energy-efficient and suitable for rural areas. Young people should pursue innovation persistently—today it might not work, but tomorrow it will.” Muhawenimana added.

Former IPRC Kigali student Aimé Pacifique Muhawenimana demonstrates his refrigerant-free cooling storage prototype powered by 12 volts DC. The innovation, based on the Peltier effect, offers an eco-friendly alternative to traditional systems and is suitable for rural areas.

Ishimwe Nadege, a Senior 6 student in Networking and Internet Technology, marveled at how digital systems now control cooling technologies.

“Some foods and vaccines must be stored in cold environments to stay effective,” she said.

“Learning this helps me understand how technology and environmental protection intersect.” She added.

Science student Mushaija Jean Richard from College Saint André reflected on the link between theory and practice.

“Low temperatures slow microbial activity, preventing decay and keeping products safe longer. Seeing these systems in action makes classroom physics come alive,” he said.

**Ishimwe Nadege, a Senior 6 Networking student, said learning how digital systems control cooling technologies helped her see the link between technology, food safety, and environmental protection.**

Dr. Jean-Baptiste Ndahetuye, Head of Research at ACES, sees the bigger picture.

“By engaging students at an early stage, we are nurturing a generation that excels academically and is ready to innovate,” he said.

“The skills and knowledge they gain today will shape the future of sustainable cooling and cold-chain systems in Africa.” He added.

The Festival of Cooling continues through October 10, offering sessions on innovation hubs and farmer engagement.

For the students, the experience is more than hands-on learning, it is a window into a future where their ideas can solve real-world problems and drive progress in science, technology, and community development.

**Dr. Jean-Baptiste Ndahetuye, Head of Research at ACES, emphasizes early engagement as key to nurturing future innovators in sustainable cooling and cold-chain systems across Africa.**

Alphonse Dushimimana, Managing Director at ALPHA Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering Company Ltd, explains modern cooling technologies to students during the Festival of Cooling Schools and Education Day.

Some of the innovations showcased by ALPHA Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering Company Ltd included eco-friendly cold rooms and energy-efficient heat pumps designed to support sustainable cooling solutions.