At the opening of a week-long ICT exhibition fair in Rwanda, the republic of Korea pledged to build an ICT innovation center at the Integrated Polytechnic Regional Center (IPRC) and a training centre for teachers; jointly worth $9 million.

This was disclosed by the Korean ambassador to Rwanda, Hwang Soon-talk, at the fair designed to promote ICT awareness. He said the move was a reaffirmation of his government’s commitment to maintaining favourable relations with Rwanda, adding that the fair would inspire students and educate them about the benefits of ICT.

At the fair, a number of online-based ICT innovations invented by final year students were exhibited. Two students, who will be graduating in February, presented an “Online Leave Management System” designed to help company staff seek leave from their workplaces via the internet.

Two other students exhibited an “Umuganga Android App” designed to help in medical screening. According to them; “People often waste life unknowingly. A person might indulge in smoking yet they are suffering from tuberculosis, which can worsen their health condition. People can get health advice following respective symptoms of diseases that are provided in this application.”

In all, 16 students and ICT firms will be participating at the fair which will end on Tuesday, 21st October, 2014.

Didier Nkurikiyimfura, director-general of ICT at the Ministry of Youth and ICT, expressed optimism at how investments in ICT were bearing fruits in the key areas of economy. He also acknowledged the extra leverage that the Korean investment will bring saying; “We believe that this support will help Rwandan students to be able to surmount challenges in the job market as ICT skills are vital in the job market.”

To date, the Korean republic has funded, among others, the construction of the ICT center at the University of Rwanda and the Rwanda-Korea Information Center at IPRC. In terms of private sector participation, Korea Telecom invested $140 million last year, partnering the government of Rwanda to float the 4G LTE technology in the country.

By Emmanuel Iruobe

Elsewhere on Ventures

Triangle arrow