Over the past 25 years, Rwanda has exemplified transformation through visionary leadership, placing forward-thinking principles squarely at the center of its strategies and policies. The country’s investment in technology, conservation, tourism, financial services, and entrepreneurship has firmly established Rwanda as an economic and social leader, regionally and globally.
Not only has it positioned itself as one of Africa’s most vibrant economies, but Rwanda features regularly as one of the world’s top travel destinations. Under successful strategies like Rwanda’s National Meetings, Incentives, Conferences/Conventions and Events/Exhibitions (MICE), tourism has grown exponentially. With new experiences and destinations, the country regularly hosts major global conferences like the World Economic Forum, while tourists come in record numbers to see Rwanda’s gorillas, Akagera’s mesmerising Big Five, and to take on the challenge of hiking the country’s towering volcanoes while basking in the spectacular scenery. We are incredibly proud that so many of our Akilah Institute graduates are part of this thriving ecosystem.
As international guests continue to visit the country, we’re thrilled to collaborate with employers and thought-leaders in the tourism industry, providing a pipeline of talent to international industry leaders like Marriott International and Radisson Blu. Our Hospitality Management Diploma program and competency-based learning model further prepare students to excel as entrepreneurs within the industry. From advisory positions with GIZ (German Agency for International Cooperation) to corporate management roles in Dubai and Doha, Akilah’s graduates continue to leverage their practical knowledge in eco-tourism, hospitality entrepreneurship, and business management to support sustainable growth and innovation across the industry.
Ultimately, our goal is for students to graduate from Akilah prepared for career success, and to lead innovative, sustainable development in any industry or career path of their choosing. A recent survey revealed that 90% of Akilah graduates secured employment within six months of graduation. 58% of graduates have received at least one promotion in position and/or salary since graduating, and 36% of them are in supervisory roles.
As Rwanda prepares to welcome over a million visitors this year and host the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting, Davis College and Akilah remain committed to contributing to the development of skills in the hospitality sector, transforming youth into career-ready experts prepared to help build on the country’s growing reputation as one of the world’s most exciting destinations in 2020 and beyond.
Author: Aline Kabanda, President, Davis College Rwanda
It was first published in the March 2020 edition of the VoyagesAfriq Travel Magazine
