There are two academic programs at Akilah: the 12-month Foundation Year program and the 2-year Diploma Program. Students have the option to apply directly to the Diploma Program but most students will begin in the Foundation Year. Akilah is currently located in the capital of Kigali in a rented facility but we plan to move to our own campus in Bugesera district in 2012.
The Foundation Year
The inaugural Foundation Year class began on February 2, 2010 with 50 students. The Akilah Institute opened in January 2010 with 50 students in the inaugural Foundation Year program. Four instructors teach Intensive English, Health & Nutrition, Hospitality, Leadership & Ethics, Public Speaking, Composition, and Computer Skills.
This intensive one-year program provides a critical foundation in English language studies, communication, computer skills, and critical thinking. Many of these students have only studied in the Francophone system and while an intermediate competency in English is required, they need another intensive year to prepare for Diploma level courses. Progression to the Diploma Program is dependent on satisfactory completion of the Foundation Year. Students participate in site visits and excursions to hotels, restaurants, and private businesses around the country to meet with professionals in the industry. Guided journaling and reflection is included in the English classes. Students are continuously supported and encouraged to reflect on and understand Rwanda’s past while creating hope for the future. Students attend class 5 days a week.
Watch the Akilah instructors explain the Foundation Year courses on the Akilah YouTube page.
UNIQUE ASPECTS OF THE FOUNDATION YEAR:
SUMMER SESSION
The Summer Session is an intensive 6-week program to further develop English fluency, public speaking, and leadership skills. The 2010 Summer Session focuses on themes of female leadership and empowerment, and diversity. This is studied through the use of books and film, including North Country; articles about Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the President of Liberia; Whale Rider; Legally Blonde; The Giver; and more. Students write and prepare skits on the theme to present to community groups.
KANATAPI
Kanatapi is a Native American word for the “gathering of people.” It symbolizes the importance of a community that can speak honestly to each other. Every Friday, Akilah students and staff come together in a circle for one hour each day to grow as individuals and as a community. Students are encouraged to use “I feel” statements to share thoughts and reflections with the rest of the group. After sharing, the Program Director leads students through prompts that are designed to build self-confidence and community. Prompts have included “What is one of your inner strengths?” or “Complete the following sentence: I used to be ____. I am ____. I want to be____.” Akilah students learn tools for listening to others respectfully, speaking from the bedrock of their own feelings, and accepting differences in classmates.
The Akilah Diploma
Akilah is preparing to launch our first diploma program, Hospitality Studies, in January 2011. A team of education and development experts from Johnson and Wales University, Vanderbilt University, the Rwanda Private Sector Federation, the Ministry of Education, and an advisory council of industry leaders in Rwanda are developing the 2-year curriculum. The curriculum is a direct response to the needs of the private sector and the courses combine classroom instruction, based on proven training models, with entrepreneurial skills. It challenges students with real-world opportunities to be involved in the daily realities of running a small business. Please contact Monique@AkilahInstitute.org for detailed information about the curriculum.
Students will work in groups to develop a sample business plan. The class will discuss potential implementation strategies, access to financing, marketing plans, and potential challenges. Graduates with a strong foundation in entrepreneurial skills will be uniquely poised to have great success in a rapidly expanding economy. These young entrepreneurs will have the strong academic qualifications, technical skills demanded by the marketplace, and the business experience to start their own profit making enterprise.
Core courses include:
Leadership
-Discovering Leadership
-Entrepreneurial Leadership
-Women in Leadership
-Conflict Resolution
-Ethics in Business Leadership
Hospitality
-Hotel Operations: Introduction to Guest Services
-Customer Care
-Event Planning and Management
-Restaurant Management: Essentials of Food & Beverage
-Tourism in Rwanda
-Quality Assurance
-Supervision & Management
Communication
-Intensive English
-Launching Your Career
-Communication in Hospitality
-Business Writing
-Culture and Protocal
-Public Speaking
Life Skills
-Computer Literacy
-Creative and Analytical Problem Solving
-Organization & Time Management
-Geography & World History
-Health, Safety, and Hygiene
Internship Program
Students are required to complete an internship in between their first and second year. This experience provides a bridge between a student’s studies and the realities of the private sector. Most internships will be conducted in Rwanda, but the top students will have the opportunity to intern in another East African country. Akilah will assist with intern placement by utilizing our industry connections and Advisory Council members. The internship is the capstone program of their studies and ensures a smooth transition to the industry.
The learning and living environment of the Bugesera campus ensures that students are gaining valuable practical experience during their studies.