Rwanda: Don Bosco Tech Africa Launches National Quality Management Workshop to Strengthen TVET Sector

Experts from diverse backgrounds have convened at Don Bosco Hospitality Centre in Kigali to kick off a vital 5-day workshop on Quality Management Processes and the ISO 9001:2015 Standard. This training aims to bolster the quality assurance framework within Rwanda’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector.

In his opening speech, Kamau Joseph, Project Officer at Don Bosco Tech Africa, emphasized the significance of this initiative. “It is with immense honor and profound privilege that I stand before you today on behalf of the Director of Don Bosco Tech Africa to officially open this comprehensive training,” he stated. “Your presence signifies a shared commitment to excellence and the transformative power of education, especially in promoting equality within TVET.”

Kamau highlighted that this workshop is not just an isolated event but a deliberate step towards establishing a robust, nationally significant quality framework. “Quality in education is a continuous journey of reflection, improvement, and adaptation,” he said. “For TVET to truly empower youth, quality must be embedded as a fundamental value—ensuring graduates are not only employable but also critical thinkers and resilient citizens contributing to Rwanda’s economic growth.”

Facilitated by experts from Elplat Technologies Ltd., led by QMS Specialist Mr. Michael Otiato, the workshop will focus on laying the foundational principles of quality assurance. Over the next five days, participants will engage in intensive sessions aimed at fostering both individual competency and collective action towards a comprehensive, high-standard TVET quality framework.

Following this training, a dedicated team of experts will accelerate the development of a country-wide TVET quality framework—serving as a reference point for institutions and partners to deliver relevant, effective, and internationally recognized training standards.

Kamau announced that this initiative is part of a strategic series of activities, including two upcoming follow-up workshops. One will gather TVET managers from Rwanda’s pioneering international institutions and other selected public and private entities for knowledge sharing and benchmarking. The other will involve hands-on training at the institutional level, focusing on continuous quality improvement.

Additionally, a five-day intensive workshop will be conducted for 15 “quality champions” selected from among participants. These individuals will serve as agents of change within their institutions, ensuring quality management principles are practically applied daily.

Kamau emphasized that “these activities form interconnected pillars of a long-term national strategy to elevate TVET standards across Rwanda, equipping young people not only with technical skills but also with resilience and adaptability for the modern world of work.”

He expressed gratitude to the trainers, partners, and government representatives working tirelessly in this collaborative effort. “Your collaboration fuels our progress,” he said. “Together, let’s seize this opportunity to share knowledge, exchange experiences, and envision a brighter future for quality in Rwanda’s TVET sector.”

Concluding his remarks, Kamau declared the workshop officially open, inviting all participants to engage actively, embrace innovation, and commit to embedding quality management into the core of Rwanda’s educational and economic development efforts.