Rwanda: Swiss Hospitality School to Extend

Kigali — Renowned Swiss hospitality and tourism school, Les Roches International School of Hotel Management, has identified Rwanda as the appropriate location of a sister hospitality and tourism school on the African continent.

The school is expected to open within three to five years, according to Alan Palmer, a renowned hospitality expert, who's facilitating Les Roches' entry into Rwanda.

But before the school installs its own Rwandan school, the Workforce Development Authority (WDA) has offered to provide the Swiss institution with temporary premises to launch the training. And that's exactly why Mr Palmer is presently in Rwanda - to assess the requirements necessary to start the training from a provisional location.

According to WDA Director General Albert Nsengiyumva, besides availing the provisional training facility, WDA will also equip the Remera-based training centre,. He added that Les Roches will be at liberty to use some of WDA's hospitality instructors.

Nsengiyumva welcomed Les Roches' move, underlining that WDA was more than committed to facilitating anybody wishing to invest in integrated Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

Hospitality is one of the top priority training areas for WDA - a relatively new Government institution, whose mandate is to regulate, coordinate and guide the implementation of an integrated TVET system in Rwanda.

"We have seen the facility and what remains now is to fit in the kitchen and to procure training equipment, most of which are readily available in Kigali shopping malls," said Palmer, who was also involved with the establishment of Kenya's Utalii College.

He explained that Les Roches' aim is to make the proposed school an "African centre of excellence in hospitality and tourism training'. "It should be able to receive students from other African countries, as well as visiting European students."

Mr Palmer observed that Rwanda's strategic location in the heart of Africa, its stability and friendly climate were some of the factors behind the Les Roches' move.

At its temporary premises, the school will initially offer vocational-level training courses in hospitality and tourism, according WDA Ag. Deputy Director General, Fatina Mukarubibi. The courses include culinary art, food & beverages, front office operations, housekeeping service, tour agency operations and tour guide.

Ms Mukarubibi added that efforts are underway to identify the most appropriate permanent location for the school.