Joel Manishimwe prepares his robot during the innovation contest yesterday

The Workforce Development Authority (WDA) has convened the fourth contest pitting robots developed from eight schools under the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

The competition, which was held in Kigali, was also facilitated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and besides the vocational schools, also attracted Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST).

According to WDA, the contest was organised to provide opportunities for students to put their acquired engineering skills into practice, thus contributing to the strengthening of practical skills under TVET institutions, universities and higher learning institutions.

�This competition is a success story for WDA as well as JICA. This is the fourth one, meaning that we are creating an avenue for the students to show and vanish their practical knowledge,� said Kobayashi Hiroyuki, the JICA country representative.

Although the level of technology is still low, Hiroyuki� said, with experience, the young scientists will achieve more. He said the competition was another way for scientists to have fun.

The winners of the competition will represent the country in a similar regional competition, which will take place in Nairobi in May this year.

Maurice Beza, of Tumba College of Technology, said the hands-on experience boosts students� chances of becoming entrepreneurs.

Source: The New Times