ICTP in High-Level Talks with Rwanda

ICTP Director Fernando Quevedo met with Rwanda Prime Minister Pierre Damien Habumuremyi on 24 July 2013 in the country's capital, Kigali, to discuss the establishment of an ICTP branch in Rwanda that could serve as a science hub for Africa.

The proposed branch, which would be located at one of Rwanda's science universities, would offer a master's degree in physics and would support training activities in areas related to ICTP's core research interests.

"Our goal is to bring ICTP's unique blend of high-quality physics and mathematics education and high-level science meetings closer to scientists in Africa, to help strengthen the continent's research capacity," said Director Quevedo.

Prime Minister Habumuremyi said that the Government of Rwanda is very supportive of the proposed partnership with ICTP.

Quevedo and a delegation of ICTP scientists also met with key members of the Prime Minister's cabinet, and visited several Rwandan institutes of higher education and technology, including the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Tumba College of Technology, the National Backbone Network, National Data Centre, Carnegie Melon University-Rwanda and KLab.

 ICTP was established in 1964 to promote science in developing countries. It is funded principally by the government of Italy in partnership with UNESCO and the International Atomic Energy Agency.