Silas Lwakabamba

Professor Silas Lwakabamba
Managing Director at Coventry University Africa Hub
In office May 2021 – Present
Rwanda’s Minister of Education
Minister
In office July 2014 – June 2015
Preceded by	Vincent Biruta
Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure
Minister
In office February 2013 – July 2014
Succeeded by	James Musoni
Personal details
Born	Silas Stanislaus Bernard Lwakabamba 1947 (age 76–77) Tanganyika Territory, British Empire
Alma mater	University of Leeds (BSc), (PhD)
Profession	Mechanical Engineer

Silas Stanislaus Bernard Lwakabamba or simply Silas Lwakabamba (born 1947), is a Tanzanian engineer, academic and politician.^[1] Since May 2021, he has been serving as the Regional Managing Director of Coventry University African Hub, based in Kigali, Rwanda.^[2][3] Lwakabamba holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from University of Leeds in England since 1975. Since 1997, he served as the founding Rector of Rwanda’s Kigali Institute of Science and Technology.^[4] In 2006, he was appointed Rector of National University of Rwanda until 2013.^[5] Lwakabamba served as Rwanda's Minister of Infrastructure between February 2013 and July 2014, he also served as Rwanda's Minister of Education since July 2014 until June 2015.^[6][7]

Early life and education

Silas Lwakabamba was born in 1947, he grew up and studied his elementary and secondary education in Tanzania. He attended the University of Leeds in England where he studied Mechanical engineering, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in 1971, a Doctor of Philosophy in 1975, and he attained his Professorship in 1981 from University of Dar es Salaam.^[8][9] Lwakabamba was awarded twice the honorary degrees in recognition of his contribution to higher education, in 2005 the Doctor of Technology by the Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland, United Kingdom, and in 2007 the Doctor of engineering by the Solent University in Southampton, England.^[10]

Academic career

University of Dar es Salaam

After graduating with a PhD in Mechanical engineering from University of Leeds, Lwakabamba returned to Tanzania, he joined the staff of the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Dar es Salaam and served as head of Mechanical Engineering Department until 1982. Subsequently, he became Dean of the Faculty at the same institution until 1985.^[11]

ARCEDEM

In 1985, Lwakabamba moved to Nigeria and joined African Regional Center for Engineering Design and Manufacturing (ARCEDEM), a UN-sponsored project, based in Ibadan, Nigeria with aim of assisting African member states in development of capability for engineering design and manufacturing of industrial and agricultural machines and equipment.^[12] He served as director of training and extension services, until 1997.^[13]

Rwandan Universities

In 1997, he moved to Rwanda and became founding Vice Chancellor of Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). Lwakabamba was a leader for a Kigali-based institution which was created in partnership between the Rwanda Ministry of Education, UNDP Rwanda, and GTZ. ^[14] He served in this position until 2006.^[15]

Subsequently, he was appointed by President of Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, as Vice Chancellor of National University of Rwanda, a former largest university in Rwanda which was merged with other higher education institutions of Rwandan government into the created University of Rwanda in 2013.^[16] While Lwakabamba was in the office he also chaired Inter-University Council of East Africa among others.^[17] Lwakabamba served the positions until 2013. ^[18]

In October 2015, Lwakabamba was appointed Vice Chancellor of University of Kibungo also known as University of Agriculture, Technology and Education of Kibungo (INATEK) which was based in Ngoma, Rwanda.^[19] He resigned from position after two years, Lwakabamba told the Igihe.Com that poor working relationship with owners of the institution was the reason.^[20][21]

Career in politics

Lwakabamba was appointed by President Paul Kagame in the Cabinet of Rwanda as Minister of Infrastructure on February 25, 2013.^[22] He succeeded Albert Nsengiyumva, during his tenure, Lwakabamba worked on finalizing of the KivuWatt Power Station project among others, a first methane gas-fired thermal power plant in Rwanda.^[23][24] He served the office until July 2014.

Subsequently, he was appointed as Minister of Education succeeding Vincent Biruta.^[25] While Lwakabamba was in the office, he called for more research to boost Rwandan education.^[26] The Ministry of Education signed a long-term contracts with IBM and Microsoft for boosting Rwanda education and research system.^[27][28] He served the office until June 2015.

Additional career

Board memberships

• Board Chairman, Rwanda Initiative for Sustainable Development, (2016 to 2018).^[29]
• Board Chairman, Inter University Council of East Africa (IUCEA), (2010 to 2012).^[30]
• Board Chairman, Rwandatel, (2001 to 2006).^[31]
• President, Institution of Engineers Rwanda (IER), (1999 to 2000).^[32]

References

1. "Former minister takes up role in the university sector". University World News. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
2. "Coventry University Vice-Chancellor meets President of Rwanda to discuss education and research opportunities". www.coventry.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
3. Ashimwe, Edwin (2021-06-01). "Prof Lwakabamba to chair Coventry University's new Africa hub". The New Times. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
4. "Prof. Silas Lwakabamba". www.winne.com. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
5. "Rwandan Educator Calls for Greater Cooperation between Universities and Labor Markets". Voice of America. 2011-05-13. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
6. Ashimwe, Edwin (2021-06-06). "Lwakabamba weighs in on Coventry appointment, returning to academia". The New Times. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
7. Reporter, Times (2015-06-24). "Papius Musafiri is new Education minister". The New Times. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
8. "Prof. Silas Lwakabamba (Rwanda)". AFRICAWHOSWHO. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
9. Writer, Staff (2018-02-01). "Former Rwanda education minister joins eLearnAfrica board". ITWeb Africa. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
10. Reporter, Times (2007-11-12). "Lwakabamba awarded honorary degree". The New Times. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
11. Tumwebaze, John Mark. "Lwakabamba: The Rwanda's academic giant and a physicist". www.thecampus.rw. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
12. "African Regional Centre for Engineering Design and Manufacturing | UIA Yearbook Profile | Union of International Associations". uia.org. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
13. "Silas Lwakabamba". Global Teacher Prize. 2022-11-29. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
14. http://www.sweetpotatoknowledge.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/KIST.pdf
15. "Over 6,000 to be admitted in public varsities". www.newtimes.co.rw. 2011-05-16. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
16. "A new university, new international leader, new future". University World News. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
17. Ntambara, Paul (2010-06-14). "Lwakabamba to chair EAC Inter-University Council". The New Times. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
18. Reporter, Times (2010-04-02). "Lwakabamba to head Inter–University Council". The New Times. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
19. Rwembeho, Stephen (2016-05-25). "Prof. Lwakabamba vows to crackdown on graft at INATEK". The New Times. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
20. John, Mbaraga (2017-09-22). "Lwakabamba resigns from UNIK". Retrieved 2024-02-22.
21. UMURENGEZI (2022-11-08). "eLearnAfrica offers Rwandan civil servants a bursary for Coventry University online MBA - UMURENGEZI". Retrieved 2024-02-22.
22. "New ministers sworn in". www.newtimes.co.rw. 2013-02-26. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
23. "Karongi: Umushinga wa Gaz Methane (KivuWatt) wiyongeje amezi atandatu". Kigali Today. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
24. "Rwanda: Private sector key to energy expansion plans | African Energy". www.africa-energy.com. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
25. Tabaro, Jean de la Croix (2014-08-03). "Rebooting education: Need to expand facilities". The New Times. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
26. Asaba, Solomon (2015-02-05). "Lwakabamba calls for more research to boost education". The New Times. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
27. Reporter, Times (2015-03-06). "Mineduc, IBM sign deal to boost research skills". The New Times. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
28. "Govt, Microsoft sign agreement to transform education in Rwanda". www.newtimes.co.rw. 2014-03-07. Retrieved 2024-02-22.
29. "RISD Website". risdrwanda.org. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
30. Reporter, Times (2010-04-02). "Lwakabamba to head Inter–University Council". The New Times. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
31. "Effective Engineering Training: the Case of Kigali Institute of Science, Technology and Management* - PDF Free Download". docplayer.net. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
32. "2006 Participant Bios | Sam Nunn Bank of America Policy Forum". nunnforum.inta.gatech.edu. Retrieved 2024-02-21.

External links

• Coventry University Africa Hub