OPENING CEREMONY OF SENIOR COMMAND AND STAFF COURSE 05/16-17 ON 25 JULY 2016

On 25 July 2016, the RDF Command and Staff College (RDFCSC) officially started the one year Senior Command and Staff Course (SCSC) 05. The SCSC 05 is composed of 47 Senior Officers; 28 from RDF, 2 from RNP and 17 from allied countries namely Ethiopia (2), Ghana (1), Kenya (2), Malawi (2), Nigeria (1), Senegal (1), South Sudan (2), the United Republic of Tanzania (2), Uganda (2) and Zambia (2).

On behalf of the RDF CDS, Gen Patrick Nyamvumba, the Commandant of the College Maj Gen JB Kazura, officially opened the Course. In his remarks, he welcomed and congratulated students for being selected to attend the prestigious career course. He encouraged students to feel at home and free to share their wealth of knowledge and experiences. The commandant also reminded the students that the course comprised two concurrent packages: the Military Studies package, of which they will graduate with a ’psc’; and the Security Studies package where they will graduate with a Masters of Arts or a Post Graduate Diploma, depending on eligibility requirements. He urged them to work hard to graduate successfully.

The course was preceded by a week-long pre-course familiarization, including an organised tour of Rubavu and Musanze towns for allied students.

For a period of 46 weeks, the College Faculty and Staff will vigorously endeavour to achieve the Course main objective "to develop officers with the highest intellectual and professional competencies in command and leadership of the Defence Forces, in order to effectively respond to the challenges of the contemporary operating environment".

The RDFCSC was inaugurated on 23 July 2012, and has so far graduated 185 students including 30 allied students. The College is accredited to the University of Rwanda and offers a Masters of Arts degree and Postgraduate diploma in Security Studies.