FEATURED: Bridging theory and practice: IER field visit gives UR-CST students exposure to industrial technology

As part of the World Engineering Day celebrations, the Institution of Engineers Rwanda (IER), in collaboration with the Mechanical and Energy Engineering Department at University of Rwanda College of Science and Technology (UR-CST), organised a field visit to Safintra Rwanda Ltd that aimed at providing students with hands-on engineering experience and foster connections with industry experts.

On March 7, faculty members, UR-CST leadership, IER administrators, industry professionals, and third-year mechanical and energy engineering students visited Safintra Rwanda Ltd, a steel roofing manufacturer based in Kigali Special Economic Zone to give students first-hand engineering experiences.

The event’s objectives included increasing awareness of IER, targeting a future increase in the number of registered mechanical engineers and women in engineering, and establishing a partnership with the department of mechanical and energy engineering.

Dr Benard Munyazikwiye, Head of the Mechanical and Energy Engineering Department at UR-CST, emphasised that the event was a milestone in the department’s history, marking the students’ efforts to more active participation.

“I am very happy to have this event organised in collaboration with the Institute of Engineers. This brings a climax to the history of this department, because as far as I know, this is the first time to have this event organised in collaboration with the department and the students themselves,” he noted.

Munyazikwiye added that the visit underscored the department’s commitment to bridging the gap between academic learning and industry application.

“We thank Safintra industry for the support they offered us by exposing their knowledge and skills to our students, so that our students may link what they are learning in the class and what is outside there,” he noted.

Eng. Alexis Dushimire Hategekimana, the IER registrar, noted that the institute is committed to equipping students with practical skills to ensure a smooth transition into the workforce. He stressed the importance of stronger industry-academia partnerships to advance Rwanda’s engineering sector.

“We came to visit Safintra together with the students from the College of Science and Technology, so that they may see where the skills they have been learning from the university can be used,” Hategekimana said.

“We need to have industry and academic partnerships that will help us to advance engineering practices.”

Dr Maxime Binama, a lecturer in Mechanical and Energy Engineering at UR-CST, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that field visits allow students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios.

“Most of what we teach is theoretical. Industry visits enable students to see practical applications, helping them grasp how engineering concepts translate into real work environments,” he explained.

Binama pointed out that internships further complement classroom learning, as students gain hands-on experience before writing their final theses and graduating.

“It is hard to perform well on the labour market if the student doesn’t have practical skills. It requires the ability to practice what they have learned in theory and that is what makes an engineer, who can use both theory and practice to solve problems,” he added.

Dieudonné Hakizimana, Production and Maintenance Manager at Safintra Rwanda Ltd, welcomed the students and expressed the importance of field visits.

“These students are preparing to enter the job market. If they only have theoretical knowledge, they may struggle when assigned real tasks at work. That’s why such visits are crucial, they help them understand real industry operations,” he said.

Hakizimana noted that engineering schools often lack advanced machinery for students to practice on, making industry visits even more critical for their learning.

“At Safintra, we have equipment that students might not have access to in their universities. By visiting us, they get a deeper understanding of how the theories they study apply in real-life settings,” he noted.

Hakizimana underscored that field visits boost students’ confidence, encouraging them to ask questions and explore their curiosity.

A field visit to Safintra Rwanda Ltd aimed at providing students with hands-on engineering experience and foster connections with industry experts.

Among the visiting students was Lourde Evita Neza, a third-year mechanical engineering student who found the visit both eye-opening and motivating.

“We saw how sheet metals can be used to produce the roofing sheets we put on the roof,” she said.

Neza was particularly struck by the low number of women working in the industry, which strengthened her resolve to challenge gender norms and inspire other women to join engineering fields.

“I have noticed that from this industry there are few women that work here but what I learned from here is that, as a lady I should work hard to be an inspiration to other ladies and they should also be part of the engineering sector, and be part of mechanical engineering,” she said.

Neza noted that her vision is to have her own industry and provide jobs to the community.

Bravo Bright Shema, another third-year student, said the visit deepened his appreciation for industry-related technologies.

“It helps us to know technologies being used in the industry. This helps us upskill our knowledge to fit in the industry,” he said.

“It also motivates us to learn industry-related programmes like mechanical engineering because it is a field that needs more people who are creative, innovative, and have fresh minds. And we are also willing to do so.”

Safintra Rwanda is a steel roofing manufacturer based in Kigali Special Economic Zone.

Safintra Rwanda Ltd technician explaining to students how the firm operates.

Visitors pose for a group photo at Safintra Rwanda.