SEANAC Secretariat visit to Rwanda (Kigali), 2 – 5th July 2008

Objectives

• Fact finding mission for a post graduate program in analytical chemistry.
• Conducting a needs assessment of analytical chemistry.

Places visited

• National University of Rwanda (NUR).
• Centre for Environmental Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development (CEESD).

Post graduate program at NUR

To offer MPhil in analytical and environment chemistry (Master of Science program by research ). Activities to be addressed

• Agricultural development underway in Rwanda, use of pesticides  and other fertilizers expected.
• Natural pollutants occurring from volcanic eruptions
• Quality control of water, coffee and tea
• Air pollution, monitoring of such gases as CH4 and CO2 from lakes.
• Pollution in the mining industry (Gold, Tin, and Coal tar)
• Research in chemistry related to HIV/AIDS.
• Build a strong analytical chemistry section in electroanalytical and chromatographic techniques.

Challenges

• Limited number of expertise to teach courses or supervise students at post graduate level
• Lack of equipment
• Good number of staff members still on training or due for post graduate training.

Expectations

• Co-supervision of students with Chemists from other Universities.
• Staff and student exchange.
• Upgrade the MPhil (MSc) program to PhD with time.

General Observations

            Undergraduate Program for chemistry at NUR

• Currently offering environmental and bioorganic chemistry
• Department intends having Analytical, Inorganic, Organic and Physical Sections in the near future.
• Students exclusively exposed to classical techniques. No exposure to any analytical chemistry instruments at all.
• At graduation students join local industry where mostly classical methods are used.

Instrumentation

• Almost all the work conducted using classical wet methods
• Lack of instrumentation at NUR and CEESD
• Shortage of consumables

Status of available instruments at NUR

• One (1) Volatmetric instrument (New) – Functional.
• One (1) Infra Red Spectrometer (Old with Chart Recorder) – Functional
• One (1) Ultraviolet –visible Instrument (Old) – Functional.
• One (1) Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (Old) – Not Functional due to lack of gases)
• One (1) Gas Chromatography Instrument (New) – Not Functional due to lack of gases).
• One (1) High Performance Liquid Chromatography Instrument  - Housed and used mostly by the biological department)

Manpower

• No technical staff members (Trained technical staff is required)
• Need to train instrument users
• Need to develop analytical academic staff members with various specialities.

Funding

• Limited funding to purchase consumables, including chemicals
• Limited funding to purchase, maintain or repair instrument.
• Limited funding for training
• NUR offered to financial support some activities such as transportation of staff members for training or otherwise, and budgeting for some consumables, mainly chemicals

Curriculum

• Media of communication is both French and English, either language could be used.
• Inadequate exposure to practical work, especially with instrumentation
• Analytical, Organic, Physical and Inorganic chemistry required

Developments in Rwanda

Establish of newly formed organisation; CEESD

• Identify environmental problems and their sources
• Influence implementation of policies in relation to improvement of environment for the community
• Planning a PhD program in applied environmental chemistry
• Need analytical chemistry supervisors
• Research on urban waste management
• Conduct short courses in chemistry, training laboratory technicians
• Involve in student and staff exchange

Need funding for planned activities including those related to analytical chemistry.

Way Forward

• SEANAC should increase its effort to facilitate inventory of instruments in the Universities in Rwanda as a whole, for possible sharing of facilities locally.
• SEANAC assist in developing a curriculum for both undergraduate and post graduate students as may be necessary.
• SEANAC identify and recommend experts who might assist with teaching and co-supervision of postgraduate students at NUR.
• Incorporate the needs of Rwanda when formulating a common curriculum for
  African Universities.
• SEANAC assist with soliciting funds and recommending vendors to Rwanda/NUR for consumables.
• Need to facilitate staff and student exchange.
• Need to facilitate training of staff