UR-CAVM launches the entrepreneurship week

19-08-2020

The University of Rwanda-College of Agriculture Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (UR-CAVM) launches a virtual and physical Entrepreneurship Week together with various valuable partners in the entrepreneurship ecosystem such as Wadhwani Foundation, DOT Rwanda, CRS, RYAF, SEAD, EYES Rwanda, UR-CIE, RSB and MINAGRI. The UR-CAVM Envisage entrepreneurship week under the theme “Equipping Students & graduates with century skills & Information towards sustainable Self-Employment during and beyond COVID-19” was headed at UR-Busogo Campus and broadcasting live from different social medias such as Facebook and zoom.
The objective of the entrepreneurship week was to encourage, nurture, connect and support students’ entrepreneurship and innovations, to spur entrepreneurial career orientation among CAVM students and graduates to become job creators than job seekers.

Dr Nyagatare giving his welcoming remarks
During his opening remarks, the principal of UR-CAVM welcomes all partners and participants to the event and thanks them for taking time from their schedule of duties to attend the event. He highlighted the importance of creating a conducive ecosystem entrepreneurial during and after this pandemic COVID-19 which affected the Rwandan job market and the rest of the continent. He also emphasizes the role of education in the lack of employment during and beyond COVID-19. “As higher learning institution the University of Rwanda, especially the College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine recognizes that entrepreneurship should be a major education emphasis as it is a driver of economic growth and job creation, Said Dr. Nyagatare.
The whole week was marked by the competition whereby 31 Projects were presented by Students Young Entrepreneurs in front of judges. The top five innovators were awarded with certificate and checks. Celestin MPAGAZEKUBWAYO with the project name Smart pets, was the 5th and he got 100,000 FRW. The fourth was Jean Damascene NDAYISHIMIYE, animal feeds from organic wastes 150,000 FRW. The third was Rosine NIYITUMENYA, Giratank Project, 200,000 FRW. The second was Elias MUGIRANEZA, Blood sausage, Fermented cabbages, 250,000 FRW and the First one who was also the Winner of the competition Ms Bernice ISHIMWE, with the project name E-Farm gains 300,000 FRW. The partners who supported the future entrepreneurs got certificates of appreciation. Those are : Eyes Rwanda, Envisage Rwanda, UR- Center of Energy, wadhwani Foundation, CRS, the UR- Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
Mr. Deo MUZUNGU, the coordinator of Envisage Rwanda, speaking at the event said that the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Envisage and UR-CAVM is a tremendous opportunity given to them to give the skills knowledge - based to UR-CAVM Entrepreneurs and transform theories into practical opportunities in terms of business creators.

Group photo

Story by Umupfasoni Jacqueline
PR & Engagement Officer