Responsibilities

National forest resources are limited in nature; their sustainable utilization deserves steady follow up and continuous update underlying policies and strategies in the changing local and global environment. Rwanda acknowledges the invaluable role of the forestry sector in the livelihoods of the population especially by providing multiple products and services that can be grouped into the following three categories: (1)Timber forest products (TFP) such as fuelwood, timber, pulpwood, etc.; (2) Non-timber forest products (NTFP) such as essential oils, gums, drugs, tannins, resins, honey, etc. and (3) Forest Services (FS) such as biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration, and oxygen supply, micro-climate modification, soil fertility improvement, recreational value and provision of employment opportunity in forestry and related activities. As stated in the overall goal of Rwanda National Forestry Policy revised in 2018, the policy aims at making the forestry sector, one of the pillars for sustainable development and climate resilience to improve the livelihoods of present and future generations.

One of the key challenges in the forestry sector as specified in the revised policy is limited technical capacity in the sector. As a solution, in 2014-2015, therefore, building a strong workforce with needed competencies in this sector will require improving the skills and knowledge in the forestry sector in the region that is why IPRC KITABI developed curricula that train well competent technicians in the department of Forestry.  Thus, the forestry Department is mainly made by two programs including Advanced Diploma in Forest Resources Management and Advanced Diploma in Forest Engineering and Wood Technology.

OPTIONS(PROGRAMS):

• Advanced Diploma in Forest Resources Management

• Advance Diploma in Forest Engineering and Wood technology

1.1  Description of forest resources management program

1.1.1 Background of forest resources management program

IPRC Kitabi’ s Forestry department offers an advanced diploma in Forest Resources Management that aims at responding to the rapidly-changing Forest Sector where innovation and use of technology are key ingredients to create solutions for today’s most challenging issues such as the problem of poor management, Low productivity of existing manmade forests and poor quality of forest genetic material.

This qualification provides skills, knowledge, and right attitudes required by the forest industry and graduate from this qualification will help the country to diversify tree species including exotic and native, to mainstream agroforestry practices, to increase forest cover and sustainable management of existing woodlots and natural forest, increase the production and increase the employment rate.

1.1.2 Program duration, Assessment and Award

1.1.3 Minimum entry requirements

Candidates eligible for this qualification should have completed RTQF/RTQF Level 5 (TVET Certificate in Forestry and Agriculture) or any other equivalent from other jurisdictions.

1.1.4 Information about pathways

1.1.5     Career Opportunities

Graduates with an advanced diploma in Forest Resources Management from IPRC Kitabi are competitively trained to pursue careers in government and non-governmental organizations; they can also work on their own. Besides, the scope of practice includes home forest farms, agroforestry farms, industrial forest blocks, public forest plantations, seedlings production in a commercial nursery, tree seed center, private forest consulting firms, and forest extension in public and private institutions.

1.1      Description of forest engineering and wood technology program

1.2.1 Background of forest engineering and wood technology program

IPRC Kitabi’ s Forestry department offers an advanced diploma in Engineering and Wood Technology that aims at responding to the rapidly-changing Forest Sector where innovation and use of technology are key ingredients to create solutions for today’s most challenging issues such as poor quality sawed timbers, poor quality wood products.

The purpose of this qualification is to allow learners to acquire relevant knowledge and skills related to the forestry sector with specific reference to Forest Engineering and mechanization, Assessing wood properties, primary wood processing for the production of industrial timber, secondary wood processing for the production of intermediate products.

This qualification will also allow qualifying learners to become economically active in engineered forestry operations and wood transformation technologies that will have a direct impact on local economic development.

1.2.2 Program duration, Assessment and Award

1.2.3 Minimum entry requirements

Candidates eligible for this qualification should have completed RTQF/RTQF Level 5 (TVET Certificate in Forestry and Carpentry) or any other equivalent from other jurisdictions.

1.2.4 Information about pathways

1.2.5     Career Opportunities

Graduates of advanced diploma in Forest Engineering and Wood Technology from IPRC Kitabi are competitively trained to pursue careers in government and non-governmental organizations; they can also work on their own. Besides, the Scope of practice includes, wood workshop, wood industry, woodworks company, construction company, architectural company, forestry schools, sawmill company, carpentry schools, wood waste management company, home forest farms, industrial forest blocks, public forest plantations, private forest consulting firms, and urban Forest.