UR hosts third Innovation Week, commits to creating more conducive innovation environment

From 18-19 November, University of Rwanda’s African Centre of Excellence in Energy for Sustainable Development (ACEESD) and The Grid Innovation and Innovation Hub (GIIH) hosted its third Innovation Week, an event where experts from academia, industry, and students gathered to discuss innovation and entrepreneurship, identify gaps, and propose solutions for sustainable development in these areas.

Under the theme "Driving Innovation Through Policy: UR's Path Towards Prosperity and Sustainable Development," participants delved into the barriers still hindering the development of innovation in Rwanda and beyond. They also suggested ways to overcome these challenges.

In his address, Pascal Gatabazi, Technical Advisor to the Ministry of Education, emphasized Rwanda’s ambitious development agenda and its commitment to innovation-driven growth and the transformation into a knowledge-based economy.

“Knowledge economies are typically built on the intellectual talent of a nation, including the ability to advance new innovations,” he said, adding that innovators and entrepreneurs must closely engage with academic environments. He stressed that collaboration with societal partners is crucial for contributing to sustainable development.

Ms. Kayitare Tengera Francesca, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Finance at the University of Rwanda, underscored the institution’s commitment to fostering an environment where creativity can thrive—where ideas are not only discussed but also acted upon.

“We must stay focused on developing solutions that are not only cutting-edge but also ethical, inclusive, and sustainable. Our mission as a university is to nurture the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and innovators who will drive Rwanda towards becoming a knowledge-based economy,” she said.

Young innovators who participated in the discussions shared that one of the major challenges they face in their innovation journeys is the lack of practical skills required to bring their projects to life.

Bisetsa Jururyishya, one of the innovators, said, “With my project, I lacked the practical skills necessary to complete my innovation. This is why I had to pursue an IoT program to gain these skills.”

In closing the two-day event, Dr. Raymond Ndikumana, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Strategic Planning at the University of Rwanda, challenged participants to leverage the insights and opportunities discussed over the past two days, drive more innovation, and take advantage of new policies that favor innovation.