The University of Rwanda has teamed up with the Michigan State University to start a Master of Science degree programme aimed at helping women get a strong foothold in agribusiness. The programme will enroll its first cohort of students in February 2015.
According to news releases, the graduate programme prioritises accessibility to women and midcareer professionals and will incorporate extensive experiential learning opportunities for students. The structure of the programme requires all students to partake in an internship, thus better preparing them for leadership and entrepreneurial roles in agriculture in Rwanda.
Emeritus Professor James McWha, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Rwanda, said the programme is a major development of the future of the agriculture and food industries in the country:
Agriculture is vital to the people and economy of Rwanda and many of those involved in agriculture are women. Their input to the business of agriculture is essential. It is also important that agriculture adopts a modern business strategy because it is a business and all those involved must learn the relevant skills. This program brings together all the components necessary for a major development of the future of the agriculture and food industries in Rwanda.
The programme was jointly developed with funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development.
