UR Huye Science Day Inspires Secondary School Students to Pursue University Education

Secondary school students from GS Gatagara and GS Msgr. Mubiligi in Huye District have expressed renewed determination to work harder in their studies and achieve the grades required to join the University of Rwanda (UR) after visiting its Huye Campus during the annual Science Day event.

The event, organised by the University of Rwanda's Huye Campus as part of its community outreach programme, brought together students, particularly Senior Six candidates, to explore university facilities, learn about admission requirements and discover opportunities for further education.

For many of the visiting students, the experience strengthened their ambitions to pursue higher education and helped them understand how the subjects they study in secondary school relate to university programmes.

NSENGIYUMVA Celestin, one of the students who participated in the visit, said touring the campus increased his desire to join the university and motivated him to put more effort into his studies.

"Immediately after entering the campus and seeing the facilities, you develop a strong desire to become part of this university," he said.

He added that learning about the university's admission requirements had given him and his fellow candidates a clear goal to work towards.

"We have been informed about all the requirements for joining the university. Now it is up to us to work hard in our studies so that we can become university students next year," he explained.

Similarly, AKIJURU Hallelujah, another student who participated in the tour, said the experience helped her realise the importance of continuing her education beyond secondary school.

"After what we have seen, we now have a greater desire to join the university. We have realised that what we learn in secondary school needs to be continued at a higher level," she said.

She noted that the visit encouraged students to aim for strong academic results that could help them qualify for scholarships and pursue their studies at the University of Rwanda.

"What we are learning in secondary school alone is not enough. It is now our responsibility to work hard, obtain the grades required for scholarships and continue what we have started," she added.

HABIMANA Innocent, a teacher at GS Gatagara, welcomed the initiative, describing it as an important opportunity for secondary school students to understand the connection between their current education and university studies.

According to him, exposing students to the university environment helps them develop academic ambitions and recognise the importance of working hard in school.

"Even seeing the university environment makes them want to become part of it," he said.

He explained that the visit also helped students understand that the knowledge and skills they acquire in secondary school provide a foundation for advanced studies.

"Discovering that there are students pursuing advanced studies in the same subjects gives them confidence that what they are learning has continuity. From the students we have spoken to, they are very happy and have developed a strong desire to join the University of Rwanda," he added.

NKUSI Innocent, Director of Career Guidance and Employability at the University of Rwanda, Huye Campus, said Science Day is an annual event aimed at fulfilling the university's commitment to community outreach.

He explained that the initiative seeks to ensure that communities surrounding the university, particularly neighbouring secondary schools, benefit from its educational resources and facilities.

"Science Day is one of the ways we implement our community outreach objective. We want communities surrounding the university to benefit from its presence," he said.

According to Nkusi, inviting students to visit the campus and explore its advanced facilities is intended to stimulate their curiosity, particularly in science-related subjects, and encourage them to consider pursuing higher education at the University of Rwanda.

He added that such visits allow secondary school students to gain practical exposure to university learning environments and better understand the academic opportunities available to them.

During the visit, students had the opportunity to explore the university's library, multimedia studio and laboratories, where they received explanations and demonstrations of how various equipment and materials are used. They were also informed about the admission requirements for joining the University of Rwanda, giving them a clearer understanding of the academic results they need to achieve to pursue higher education at the institution.

GATUNGANE Bella Sandrine/Radio Salus