The New Times

9/11/07

GLASGOW – President Paul Kagame was on Wednesday night granted an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Glasgow in Scotland. In a formal ceremony attended by over 600 students, faculty and members of the Glasgow community, President Kagame was conferred the honorary doctorate by the University Chancellor, Sir Kenneth Calman, in recognition for “his leadership, and in encouragement of his commitment to nation building and reconciliation in Rwanda”.

Following the presentation of the honorary degree, President Kagame delivered a lecture on “Education for Development: the African and Rwandan Challenge”.

In his address, the President pointed out that, although a crucial hallmark of every modern nation, particularly those seeking to achieve socioeconomic transformation, education in Africa is not yet an integrated enterprise.

He emphasised the need for education systems in Africa that are aligned to respective national development priorities, which necessarily called for trained professionals and experts to drive growth.

He noted that the teaching of science and technology in African countries including Rwanda was indispensable to develop a critical mass of innovators and problem solvers in order to create wealth and overcome poverty.

Speaking on gender parity in education, President Kagame noted the need to fully integrate women in decision making in order to take advantage of all available human assets and talents within a nation, in the pursuit for prosperity.

He also underscored the threat of brain drain on the African continent noting that although remittances from the Diaspora were significant, African leaders have the duty to tackle the underlying factors leading to the continued and increasing loss of educated and skilled Africans to more developed economies.

On the excellent collaboration between Rwanda and the University of Glasgow and other Scottish universities, where several Rwandan students have received scholarships, Kagame urged continued partnership for mutual benefit.

The New Times