President of student board works for larger community

As President of the SAB, Uwanziga's days are full. Along with her studies, she is busy working with other board members to liaison between the ITC management and students. `We are a governing body that acts as a mouthpiece for students who need to discuss residential and financial matters,' she explained in the SAB office. `We also organize trips in the Netherlands and abroad, social evenings, and an International Sports Day in April.'

Uwanziga arrived in September last year and was immediately elected as a class representative. She then accepted the presidency, a position she will hold until September 2010. `I find this work rewarding,' she smiled. `I am able to help fellow students and also contribute to the institution.'

When asked how she envisioned the SAB working with the UT, she said, `The SAB is a crucial entity at the ITC with a different history and background from, for example, the Platform for International Twente Student Associations (PITS) at the UT. PITS is more of an umbrella organization for different student groups while the SAB represents the entire student body.'

`Any changes will have to be phased in slowly. And we need to ensure that the ITC students are comfortable. We have already received invitations to participate in various UT associations, and some ITC students have joined. But you have to realize that ITC students are under a tighter schedule. Most are only here for 18 months. Classes are more intense and we are from different countries, making us a unique community.'

Perhaps it is no surprise that Uwanziga is the SAB president. Rwanda is the first country in history to elect a national legislature with a majority of women members. `Our country encourages women and youth to achieve positions of employment,' explained Uwanziga. `We have a large diaspora community. But many Rwandans are coming home because the country is once again a safe and secure place to invest in.'

Uwanziga took a sabbatical from her government job as Director of Land Use Management and Geo-information Science (GIS) in the capital city of Kigali to obtain her MSc in GIS for urban planning and management. She plans to finish in March 2011 and return home where she hopes to help with upgrading city slums.

`In Rwanda, we have a unique form of reconciliation called Gacaca,' Uwanziga said. `It has been our greatest step toward progress and helped us to come together as one people. Culturally, it is how we have always resolved tribal or family disputes. Well-respected elders, known as Inyangamugayo, bring all parties together and mediate a resolution.'

Gacaca roughly translated into English from the Rwandan language of Kinyarwanda, means clean cut grass. It is symbolic for the area where elders sit and judge a trial. In 2001, the Gacaca system of community justice was established and there are 8140 Gacaca courts located throughout the country.