Internships concluded for TMT+ Rwanda project to enhance agricultural innovation
The Maastricht School of Management (MSM) and Rwanda Polytechnic (RP) successfully finalized the internship component for the Tailor Made Training Plus (TMT+) Rwanda project. This initiative, part of the Orange Knowledge Program funded by NUFFIC, is aimed to strengthen the sustainability of Service, Training and Innovation Centres (STICs) across Rwanda.
The TMT+ project, which runs from September 2023 to August 2024, focuses on transforming Rwanda's agricultural value chains through innovative public-private partnerships. The internship component engaged five students, 3 local Rwandese students from the IPRC Karongi, Musanze and Ngoma and 2 international students from Maastricht University’s School of Business and Economics Emerging Markets BSc specialization in a four-month professional internship.
Internship Objectives and Tasks
The interns were involved in various activities to bolster the capacity and innovation of the STICs in key agricultural sectors such as agri-tourism, dairy, potato, horticulture, and poultry. Their responsibilities included:
- Conducting research on the challenges and opportunities within the STICs.
- Supporting project management in organizing trainings, meetings, and events.
- Developing databases and documents mapping STIC ecosystems and stakeholder roles.
- Creating visibility for STIC activities through news items, videos, and the development of communication materials.
The internship experience significantly benefited the project and the interns, equipping them with practical skills and enhancing their professional development. One of the interns expressed their gratitude, saying, "We are deeply grateful for the opportunities provided through this internship and research. We have gained a lot, especially in terms of skills, critical thinking, teamwork, and research conduction." This hands-on experience not only improved their technical abilities but also fostered critical thinking and teamwork, preparing them for future challenges in the working world.
This internship program was a critical component of the project, providing practical experience and fostering a new generation of professionals equipped to lead in (agricultural) innovation and sustainability.
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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