Luna Smelter and University of Rwanda Sign a Memorandum of Understanding

21 September 2021

LuNa Smelter & University of Rwanda is yet another proof of the commitment from different institutions to prepare future workforce as we all work towards achieving Rwanda’s vision to become a regional mineral hub. We thank all stakeholders for their commitment!

Kigali: The Vice Chancellor, University of Rwanda Professor Alexandre Lyambabaje, and Mr. Butera Joseph, Deputy Managing Director at LuNa Smelter have this morning Tuesday, 21 September 2021 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), that establishes a framework for intensifying cooperation and collaboration between the two signatory entities with the purpose of promoting skills development and prepare talents at the University of Rwanda for the future of work in the Mining, Geology and Metallurgical field.

The main purpose of this MoU is to establish cooperation for delivering a Professional Education & Employment Program for students enrolled at the University of Rwanda both for those in their last years of Bachelor program, those in third year during the industrial attachment period, as well as those in the first and second year, focusing but not limited to the School of Mining and Geology and the School of Science.

Through this partnership students of The University of Rwanda will be offered first hand training through internship opportunities as well as getting an opportunity to work on joint research projects with the team of geologists and technicians at LuNa. The Students will also participate in organized seminars, exchange programs and study visits at the smelter and increase the interest of UR students for engagement in Exploration and Mining projects in other parts of the World.

The cooperation which is with aligned the Government of Rwanda’s vision to build sustainable mining excellence, will be aiming to support and facilitate the professional development of UR students, with a focus on:

Implementing joint projects with the aim of encouraging the interest of younger generations in the mining sector;
Organizing seminars, study visits, conferences, “workshops” and exchange of experiences with the students both at the university premises and at LuNa Smelter;
The Company intends also to increase the interest of UR students for engagement in Exploration and Mining projects in other parts of the World.
Joint research as well as drafting research projects.

Speaking to the media at the signing ceremony the Deputy Managing Director of LuNa Smelter Mr. Butera Joseph said ‘…The company will host and provide a planned, supervised program for Students and will be solely responsible for the manner and means by which the work is performed in a safe workplace environment for Student…’

The Vice Chancellor, University of Rwanda Professor Alexandre Lyambabaje, expressed his appreciation to LuNa for their support in skilling Rwandan youth ‘…it is through frontline experience that our students get unrivalled exposure and experience…the University will award credits to students who participate in the Program…’

For Further information Contact

LuNa Smelter – Deputy Managing Director/ butera@lunasmelter.com

University of Rwanda – Principal of College of Science and Technology /cst@ur.ac.rw

About University of Rwanda The UR is a singular, multi-campus institution offering a wide range of academic studies. The University of Rwanda (UR) was established by the Government of Rwanda as a resulted from the merge of the nation’s seven public Higher Learning Institutions into a consolidated entity governed by the Board of Governors and an Academic Senate with strong staff and student representation, along with the Vice Chancellor who is the University’s chief executive officer. To date, the university consist of the following academic entities: College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS), College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine (CAVM), College of Business and Economics (CBE), College of Education (CE), College of Medicine and Health Sciences (CMHS) and College of Science and Technology (CST) under which Mining and Mettalurgical department is found.
About Luna Smelter Established in 2018, LuNa Smelter is a leading tin metal producer located in East Africa, Kigali – the capital city of Rwanda. It is the only tin smelter in Africa conformant with the Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP) under OECD guidance. The Company mission is to act as an industry change agent and a diversity trend-setter through ESG-driven investments with a strong focus on traceability, gender equality and unserved communities’ development. LuNa Smelter activities have already boosted the entire industrial and mining sector of East Africa, especially the development of the new 3T mining projects. The company has also a strong focus on capacity building and aims to share its know-hows from the parent company Luma holding to local talents.