Rwandan dance for Scottish universities

A group of Rwandan students will show their appreciation to five Scottish universities this weekend (Sat 10 July 2004) when they perform a colourful traditional dance in honour of a charitable scholarship scheme.

The Rwandan University Scholarships Scheme (RUSS) awarded seven women one-year scholarships for master degrees. The participating universities waived their academic fees, the Rwandan Government paid their living costs and RUSS paid for their airfares.

St Andrews student, Solange Mukamurenzi, will join her six counterparts at a special thank- you lunch in St Andrews on Saturday 10 July 2004 to thank the charity and participating universities. Wearing traditional Rwandan dress, this will be the last formal get-together of the RUSS 2003-4 scholars.

The scheme is hosted by the University of Dundee and organised by Professor Gerda Siann, Emeritus Professsor of Gender Relations at Dundee. It is hoped that the scheme will continue in future years, with the continued support of the Rwandan Government and charitable agencies.

Professor Siann said, “In the past 10 years, following the horrific genocide, Rwanda has made very impressive progress in the reconstruction of its civil society. Women have played an important role in this reconstruction and form half of its democratically elected Parliament. The seven students, who have very much appreciated and enjoyed their year at Scottish universities, are returning with new knowledge and skills to play their part in the continuing progress of Rwanda”.

Solange is studying for an MSc in Information Technology and Computational Science at St Andrews. The six other RUSS scholars are Dr Anita Asiimwe (studying for a Master of Public Health at Dundee), Wimmie Muhumuza (studying for an MEd at Edinburgh), Sylcie Karasire (studying for an MSc in aquaculture at Stirling), Consolee Mbarishimana (studying for an Msc in Advanced Computer Networking at Glasgow Caledonian) and Mary Mbabazi amd Ashura Mukakimenyi studying for MBA’s at Glasgow Caledonian).

The lunch will be hosted by University of St Andrews Vice- Principal (External Relations), Stephen Magee. Professor Siann and Dr Angela Roger will represent the University of Dundee.

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS

The event will take place at New Hall, North Haugh, St Andrews at 12.30pm on Saturday 10 July 2004. The Rwandan dance will take place at approximately 12.45pm. You are invited to send a reporter/photographer.

Issued by Beattie Media On behalf of the University of St Andrews For more information, please contact Claire Grainger, Press Officer – 01334 462530, 07730 415 015 or [email protected]; Ref: press releases/rwandan View the latest University news at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk