Education, Research, and Enterprise: The Dairy STIC Model for Sustainable Dairy Growth in Rwanda
Located in the heart of Rwanda’s vibrant dairy region of Musanze, the Dairy Service Training and Innovation Center (STIC) is dedicated to transforming the dairy industry through advanced research, training, and sustainable business practices. Established through a strategic partnership between educational institutions (UR-CAVM and IPRC Musanze) and a private sector entity (Alpha Milk Company), the Dairy STIC aims to catalyze economic transformation and enhance livelihoods by improving food security, health, and labor competitiveness in the Dairy Value Chain (DVC).
The Dairy STIC was developed under the Nuffic NICHE SEAD project. Under the lead of MSM the dairy STIC partners were further capacitated in the SEAD-West project. Currently, MSM in close collaboration with the Rwanda Polytechnic (RP) is implementing a Nuffic TMT+ project focusing on strengthening the dairy STIC as well as the STIC’s on agri-tourism, poultry, horticulture and potato. Within this project the focus is on strengthening the sustainability of the STICs, lifting them to dynamic platforms with also a research component and community outreach.
A Collaborative Approach: Training, Research, and Business Development at the Dairy STIC
The center focuses on three main components: training, research, and business development. Training and research are led by partner educational institutions, ensuring academic rigor and innovative practices, while the business component, driven by the private sector, supports the sustainability of these endeavors.
The Dairy STIC is committed to fostering relationships between academia and the dairy industry to improve community livelihoods and create a sustainable model for training and research. Initiatives include developing practical skills among students and professionals in the dairy industry, enhancing innovation through the creation of new dairy products and efficient production techniques, and linking dairy farmers, processors, and other stakeholders to national and regional markets to promote economic growth.
By improving the quality and safety of dairy products, the center contributes to better health outcomes and greater food security in the region. With a strategic plan aligned with national goals and international standards, the Dairy STIC is poised to play a crucial role in the transformation of Rwanda’s dairy sector, enhancing the capabilities of the DVC and ensuring a prosperous future for all stakeholders involved. Through its comprehensive approach combining education, research, and business, the Dairy STIC exemplifies how specialized centers can drive industry-wide improvements and make a lasting impact on both the economy and the community.
Orange Knowledge Programme
This project is part of the Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) which is funded by the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and managed by Nuffic. For more information click here.
MSM's Expert Centre on Emerging Economies
This institutional collaboration project is part of MSM's Expert Centre on Emerging Economies. The department is an expert centre on local economic development in emerging and developing markets. We capacitate managers and professionals from government, private sector, NGOs, and post-secondary education in Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Latin America. We offer consultancy and customized training programs, and we manage complex projects in key sectors, e.g. water, agriculture and health. For more information click here.
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