• Reference: P-RW-IAZ-001
• Approval date: 02/12/1998
• Start date: 04/12/2000
• Appraisal Date:
• Status: OngoingOnGo
• Location:
• Implementing Agency:

Reasons for the Choice

This is a case of comprehensive support to an Institution of Higher Education to address the shortage of skills necessary for Rwanda to “become a modern nation, able to generate and disseminate technological knowledge and innovation” as stated in its vision 2020. This is also in line with the Bank’s Higher Education, Science and Technology (HEST) strategy.

Financing of the Project

The Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) component is part of an education sector project financed by an ADF loan. The amount of this component is USD 7 million and was implemented between 2005 and 2009 in 2 phases. Phase I consisted in a study on national training needs and the role of KIST (which helped prepare the KIST strategic plan 2003-2008), the provision of books for the library as well as urgent equipment and materials for the existing labs and workshops. Phase 2 based on the results of the study and the strategic plan, consisting in the construction of a modern 4-storey building of 30 labs and workshops with adequate equipment for teaching and research. The following labs were established by Department:

• Biology: botanic – biotechnology – microbiology et zoology
• Food science: analysis – engineering – microbiology and processing
• Physics: electricity – thermodynamics – mechanics and optics
• Chemistry: organic chemistry and biochemistry– inorganic chemistry – physical chemistry – analytical and environmental chemistry

Reasons for Success

The KIST was established by the Government of Rwanda in 1997 as its first technological institute, with the core mission to develop human resource capabilities in sciences, technology and engineering at the degree and diploma level. The institute also has a mandate to transfer appropriate technology to the community. Since inception, its student population has been growing steadily, from 209 to 2,647 students today. The number of courses offered has also increased over the time. The institution has graduated several cohorts of students with the award of degrees and diplomas in Science, Technology. Bank’s support not only strengthened the capacity of this newly established institution in training of technicians and engineers needed by the local markets, but has also created conditions for the KIST to become a regional center of excellence in science and technology education, training and research.

Challenges and Constraints

Maintain relevance of the training to the growing and changing skills needs of the country which aims to become a knowledge economy. The KIST has to contribute to the achievement of this objective within the context of limited resources

Project Specificity

Within the context of higher education it focuses on the development of skills in different areas of science and technology, which are necessary to improve productivity and hence economic growth. It has built sustainable training and research capacity.

Project Added Value

The project has built facilities which have created conditions for increased access for more Rwandan boys and girls to quality technical and scientific higher education.
The building is a state of art within its environment and it adds beauty KIST campus and the City of Kigali. Modern equipment installed will be not only used for education and research purposes, but as another source of income generation for the University. Laboratories can be used for material testing to supplement Bureau of Standards.

Stakeholder reaction

Prof. Babur Hadimioglu, Director KIST IV laboratories: As the Director of the KIST4 Science and Technology Laboratories, I  would like to point out that the KIST4 project is a significant step  in implementing a solution for the major deficiencies  in the  education system at KIST, as well as in Rwanda in general. This deficiency used to be the lack of proper tools, equipment, and infrastructure to be able to provide sufficient practical experience for undergraduate students. The same deficiency also posed significant challenges and limitations for possibilities to carry out research work by graduate students and the university staff. With the opening of the KIST4 Laboratories, KIST students now not only have the tools needed to be able to perform experiments to gain hands-on   experience, as well as have state-of-the-art equipment to be able to carry out research. The feedbacks from students so far prove that the Laboratory will improve the learning capability at KIST significantly.  It will also likely serve the needs of other learning institutions in Rwanda and East Africa.  The modern equipment and tools are likely to offer some means to provide services for businesses and industries in the Region, presenting the capability of income generation on the road to self-sustainability.

The facility provides significant building space to be able to handle eight important areas of science and technology that are quite relevant for education at KIST, as well as capacity building in Rwanda.  There are generous amount of tools available in most of the labs to enable many students perform experiments in parallel.  The building is architecturally pleasing to the eye.  All in all, the Project is likely to be one of the most important achievements in higher education in Rwanda.

Project Manager Reaction

Mr. Eudes Kayumba:  “As a project manager for KIST laboratory construction and Education III Project in general, I have a couple of points to make. This project was a success to the delivery point/handover for both civil works, furniture and laboratory equipment. This was possible due to AfDB commitment and the Government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Education, in particular through Education III project implementation Unit. Effective communication systems were put in place, such as Task Team Leader, Central Project Executing Unit of MINECOFIN and Project Implementation Unit. A serious and committed Contractor was engaged to construct the building and the quality of the product is not questionable. International renowned suppliers were hired to bring in and install laboratory equipment. Today the KIST IV is a complete laboratory complex, well managed by the University and it is a timely solution to the need for science students and researchers”.

Perspectives and transferability of the project

This project will enable the KIST to play a key role in the implementation of the National Science Technology and innovation Policy approved in 2007 and which seeks to strengthen the link between institutions of higher education and the industry. This model can be applied in other contexts.

GUEDEGBE Corbin Mich - OSHD2

Finance source	Amount
ADF	UAC 20,780,000
Government	UAC 2,320,000
Total	UAC 23,100,000