Enterprise Management Students at INES-Ruhengeri Visit Urwibutso Enterprises: Innovation in Action

On September 26, 2024, students from the Enterprise Management Year 2 program at INES-Ruhengeri embarked on a field trip to Urwibutso Enterprises, the thriving business empire founded by Dr. Sina Gerard, one of Rwanda’s most celebrated entrepreneurs. The trip, accompanied by Dr. Muhayimana Victoire, a lecturer in Enterprise Management, provided the students with a unique opportunity to witness business innovation in action and learn from a real-life success story.

Dr. Sina Gerard, known for his local business acumen, shared his entrepreneurial journey with the students, offering insights into how he built Urwibutso Enterprises from humble beginnings. The students explored various facets of the enterprise, including agricultural production, food processing, marketing, and distribution. They learned how these interconnected components create a sustainable and profitable business.

The visit highlighted the importance of creativity and resilience in entrepreneurship, stressing the need to recognize and seize business opportunities, even from small beginnings. Urwibutso Enterprises, famous for its products like Akabanga chili oil and Akarabo biscuits, served as an excellent example of how innovation and adaptability can lead to long-term success for local entrepreneurs.

This field trip is part of INES-Ruhengeri’s commitment to providing students with practical knowledge and experiences that go beyond the classroom. By engaging with successful entrepreneurs and observing real-world business operations, the university seeks to inspire its students to become the next generation of innovative business leaders.

The Enterprise Management students left the trip with a renewed sense of purpose, equipped with valuable insights into spotting business opportunities and applying creative solutions to real-world challenges. As Rwanda's entrepreneurial ecosystem continues to expand, the lessons learned from this field trip will undoubtedly shape the future careers of these aspiring entrepreneurs.