Over 4,500 students graduated today from Rwanda Polytechnic (RP), marking the institution’s 8th Graduation Ceremony. Held at BK Arena, the event was presided over by Prime Minister Dr. Edouard Ngirente, who called on the graduates to use their technical expertise to contribute meaningfully to Rwanda’s development.

“In today’s world marked by technological advancement, Rwanda is proud to welcome skilled young professionals into the workforce. Your fresh ideas will help drive the nation’s progress,” said Prime Minister Ngirente.

The Prime Minister emphasized the critical role of technical skills in transforming knowledge into practical solutions, stating that they are foundational to progress in sectors such as mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering, agriculture, and more.

“Across the world, technical skills have proven to be key enablers of industrial revolutions and economic development. I am pleased to note that a recent tracer study found over 70% of last year’s RP graduates are either employed or pursuing further studies. This proves that Rwanda Polytechnic is producing talent that meets industry needs,” he added.

Minister of Education Dr. Joseph Nsengimana also addressed the ceremony, commending RP for its growing contribution to Rwanda’s skilled workforce.

“Rwanda Polytechnic stands as a beacon of hope and transformation in our education sector. With over 4,500 students graduating today—including more than 1,400 from the BTech programs—we see a system aligned to the demands of a dynamic labour market,” said Minister Nsengimana. “These graduates will go on to shape industries, energize our innovation ecosystems, and contribute to the goals of Vision 2050 and the National Strategy for Transformation.”

The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening higher education by improving infrastructure, expanding access, and deepening collaboration with the private sector to ensure graduates are prepared for the workforce.

This year, 4,562 students graduated from RP, including 3,146 with Advanced Diploma certificates and 1,416 with Bachelor of Technology degrees. Since RP’s first graduation in 2018, the number of graduates has increased by 58%—a clear sign of the growing impact of technical and vocational education in Rwanda.
Notably, the proportion of female graduates has risen from 23% in 2024 to 29% this year, highlighting sustained efforts to promote women’s participation in technical fields.