The national University of Rwanda Center for Environment, Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development (NUR/CEESD) on Friday set its seven year strategic plan . The strategy will streamline the center’s activities which include supporting economic growth and poverty alleviation in a safe environment.

“We will carry out research in the areas of entrepreneurship and economic growth at large but also in environmental protection and development. In addition, research findings will be published and disseminated to the community ”, the HoD of the sustainable development department at CEESD Dieudonné Uwizeye said.

The center realized that economic development largely dependents upon innovation and entrepreneurial activities. However these activities can lead to environmental degradation if not properly managed. In this regard, the center is committed to making Rwanda a developed country in a safe environment, working for environmental research and development.

CEESD has been supporting and will continue to support short courses and post graduate studies in the areas of environmental protection. This has been a great contribution in the building of a safe environment in Rwanda. Moreover, the center supports the development of multidisciplinary research proposals. It also undertakes some outreach activities in collaboration with districts and NGOs with the aim of poverty alleviation and sustainable development.

"Our center has supported the production of a training manual to be used in training cooperative managers in managerial skills. This manual has been validated and is going to be used in training cooperative managers throughout Rwanda.” Dieudonné added.

In addition to this, the center provided training to local authorities from sector to grouped settlement (umudugudu) in matters related to sustainable development. As part of their contribution towards the development of local settlements in Rwanda, CEESD is developing a business plan for Karama grouped settlement in Huye district of the southern province

The center also encourages and supports University scientists from various fields and units in research activities related to environment, Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Development. It also connects NUR researchers with the outside community and government institutions for various trainings, workshops and seminars.

CEESD was established in 2008.and is still expected to lead the contribution of NUR towards the achievement of Rwanda’s environmental related strategies in EDPRS , Vision 2020 and the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Emmanuel Hitimana