Through the RDB (Rwanda Development Board) Chief Skills Office, beneficiaries of the Presidential Scholarships will now be meeting regularly to network and share opportunities and ideas aimed at steering Rwanda’s economic development.

The first of the meetings took place on Thursday 28th March in Kigali and brought together 38 beneficiaries who studied from universities in the USA. During the meeting, former scholars actively participated in small groups and suggested ways to create an active and vibrant network.

The meeting was the first step towards establishing a forum of Rwandan Presidential scholars to allow for more effective engagement in Rwanda’s economic transformation agenda.

Statistics show that since the debut of the Statistics show that 455 Rwandans have graduated from various universities abroad as Presidential Scholars between 2006 and 2017.

Speaking during the meeting, the RDB Chief Skills Officer, Elodie Rusera said: “Rwanda is encouraging the now-adequately skilled graduates to contribute back to their country. You are a special group of Rwandans who can play a transformative role in Rwanda’s development. The purpose of this network we are building through quarterly forums is to create a talent pool that will not only positively impact the country’s public sector but also to investors establishing businesses in Rwanda.”