제 27 호 Sangmyung University Begins Technical Workforce Development Project in Rwanda
Kicker: SM NEWS
Sangmyung University Begins
Technical Workforce Development Project in Rwanda
By Ji-WonChoi, Reporter
On August 5, Sangmyung University held the official kick-off meeting for the Rwanda Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Center Construction Project at the Kigali Marriott Hotel in Rwanda. This project, supported by Korea’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) and led by Sangmyung University’s Global Creative Cooperation Center, marks the first initiative aimed at establishing a sustainable educational foundation in the region through international collaboration.
그림 1Technical Workforce Development Center Kick-off Meeting
The kick-off meeting was attended by key figures including Charles Karaki, Vice Minister of Education of Rwanda; Jung Woo-jin, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Rwanda; and Paul Umukunzi, Director General of the Rwanda TVET Board (RTB). They discussed the significance of the project and future directions for cooperation, emphasizing the importance of international collaboration in nurturing young talent in Rwanda and expressing their commitment to working with Sangmyung University.
This large-scale project is funded by approximately USD $100 million from the Korean government’s Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF). Led by Sangmyung University’s Global Creative Cooperation Center in partnership with Rwanda’s Ministry of Education and the RTB, the initiative seeks to drive innovation in technical education. It is not merely about constructing educational facilities but is closely aligned with Rwanda’s national development strategy focused on advanced technology education.
Park Heung-guk, Director of the Global Creative Cooperation Center at Sangmyung University, stated, “As someone who has been responsible for the feasibility study from the beginning, it is deeply meaningful for me to witness the official launch of this project. This is not just about building a school—it is about shaping the future of Rwanda’s youth.”
The Rwanda TVET Center will be established across eight pilot institutions nationwide, aiming to grow into a Center of Excellence (CoE) equipped with advanced AI and robotics facilities, modern curricula, and strong industry-academia collaboration. The project also includes comprehensive education reform strategies such as teacher capacity building, improvements in management systems, and measures for sustainability.
During the meeting, the consulting team presented detailed strategies, an implementation roadmap, and key educational content. Government officials and stakeholders participated in a Q&A session and discussions, followed by working-level meetings in the afternoon between experts and Rwandan counterparts, which further solidified the cooperative framework for project execution.
The initiative is expected to directly contribute to the core goals of Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and Vision 2050, specifically in developing technology-based human resources and building an employment-linked education system. It is anticipated to have a positive impact not only on Rwanda’s economic growth but also on job creation for the country’s youth.
The Rwanda TVET Center Project by Sangmyung University is a meaningful initiative that extends our university’s capabilities to the international community. It goes beyond educational cooperation between Korea and Rwanda, representing sustainable development on a global scale.
Source: https://www.asiae.co.kr/article/2025080713350915838
