Organisational strengthening and academic capacity development of the Rwanda Tourism University College
NICHE-RWA-007
Sector
Tourism
Project budget
The maximum budget for this project is € 1 million.
Organizations
This project has been developed by the Rwanda Tourism University College. The tender for this project expired on 9 April 2010. Nuffic has awarded this tender to MDF Training & Consultancy BV, which has formed a consortium with INHolland University, Centre fo International Cooperation (CIS-VU), Sawadee, MMA and MDF Central Africa.
Project description
Hospitality and Tourism is an important economic sector in Rwanda with a significant impact on the living conditions of women. The sector has seen an impressive annual growth of 17-20% in recent years.
In 2008 almost one million tourists visited Rwanda. This figure is set to rise to 1.2 million in 2012 and 2.2 million in 2020. Therefore, the sector will need a substantial increase in infrastructure and personnel in the coming years.
Rwanda has a considerable lack of workforce. At present, there is a 96% gap at technician level and a 55% gap at professional/managerial level. Also, a disproportionately large proportion of the workforce comes from neighbouring countries, predominantly from Kenya.
High expectations are therefore placed on the Rwanda Tourism University College (RTUC). It is the country's only higher education institution serving the tourism sector.
Established in 2006, RTUC is a private institution under the Ministry of Education. It enjoys strong support from the Rwanda Development Board and the Rwanda Tourism Board. Compared to expectations and potential, however, the competence of RTUC’s management, faculty and administration is limited.
This project aims to address the considerable skills gap through capacity development at the RTUC. It will also focus on reinforcing the study, training, research and service/consultancy offer and establishing proper teacher training.
In addition, it will support the development of policies and procedures that will make RTUC a strong actor within the national Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system in Rwanda.
Promoting entrepreneurship
With regard to the objective to promote entrepreneurship in the tourism sector an additional € 50,000 has been earmarked through a separate NICHE project.