Background

Rwanda is endowed with rich biological diversity comprised of a great diversity of plants, animals and habitats, which make our country unique. Biodiversity is the foundation of human well-being and a big percentage of Rwandans depends on goods and services provided by the ecosystems. The Government of Rwanda is committed to the conservation and sustainable utilization of biodiversity for the prosperity of its people and the nation.

The revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) has been developed based on national needs and priorities for biodiversity conservation, in response to threats that are facing biological resources at country level. This NBSAP lists 5 objectives and 19 national targets that aim to stop biodiversity loss and increase the economic benefits associated with the biological resources utilization and ecosystems services. It reflects the country’s vision for biodiversity and the broad strategic mechanisms that Rwanda will take to fulfil the objectives of the CBD.

As per NST1 the GoR is investing on boosting human capital by introducing TVET courses and other higher academic programs as response towards a highly needed critical mass of qualified technicians and professionals.

This qualification provides skills, knowledge and right attitudes required by nature conservation industry, and graduates from this qualification will help the country to reduce dependencies on external expertise, increase employment rate, reduce cost of labour and increase decent jobs.

Department of Nature Conservation Programs:

• Advanced Diploma in Wildlife and Conservation Technologies

DESCRIPTION OF WILDLIFE AND CONSERVATION TECHNOLOGIES PROGRAM

1. Introduction

The department of nature conservation with an award of advanced diploma in Wildlife and Conservation Technologies from IPRC Kitabi aims to provide graduates with competence and skills to succeed in a rapidly-changing nature conservation environment where innovation and technology are key ingredients. Graduates are equipped with a comprehensive range of technical, managerial, research, communication and life skills for employment in the field of nature conservation.  The purpose of this program is to supply the nature conservation industry with people who can competently contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and provide knowledgeable assistance to natural resource managers.

The graduates will have the indispensable knowledge of plant diversity and conservation, competence in conservation research and monitoring techniques, soil system, hydrological system and climate system, geographic information systems, principles of ecology and conservation biology. With this program, students develop the expertise they need to create solutions for today’s most challenging conservation issues such as climate change, water quality, and wildlife diseases management. Students will also learn how to manage wastes and recycling techniques, to apply wilderness communication, navigation and wilderness techniques, to apply first aid and survival techniques; how to carry out environmental research, to investigate wildlife crimes and crime file, stimulate community awareness and environmental education and deal with wildlife entrepreneurship. Class lectures are practically complemented with field excursions in different protected areas, research centers, conservation NGOs in both Rwanda and wider Albertine Rift region.

In this era of technological transformation in which change has become the norm in different fields, the advances in technology give conservationists, scientists, and the general public the advantage to better understand water, soil, atmosphere, plants, animals and their habitats, and the threats they can face. Therefore, the integration of technological applications, software and tools in the program of advanced diploma in wildlife and conservation technology is key factor to provide competitive graduates who apply technological innovations and stimulate a closer collaboration among conservation practitioners, ethologists, biologists, among from others.

1. Program duration, Assessment and Award

IPRC KITABI Advanced Diploma in Wildlife and Conservation Technologies program is completed in a 3-years period; each year is divided into two semesters with a total of 360 credits. The assessment is based on 60% for continuous assessment and 40% final examination. Upon completion of the course, graduates are a warded an Advanced Diploma in Wildlife and Conservation Technology.

1. Entry qualification

To be eligible for Level 6, one must hold an Advanced Certificate of secondary education (A2) recognized by the Rwanda Education Board or an equivalent Certificate in Subjects set by Rwanda Education Board or any other accredited institution with at least two principal passes in the following combinations: Veterinary /Animal Health, Mathematics-Chemistry-Biology (MCB), Physics-Chemistry-Biology (PCB), Biology-Chemistry-Geography (BCG),  Biology-Economics-Geography (BEG), Mathematics-Economics-Geography (MEG), and for level 7, one must holder of RTQF level 6 in wildlife and conservation technologies, and in Wildlife Management. Any other equivalent Certificate in related field obtained from other recognized Institutions. Mature students with working experience of two-years and holding a certificate from an accredited/recognized institution must have attained at least a credit pass in relevant subject area

1. Career opportunity
   • Career Opportunities- Level 6

Graduates of advanced diploma in Wildlife and Conservation Technologies from IPRC Kitabi are competitively trained to pursue careers in government and non-governmental organizations. They are able to work in the followings Scope of practice:

• National Parks
• Law enforcement
• Research and monitoring
• Forest reserves
• National parks’ buffer zone
• Wildlife diseases laboratories
• Zoos
• Community conservation
• Environmental clubs
• Conservation agencies / NGOs
• Tour operators
• Herbarium
• Tourism
• Environmental clubs
• Water management
• Air quality monitoring
• Weather stations
• Catchments
• Community conservation
• Land management
• Waste management
• Conservation agencies / NGOs
• Law enforcement
• Research and monitoring
• Environment and social impact assessment

With the following prospective occupations:

• Park ranger/tracker
• Wildlife Educator
• Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer
• Community warden Officer
• Research/field assistant
• Nature guide/nature interpreter
• Curator
• Herbarium officer
• Data manager
• Environmental education officer
• Nature conservation officer
• Environment protection technician
• Lab technician
• Water Storage Development Officer
• Catchments Management technician
• Water Quality Monitoring technician
• Land use monitoring technician
  • Career Opportunities- Level 7

Graduates of advanced diploma in Wildlife and Conservation Technologies from IPRC Kitabi are competitively trained to pursue careers in government and non-governmental organizations. They are able to work in the followings Scope of practice:

• National Parks
• Forest reserves
• Pisciculture
• Herbarium
• Museum
• National parks’ buffer zone
• Apiculture
• Mushroom farms
• Recreational parks
• Botanical gardens

With the following prospective occupations:

• Wildlife Manager
• Wildlife Consultant
• Environmental consultant
• Wildlife administrator
• Wildlife entrepreneur
• Environmental manager
• Herbarium manager
• Fish farming manager
• Apiary manager
• Botanical garden manager
• Recreational park manager